San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda come away with split against Canucks; Face off with Stockton on Tuesday

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The San Jose Barracuda scrum in front of the Abbotsford Canucks net on Sun Dec 5, 2021 at the Abbotsford Arena in their second meeting of the two game series (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Abbotsford Canucks (7-7-2) used a three-goal third period to defeat the San Jose Barracuda (9-9-1-0) 5-2 on Sunday evening at Abbotsford Centre.

#2 San Jose have lost five of its past six games as they anchor the basement in the Pacific Division with 13 points. Abbotsford have won three of its last four games.

#3 Scott Reedy continues to be consistent on offense with two assists in five straight games. Reedy a rookie looks to be a an up and comer with nine goals and six assists for 15 points and ranks sixth in scoring amongst AHL rookies.

#4 The Barracuda Ryan Merkley a long time waiting to get his first goal of the year after 31 games his offense has improved he has chalked up points in three consecutive games.

#5 The Stockton Heat (13-2-2) host the Barrcuada on Tue Dec 7 at 6:30pm at the Stockton Arena. The Heat have won four out of their last six games and are in first place in the AHL Pacific Division. The last time the two clubs met was at SAP Center Wed Nov 3 the Heat defeated the Barracuda by three goals 4-1.

Join Marko for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts heard Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How bad will the lockout be and how long could it go?

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Will Camden Yards in Baltimore be an empty park once again this time to no games at all or will the MLB lockout get settled before the March 31st opening day date on schedule? (file photo Los Angeles Times)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, this past week Major League Baseball has asked all MLB employees to refrain from interviews, do not comment on anything particularly the lockout and all logos, symbols, photos of players are not to be displayed on the league website or team websites.

#2 During the last work stoppage in 1994 images were not scrubbed like they are for this work stoppage and it would appear that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred means business when he told staff at the league office and MLB teams to scrub player photos and images. It has the feel of censorship for the employees and most involved.

#3 Amaury, this being the first volley it has the players mocking the move by Manfred and MLB Players Association Executive Tony Clark none too happy in this first week of the lockout.

#4 Amaury this is the ninth work stoppage in the sports history but there are many baseball fans, advertisers, and cooperate sponsors of the game who remember the 94 work stoppage like it was yesterday and just might stay away from doing business with MLB if the season ends up getting scrubbed like it did last time.

#5 A number of MLB players signed with new clubs as free agents before the lockout hoping that the lockout will be settled before the regular season starts and get started on working on their new multi million dollar contracts.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Oakland A’s Spanish play by play announcer on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors bounce back to blowout Orlando 126-95; Curry leads with 31 pts

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shows Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and center Mo Bamba (5) that they are no match as Curry is on his way to a 31 point night at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Dec 6, 2021 (AP News photo)

Warriors Bounce Back To Blowout Orlando 126-95

By Barbara Mason

After a slow start against the Orlando Magic (5-20) the Golden State Warriors (20-4) fired up the forces displaying some brilliant shooting to completely shut down the Magic winning 126-95.

Monday night the Warriors celebrated Jewish Heritage Night at Chase Center before the game. It was a festive evening for the fans. Golden State was looking to celebrate a win over the Orlando Magic after dropping a lackluster game to the San Antonio Spurs last night. The Warriors needed a bounce back game tonight.

After a bit of a slow start in the first half, the Warriors quickly got back on track leading by 31-26 after one quarter. By the time the first half was a wrap the Warriors led by the score of 65-44 in a first half blowout.

The Magic had a good start dropping four from downtown. In the early minutes of the first quarter leading 12-2. That was when the Warriors did a complete 360 and busted this game wide open. By the end of the first half, Golden State led 65-44 and had dropped a dozen shots from downtown.

The expected blowout was well on it’s way with Stephen Curry leading the team with 4 of 5 on three’s and 19 points. This halftime lead was the largest of the season for the Warriors. Great defense and great work off the bench was a huge part of the first half.

The Magic made up a little ground in the third quarter after trailing by as much as 26 points. They had actually outscored Golden State 36-33 in the quarter. The Warriors were 12 minutes away from win number 20.

The bench finished off this game in a flurry with rookie Jonathan Kuminga shooting nine points in the fourth quarter. With the final of 126-95 Golden State is tied for the best record in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns. The two teams sit atop the Western Conference.

Andrew Wiggins was red hot shooting 8 of 10 from three point range finishing with 28 for the night. “I’m very comfortable right now with this free flowing offense,” said Wiggins after the game. “I take a lot of pride battling every night.” He referred to the long road trip ahead of the team. “We’ve got to grind it out and stick together.” Wiggins added. Curry was 7 of 13 finishing with 31 points and finishing big tonight.

The Warriors will take on the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at Chase Center before heading out on the road for a long road trip. Tipoff is at 7:00 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2022 Winter Olympics USA Announces Symbolic Boycott; Peng could figure into boycott

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USA government officials announced they will boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics but Team USA athletes will attend and compete. Although not mentioned in the boycott protest the handling and missing of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai would be no surprise if her situation added fuel to the boycott. In this file photo Peng serves to Japan’s Nao Hibino at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia during the first round singles, on Jan. 21, 2020. (AP News file photo)

2022 Winter Olympics: USA Announces Symbolic Boycott

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The United States Government announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics that will begin in Beijing, China next February. The boycott does not include the hundreds of American athletes that will still travel and participate during this competition. The “boycott” is done basically to send a message from the United States government to the Chinese communist government of disapproval for the human rights abuses going on inside of China.

These abuses are well documented by the UN (United Nations) who has published these violations as well as non-profit organizations like Amnesty International. Although not a winter sport, the tennis world is well involved currently with the controversy of Chinese tennis superstar Peng Shuai.

The best news coming out of this? The American athletes who have practiced for years will be able to represent their country, unlike other boycotts where the country doesn’t send a delegation, including the athletes. In the 125 years of the modern games, the Summer and Winter Olympics have gone through six boycotts. Recently some countries did not attend, because of the pandemic, but the most common situations for boycotts are war, invasions of countries, apartheid, and doping of the athletes.

The most common theme for the Olympics games is “world peace, fraternity, goodwill diversity and unity for all nations” however, we would be pressed to find a time when the whole world achieved most of that. We might have to go back to the Bible and the Garden of Eden as the only and last terrestrial paradise and that only lasted for a very short period of time.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Baseball Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Utes pull away from Cal in second half for win; Cal hosts Idaho State Tuesday

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The Utah Utes Both Gach who led with 19 points slams against the Cal Bears on Sun Dec 5, 2021 in Pac 12 action in Salt Lake City (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the Utah Utes (6-2) just were too much for the Cal Bears (4-5) to try and contain as they were defeated 66-58. The Utes had three scorers in double figures guard Both Gach 19 pts, center Brandon Carlson 12 pits, and Lazar Stefanovic with 12 points.

#2 It was the Utes home opener and they were short handed but you would never know watching the way the took over the offense against the Bears.

#3 Morris, After the Bears had that 73-61 win over the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday was a loss to the Utes of this magnitude surprising?

#4 The Bears in the first half had an eight point lead but that fell apart as the determined Utes on their home floor would eventually catch up for keeps on Sunday night.

#5 Wed Dec 8th at Haas Pavilion Cal hosts the Idaho State Bengals (1-7) who lost to Northern Arizona (4-5) on Saturday night 73-70. A close game it be but the Bengals are a struggling ball club and the Bears after losing to Utah want to get that bad taste of losing out of their mouths.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Figuring out how Warriors lost to Spurs; Warriors host Orlando tonight Magic lost 8 of their last 9

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The Golden State Warriors Jordan Poole (right) was defended pretty well by the San Antonio Spurs and guard Tre Jones (left) Sat Dec 4, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, on Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (19-4) don’t lose often but the San Antonio Spurs (8-13) defense kept recent high scorers Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins in check enough to get their offense to hang with the Warriors for the eventual 112-107 win.

#2 To lose on the home floor to a team that is five games below .500 and the Warriors have been invincible was this a game where they were pretty much having an off night or were the Spurs well prepared and ready to go.

#3 Barbara, talk about the shooting performances of the Spurs top three scorers Derrick White (25), Dejounte Murray (23), and Lonnie walker (21) they seemed lights out all game long against the Warriors.

#4 One important note the Spurs had a 8-1 run against the Warriors in the fourth quarter not to mention White hit a three pointer that got the Spurs a 107-106 lead with 1:43 left in the game. White said the Spurs didn’t panic and they were able to get a three pointer to wipe away the Warriors lead.

#5 The struggling Orlando Magic (5-19) is at Golden State on Monday night at Chase Center. The Magic have lost eight of their last nine games and although no one on Orlando is saying it but they could really have their hands full against Golden State.

Join Barbara for all of the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Withered In The Wasatch: Utah limits Cal in decisive 2nd half, wins 66-58

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By Morris Phillips

Things just got progressively more difficult for the Cal Bears in Salt Lake City on Sunday afternoon.

From realizing an early eight-point lead, then having to tussle to maintain some portion of that lead at the halftime break, the Cal Bears found resistance from host Utah almost immediately.

That pressure was ratcheted with Utah’s 10-0 run to take the lead four minutes into the second half, and it didn’t relent. Utah’s focus on stopping Cal’s top three offensive threats carried all the way through to the final horn, and a 66-58 Utes’ victory.

“We never found a rhythm in the second half,” coach Mark Fox said. “Our three-point shooting in the first half was good to us, and in the second half not so much. We have to have a more mature approach. We still had a possession late where we missed a couple of good threes that would have got it to a one-possession game.”

The Utes targeted Andre Kelly, Jordan Shepherd and Grant Anticevich for statistical close shaves, and they did a precise job, limiting the trio to 12 makes and no threes in a combined 33 shot attempts. Cal best offensive threats never got started–their teammates did, most notably Makale Foreman–and they certainly didn’t finish off anything.

Utah doubled Kelly in the post, which kept him to just six shot attempts. For Anticevich and Shepherd, the Utes were careful to stay attached, especially when either were looking to unleash a three.

“I don’t think we nearly demanded the ball well enough in the post,” Fox said of how his Bears reacted to Utah’s defensive approach. “I don’t think the post trap led us to a bunch of turnovers, but I don’t think we nearly executed with the authority that we need to on the offensive end to create advantages.”

The game’s progression told a simple tale: With Cal shut down in the paint, they initially made tough shots, especially Foreman who had eight of his 13 in Cal’s 26-18 start. But Foreman’s scoring ceased at halftime, and his teammates couldn’t follow his lead. The Bears missed all eight 3-point attempts and shot 29.6 percent after the break.

Both Gach led Utah with 19 points, six rebounds and Branden Carlson–a gametime decision with an ankle issue–started slow, but came up with 10 of his 12 after break, presumably when his injured ankle loosened up. Utah was 2 of 11 from three before the break, but much better with 6 of 14 afterwards.

“It wasn’t a fire and brimstone speech or anything like that at halftime,” Utah coach Craig Smith said. “But it was a matter-of-fact speech and we made a few adjustments with our screen and roll defense, which really helped us.”

The Utes avoided consecutive, home losses to start Pac-12 play, while Cal couldn’t surprise the entire West Coast with a 2-0 conference beginning after they were picked to finish 12th. Still, the early taste of league action was good for the Bears (4-5, 1-1) and their quiet confidence, and they’ll try to expand on it when they host Idaho State on Wednesday.

Raiders game wrap: Washington makes fourth quarter come back to defeat Raiders 17-15

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles for some day light against Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Dec 5, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

The Washington Football Team (6-6) won their fifth straight game defeating the Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday 17-15. This was the Raiders fourth loss in five games and they fall victim to Washington kicker Brian Johnson who booted a 48 yard field goal for the go ahead and eventual game winner.

The kick comes on Johnson’s fifth day after joining Washington, he’s not even familiar with his own teammates like defensive lineman Jonathan Allen who said he didn’t even know Johnson’s name yet. Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke got Johnson into good field position for the 48 yarder to put Washington ahead. Washington had fell behind the Raiders by eight points.

Johnson said once he walked into the Washington locker room this week he said the vibe was positive and was pumped up to play for his newest club, “The vibe and everything, for not being around it, I felt it once I walked in,” said Johnson “It’s an awesome locker room to be in. They’re probably still learning my name, but it’s awesome to be here.”

The Raiders just couldn’t capitalize on their Thanksgiving Day victory in Dallas when they beat the Cowboys 36-33. Derek Carr quarterback threw from the Raiders 43 yard line that just fell short at the goal line in attempt to make a comeback and overtake Washington.

The Raiders got field goals in the second and third quarters, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs scored after a 75 yard drive carrying for a one yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Carr elected to go for a two point conversion but his pass to wide receiver Bryan Edwards hit him in the back.

Carr said that you can’t win football games on field goals after the game, “Field goals aren’t going to win you games. You have to get touchdowns, especially with the teams we have coming up. We will need touchdowns to win these games.”

The Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs who have won five straight games coming into this Sun Dec 12th contest at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Canucks shoot down Barracuda 5-2

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Scoreboard is a real read em and weep as the San Jose Barracuda are defeated by the Abbotsford Canucks at Abbotsford Centre on Sun Dec 5, 2021 (image by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Abbotsford Canucks used a three-goal third period to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 5-2 on Sunday evening at Abbotsford Centre.

San Jose have lost five of its past six games as they anchor the basement in the Pacific Division with 13 points. Abbotsford have won three of its last four games.

Abbotsford (7-7-2-1) drew first blood on the power play halfway through the first period. Sheldon Rempal fed a cross rink pass over to Nick Petan who lasered in a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his fifth goal of the season at the 10:05 mark of first period.

San Jose (6-9-1-0) had an immediate answer 30 seconds later. Sasha Chmelevski sent a shot in from the left slot that deflected off the stick of Austin Shautner past Canucks goalie Spencer Martin for his second goal of the season at the 10:35 mark.

The Canucks gained its first lead of the game late in the opening frame. Tristen Nielsen rushed up the ice and centered a pass over to Jarid Lukosevicius who buried a wrist shot from close range past Sawchenko for his fourth goal of the season at the 17:32 mark.

The second period featured a scoreless frame. San Jose two power play chances in the middle frame but weren’t able to cash in on both opportunities. The Barracuda’s league worst penalty kill did kill off the only chance Abbotsford had in the period.

The Barracuda evened the scored early in the third period. Scott Reedy dangled through two Canucks defenders along the left board. Reed found Ryan Merkley along the right point and the second-year defenseman sent a wrist shot that sneaked past Martin for his first goal of the season at the 1:23 mark.

Reedy extended his points streak to six games.

Abbotsford answered back 36 seconds later to regain the lead. Madison Bowey fluttered a puck on net that Sawchenko wasn’t able to handle cleanly as the rebound trickled past him to the left and Sheldon Dries cleaned up the rebound for his 11th goal of the season at the 1:59 mark.

The Canuks received an insurance goal late in the final frame. John Stevens sent a pass back up to the point and Noah Juulsen who floated a wrist shot that hit off the leg of a Barracuda defender and past Sawchenko for Juulsen’s first goal in a Canucks uniform at the 14:52 mark. It was Juulsen’s first goal since 2017.

Dries completed the scoring with his second goal of the game with an empty netter at the 19:13 mark.

Martin (2-0-1) finished the game with 23 on 25 shots to earn his second victory on just his third appearance. Sawchenko (3-3-0) made 29 saves on 33 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Abbotsford was 1-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Lukosevicius 2) Martin 3) Juulsen

UP NEXT: San Jose closes out its three-game road trip in Stockton as they take on the Heat on Tuesday 12/7 at 7:00pm at Stockton Arena.

Seahawks defensive stand hold off 49ers 30-23

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Seattle Seahawks defensive end Carlos Dunlap (8) forces a safety on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) sacking him in the end zone at Lumen Field in Seattle Sun Dec 5, 2021 (AP News photos)

by Marko Ukalovic

Lumen Field continued to be a house of horrors for the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seattle Seahawks made one final defensive stand to hold on for a 30-23 victory over their NFC West rival on Sunday afternoon

San Francisco had its three-game winning streak snapped as the fell to .500 and to the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC with five games left. Seattle, playing the spoiler role for the first time in a long time, ended their three-game losing streak and have won four in a row against the 49ers.

The game got off to a scary start when 49ers special teams player Trenton Cannon was injured on the opening kickoff. He was left the field in an ambulance as he was taken to the hospital for a concussion injury.

Seattle (4-8) drew first blood catching the 49ers off guard on a fake punt. Travis Homer took the direct snap and rushed around the left side for 73 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season after the Seahwaks first possession went three and out.

San Francisco’s defense responded when DJ Jones stripped Gerald Everette on a reception and Emanuel Moseley recovered the ball.

The 49ers (6-6) offense didn’t waste time answering back on the first play. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a strike to tight end George Kittle alone in the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown reception to even the score at 7-7.

San Francisco took advantage of a missed 56-yard field by Jason Myers. Garoppolo led a scored on nine play 54-yard drive that was set up by a 28 yard reception by Kittle at the Seattle eight yard line. Two players later rookie running back Elijah Mitchell rushed in for a two-yard touchdown with 1:32 left in the first quarter.

After a Robbie Gould 50-yard field goal, Seattle responded with a nine play 63-yard play drive that was capped off by Adrian Peterson’s two-yard touchdown run. Peterson was signed by Seattle over on Friday as their backfield has been ravaged by injuries.

Peterson’s 126 touchdowns passed Walter Peyton and tied Jim Brown for 10th place on the NFL’s all-time list.

The Niners answered back with its third touchdown of the first half. Garoppolo found Kittle along the left side and the Pro-Bowl tight end did his best tightrope walker impression staying in bounds tip-toeing down the sideline for his second touchdown of the game, a 48-yard reception to give San Francisco a 23-14 lead with 3:47 left in the half after Gould missed the extra point.

Seattle cut the lead two points right before the half ended with an eight play 65-yard drive in just 1:36. Their drive was aided by two roughing the passer calls by the 49ers that kept the drive alive. Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson capped off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown reception to D’Wayne Eskridge. It was Eskridge’s first career NFL touchdown.

The second half saw the 49ers shooting themselves in the foot as they were shutout in the final 30 minutes of the game thanks to a combination of turnovers and the Seahawks defense playing its best half of the season.

Travis Benjamin fumbled the opening second half kickoff. However the Niners defense forced Wilson into an interception at their own goal line when K’Waun Williams picked off the ball after a deflection off the hands of Everette.

Seattle gained the momentum when it sacked Garoppolo for a safety by Carlos Dunlap early in the third quarter to tie the game at 23-23.

It got worse for the 49ers when Garoppolo threw his second interception of the game when he overthrew a pass attempted for Kittle that went into the hands of Quandre Diggs who returned the ball the Niner’s 28-yard line.

The Seahawks made the Niners pay five plays later when Wilson connected with wide receiver Tyler Lockett with a 12 yard touchdown reception for Seattle’s first lead of the game with 2:28 left in the third quarter.

Seattle tried to put the game away with under three minutes remaining with the ball at the Niners two-yard line. However, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair knocked the ball away from Everette on a shovel pass attempt. Dontae Johnson recovered the ball at the two-yard line to give San Francisco one last chance to even the score.

Garoppolo drove the 49ers down to Seattle’s three-yard line. But the drive ended in frustration after Garopollo’s pass on fourth and goal was tipped at the line of scrimmage, turning the ball over on downs with 18 seconds left.

Kittle finished the game with his best performance of the season with nine catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns. San Francisco needed every yard from Kittle as they were without the services of their number offensive weapon Deebo Samuel, who was inactive with a groin injury.

Garoppolo went 20 of 30 for 299 yards with two touchdowns but his performance was overshadowed by his two interceptions.

Wilson, who had a difficult first half, rebounded in the second half to finish 30 of 37 for 231 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Lockett led Seattle in receiving with seven catches for 68 yards and his touchdown which proved to be the game winner.

Both defenses played well against the run. Seattle had the 49ers to 71 yards on the ground, while San Francisco, with the exception of the fake punt rush by Homer, held the Seahawks to just 73 yards rushing.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 3-for-10 on third down conversions. Seattle was 5-for-10.

UP NEXT: San Francisco concludes its two-game road trip when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday 12/12 at 1:25pm at Paul Brown Stadium.