San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda look to rebound Tuesday against Reign at Tech CU

The San Jose Barracuda defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) and the Ontario Reign left wing Andre Lee (26) scramble for the puck at the Toyota Arena in Ontario on Sat Jan 6, 2024 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, it has to be tough to score a season high of four goals on the road in Ontario in the third period only to lose the game by a one goal margin 5-4 in overtime against the Ontario Reign (18-10-3-1) as the San Jose Barracuda drop their record to 11-15-5-0 at the Toyota Arena in Ontario.

#2 The Barracuda Scott Sabourin got his third career two goal game and the Barracuda added goals from defenseman Radim Simek and Shakir Mukhamadullin.

#3 Marko the Barracuda did go all out in that third period talk about the scorers in that period and the job they have done, Radim Simek (4), Shakir Mukhamadullin (5), Scott Sabourin who scored twice (8) and (9).

#4 Chrona Magnus who is trying to get tracked after going up to the San Jose Sharks on Thu Dec 29th vs. Edmonton in a 5-0 loss and giving up four goals. On Saturday Magnus gave up five goals after facing 27 shots.

#5 The Barracuda face off against the Ontario Reign Tuesday to conclude their home at home series a 7:00pm PT face off at Tech CU in San Jose. As you saw this past weekend the Reign are tough customers and the Barracuda are looking to get back in the win column after that Saturday night loss.

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks close out home stand with tough loss to Toronto 4-1; Loss streak continues for SJ at 11 straight

Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks. Mario Ferraro getting warmed up against the Toronto Maple Leafs (taken on January 6th, 2023). 

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- On a rainy Saturday evening the San Jose Sharks (9-28-3) and Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-7) took to the ice for the first of back-to-back home at home matchups between the two teams. The Leafs won their third game in row defeating the Sharks 4-1 at SAP Center. It was San Jose’s 11th consecutive loss.

A familiar face was in between the pipes for Toronto as former Sharks goaltender Martin Jones got the start. Who surprisingly heading into this one has been playing stellar hockey with 10 wins and a 2.20 GAA and .930 SV%.

Getting his second start in a row was Mackenzie Blackwood who played great in his last start a loss against Winnipeg making 28 saves.

The first period started out slow but quickly fell into Toronto’s control which was helped by a five-on-three after Thomas Hertl and Mikael Grandlund were both called for penalties. The Maple Leafs power play made quick work of the Sharks penalty killing unit as Mitchell Marner scored his 15th goal of the season making it 1-0.

Realistically though the score could’ve been much worse as the Maple Leafs hit the post three times and Blackwood had to make some stellar saves. This being especially highlighted by the fact that at the end of the first the shots favored Toronto 18-3.

The middle frame got off to a pretty sleepy start as the Maple Leafs looked to be playing on cruise control. On the other side of the rink the Sharks through the first ten minutes only managed to add two more shots to their total. 

It continued to be an unremarkable period until in the dying moments when with less than a minute left Calle Jarnkrok spun around in the slot and fired one home. The goal was Jarnkrok’s 10th goal of the season and got a decent response from the large amount of Leafs fans in attendance. 

Team Teal started the third with a little more jump as Jones had to make a couple of solid saves. 

The true dagger came when William Nylander rushed down the right wing and sniped one past Blackwood making it 3-0. The goal caused some “Go Leafs go” chants to rain down from the crowd that was becoming increasingly more filled with Toronto fans. 

There was a glimmer of hope as Fabian Zetterlund made a beautiful pass that he hooked over to a wide open Granlund who tapped it home. The goal brought some life back into the stadium and was his fifth of the campaign. 

Not long after that Nylander truly iced the game as he snuck home his own rebound after a great save by Blackwood making it 4-1. 

With the loss the Sharks record now stands at 9-28-3 while the Leafs improve to 20-10-7. 

The shots in this one ended at 34-24 in favor of the Maple Leafs with Blackwood making 29 saves while Jones made 23. 

The three stars of the game: 1st: William Nylander 2nd: Mikael Granlund 3rd: Auston Matthews 

With the three game home stand now behind them the Sharks will go on a five game roundtrip. Starting with these same Leafs as they’ll do battle on Tuesday at 4 p.m. 

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks aim to end 10 game skid tonight against Maple Leafs at SAP

The San Jose Sharks defenseman Mike Ferraro (38) brings the puck up from behind the net as the Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) anticipate Ferraro’s arrival in front of the net at SAP Center on Thu Jan 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Winnipeg Jets Gabriel Vilardi broke a 1-1 tie on power play goal in the third period as the Jets came away with a one goal 2-1 win at SAP on Thursday night.

#2 The Jets also got some good goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck with 27 saves. The Jets delivered on defense to keep the Sharks out of the net making it close in a game that the Sharks went all out but just couldn’t seal the deal.

#3 “It’s fun,” Vilardi said. “It’s fun to play hockey. It’s fun when you win. Obviously, anyone can say that, but we have belief in each other and play for each other. We’ve got to keep going.”

#4 The Sharks extended their loss streak to ten straight games and this game was the closest they came to snapping their loss steak which is a franchise record.

#5 The Sharks go after it again tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have won four of their last ten games. It seems everybody is out for the Leafs every time they come. The Leafs won their last game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 2-1 in overtime. Mary Lisa how do you see these two teams matching up tonight?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Winnipeg Jets Come To San Jose And Slip Past Sharks 2-1; Sharks 10th straight loss ties club record

The Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi (top) celebrates with left wing Alex Iafallo (9) and center Mark Scheifele (55) who scored against the San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) in the third period at SAP Center in SanJose (AP News photo)

Thursday, January 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets for another regular season, following a 5-3 to Detroit here in the SAP Center on Tuesday. Alexander Barabanov recorded his 100th career goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop a third period rally from the Red Wings.

Earlier today, San Jose’s Tomas Hertl was named an NHL All Star to represent the Sharks and as for the Jets, Winnipeg remained undefeated to start 2024 and San Jose seems like a likely place to keep that fire burning as the Jets edged the Sharks at SAP Center 2-1.

It was a quiet first period for both teams, with the highlight being Mackenzie Blackwood who got 11 saves and held his composure when the heat came. Winnipeg and San Jose went hit for hit with an evenly physical period, but it was a clean period with no penalties. 0-0 at the first intermission and energy high throughtout the SAP Center. 

The silence was broken in the second period and it came seconds after the Jets killed a hooking penalty. Barabanov scored off a wrist shot, assisted by William Eklund and Ty Emberson and the Sharks were up 1-0 and Barabanov recorded his 100th goal with the Sharks, a game after he scored his 100th career goal.

A minute later the Jets answered back. Neal Pionk shot the puck towards a screened Blackwood and the puck was deflected by Morgan Barron in the net, 1-1. As the period ended, the score was tied and momentum could sway either way. 

The third period was a battle, but this battle had an early game changing moment. San Jose’s Filip Zadina got a hooking penalty and that penalty broke the tie for Winnipeg. Gabriel Vilardi tipped in a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers past Blackwood and two minutes into the final period, the Jets were up 2-1. The Sharks gained some opportunities along the way, but to no success as the Jets skated off the ice with a 2-1 victory. 

The Sharks now start off 2024 0-2 and now have fallen even further behind in the standings as this season progresses with another loss. Coach Quinn has a lot on his plate as the season now prepares for the trade deadline and the next game for the Sharks is Sat January 6th against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the SAP Center a 4:00pm PT face off.

Losing skid for Sharks extends to nine as they lose close one to Detroit 5-3

Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks. Fabian Zetterlund celebrates his goal in the first period against the Red Wings (taken on January 2nd, 2024).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Sharks welcomed in an original six rival to SAP Center on Tuesday night for and East vs West matchup.

Heading into this game the Sharks were on an eight-game losing skid with a loss most recently against Colorado.

For the Red Wings Alex Lyon got the start while for the Sharks Kaapo Kahkonen was in between the pipes.

It was a tough start to this one for the Sharks as on the power play Daniel Sprong got his 10th goal of the season from Lucas Raymond and Shayne Gostisbehere.

The Sharks did push back but Lyon stood tall making saves on Anthony Duclair and Henry Thrun.

After a little bit more pushing Mikael Granlund streaked across the slot and ripped one on goal that Lyon saved. Awaiting the rebound was Fabian Zetterlund who wacked the puck home past Lyon tying the game up at one.

There was some extra circulars to kick off the second as both teams got into it. As a result there was some four-on-four action that the Red Wings capitalized on. The recipient of the goal was J.T. Compher who beat Kahkonen with a five-hole shot that he probably would want back.

The Sharks didn’t respond until the dying moments of the second when Mario Ferraro ripped one on goal that Justin Bailey tipped home getting his second goal of the season.

The final frame had plenty of action to talk about as kicking off with a goal from Alexander Barabonov who stepped into the slot and lit the lamp making it 3-2.

A costly penalty by Jan Rutta was converted on by Detroit as David Perron one-timed home his eighth goal of the campaign tying things back up.

With the game down to the wire it looked like things were going to overtime until Perron threw the puck out front and in the right place at the right time was Dylan Larkin. He scored sending a large amount of Detroit fans to their feet and putting the Sharks on the ropes.

San Jose pulled their goalie at 1:03 but they couldn’t tie it as Michael Rasmussen scored to put things away.

With the loss the Sharks record slumps to 9-26-3 while the Red Wings improve to 18-16-4.

The shots at the end of this one favored the Red Wings 31-27.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: David Perron 2nd: Mario Ferraro 3rd: Justin Bailey

The Sharks next one will be Thursday against the red hot Winnipeg Jets at home at 7:30 p.m.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Sharks give it a go tonight host Red Wings; SJ hopes to snap 8 game losing streak

The San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (left) tries to keep up with the Colorado Avalanche center Andrew Cogliano (right) in the second period at the Ball Center in Denver on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson:

#1 The count down on New Year’s eve was the one that ends the San Jose Sharks (9-25-3) eight game losing streak which they weren’t able to accomplish as they lost to the Colorado Avalanche (23-11-3) 3-1 on Sunday night.

#2 The Aves Valeri Nichushkin scored a third period goal late that helped put away the Sharks with two goals in the third period for a two goal win 3-1.

#3 The Sharks on Thursday tried to see if see if bringing up goaltender Magnus Chrona who was pelted with Edmonton Oilers shots he faced 20 shots and allowed four goals and was pulled from the game. Did Sharks head coach David Quinn want to see what Chrona could deliver to strengthen the goaltending or to see if Chrona would fit in as a back up?

#4 Titus, coach Quinn and the Sharks had team captain Logan Couture on the Colorado trip to see how he would skate and how he’s handling practice plays and where he’s at physically. Asked if he was ready to return and Quinn said “zero” it was just an opportunity to see where he was at. How bad does this team miss Couture out of the line up at the juncture?

#5 The Detroit Red Wings face off with the Sharks tonight right here where were podcasting at SAP Center. The Red Wings are fifth in the Eastern Conference at 17-16-4. The Red Wings have lost seven of their last ten games. Could this be the Sharks best chance to snap this eight game losing streak tonight?

Titus Wilkinson is a San Jose Sharks beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose 3-1 to Avalanche, Ferraro Injured; SJ suffers eighth straight loss

The Colorado Avalanche’s right winger Valeri Nichushkin (13) takes a shot as the San Jose Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun covers in the first period at the Ball Arena in Denver on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 3-1 to the Colorado Avalanche Sunday night. Mikko Rantanen, Valeri Nichushkin and Josh Manson scored for Colorado. Alexandar Georgiev made 10 saves for the win. Tomas Hertl scored for San Jose and Kaapo Kahkonen made 31 saves in the loss. It was the Sharks’ eighth loss in a row.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach David Quinn recognized that his team was at a disadvantage, losing “our best defenseman five minutes into the game, playing a team that, you know, has a great chance to win the Stanley Cup.” Nonetheless, he saw some good in the Sharks game: “With our d-corps as young as we are, to hang in there against this team, I couldn’t be prouder of our team. Our goalie was outstanding. It’s 1-1 with five minutes to go and they get a … six-on-five goal and … an empty netter.”

The first goal of the game came on a Colorado power play at 6:58 of the first period. Nathan MacKinnon sent the puck across the ice low in the offensive zone. Mikko Rantanen was there to catch it and snap it over Kaapo Kahkonen. Assists went to MacKinnon and Nichushkin.

The Sharks had just three shots in that first period, while Colorado had ten. Additionally, midway through the first period, Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro took a hit from Nathan MacKinnon that knocked him out of the game with an upper-body injury. The team gave no update on his status after the game.

The only penalty in the first period was the too many men call against the Sharks. By contrast, the second period saw a slew of penalties: interference, hi-sticking, slashing, hooking and a set of matching roughing penalties, distributed fairly evenly between the teams.

The Sharks tied the game during one of those penalties, scoring a power play goal at 16:53. Mikael Granlund’s pass found Tomas Hertl in the slot for a quick shot past the goaltender. Assists went to Granlund and Calen Addison. That was the Sharks’ eighth shot of the game, their fifth of the second period.

The Sharks held the game 1-1 until late in the third period, despite having no shots in the period until the final five minutes. Even then, they only had two shots in the third.

During a delayed penalty against the Sharks, Colorado took the lead at 16:31. Valeri Nichushkin scored from just above the goal line off a pass from Jack Johnson. Assists went to Johnson and MacKinnon.

The Sharks pulled Kahkonen during a late penalty and then kept him out during the final minute. The Avalanche missed a few shots at the empty net before Josh Manson finally got one in.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday in San Jose at 7:30 PM PT against the Detroit Red Wings.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks hope to snap 7 game skid New Years Eve in Colorado

The San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) led the Sharks with the most shots on goal with six is defended by the Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (27) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard they got a goal and assist each from Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod. The Oilers skated away with a 4-0 first period to pin down the Sharks who had already lost six straight games going into the contest now at seven loses in a row.

#2 The Oilers Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added goals totaling four goals in the first period and one in the second period and that was all the offensive damage the Oilers needed to win it 5-0.

#3 Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner came away with a shutout with 25 saves. Each Sharks opportunity to put it on net failed miserably no matter how hard they tried. William Eklund led San Jose with six shots on goals all stopped by Skinner.

#4 The Sharks started Magnus Chrona in his first appearance for San Jose. Chrona got lit up facing 20 shots and allowing four and later was replaced by Kaapo Kahkonen who wound up giving up a goal on 19 shots.

#5 The Sharks go back to the drawing board as they face the rough and tough Colorado Avalanche. The last time the two teams met was on Sun Dec 17 and the Aves had they’re way with a four goal 6-2 win at the Ball Center in Denver. The Sharks hope to end they’re seven game losing streak on New Years Eve a 5:00pm PT face off once again in Denver.

Mary Lisa is a San Jose Sharks beat writer and covers the Sharks road games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Edmonton Oilers Destroy San Jose Sharks 5-0; Sharks drop seventh game in a row

San Jose Sharks goaltender Magnus Chrona (30) made his Sharks debut against the Edmonton Oilers surrendering four goals at SAP Center on Thu Dec 29, 2023 (San Jose Sharks photo)

Thursday, December 28th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers in the final home game of 2023 and this game comes off a 4-1 loss Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Kings. Despite Kaapo Kahkonen making 37 saves and the Sharks killing all three Kings power plays, San Jose couldn’t get it done. The boys in teal lost another one at SAP Center in front of the home fans on Thursday night 5-0 to close out the year, as the hungry Oilers paved their way and went above .500 at 15-16-1 going into 2024. 

The game started with the Sharks starting Magnus Chrona in net for his first NHL game and it was a wakeup call of a first game for Chrona. A minute into the game, Ryan McLeod scored off of just great, efficient offense where the whole minute the puck was being passed tape to tape in Edmonton’s offensive zone and resulted in the first goal assisted by Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman, 1-0 Oilers.

For Hyman he wasn’t stopping there, because the offense was looking effortless for Edmonton as Connor McDavid hit a crisp pass to Hyman who tapped the puck past Chrona in net making it 2-0 Oilers. The wheels started to fall off for the Sharks as the Oilers continued this masterclass of offense with Bouchard firing a slap shot from the point, 3-0 Oilers.

The fans were already on their hands from this opening period mugging, but they would go completely silent after Leon Drasaitl scored off a wrist shot right in front of the net even with a defender draped on him, 4-0 Edmonton and that was our score going into the first intermission. The Sharks were outplayed the entire first period and the traveling Oiler fans were putting their shoes on the San Jose fans couch. 

Sharks changed goalies to start the second period and in net was Kaapo Kahkonen, but the only difference was less goals than the first period. Halfway through the period Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tipped in the puck past Kaapo and it was 5-0 Edmonton. The Sharks now down five were facing the reality that another blowout loss was in their future. 

Final period was both teams just trying not to make a mistake, because it was over and had been over since the first period. Fans chanting “one more goal”.  5-0 Edmonton wins the game in a major blowout and the arena erupted in boos as they left the building when the game was over. 

This game for the Sharks was just an egregious example of what has been happening in 2023. Bad defense, no offense generated, and missed opportunities. The final game for San Jose of the 2023 part of the season will be on New Year’s Eve against the Colorado Avalanche and maybe by some chance of a miracle, 2024 has more positives in store for San Jose. 

Demoralized Sharks Fall 5-1 to Kings; SJ dealt their sixth straight loss

The Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) put the puck on net for a second period goal past San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (31) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wed Dec 27, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 5-1 to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. The Kings’ goals were scored by Kevin Fiala, Trevor Lewis, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Adrian Kempe, who scored twice. David Rittich made 24 saves for the win. Fabian Zetterlund scored the lone Sharks goal and Kaapo Kahkonen made 38 saves in the loss. This was the sixth loss in a row for the Sharks.

Although the Sharks won the first period of the game, their power play showed signs of what was to come. The Sharks power play registered no shots on net and gave up two short-handed shots. After the game, Sharks Head Coach David Quinn said:

“Really it was a tale of two games. I thought the first twenty-five minutes we played well, I thought we had some great chances. Then we got blitzed with two goals in five seconds, six seconds, whatever it was and that’s happened to us too often and you could just feel it again. And it just got away from us, we got demoralized and our power play really hurt us.”

When asked how the team can cope with collapses like giving up two goals in 13 seconds, Sharks forward Fabian Zetterlund said “we just have to have a couple good shifts, get the pucks deep, and play boring hockey… and then we can take it from there.”

The Sharks scored the only goal of the first period. Fabian Zetterlund scored with a snap shot on a breakaway at 11:02. It was his 10th goal of the season. The period was almost penalty-free, with just one call against the Kings at 18:23. At even strength, the Sharks outshot the Kings slightly with eight shots to the Kings’ six.

The Kings tied the game at 2:57 of the second period. Kevin Fiala scored with a wrist shot on a breakaway. An assist went to Jordan Spence.

13 seconds later, Trevor Lewis stole the puck from Mario Ferraro by the Sharks net and scored with a backhand.

Pierre-Luc Dubois made it 3-1 at 12:26, off a rebound from Arthur Kaliyev’s shot from high in the slot. Assists went to Kaliyev and Alex Laferriere,

The Kings outshot the Sharks 17-11 in the second period. The teams each took one penalty, overlapping by 24 seconds, in the middle of the period.

Adrian Kempe made it 4-1 at 3:36 of the third period. From between the circles, Kempe tipped a shot by Matt Roy. Assists went to Roy and Carl Grundstrom

Kempe’s second goal came with an impressive zone entry, skating past and around three Sharks to score with a wrist shot. Assists went to Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty. That goal came at 15:42.

The third period saw a flurry of penalties, starting with a fight at 5:29 that garnered an additional roughing penalty for Alex Laferriere. The Sharks then took two more penalties in the period. In the face-off circle, the Sharks won just 40.7% of the draws. The shot count was very lopsided, 20-6 Los Angeles, for a game total of 43-25 Kings.

Sharks defenseman Jacob MacDonald was placed on IR. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was ill and so Magnus Chrona was called up as backup.

The Sharks next play on Thursday back in San Jose against the Edmonton Oilers at 7:30 PM PT.