Tag: Sports Radio Service

Sharks add Seventh Straight Loss Against Calgary 3-1 at SAP Center

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Another Saturday night action at the tank as the Sharks hosted the Flames in front of a big crowd that expected a victory.

Calgary Flames in action against San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Dec 28, 2024 (AP Photo)

By: Fernando Abarca

Lately, Calgary has been a tough customer for the Sharks as the team added up the eighth loss in nine of the last nine games Sharks losing Saturday night 3-1. Unsurprisingly, the team from Alberta, Canada, is currently fifth in the standings showing great hockey.

Friday night against Vegas, the Sharks suffered one of the most painful losses in the season so far with a 6-3 score in a game where the Sharks completely dominated for most of the 60 minutes of hockey. Saturday night, it was the same result.

The team had many positive things to take away and one of them was the performance of goaltender, Yarovlav Askarov who recorded 30 saves throughout the game.

Also, there were plenty of shots on goal but only one on goal, it has been one of those nights in which the Sharks have not found ways to get ahead.

Macklin Celebrini, is at the top of the rookie scoring with 12 goals and 27 points showing the quality of player that he is and what he has shown in the first half of the season.

Macklin scored a goal in the second period assisted by Alexander Wennberg.

Calgary, despite dominating and being the winner, was very passive. Jonathan Huberdeau put Calgary 1-0 in the first period, while the second goal fell in the second period by Mikael Backlund. In an empty net, Huberdeau sealed the game with a goal in the last seconds of the third.

This game has surely been one of the most challenging for the Sharks due to the injuries that occurred during the course of the game, especially to key players who decide the game. At the press conference, Macklin Celebrini appeared indifferent, pensive, and at times evasive.

Clearly, they do not want to get used to losing, especially in instances where they can play a good game.

The Sharks will close the year at home, receiving the Flyers on New Year’s Eve.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal ring in New Year at Clemson on Wednesday night

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Stanford Cardinalforward Maxime Raynaud (42) drives on Oregon Ducks forward Supreme Cook in first half action at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Dec 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, last game for Cardinal tough loss 76-61 against the Oregon Ducks the Cardinal just couldn’t get any offense going in the first half scoring just 19 points.

#2 Maxime Raynaud has been the key to this offense all season and he led with 20 points against Oregon. He’s had successes before this loss in leading the offense.

#3 Was there any disadvantage that you could see in this being a neutral site game for Stanford it’s practically in their own backyard what difference did you see in playing at SAP Center on Saturday night?

#4 Raynaud did get his tenth double double of the season in this one. There is no doubt after college he might get some attention from G League and NBA scouts?

#5 The Cardinal get after at Clemson on Wed Jan 1 New Years Day. The Tigers are no slouch at 10-3 and are third in the Atlantic Coast. The Tigers did lose two of their last three games but the Cardinal can’t let their guard down and also on the road in Clemson?

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

G League action: Kings come away with a winner edging Spurs 109-107 at Golden 1 Center

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The Stockton Kings Devin Carter had a hot hand in the first half with 15 points against the Austin Spurs at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sat Dec 28, 2024 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

SACRAMENTO–The Stockton Kings traveled a bit north, as they hosted the Austin Spurs at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento for Kings Collide night. The matchup also featured the professional debut of Sacramento’s 13th overall pick from this year’s draft, Devin Carter.

Carter’s first stint was short, playing only three minutes, but during that time he went 2-2 and grabbed a rebound before being taken out for Dexter Dennis. The Kings pulled out to an early lead, but the Spurs quickly got the momentum back on their side and tied it up.

From there, Austin pulled out to a 32-25 lead by the end of the first quarter. They were getting quite a bit of scoring from Sidy Cissoko off of the bench, who had 10 points up to that point. Meanwhile, all of the Kings scoring was coming from their starters. Dennis, who had four points, was the only non-starter to score in the first 12 minutes.

By the halfway point of the second quarter, Cissoko was already at 20 points. At one point, the Spurs had a ten-point lead but the Kings tied it up with roughly three minutes left in the first half.

At half-time, the Kings led 62-56. Carter looked like he had missed no time at all, going 6-10 for 15 points in the first half. Stockton needed to find a way to contain Cissoko though, as he was driving a considerable amount of the Spurs’ offense. Kyle Rode was second on Austin with 10 points.

Meanwhile, Stockton already had four players in double digits. Besides Carter, Isaiah Crawford had 12, Terry Taylor had 11, as did Mason Jones. Taylor also had 10 rebounds, giving him a first -half double-double.

Carter’s dominance continued into the third quarter, as he climbed to 29 points roughly four minutes into the frame. After the Kings took a 13-point lead early in the third, the Spurs clawed their way back and tied it up with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter.

At the end of the third, the Kings had a one-point lead, as it was 86-85. Neither team was finding a way to score in the fourth quarter, as halfway through the frame it was a 93-91 lead for the Kings. The Spurs took two late technical fouls which seemed to spark the Kings’ offense a bit.

With 45 seconds remaining, the Spurs cut the Kings’ lead down to a single point. The Kings let the clock run down as much as possible before Carter got the ball to Skal Labissiere in the paint who extended the lead to 109-106 with the game clock and shot clock being pretty much even.

Riley Minix turned it over with just 16 seconds remaining, seemingly giving the victory to Stockton. Things changed when Carter was forced out of bounds with eight seconds left in the game and Austin regained possession.

Jameer Nelson Jr was fouled by Dennis, sending him to the free-throw line with five seconds remaining. He made the first, then missed the second which was rebounded by Carter. In the end, the Kings walked away with a 109-107 win.

The main difference over the course of the night was that the Kings were able to rely on their starters to drive the majority of their offense. Two of the Spurs’ three leading scorers came off of the bench and they had a total of 55 points off of the bench. As a result, only 51 came from their starting five.

The Kings and Spurs will faceoff again Sunday afternoon from Adventist Health Arena in Stockton.

SJSU falls to Boise state in heartbreaking 73-71 loss

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Robert Vaihola (22) for San Jose State playing in a game against Boise State at Provident Union Center on Saturday December 28th. (via SanJoseStateMenMBB/Instagram)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE- After transferring to Boise, Alvaro Cardenas returned to San Jose playing three seasons here and leaving a big impact. Cardenas scored seven points which was fifth in scoring for the Spartans as San Jose State came up short losing the the Boise State Broncos on Saturday afternoon 73-71.

Starting the game off 7-0, San Jose State went the locker room up 35-28 after the first half. Josh Uduje led the Spartans with 11 points 4-5 FG, Will McClendon second with 9 points, and Robert Vaihola with 4 points, 5 rebounds. The Spartans defense got to work forcing 10 turnovers.

However in the second half, Boise State cleaned that up only allowing 2 turnovers. Degenhart and Meadows had combined 6 longballs accounting for 18 points. Up until that point, Degenhart was the only one shooting three’s going 1-11 in the first half. With the game nearing the end, Donovan Yap Jr made a corner three that didn’t count because Yap Jr’s foot hit the line. That was a turning point in the game because San Jose would have been up.

With about 5 minutes left, it stopped being a game of runs with each team with back to back scoring. Will McClendon got fouled and took his first free throw. After making the first one, HC Tim Miles called a timeout to formulate his plan. McClendon intentionally missed the second free throw and Sadaidriene Hall jumped to get the rebound. After grabbing the ball, he took one dribble, went for the reverse layup, and right before shooting it, Buchanan blocked the shot to secure the Boise State win.

San Jose State will be back in action on December 31st hosting Colorado State.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks can’t hold the line Knights score 4 times in third in 6-3 win

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San Jose Sharks Luke Kunin (11) makes a move on the net against the Vegas Golden Knights net minder Adin Hill (33) at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Dec 27, 2024 (Bay Area News Group photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (11-21-6) were sailing along through the second period with a 3-2 lead until the third period happened and the visiting Vegas Golden Knights (24-8-3) opened up a can on the Sharks scoring four unanswered goals taking a 6-3 lead and then the win.

#2 Mary taking a look at the first period of the game the Sharks defenseman Shakir Mauhamadulin scored his first goal of the season at 14:40 giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead. The Knights would even the score at 6:58 when Noah Hanifin to make it 1-1.

#3 In the second period the Knights Mark Stone scored the first goal of the period at 3:27 to make it 2-1 Knights. The Sharks Will Smith at 5:53 scored for the Sharks to tie it up at 2-2. Then Tyler Toffoli scored his 14th goal of the season at 15:57 and gave the Sharks a 3-2 intermission lead.

#4 The Knights in the third period scored four unanswered goals to quickly erase any lead and any chance for a win for the Sharks. Vegas scorers in the fourth Brayden McNabb at 1:03, Jack Eichel at 1:26, Pavel Dorofeyev at 5:46 and to close all damage out at 19:28 Brett Howden an empty netter for a 6-3 final.

#5 Sharks playing back to back nights face the Calgary Flames on Saturday night at SAP Center for a 7:00pm PST face off. The Flames are fifth in the Pacific Division at 16-11-7. The Flames have won four of their last ten games. The Sharks are in last in the Pacific and with the loss to the Knights being their sixth in a row.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Utah HC Comes Up Empty Again At Home In 4-1 Loss To Colorado 

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Colorado Avalanche Artturi Lehkonen (62) gets the puck past Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karl Vejmelka (70) in third period action at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Fri Dec 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah would have liked to put their 2024 home record behind them after going 1-3-2 in December the pain continues as Utah took a three goal loss to Colorado 4-1 on Friday night at the Delta Center.

The Utah Hockey Club wrapped up their 2024 home schedule on Friday night against the visiting Colorado Avalanche. It was the third and final matchup of the season between the division rivals, with the two teams splitting their previous encounters.

The first period wound up scoreless, with Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka stopping 14 shots and his Colorado counterpart, Mackenzie Blackwood, stopping 11.

Nearly 12 minutes into the second period, Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen gave Colorado the first lead of the game with his 11th goal of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Malinski. Utah failed to respond in a period which concluded in a fight between MacKinnon and Barrett Hayton with eight seconds remaining.

At 2:36 of the third period, Avs forward Mikko Rantanen went to the penalty box for tripping against Olli Määttä. A little over a minute into the man-advantage, Utah evened the score when Logan Cooley fed the puck to Mikhail Sergachev who ripped a shot from deep in Utah’s offensive zone which was tipped in by Nick Schmaltz for his sixth goal of the season.

With a little more than five minutes remaining in the third, Artturi Kehkonen struck again with his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon. As the clock ticked down, Utah pulled Vejmelka for an extra attacker, but the strategy failed when Mikko Rantanen atoned for his penalty with an empty net goal, his 20th of the season, assisted by MacKinnon. As fans began to head to the exits, Artturi Kehkonen completed the hat trick into an empty net unassisted with 26 seconds remaining.

The loss gives Utah a 1-3-2 record at home in December with the regulation losses coming against their closest division rivals competing for the wild card positions. Asked in the locker room about the team’s challenges winning at home, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev commented, “I don’t know. Honestly, we’re coming in every game with the same approach to win and to play our best. At home, it doesn’t show. I don’t think we were changing anything. I don’t know. … Obviously, we want to win in front of our fans, and they get us going every game, but it sucks. We’re trying to win every game. It’s not like we’re not trying at home. I think fans see that we’re not giving up ever. We’re coming in. We’re hitting, going strong, skating well. It’s just unfortunate.”

Head coach André Tourigny, commenting on his team’s performance, “I think we played against a really good team who were ready to play. They played hard the first two periods. I will say, especially in the first period, I think we tried to do a little bit too much with the puck, and we could not get inside. They defended well. I think in the second period, we had a good forecheck and quite good offense from it. In the third period, I think we had a great push. Our goalie was really good. I think we played against a team who will raise their level and that was good hockey.”

Utah, which is 11-6-2 on the road this season, hopes to continue their road success during their next four games in Seattle, Edmonton, Calgary, and Dallas. They will return to Salt Lake City on January 8 to face the Florida Panthers for the first of seven consecutive games at home where they hope to turn the corner in 2025.

Sharks Add Another Loss in Hertl’s Homecoming 6-3

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Tomar Hertl laps around the ice during his tribute video at SAP Center in San Jose during his return as a Golden Knights player on Dec 27, 2024 (Photo by Golden Knights Media)

The San Jose Sharks are back at the Tank to close out 2024 with a series of seven games at home with a very special one among those nights

By: Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, CA –– After all the Christmas noise, celebrations, and much more, having the guys back in town is always nice after their trip to Canada. On their last road trip, they played Edmonton and Vancouver, performing well and showing good hockey, but they could not convert in the game’s final instances, losing by one goal in both games.

Vegas is coming Red Hot, winning four of their last five games.

The game also had a different taste as former Shark Tomas Hertl made his return to the tank for the first time after being traded to Vegas early this year. Before puck drop, the team prepared a tribute showing on the jumbotron some of the most remarkable moments of his stint with the Sharks. A standing ovation that was well-received.

In the first period, The 2023 Stanley Cup champions struck first and took advantage of the poor defensive labor to retrieve the puck with a shot on goal by Noah Hanifin, assisted by Victor Olofsson, making it a 1-0 for the Golden Knights.

The building was noisy as the Sharks tried to find ways to score with lots of shots on goal and back and forth hockey.

Late in the first period, Shakir Mukhamadullin made it even with a powerful shot deflected against the boards to give some joy to the fans.

Before the end of the first period, the young San Jose star Macklin Celebrini was sent to the box for a penalty against Jack Eichel for Hooking.

During the second period, The Sharks completed dominated with intensive chemistry, intensive unity, and aggressive hockey. Not to mention the outstanding performance from both San Jose and Vegas goaltenders, again. the chemistry between Smith and Celebrini seems like a good pairing every time they are on the ice.

The Golden Knights scored first in the second period, with Mark Stone putting the second for the Knights.

The Sharks quickly recovered from that goal and showed heart by scoring two goals by Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli, assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Mikael Grandlund, taking the lead by 3-2.

The momentum did not last long, In the third, the Vegas Golden Knights showed why they are top of the standings. Brayden McNabb and Jack Eichel helped the Knights put two more shorthanded goals in favor of the visitors in less than a minute.

It was not enough, four minutes later, Pavel Dorofeyev sealed the fifth one for the Knights. The Teal clearly showed themselves vulnerable, lacking depth, and lacking ideas for execution, errors that cost them the good game they were having.

Tense moments and fights took place in the final minutes of the game. In a 4 4, the Golden Knights took advantage to close the night with six goals and completely ruin a night that the Sharks seemed to have dominated and controlled.

Clearly, it is a loss that certainly hurts.

The Teal is back at home tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames.

Kings fire coach Mike Brown after going 13-18; Doug Christie named interim coach

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Former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown shouts instructions to his players against the Denver Nuggets at Golden 1 Center on Mon Dec 16, 2024. Brown was fired by the Kings on Fri Dec 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Sacramento Kings on Friday afternoon announced that they have fired head coach Mike Brown. Brown had signed a three contract extension back in June worth $8.5 million per year. Brown was 13-18 when he was fired and the Kings were on a five game losing streak after losing to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night 114-113 at Golden 1 Center.

The Kings at the time of Brown’s firing are in dead last in the NBA Pacific and are 12th in the Western Conference. Brown had coached a team practice Friday morning and had met with the media after practice and was notified by the team that he had been fired. The Kings were prepared to board a flight to Los Angeles after practice as the Kings face the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Brown is a two time NBA Coach of the Year Award winner and had won the award in 2023 after turning the Kings around who had won 30 games in 2022 to a 48-34 record and got the Kings into the post season. Last season’s winning record got Brown the three year contract extension and put Brown amongst the top eight highest paid coaches in the NBA.

Brown finishes his tenure with the Kings with a winning record at 107-88. Under Brown in the playoffs the Kings lost to the Golden State Warriors in a six game first round. Brown has been an assistant coach at the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and Warriors. He had been on NBA teams that won the Championships one with the Spurs and three with the Warriors.

No class no balls says Mike Malone: Former Kings and current Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said that the way the Kings fired Brown was “no class no balls” as Malone described it on social media Brown had coached Friday’s practice and Brown met with the media and Brown was driving to the airport to fly with the team to Los Angeles when he got the call on the way to the airport that he had been fired. Malone said he got fired by the same person and what really angered Malone was the Kings who lost their fifth in a row lost on fouling Detroit Piston’s jump shooter Jaden Ivey in a narrow 114-113 decision on Thursday.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s President David Kaval resigns; At one time Kaval had promised A’s would be rooted in Oakland

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From left, analyst Jeremy Aguero, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill and Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval during a presentation to a Senate committee of the whole on the team’s proposed stadium funding during the 35th special session of the Legislature on June 7, 2023, in Carson City. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)

A’s President resigns

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In a few weeks, there will be a change in the White House for a new President of the United States. Here in California, in the state capital of Sacramento, there are also changes, but in the world of sports, with their new baseball team, with just five days until the new year. Also, this was a change at the top, as Dave Kaval, President for the past eight years for the Oakland A’s, resigned to pursue new business opportunities in California. December 31, 2024, will be his last day with the team,

“We are grateful for Dave’s contributions and leadership over the past eight years. He guided our organization through a period of significant transition, and we sincerely thank him for his unwavering commitment to the team,” said A’s Owner John Fisher.” Sandy Dean, a longtime business partner of the Fisher family, will serve as interim President. Eventually, the team will hire a new President as they begin a search next year.

The A’s will play for at least three years in Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Kaval, 49, served as the seventh president of the Athletics in the franchise’s 123-year history, which began in Philadelphia in 1901. Seven Presidents in 123 years for a franchise is not that many, considering the A’s are now working on their fourth city to be their home base: Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland, and Sacramento, with plans for Las Vegas as their potential fifth different city.

Although not a done deal if Las Vegas doesn’t materialize, Sacramento, who is scheduled to be in the Major Leagues, might be in the Major Leagues for decades to come as the A’s will have to settle there permanently, not what Mr.Fisher is planning for, but there is a possibility. Since in our country, only two things are certain “death and taxes.”

“I will be staying in California to explore new opportunities at the crossroads of business and government. I am grateful to A’s ownership for the opportunities they have given me.” -Dave Kaval. His resumé includes working for private business, government, and sports teams.

He has also taught Sports Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business for the past decade. This should not surprise anybody because this team still transitioning, and not a surprise also, especially in professional sports, where Presidents, General Managers, Field Managers, and players come and go regularly. Only God knows where this is all headed. All I can tell you and make an easy prediction—actually with certainty—is that 2025 will be here in a few days. Happy New Year! Felíz Año Nuevo!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: McLellan new Red Wings head coach; Wings become McLellan’s 4th team

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Former Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan has been hired by the Detroit Red Wings on Thu Dec 26, 2024 to replace Derek Lalonde. McLellan formerly coached the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Detroit Red Wings on Thursday hired former San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan who signed a multi year contact. The Wings fired former head coach Derek Lalonde. McLellan who was fired from his last job with the Los Angeles Kings on Feb 2. McLellan is 598-412-134 in 1444 games. McLellan also was head coach for the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, before joining the Kings and has a 42-46 playoff record. McLellan ranks sixth among winningest head coaches. Lalonde is the fourth NHL coach to be fired this year.

#2 For McLellan this is his fourth NHL team and when you consider him the sixth ranking winningest NHL head coach that makes a NHL team looking for an head coach no doubt look for the best in who’s available.

#3 For the Red Wing general manager Steve Yzerman is a third of the way into his third season and had to make a move as the Red Wings were on a three game losing streak previous to Thursday’s coaching change. The Wings have lost nine of their last 12 games and 21 of their first 34 games this season.

#4 Yzerman didn’t see any improvement from Lalonde as the Wings are just above the last place Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference. Lalonde was midway into his third season with the Wings. Lalonde had success as an assistant coach in Tampa Bay winning two Stanley Cup Championships there.

#5 Former San Jose coach and the Red Wings associate coach Bob Boughner was also fired from the Wings and replaced by Trent Yawney to work as an assistant coach. McLellan has a success record out nine of 14 seasons McClellan has led his teams to the post season.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com