Las Vegas Raiders post game report: Carlson boots winner gets Raiders closer to playoff spot; Vegas defeats Indianapolis 23-20

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

#2 Daniel Carlson of the Las Vegas Raiders is jubilant after booting a 33 yard field goal to get the Raiders a three point win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis Sun Jan 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

In a game that went right down to the wire the Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) when Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson exhibited closing seconds heroics once again when he booted a 33 yard field goal with the score tied at 20-20 at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis to defeat the Colts (9-7) on Sunday afternoon.

The Raider had a touchdown that was called back on a TV replay reversal and lost a touchdown on an unfortunate play which were the only two turnovers of the game. For quarterback Derek Carr went 24-31 for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Raiders who won the game by three also took a three point half time lead at the half 13-10. It was Carr towards the end of the game that got Carlson good field position to boot the game winning field goal a win that takes the Raiders one step closer to getting into the post season.

With the win over the Colts on Sunday the Raiders picked up their third straight win, the Raiders have won games by three or less points during the three game streak with a win over the Cleveland Browns 16-14 on Mon Dec 20, a 17-13 win against the Denver Broncos on Sun Dec 26, and Sunday’s thriller in Indianapolis 23-20.

Carr was saying the Raiders are finding ways to rally and make late comebacks. Although the Raiders when facing the Browns, Broncos and Colts made those close comebacks it’s the coming back from behind the making of a good football team, “We’re finding a way to do it because we have the right kind of guys and there’s never been a doubt, there’s never a finger pointed, you know, at this or that, and this coach is not there, and all this kind nobody cares.” Carr told the AP.

The Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) next Sun Jan 9th a 1:25 pm PST kick off for the last regular season game. The Chargers who have won five of their last nine games blew out the Broncos Sunday 34-13 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts each Friday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose 8-5 to Penguins; Pens open up six goal surge on SJ in first period

Published on by M WalshLeave a comment

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evan Rodrigues (9) celebrates his hat trick with Bryan Rust (17), the Penguins scored six goals in the first period at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Sun Jan 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks started 2022 off on the road, losing 8-5 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The victory marked the Penguins’ eighth win in a row. Evan Rodrigues and Bryan Rust each came away with hat tricks for the Penguins.

Kasper Bjorkqvist and Jake Guentzel scored the balance of the Pittsburgh goals, while Casey DeSmith made 22 saves for the win. Alexander Barabanov, Brent Burns, Matt Nieto, Jacob Middleton and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks. James Reimer made 11 saves on 17 shots in the first period before being replaced by Zach Sawchenko, who made 20 saves on 21 shots.

The Penguins scored four goals in the first 6:09 of the game, and went on to score two more before the end of the first period. “It snowballed on us. We couldn’t stop it. We tried to call time out, we tried to switch things out, but it was ugly,” said Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner after the game. He summarized the game as: “You score five goals on the road, you should at least come out with a point. So I think that speaks to a couple things on our side.”

Boughner praised his rookie goaltender, Zach Sawchenko:

“Young guy, never played a [NHL] game before, you know, going in to a 6-1 game in a building like this against a team like this. I thought he showed a lot of character, I thought he battled hard for us, and he gave us a chance to come back.”

Sawchenko allowed just one goal, and that one on the power play, in his two periods in net.

The first Pittsburgh goal, at 1:09, came from Evan Rodrigues. The Penguins had a two-on-one into the zone. Rodrigues got around Radim Simek and took a shot between the defenders that got by Reimer on the stick side. Assists went to Marcus Pettersson and Danton Heinen.

Jake Guentzel scored at 3:12. Rust made a pass across the ice, through the blue paint and Guentzel sent it right back to the net. Assists went to Rust and Sidney Crosby.

Rodrigues scored his second at 4:11. On another odd-man rush, Rodrigues carried the puck all the way to the net before lifting it in with a backhand shot. Assists went to Heinen and Dominic Simon.

Bryan Rust scored at 6:09. He took the shot from low in the slot. There was some traffic in front of the net, but no one between Reimer and Rust. Assists went to Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin.

Barabanov scored one at 15:33. Timo Meier sent the puck to the net aloft. Barabanov knocked it out of the air and the slipped it around the goaltender. Assists went to Meier and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Kasper Bjorkqvist scored his first NHL goal at 16:29. Radim Zohorna sent the puck into a mass of bodies at the net. The puck went to Bjorkqvist who had dropped to a knee and was ready to nudge it back in. Assists went to Zohorna and Sam Lafferty.

Rust scored his second of the game at 19:32. He took the shot from the blue line into net traffic. It bounced over Reimer on the stick side. Assists went to John Marino and Marcus Pettersson.

The Sharks replaced Reimer to start the second period, putting rookie Zach Sawchenko into his first NHL game with the team down 6-1.

Brent Burns scored the only goal in the second period, with a blast from the blue line. The goal came on the power play at 14:27. Assists went to Nick Bonino and Noah Gregor.

Matt Nieto scored just 20 seconds into the third period with a carom off the end boards that went off of DeSmith and in. Assists went to Jacob Middleton and Andrew Cogliano.

Jacob Middleton scored at 3:01 with a redirection of an Erik Karlsson shot from the point. Assists went to Karlsson and Meier.

Logan Couture brought the Sharks within one goal at 4:09. Meier centered the puck out of traffic along the boards and Couture was ready to shoot it in.

Evan Rodrigues scored his third of the night at 17:59 on the power play. Rodrigues’ shot went past Erik Karlsson and between Jake Guentzel’s skates before getting to the net. Assists went to Kris Letang and Bryan Rust.

Bryan Rust scored into an empty net at 19:49. Assists went to Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel.

The Sharks were out-shot 39-27 in the game. They won 66% of the face-offs. The Sharks penalty kill allowed four shots and two goals. Their power play had one shot and one goal.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday in Detroit against the Red Wings at 4:30 PM PT.

NCAAF podcast with Michelle Richardson: Oklahoma State stage shocking come back win; Ohio State holds up as Rose Bowl winners; Alabama cruises to a win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman watches from the sidelines against the Oklahoma State Cowboys from State Farm Stadium in Glendale AZ on Sat Jan 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NCAABB podcast with Michelle R:

#1 Michelle, what happened to Notre Dame (11-2) in the Fiesta Bowl, the Fighting Irish had a 21 point lead and let it slip away. The number one ranked team falls to the Oklahoma State Cowboys (12-2). The Cowboys roared back with 17 points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth to just edge the Fighting Irish 37-35.

#2 What a finish at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. With the Utah Utes (10-4) ahead in the first half the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2). The Buckeyes rallied in the second half behind running back Jaxon Smith-Njigba who ran for 347 yards and scored three touchdowns. With Ohio State up 46-45 Buckeyes kicker Noah Ruggles hit a 19 yard field goal to get the Buckeyes up by four in the closing second for a 49-45 win.

#3 No.1 Alabama Crimson Tide gets a win over fourth ranked Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young threw for 181 yards for three touchdowns and one interception. The Crimson Tide had a seven point first quarter and a ten point second quarter.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Join Michelle Richardson for the NCAA Football podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Reverse Third Quarter Meltdown To Beat Jazz 123-116

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) throws down against the Utah Jazz on Sat Jan 1, 2022 in Salt Lake City (AP News photo)

Warriors Reverse Third Quarter Meltdown To Beat Jazz 123-116

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (28-7) took on the Utah Jazz (26-10) to start off the New Year. This was the second year in a row that Golden State has played on New Years Day. They came into Utah from Denver where they were unable to play the Nuggets due to the inability of Denver to fill out an eight man roster. Golden State won this game 123-116 in a wild fourth quarter in which both teams played at a high level.

The Nuggets had a multitude of injuries coupled with players on covid protocol. The decision to postpone this game came very late in the day, a real frustration for Golden State.

After all the confusion in Denver the Warriors headed to Utah to take on a very tough Jazz team. The team has faced adversity before this season and would have to dig deep to get past Utah who was slightly favored in this game.

After one quarter Golden State led by the score of 29-24. They had shot 46% and came into this game playing fast and strong. It was a nice start for the Warriors, a team that is a third and fourth quarter team. As we have seen time and time again, every attempt was being made to take Stephen Curry out of the game.

Taking Curry out of any game is easier said than done and the Jazz found this out as the second quarter wore on. He will shoot over you and he will find a way to defeat any attempt to slow him down. The Warriors had a 13 point lead mid-way through the second quarter.

Having Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins back gave Golden State the increased depth that we are used to seeing. The offensive effort that we saw from the Warriors in the first half was the difference in this game so far.

The Jazz cut the 13 point lead to five as the quarter began to wind downs but Andrew Wiggins put a stop to Utah’s bid. He finished the half with 17 points. Otto Porter had an amazing half with 16 points, and with two quarters in the books the Warriors led 64-50.

Whatever was said in the Jazz locker room at the half it resonated because they came out on fire. They outscored the Warriors 41-22 in the third quarter The Jazz are the number one team in the league in third and fourth quarter scoring so Golden State had their work cut out for them in the final quarter.

The Warriors sure rallied in the fourth quarter in a masterful offensive display. Golden State held their ground offensively and defensively in the absence of Draymond Green.

Curry finished the game with 28 points, six from downtown. Wiggins had a great game with 25 points. He had eight points in a row in the final four minutes which reversed the course of this game. Otto Porter had 20 points so a great showing from the Warriors this evening. Jordan Poole and Andre Iguodala both had double digits off the bench. This was as impressive a win as I have seen all season from this team.

The Warriors will now head home for a game against the Heat at Chase. The tipoff Monday night is scheduled for 7:00PM.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks getting best offensive production from Hertl and Meier and goaltending from Reimer

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer, middle, is congratulated by defensemen Radim Simek, left, and Jacob Middleton (21) after stopping 23 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers at the SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 30, 2021 (AP News photo)

On San Jose Sharks podcast:

#1 Len, the San Jose Sharks (17-14-1) Tomas Hertl really upended the Philadelphia Flyers (13-12-6) goaltender Felix Sandstrom 3-2. Hertl scored the game winner on Sandstrom’s Philadelphia debut.

#2 Sandstrom has quite a game standing on his head against the Sharks facing 43 shots and allowing three goals in the close contest.

#3 Hertl extended his best points streak to eight games as the Sharks picked up a 8-7 in overtime.

#4 The Sharks Logan Couture and Brent Burns scored and Sharks goaltender James Reimer stopped 23 shots.

#5 The Sharks battle the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Igloo at PPG Paints in Pittsburgh talk a little about Sunday’s upcoming game.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Froze out outdoor game will set NHL cold record; Ovechkin sets power play goals record; Knights win on Pacioretty’s first game back since surgery

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

They can see their breath as workers at Target Field in Minneapolis prepare the ice surface and stands for fans and players as the St Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild face off on Sat Jan 1, 2022 for the Winter Classic which is expected to the coldest outdoor game on record (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 It wouldn’t be a show without opening it up about the power play goal king Alexander Ovechkin who mailed home the NHL record most power play goals in history on Friday night with number 275 against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars in Detroit.

#2 Look out Matt for those full of fired up Vegas Golden Knights as they defeat the Anaheim Ducks in Las Vegas 3-1. This was the Knights tenth win in 12 games in a 3-1 win. The Knights Max Pacioretty enjoyed the victory the Pacioretty’s first since coming back from wrist surgery on Thursday.

#3 You knew the New Jersey Devils (12-15-5) Jack Hughes wouldn’t disappoint scoring two goals and an assist for three points on Friday night with a game winning goal at 2:55 in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers Conner McDavid scored two goals. The Devils edged the Oilers 6-5.

#4 In the coldest outdoor game record low of three degrees the Winter Classic between the visiting St Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild at Target Field in Minnesota was the coldest on record. The NHL has ordered 40,000 hand warmers for fans for today’s outdoor game.

#5 Matt, nine games postponed means 90 games scratched due to Covid 19 protocols. The New York Islanders have games in Seattle on Tue, at Vancouver on Wed, in Edmonton on Jan 8, and at Calgary on Jan 11th all postponed. The games will be made up later.

Matt Harrington does the NHL podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mavericks even the score take second game of series 112-96 at Golden One

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Dallas Mavericks forward Sterling Brown (0) drives towards to the hoop only to get fouled from behind by the Sacramento Kings center Damian Jones (30) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Dec 31, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (15-22) were back in action on Friday afternoon, the last day of 2021. The game was slated to take place at 3 PM PST against the Dallas Mavericks (17-18) The Kings last played on Wednesday when they also took on the Mavericks.

That game went in the Kings favor at the last second when Chimezie Metu hit the game-winning three-point shot as time expired. The Kings beat the Mavericks 95-94. The Kings and Mavericks played again on Friday, and the Mavericks trounced the Kings 112-96.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a hot start. The Kings outscored the Mavericks 39-34 in the first quarter. The offense hit all cylinders, and the Mavericks defense could not keep up. De’Aaron Fox led the attack that saw him be ultra-aggressive in the first quarter.

Unfortunately, the Mavericks also put the hurt on the Kings defense, scoring 34 points as neither team looked prepared for the other on the defensive end of the floor.

In the second quarter, not much went right for the Kings. The Mavericks offense continued to click, but the Kings offense fell dormant. The Mavericks scored 28 points in the second quarter, which was an improvement for the Kings defense.

However, the Kings offense fell by the wayside. The Kings only scored 17 points in the second, which put them in a hole going into halftime. The Kings trailed the Mavericks at halftime 62-56.

In the third quarter, the Kings began to implode. The Kings offense and defense simultaneously fell apart as the Kings were outscored 32-20 in the third quarter.

It was a baffling sight to behold. The Kings appeared to show good energy in the first half, but that is a familiar sight for the Kings only to see the meltdown in the fourth. The Kings would need a miracle on both ends of the floor to come back against the Mavs without Luka. The Kings entered the fourth quarter down 76-94.

The story doesn’t get any better for Kings fans in the fourth quarter. At one point, the Kings went 0-12 in a 7:29 stretch that sealed the deal for the Kings. The Kings did outscore the Mavs in the final quarter 20-18.

However, most of those points came in garbage time as both teams emptied the bench. Overall, the Kings lost the game 112-96 and snapped their two-game win streak. Notably for the Kings was the performance of De’Aaron Fox.

Fox scored 10 points in the first eight minutes of the game. Yet, he could not score any more points the rest of the game. Tyrese Haliburton led the Kings with 17 points in the losing effort. The most impressive performance for the Mavs came in the form of Jalen Brunson, who scored 23 points. It is time for the Kings to take stock in the team. The team needs to be rebuilt from the ground up—nothing anyone can do with this current group.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Miami Heat on Sunday at 3 PM PST inside Golden One Center.

Barracuda cool off Heat in 4-0 shutout victory

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stockton Heat left winger Alex Gallant (20) and San Jose Barracuda right winger Steenn Pasichnuk (80) go for the throw down at Stockton Arena in downtown Stockton on Fri Dec 31, 2021 (photo by the Stockton Heat)

by Marko Ukalovic

STOCKTON, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda wiped the bad taste out of its mouth the last time they played in Stockton.

The ‘Cuda ended 2021 on a good note with a dominating 4-0 shutout victory over the Heat on Friday afternoon at Stockton Arena.

The last time San Jose played in Stockton back on December 7th, they suffered an embarrassing 10-1 loss to the Pacific Division leaders.

The Barracuda stole a page out of the Heat playbook by playing more physical, cashing in on counter attacks and getting outstanding goaltending.

San Jose have lost two games in a row after having their past two games postponed earlier this week due to Covid-19 protocols. Stockton had its four-game winning streak and seven game point streak snapped after having their two past games also postponed. It was their first home loss in regulation this season.

The first period was scoreless as both goalies, San Jose’s Sam Harvey and Stockton’s (and former ‘Cuda) Andrew Shortridge who both made their first starts of the season, made key saves to keep each team off the board.

Harvey stopped a Glen Gawdin breakaway 14 seconds into the game. Shortridge robbed an open net attempt by Nick Merkley with San Jose on a power play with 2:03 remaining in the opening period.

San Jose (11-13-1-0) drew first blood past the halfway point of the second period. Jayden Halbgewachs sent an outlet pass that sprung Merkley on a breakaway. Merkley lifted a backhander under the glove of Shortridge for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:27 mark.

Merkley’s goal was the first time San Jose have had a lead against Stockton this season.

The Barracuda doubled its lead after a taking advantage of a Heat turnover. Joachim Blichfeld intercepted Conner Mackey’s clearing attempt inside the Heat zone. Blichfeld skated in a snapped a wrist shot past Shortridge for his ninth goal of the season at the 15:20 mark.

Stockton (18-3-2-1) was left scratching their heads heading into the second intermission at they outshot San Jose 11-7 in the middle frame.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal on the penalty kill early in the third period. Seconds after killing the first penalty off of a five-on-three opportunity for Stockton, Merkley found Evan Weinger up the ice as he just left the penalty box. Weinger skated in on a breakaway and beat Shortridge with a wrist shot for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:36 mark.

It was the ‘Cuda’s sixth short-handed goal of the season.

Blichfeld scored its second goal of the game late in the period. Blichfeld gathered the puck in the neutral zone. As he skated into the Heat zone, he fired a shot from just inside the blueline that beat Shortridge top shelf to the short side for his 10th goal of the season at the 13:26 mark.

Harvey stopped all 30 shots he faced to earn his first career AHL shutout. Shortridge made 22 saves on 26 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. They are 0-for-9 against Stockton on the man advantage this season. Stockton was 0-for-4.

This was San Jose’s first shutout win since 1/8/20. They now have four shutout wins against Stockton. The ‘Cuda’s last shutout win against the Heat was on 1/14/17.

Mike Murphy, the Barracuda’s head equipment manager, was the backup goalie for San Jose as Alexei Melnichuk is still on the AHL Covid-19 protocol. Zachary Sawchenko is up with the Sharks as their netminder due to Adin Hill still on the NHL Covid-19 protocol.

Bilchfeld has 10 multi-goal games in his career.

Steenn Paschinuk was recalled by San Jose from Orlando. Paschinuk fought with Alex Gallant in the second period.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Harvey 2) Blichfeld 3) Merkley

UP NEX: San Jose play their first game of 2022 on Sunday 1/2 as they host the Stockton Heat at 1:00pm at SAP Center.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders try for 3 wins in a row face hot Colts team Sunday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) plows ahead for extra yardage against Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Dec 26, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony, the Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) have won two in a row be it in close scores they defeated the Cleveland Browns (7-8) by two on Mon Dec 20th and last Sun Dec 26 a win by three points over the visiting Denver Broncos (7-8).

#2 In last Sunday’s game Raider quarterback Derek Carr threw for 201 yards with a touchdown and one interception. Talk about Carr’s ability to move the ball down field in the third quarter and get wide receiver Peyton Barber a short pass for a score.

#3 Tony, in the first quarter running back Josh Jacobs fumbled and the Broncos scored 13 points in the second quarter and took a 13-0 half time lead. During the half Jacobs promised the coaches that he will take care of the football and to give him another chance in the second half. Jacobs did carrying for 129 yards for the game.

#4 How big of advantage was it for the Raiders home field, facing a Covid bitten Broncos team and down to their second string quarterback Drew Lock who threw for 153 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

#5 It’s off to Indianapolis this Sunday and the Colts (9-6) who are tearing it up. The Colts have won six of their last eight games and handled the Arizona Cardinals (10-5) 22-16 with that in mind how do you see the Raiders and Cardinals this Sunday in Indianapolis.

Join Tony R for the Raiders podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford matches up against a hot UCLA offense Thursday; Bruins have won 8 of last 9

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) the leading scorer against the Liberty Flames seen here in file photo. Jones had 25 points at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu on Thu Dec 23, 2021 (photo file by Stanford Athletics Dept)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, the Stanford Cardinal (8-4) playing their last game on Thu Dec 23 at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu get a long lay off. Their game this coming Sun Jan 2 postponed due to Covid 19 protocols with their next game scheduled for Thu Jan 6 at UCLA (8-1).

#2 Daniel, talk about the long lay off is that an advantage for Stanford getting rest between games or a disadvantage becoming rusty and not seeing competitive action?

#3 The Cardinal have been playing great ball they have won five of their last seven games and getting great offensive support from Spencer Jones who scored 25 points in his last game against the Liberty Flames (8-5) on Thu Dec 23 in Honolulu. He was critical because the Cardinal won by just three points.

#4 Daniel, Jones has been passed the ball quite a bit which shows that the Cardinal have confidence in what he can do with it and pretty much lean on Jones to finish the job in front of the basket.

#5 Stanford faces the Bruins (8-1) Thu Jan 6 and the Bruins have lost only one game this season and that was to Gonzaga getting crushed by 20 points 83-63. Otherwise the Bruins have owned everyone else they’ve faced who do you like in Thursday’s game?

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com