Colorado wins fifth straight, routing Cardinal 70-53

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Stanford guard Michael O’Connell (5) and forward James Keefe, right,  try to put some defense on Colorado forward Evan Battey (21) at Maples Pavillion on Sat Feb 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 19, 2022

Stanford closed out the home portion of its 2021-22 men’s basketball schedule with a 70-53 Pac-12 loss at the hands of Colorado Saturday at Maples Pavilion.

Evan Battey paced the Buffaloes’ balanced attack in their fifth consecutive win with 15 points, followed by Nique Clifford with 14 points and seven rebounds. Keeshawn Bartelemy, Jabari Walker and K.J. Simpson each added 10 points for Colorado (18-9 overall, 10-7).

Jaiden Delaire led the Cardinal scoring on Senior Night, netting 12 points on 5 of 7 field goals, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range. Spencer Jones and Maxime Raynaud scored eight points each, and James Keefe grabbed nine rebounds.

Once again, Stanford (15-12 overall, 8-9 Pac-12) had trouble shooting at home, making 21 of 54 from the field (39 percent), including 5 of 20 behind the arc and 6 of 11 at the free throw line.

Colorado, meanwhile, made 52 percent on its field goals, going 24 for 46, making 6 of 13 3-pointers and making 16 of 23 free throws.

The Cardinal jumped to an early 12-3 lead in the first half, but CU responded with a run to surge ahead by three with 7:30 left in the half, Stanford led 31-29 at halftime, but the Buffs outscored the Cardinal 41-22 in the second half.

Along with Delaire, Lukas Kisunas, Sam Beskind, Daniel Begovich and Keenan Fitzmorris all played their final home game on Senior Night for the Cardinal.

Stanford’s next game is next Saturday in Berkeley against California, with a 5:30 tip-off.

Utah Nips Cal: Bears rally falls short in aggravating 60-58 loss

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–The general rule of thumb is when a Pac-12 opponent is trying to give you something, take it.

But on Saturday afternoon at Haas Pavilion, Utah kept giving and host Bears were slow to take, in a frustrating 60-58 loss.

The Utes survived despite going without a made field goal for six-and-half minutes in the second half and losing leading scorer Branden Carlson to injury. Cal got within two points twice, the first with 19 seconds remaining. But Lazar Stefanovic hit a pair of free throws before Jalen Celestine canned a three with five seconds remaining and Utah escaped.

The Bears missed eight of their last 10 shots, and went more than four minutes without a field goal before Celestine’s 3 in the final seconds. Cal shot just 39 percent from the floor, and missed nine of their 11 3-point attempts after halftime when they needed at least one big shot to draw them closer.

“At the end of the night we’ll look back and realize the consequences of some little mistakes throughout the game were great,” coach Mark Fox said. “We had some little mistakes that you look back that were just back-breaking in a two-point loss.”

Marco Anthony led Utah with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.

“This season, leading up until now, we’ve been on that other side and there’s been some obstacles,” Anthony said. “But now we’re getting over that hump.”

Lars Thiemann led Cal with 16 points, and Kuany Kuany added 10, but they were the only two Bears to make more than half of their attempted shots.

Jordan Shepherd, who scored 33 in the win at Oregon, had 10 against the Utes and was limited by a hand injury suffered in that previous game. Shepard played 34 minutes Saturday but had just two made baskets. Fox touched on Cal’s limitations in playing without Andre Kelly, their leading scorer who has missed the last seven games with a season-ending ankle injury.

“The issue for us, when Lars goes out, we get small really fast,” Fox said.

Utah and Cal have amazing parallels starting with their 10-game losing streaks. Both teams broke their streaks by beating Oregon State less than a week apart, and have gone on to now record road sweeps with Cal winning twice in Oregon last week and Utah beating Stanford and now Cal this week.

Both teams are 4-13 in league play and tied for 10th place after Saturday’s contest. Each will have three more opportunities to come up with a fifth Pac-12 win or more. For Cal, their best shot at another conference victory comes this Saturday against visiting Stanford.

Barracuda snap losing streak with wild 7-6 shootout win over Stars

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San Jose Barracuda players congratulate each other after one goal win over the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Sat Feb 19, 2022 (San Jose Barracuda image)

by Marko Ukalovic

CEDAR PARK, Texas —Roy Sommer can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The San Jose Barracuda blew a two-goal lead late in the third period but finally gave their head coach a reason to smile with a 7-6 shootout victory over the Texas Stars on Saturday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose snapped its season worst seven-game losing streak (as well as a six-game road losing streak). Texas has lost four of its past five games.

San Jose (15-26-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Kyle Topping sent a rink wide pass over to Cole Moberg in the left faceoff circle. Moberg snapped a wrist shot to the far side past Stars goalie Adam Scheel for his second goal of the season at the 5:45 mark.

Texas (14-18-5-4) answered back immediately on the ensuing faceoff. Joseph Cecconi sprung Jeremy Gregoire on a breakaway with a home run pass from his own zone. Gregoire skated in on ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk and beat him with a wrist shot for his sixth goal of the season 15 seconds later at the 6:00 mark.

The Stars gained their first lead of the game seconds after the Barracuda had killed off a penalty. Fredrik Karlstrom found Ryan Shea atop at the point. Shea fired wrist shot top shelf past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 17:56 mark.

San Jose evened the score in the early in the second period. Sasha Chmelevski made a back pass to Mark Alt along the left slot. Alt fired a wrist shot past Scheel for his third goal of the season at the 4:00 mark.

Texas countered over three minutes later. Karlstrom skated in a breakaway and his initial shot was saved by Melnichuk. However, Karlstrom cleaned up his own rebound as he lifted the puck over the right pad of Melnichuk for his eighth goal of the season at the 7:42 mark.

San Jose scored the equalizer on the power play late in the middle frame. Joachim Blichfeld found Artemi Kniazev up at the right point. The 21-year defenseman blasted a slapshot past a screened Scheel for his second goal of the season at the 14:45 mark.

The Barracuda scored their third goal of the period 31 seconds later to regain the lead. Chmelevski led a two-on-one with Santeri Hatakka. Chmelevski dished the puck over to Hatakka and the Finnish defenseman sniped home a wrist shot top shelf to the far side for his first career goal in North America at the 15:16 mark.

Stars head coach Neil Graham pulled Scheel after allowing four goals on 18 shots and replaced him with backup netminder Matt Jurusik.

San Jose went up 5-3 with their third unanswered goal after killing a penalty. Jasper Weatherby cleared the puck up to Topping just as he exited the penalty box and sprung him on a breakaway. Topping made a backhand to forehand move to beat Jurusik to the far side for a highlight reel goal, his first goal of the season at the 18:21 mark.

Topping snapped a 24-game goal less draught and both of his career AHL goals have come in the H-E-B Center against the Stars.

Texas cut the lead to a one-goal game near the halfway mark of the third period when Anthony Louis sent a wrist shot off the crossbar and into the back of the net for his 14th goal of the season at the 9:27 mark.

San Jose scored an insurance goal with its second power play goal of the game. Blichfeld sent a shot the caromed from behind the net out to the left side where John Leonard quickly snapped home a wrist shot past Jurusik for his 11th goal of the season at the 13:34 mark.

The Stars closed the gap to a one-goal lead for the second time in the game when Curtis McKenzie cleaned up a rebound with a backhander past Melnichuk for his 13th goal of the season at the 17:28 as Texas pulled Jurusik for an extra attacker.

Ty Dellandrea sent the game into overtime when he scored his 10th goal of the game with 21 seconds left in the third period.

The overtime session featured six combined shots but no goals.

Blichfeld scored the only goal in the three-round shootout to clinch it for San Jose.

Melnichuk finished the evening stopping 33 of the 39 shots, including going a perfect three for three in the shootout, he faced to earn the victory. He snapped a six-game winless draught. Jurusik made nine saves on 11 shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Texas was 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Blichfeld 2) McKenzie 3) Shea

UP NEXT: San Jose and Texas conclude their two-game series on Sunday 2/20 at 3:00pm at H-E-B- Center at Cedar Park

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal can’t hold on just miss with 60-58 loss to Utah

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Utah guard Gabe Madsen (55) shoots against California guard Jordan Shepherd at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the Utah Utes (10-16) didn’t score for almost seven minutes in the second half and the Cal Bears (11-17) almost took advantage of it cutting the score down to two points. The Bears made a valent effort at the end but couldn’t seal the deal taking a tough 60-58 loss at Haas Pavilion.

#2 Later though Utah found the basket and pulled away with just over seven minutes left in the game.

#3 The Utes held the lead in this one from the opening tip with a first half lead by 32-24 and couldn’t muster up to catch the Utes in the closing minutes of the game.

#4 The Bears Lars Thiemann 16 pts, Jalen Celestine, Kuany Kuany and Jordan Shepherd finished with 10 pts and Grant Anticevich with eight.

#5 Cal tips off against the Stanford Cardinal next Sat Feb 26 the Stanford has won only two of their last six games and lost to the Utes last Thursday 60-56. Tell us how you see this match up next Saturday.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Stars pull off win after going 0-0 in regulation; Bettman upholds Marchand suspension; plus more

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Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, left, can’t stop the Dallas Stars center Jacob Peterson who scores the game winning shootout goal at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Feb 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, as you know there are no ties in hockey and the Dallas Stars (27-19-2) and Chicago Blackhawks (18-25-8) played to a 0-0 in regulation and then a shootout which the Stars pulled it off with the score tied 1-1 and the Stars Jacob Peterson scoring the game winner.

#2 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the six game suspension of the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand in which he hit Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the jaw while Jarry was down on his knees freezing a puck and later after an official was escorting Marchand off the ice Marchand took his stick and hit Jarry in the chin with it in the Feb 8th game.

#3 Matt, talk about the Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi who is out with an lower body injury. Puljujarvi was injured Thursday in Anaheim at Rogers Place. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said Puljujarvi got tangled up and it wasn’t a dirty play and not an impact injury.

#4 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery says there is a lot of time between now and the March 21st trade deadline. Fluery wants to play one more year and hopes to finish up in Chicago. Matt do you see Fluery able to get his wish and finish up with the Blackhawks.

#5 The Philadelphia Flyers Claude Giroux is considering a trade and is discussing it with team general manager Chuck Fletcher. Giroux has a no trade clause in his contract. Fletcher said it’s Giroux’s decision and with the trade deadline coming Fletcher will waiting to hear from Giroux.

Join Matt Harrington for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Will Sharks keep or deal Hertl before NHL deadline?

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The San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl has been key for their offense this season and is looking for a contract extension. Sharks general manager Joe Will says the Sharks are looking to negotiate a deal with Hertl and they are not considering trading Hertl. (AP file photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, tough going for the San Jose Sharks (22-21-45) of late they have lost five games in row with tough loses against Florida, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Edmonton and their last game against the Vancouver Canucks (23-21-6) last Thursday.

#2 The Canucks caught a break after allowing a tying goal in the third period and the Sharks thought they could get some daylight after tying the game at the last second. The Canucks however pulled off a win when JT Miller scored at 2:21 in overtime for the 5-4 final.

#3 The Canucks head coach Bob Boudreau was pretty upset to give up the tying goal at the last second in regulation and got the win in overtime. Boudreau said he’d take the two points even though he thought they didn’t deserve it.

#4 The Sharks goalie James Reimer faced 27 shots and five of those went for goals do you see some adjustments needing to be made in net for the Reimer and the Sharks.

#5 Will the Sharks sign center Tomas Hertl or will he be in a different uniform by the trade deadline. Hertl has said he wants to remain in San Jose but will the Sharks be looking for some players for their future?

Join Len Shapiro for the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Mayor Schaaf says A’s project will be a positive change for Oakland

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Artists rendition of Oakland A’s new ball park with surrounding offices and retail (image from AP News)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry how important was the vote for the Howard Terminal project yesterday by the Oakland City Council?

#2 A’s team president David Kaval said the A’s have never been this far and the vote is an important step for the City of Oakland and that the A’s project has never been this far before and that he vote is a milestone.

#3 Now the next step is for the city to negotiate the final terms of the new ballpark, affordable housing, retail, public transit to the park and benefits for the neighborhood.

#4 Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said that any legal challenge has 270 days according to state law which could shorten any delay.

#5 City Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas who said she wants to see that project delivers the economic and community benefits that Oakland needs. Also city council member Carroll Fife who represents the district where Howard Terminal is located said that the is moving fast. Also residents of West Oakland and Chinatown have expressed concern about traffic in their neighborhoods.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: All Star Break couldn’t have come at a better time for weathered Kings

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Sacramento Kings Davion Mitchell will not participate in the NBA All Star break’s Rising Star’s Challenge in Cleveland due to suffering from a hand contusion. Mitchell is expected to return to action on Thu Feb 24, 2022 at the Chase Center in Sacramento (file photo from Hoops Habit)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, going over some of the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis who is averaging 18 points per game, 12 rebounds, and has 5.1 assists. How important is he since joining the team?

#2 The Kings DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. When the Kings struggle in some of their games they always seem to look for Fox as their go to guy for offense.

#3 Sobonis didn’t hold back landing second on the Kings leaderboard behind Fox on Wednesday fending of the Bulls defense and scoring 22 points.

#4 Jeremiah the Kings Davion Mitchell has a hand contusion and will not participate in All Star weekend during the Rising Stars Challenge. With Mitchell out that means the Kings will not be represented at all during All Star weekend in Cleveland.

#5 Mitchell will rest the hand and hopes to be back in the Kings next game Thu Feb 24th against the Denver Nuggets at Golden One Center in downtown Sacramento.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal looking to rebound from loss to Utes play in Colorado Saturday

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Utah guard Both Gach (2) snuffs Stanford forward Brandon Angel (23) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Thu Feb 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Daniel:

#1 How disappointing is Stanford’s loss to lowly Utah on Thursday night?

#2 What went wrong for the Cardinal in the second half?

#3 The game with Utah was a game of runs, and the Utes had the last one when it counted.

#4 Will this loss keep Stanford out of the Big Dance?

#5 Can the Cardinal bounce back against Colorado?

Daniel does the Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Utes come from behind to stun Cardinal 60-56

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The agony of defeat and the thrill of victory all in one photo as Stanford Cardinal players walk off the floor as the Utah Utes celebrate in the foreground at Utah University on Thu Feb 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 17, 2022

Utah used a late run to come from behind at earn its first road win of the Pac-12 men’s basketball season Thursday, defeating Stanford 60-56 at Maples Pavilion.

Center Branden Carlson and reserve Both Gach led the Runnin’ Utes with 13 points each, while Rollie Worster and Gabe Madsen were next with 11 points apiece. Marco Anthony grabbed 12 rebounds.

James Keefe and Jaiden Delaire scored 11 points each to lead Stanford (15-11 overall, 8-8 Pac-12). Keefe was the Cardinal’s leading rebounders with eight, followed by Delaire and Harrison Ingram with seven boards each.

Brandon Angel scored eight of his 10 points off the Stanford bench during a 12-4 run for the Cardinal to close out the first half. Stanford led 28-21 at the break.

The Runnin’ Utes (10-16 overall, 3-13 Pac-12) trailed by five points with five minutes to play in the second half. With under four minutes to play, a steal by Madsen lead to Gach’s layup, and moments later, Carlson dunked on the Cardinal’s Keefe to tie the game at 54-all at 2:35.

Madsen’s 3-pointer with 1:42 left put the Utes ahead, eventually building a two-possession lead, as Utah finished the game with a 16-8 run.

On Saturday, Utah travels to Berkeley to face California, while the Cardinal host Colorado in its home finale.