Wilkinson and Stojakovic combined for 44 points, as Bears beat Air Force 78-69 to continue hot start

Cal Bears guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (0) takes the ball up the floor against the Air Force Falcons at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Thu Nov 21, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Air Force Falcons 69 (1-4)

California Golden Bears 78 (4-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

Jeremiah Wilkinson had his coming out party, as he scored 23 points, and along with a 21-point night by Andrej Stojakovic, led the Bears to a 78-69 win over the Air Force Falcons at Haas Pavilion to continue the team’s hot start.

While out on the road last week, the Bears suffered their first loss of the season at Vanderbilt last Wednesday. However, they bounced back by pulling off a 71-66 win at USC on Saturday.

The Bears returned home and welcomed the Air Force Falcons to Haas Pavilion, as they looked to build on their strong start to the season. The Falcons got off a quick 4-0 lead out of the gate, as Ethan Taylor hit a jumper, and Byron Brown laid one in. Andrej Stojakovic then hit a turnaround jumper to get the Bears on the board just over two minutes in.

Cal jump ahead 8-4, but the Falcons quickly came back to take an 11-9 lead. Jeremiah Wilkinson, who checked in with 13:08 to go, made a layup to tie it at 11-11.

The Bears then jumped out to a 30-15 lead with 5:26 to go. The Falcons then closed out the first half with a 12-5 lead to cut Cal’s lead almost in half, and the Bears took a 35-27 lead into the half.

Wilkinson had only scored 13 points in the Bears’ first four games, but he scored nine points in the first half tonight. Rytis Petraitis led the Bears in scoring in the first half with 11 points.

Andrej Stojakovic only scored five points in the first half, but he came alive in the second half. Stojakovic scored seven of the Bear’s eight points in the opening five minutes of the second half, but the Falcons had cut the lead to 45-40.

Wilkinson, who had checked back in early in the second half, carried his mojo over and hit a pair of layups to make it 49-41. However, the Falcons scored six unanswered points to close it to just a two-point game at 49-47.

From there, the Bears would start to pad their lead again. Wilkinson, Stojakovic and Dort led the charge, and in a matter of minutes, the Bears were back to a 10-point lead at 62-52.

The Bears made it 66-52. Like in the first half, the Falcons made a late run to close the lead to seven, but Cal still won comfortably by a final of 78-69.

Stojakovic scored 16 points in the second half, and was 6-for-9 in field goals after going an abysmal 2-for-10 in the first half. Lee scored eight points in the second half, and he, Stojakovic and Wilkinson combined for 38 of the Bears’ 43 points in the second half.

Wilkinson scored 14 in the second half to cap off his 23-point night. He was 8-for-12 in field goals on the night, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Stojakovic finished just behind Wilkinson with 21 points, and Lee ended up with 12.

The Bears improve to 4-1, and they will look to keep it going when they take on the Sacramento State Hornets at Haas Pavilion on Sunday. Tipoff will be at 1 p.m.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cal-Cardinal kick off for the axe Saturday in Berkeley; Stanford coming off big win over Louisville

Stanford kicker Emmet Kenny (right) jumps into the arms of punter Connor Wesleman (15) after booting a 52 yard game winning field goal in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium to defeat the Louisville Cardinals on Sat Nov 16, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, how important was this win for the Cardinal to defeat the Louisville Cardinals last Saturday on Senior day at Stanford Stadium?

#2 How big is Stanford kicker Emmet Kenny who booted a 52 yard field goal with time expiring to defeat 38-35. The Cardinal in winning snapped a six game losing streak beating a No.22 ranked team Louisville.

#3 The Cardinal worked hard to just get this win and after six straight loses head coach Troy Taylor has to be more than relieved, saying that he gives credit to his seniors and that this the last time a lot of them will be playing at Stanford Stadium and breathing it in and making the moment memorable.

#4 Michael talk about the job that quarterback Ashton Daniels did under center he kept it close all game long throwing for 298 yards, for three touchdowns. Wide receiver Emmet Mosely V caught two of those touchdown passes for 168 yards.

#5 The Big Game at Berkeley is next you’ll be on hand at Cal Memorial to cover this thriller talk about what this game means for Stanford and what a tradition this is playing for the axe?

Michael Roberson covers the Stanford Cardinal for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Stanford-Cal all set to battle for the axe this Saturday at Memorial Stadium

Cal Bears running back Jaivian Thomas (25) takes off for a 75 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Nov 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris talk about how the two interceptions by the Syracuse Orange defenders helped protect Syracuse’s lead and did it at all play with Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza psyche.

#2 The Orange did have a dominating defense stopping the Bears ground game and that made a difference in winning by an eight point edge.

#3 The Bears had a tough time getting to Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord who was 29-46 for 323 yards. The Golden Bears defense had a tough time trying to stop Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen who ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

#4 Much respect in spite of the Bears struggle Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said that Mendoza was tough to figure out at times, “Mendoza, he’s very crafty,” said Brown. “He’s got a strong arm and a quick trigger finger, so we knew we had to switch the picture up a lot for him.”

#5 Morris, it’s the Big Game this Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. The Bears (5-5) and the Cardinal (2-8). The Bears have won two of their last four games and the Cardinal snapped a six game losing streak after winning last Saturday 38-35 against the Lousiville Cardinals.

Morris Phillips podcasts Cal Bears football Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Remains Perfect, after Fighting off Spartans 70-63, Wednesday Night inside Maples

Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) and forward Chism Okpara (10) try and stop the Norfolk State Spartans guard Christian Ings (0) from taking a shot at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Nov 20, 2024 (Stanford MBB X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (5-0, 0-0 ACC) kept their untarnished 2024-25 season record alive (5-0), after defending the Farm from the charging Norfolk State Spartans (4-2, 0-0 MEAC), 70-63.

Norfolk State made the first basket of the game less than :40 after tip off. That would be the largest lead they were able to accomplish in the first 20 minutes, as Stanford went on a 14-0 run of their own. Although they were down by double-digits immediately, they still fought back.

The Cardinal had a lead as high as 15 points, but with the help of a 6-0 run, the Spartans kept the deficit within single digits for a large portion of the first half. Five points was Stanford’s lead at recess; 38-33 Cardinal at the half.

Maxime Raynaud was the lone Stanford player with at least 10 points. He scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Graduate senior guard Brian Moore Jr. paced the Spartans with 10 points.

The second half began with Stanford junior forward Chisom Okpara splitting a pair of free throws, giving his team a six point advantage. However, Norfolk State responded with a 7-0 run to overtake the Cardinal with their first lead (40-39) since early in the first half. They actually increased the margin to two points, which equaled their biggest lead overall.

After two lead changes and two more ties, Stanford eventually took over the game, late in the game. Junior Guard Oziyah Sellers was very instrumental in Stanford staving off the Spartans, as he scored 9 of his 15 points in the second half. This included a huge 3-pointer and crucial free throws down the stretch.

When the final whistle sounded, after 40 minutes of competition, Stanford was the victor, by seven points (70-63). This win happened despite shooting a ptiful 34% from the floor, and 24% from beyond the arc. Two other Cardinal hoopers joined Sellers in the double-digit club.

Maxime Raynaud continued his great play, by contributing another double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds), and he blocked two shots and had two steals. A great performance for the USBWA National Player of the Week. Jaylen Blakes also chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. He too had two steals added to his tally.

Norfolk State had three players with at least 10 points on the scoring sheet. Brian Moore Jr. (24), Christian Ings (17), and Jalen Myers (10), all led the way for their tenacious cross-country battle with Stanford.

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, November 23 at Santa Clara University to take on the Broncos at 6:00 PM PDT on ESPN+. Norfolk State travels to Arizona on Friday, November 22, to take on the Grand Canyon University Lopes at 6:00 PM local time.

Stockton Kings game wrap: Kings Collins and Post too much for visiting Santa Cruz in 108-98 win

Forward Kevin Knox II scored a team-high 25 points in the Santa Cruz Warriors’ loss to host Stockton in NBA G League action Wednesday night. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)

By William Espy

STOCKTON–The Stockton Kings were looking to build on their three-game winning streak as they hosted the Santa Cruz Warriors for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the Warriors were looking to start a streak of their own.

They’ve yet to win back-to-back games but had the opportunity to do so with a victory over Stockton. The Kings ended up extending the win streak to four games and the Warriors didn’t get back to back wins at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton on Wednesday night. The Kings came away with a 108-98 win over the Warriors.

Santa Cruz Starters: Knox II, Johnson, Post, Spencer, Collins

Stockton: Starters I. Jones, C. Jones, Robinson, Dennis, M. Jones

The Warriors made their first shot of the night, but other than that, both teams struggled mightily on offense right out of the gate. After maintaining a 2-0 lead for multiple minutes, the Kings tied it up and both teams seemed to find a bit more of their rhythm. After Stockton had a brief lead, the Warriors went on a 10-0 run, leading to Stockton’s first time-out.

Terry Taylor got into some early foul trouble for the Kings, picking up his second personal foul with over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. After trailing by double-digits early in the first, the Kings brought themselves back into the game very quickly. At the end of the quarter, the Warriors led 23-21. Both teams were leaving much to be desired offensively though, the Warriors shot 45% from the field, while the Kings were at 33.3%.

Things would look much different at the end of the second quarter. The Kings were quite a bit more efficient, raising their field goal percentage to 43.4% and as a result, they went into the break with a 58-49 lead. Mason Jones and Colby Jones led in scoring for the Kings, with 13 and 12 points respectively. Meanwhile, Kevin Knox II and Quinten Post led the Warriors with 11 and 10 respectively.

Skal Labissiere was having a rare slow offensive night for the Kings, not recording his first points until halfway through the third quarter. Despite this, the Kings continued to grow their lead in the third. They took an 87-74 lead heading into the final frame.

During the fourth quarter, the Warriors tried on multiple occasions to launch a comeback. Each time though, the Kings were able to swing momentum back in their favor. The Jones trio was a big part of Stockton’s offense over the course of the night, led by Colby who finished the night with 27 points.

As the Warriors launched their final push with just under four minutes to go, Kings head coach Quinton Crawford issued a coach’s challenge when Dexter Dennis was called for goaltending in a crucial moment. The challenge was unsuccessful, and the Warriors only trailed by six points with quite a bit of time remaining on the clock.

The Warriors had a coach’s challenge of their own moments later, when the ball went out of bounds. It was ultimately ruled that Stockton touched the ball last, and Santa Cruz took possession. Post fouled out with just over a minute remaining in the game. When all was said and done, the Warriors’ final comeback attempt fell short and the Kings won 108-98.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Can Shanahan get Niners ready against the Packers?; Has SF’s fire got turned down a notch or two?

San Francisco 49ers head coach taking some tough questions after the loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi Stadium on Sun Nov 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dave, how much impact to the defense did it have with Nick Bosa out of the line up and how many flaws could you see in the defense on Sunday?

#2 Talk about the impact that running Christian McCaffrey is having on the offense who is struggling and is not playing like his old self. Is he still trying to work through his past injuries that had slowed him down.

#3 The 49ers are in Green Bay this Sunday. The Packers are rolling they have won five of their last six games and defeated the Bears in their last game in a close one 20-19. Will the 49ers have their hands full this Sunday against the Pack at the Frozen Tundra?

David Zizmor does the San Francisco 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ichiro Suzuki First Japanese Inducted into Cooperstown

Amaury Pi-González throws First Pitch in Seattle during Ichiro years. (Photo from the author)

Ichiro Suzuki First Japanese Inducted into Cooperstown

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The inevitable just happened. The 2025 Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame ballot was released, and their #1 name for this round is Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki, who had a close two-decade Hall of Fame career in the Major Leagues. Also, C.C. Sabathia, a great pitcher and a local guy from Vallejo, is on the HOF ballot, as is closer Billy Wagner, who ended with 422 games saved, the most in MLB history by a left-handed pitcher. John Franco had 424.

During the years I broadcasted home games for the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants (concurrently), I witnessed the greatness of Ichiro Suzuki, especially during that memorable 2004 season when he ended the season with 262 hits, breaking the all-time Major League single hits record previously held by George Sisler who in 1920 with St Louis Brown had a 257 hit season.

Interviewing Ichiro was one of the most extraordinary things I have experienced. Allen Turner was Ichiro’s first interpreter in 2001; later, others came to do the same job, home and road. Every time I interviewed Ichiro I had to pose the question in English, and the interpreter then would relay it to Ichiro in Japanese; next, the interpreter would tell me what Ichiro said(of course, translated to English), and then OK, the finished part I told the audience in Spanish for Mariners Spanish radio, what the great Ichiro just told me.

Ichiro was a distinctive, timid person who worked as hard as anybody. He stored his bats inside a particular case, like the bat(s) were Stradivarius violins. Down on the field, my broadcast partner, the late Julio Cruz, Mariner’s Dream Team Second baseman, Julio and I would stand behind the batting cage a couple of hours or so before the games at Safeco Field (the original name of the tremendous retractable stadium in downtown Seattle Ichiro would hit home runs at will, and when he took a break in between swings inside the cage, he would do some gymnastic moves. It was truly a feat to see a guy listed at 5’11, who looked like 5’7 and around 165 pounds, hit the ball as hard and many times as deep.

Ichiro Suzuki played from 2001 to 2019, a total of 19 years. It began with the Mariners in 2001 and retired with the Mariners in 2019; in between, also playing for the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. A solid Hall of Fame career. It ended with a .311 batting average, 3,089 hits, 509 stolen bases, 117 homeruns, and 780 runs batted in.

His first name was Ichiro, and that was enough. Only one other Mariners Hall of Fame player had that distinction: Ken Griffey Jr. “Junior was enough, “and everybody knew, just like Ichiro, who it was. For me, the best lead-off hitters of all time that I have known, interviewed, and covered are Rickey Henderson and Ichiro Suzuki. One is in the Hall of Fame, and the other one soon will be joining Rickey.

QUOTE: Ichiro appeared in 10 All-Star Games. I once asked him about playing in the All-Star Game and if he could tell me something about playing during those fun games. He surprised me with one word in Spanish; he told me it was “peligroso” translation=dangerous. You asked, why dangerous? Well, in one of his 10 All-Star Game appearances, the network that carried the game got his permission to insert a small microphone in his uniform so he could say something while he was on the field during the game. He did it reluctantly; he didn’t feel comfortable doing that. In the end (like I mentioned before), he was timid, reserved, and, in many ways a mysterious player.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Rays repair damage $56 million to fix the Trop; West Sacramento would like to keep the A’s

The roof of the Tropicana Field is damaged the morning after Hurricane Milton hit the region, Oct. 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Tampa Bay Rays are now being mentioned for relocation from Tampa Bay after having Tropicana Field destroyed by Hurricane Milton on October 9th. The damages for repair is estimated at $56 million and the Rays will play their 2025 season in the spring training home of the New York Yankees George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

#2 The move to Steinbrenner Field for the Rays puts them as the second big league club not to play in a Major League facility for the 2025 season as the A’s of Sacramento will be playing their home games in minor league park Sutter Health Park in 2025.

#3 The Rays are at a tough crossroads here as Tampa Bay Mayor Ken Welch wants to go ahead and repair the Trop but with the Rays getting a new stadium in 2029 they might end up playing their regular season games at George Steinbrenner Field until their new stadium is ready?

#4 The construction cost for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark at $1.5 billion is still yet to be seen. A’s owner John Fisher’s spokesperson Sandy Dean said recently at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting headed by Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce CEO Steven Hill that the Fisher Family will be putting up the $1.5 billion to cover their share of the construction costs. The bill to help supplement SB1 is due Dec 5th.

#5 Meanwhile until things are sorted out in Las Vegas, West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero has said that West Sacramento can build a 40-50 thousand seat ballpark for the A’s by the Sacramento River Bridge. The A’s are focused on playing in Las Vegas after the 2027 season.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders need more offense to snap six game skid; Broncos next up at Allegiant

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) scores a touchdown as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola Mao (20) couldn’t quite catch Smith at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Mon Nov 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) just couldn’t get any scoring going in all four quarters and not enough to stay in step with the Miami Dolphins (4-6) getting beat 34-19 dropping their sixth straight game at Hard Rock Cafe in Miami.

#2 The Raiders with this loss have given up 75 points in their last two games 34 points Sunday against the Dolphins and last week 41 points to the Cincinnati Bengals. The defense has to be exhausted and the offense is giving up to many fourth downs.

#3 Tony the fourth quarter Sunday really ate up the Raiders defense the Dolphins were unstoppable scoring 17 points to putting much put this game out of reach with the Dolphins De’Von Achane carrying for two yards for a touchdown at 10:37, Jonnu Smith at 3:19 caught a 57 yard pass to make it 31-19 and at Miami kicker Jason Sanders booted a 46 yard field goal at 1:55 for the 34-19 final.

#4 Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew continues to get frustrated and just couldn’t convert enough scoring to catch the Dolphins. Minshew 30-43 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Minshew was having trouble staying in the pocket and getting protection.

#5 Up next for the Raiders the Denver Broncos (6-5) at Allegiant Stadium next Sunday for a 1:05pm PST kickoff against the Denver Broncos and quarterback Bo Nix. The Broncos have been hovering around .500 and played the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Can you see the offensive line recovering for the Raiders and being able to hold the Broncos pass rush so that Minshew could get some time to pass the ball?

Tony Renteria does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Alexander The Great Inches Closer To The Great One in 6-2 Capitals Victory over Utah HC

The Washington Capitals celebrate a goal as the Utah Hockey Club’s defenseman Ian Cole (28) can only skate by in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Mon Nov 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

Alex Ovechkin scored two goals in season quest to surpass Wayne Gretzky for most all-time NHL goals.

SALT LAKE CITY–Wayne Gretzky was just 10-years-old when a reporter watching him play youth hockey dubbed him The Great One, a prophetic nickname which he lived up to over the course of an illustrious 20-season NHL career during which he racked up 894 goals and 1,963 assists for a total of 2,857 points.

To put that into perspective, Jaromír Jágr is second on the all-time points list with 1,921. For all intents and purposes, Gretzky’s total points record is untouchable. There was a time that it was assumed that his goals record was also beyond reach.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is challenging that notion as he continues his pursuit of becoming the NHL’s new goal scoring king. On Monday night in Salt Lake City, Ovechkin notched his 867th and 868th career goals against Utah Hockey Club to bring him to within just 26 of tying Gretzky’s mark, something the 39-year-old winger could potentially achieve this season as the Caps defeated the UHC 6-2 at the Delta Center.

Utah started the game off on the right foot as forward Jack McBain netted his 5th goal of the season just over three minutes into the game, assisted by Kevin Stenlund and Ian Cole. Cole’s assist gave him 200 career NHL points.

That lead would be very short-lived when Capitals center Dylan Strome scored an unassisted goal at 7:46, followed with another just ten seconds later by his teammate Nic Dowd, giving Washington a 2-1 lead.

At 11:05 of the opening frame, Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin scored his 14th goal of the season to put Washington ahead by 3-1.

Early in the 2nd period, Utah’s Jack McBain was called for tripping against Andrew Mangiapane. Just four seconds later on the power play, Ovechkin scored his second of the game, his league-leading 15th of the season, and 868th of his career triggering applause not just from Capitals fans, but clearly a fair number of Utah fans witnessing history in the making as Washington increased its lead to 4-1.

The goal sent starting netminder Connor Ingram to the bench, relieved by Karel Vejmelka. Utah center Nick Bjugstad cut the deficit in half with his 3rd goal of the season at 11:44, assisted by Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller, but that turned out to be the end of Utah’s offensive production for the evening.

Washington received a scare at 5:30 of the third period when Alex Ovechkin collided with Jack McBain and was helped to the bench. He would not return to the ice for a shot at his second hat trick in as many games.

The Capitals put the game away for good by the midway point of the final frame with goals by Brandon Duhaime and Aliaksei Protas for a final score of 6-2.

After the game, Washington goaltender Charlie Lindgren spoke about Ovechkin whose goals against Connor Ingram tied Jaromír Jágr’s NHL record of 178 different goalies he has scored upon. “I don’t even know if there’s words to describe it.

I mean, honestly, it’s beyond impressive what he does. When it rains, it pours for him. I mean, it truly does. And you know, he finds ways to get to scoring areas and when he does and the puck is on his stick, he usually doesn’t miss. He’s our leader. It’s tough to see him go down. I don’t know what the extent is there, but even last night in Vegas, he scored three goals. He made a big pass break up there in the second period, had a big block. He’s a guy that’s doing it all right now and not just scoring. He’s a captain for a reason.” Capitals Head Coach Spencer Carbery, speaking of Ovechkin’s condition, said “He’s being evaluated as we speak, and we’ll know more tomorrow.”

Utah Hockey Club Head Coach André Tourigny commented on what made the difference in the loss. “[Washington] was really opportunistic early in the game. We had chances, we hit the post five times on our power play. We had looks, but we could not score the big goal. And then on the other side, they had the killer instinct and they pulled us away when they had the opportunity.” With regard to offensive production, “We’re not getting enough from anybody. We’re getting possession, shots, things like that, but we don’t finish. We missed the net on a lot of great opportunities. What I like about our game in the last week or so, is that we’re generating. We’re back to skating well and generating offense, but we need to finish. We need to make the last play, that play will make the difference. We can possess the puck as much as we want, but if we don’t make the last play that doesn’t count.”

Forward Lawson Crouse addressed the failure to capitalize on the power play. “We have to be way better. It’s easy to sit here and say, we hit cross bars, but that’s no excuse. We have got to find a way to put the puck in the back of the net. We had seven chances tonight, and we were 0-7, that’s not good enough…Maybe you tie the game up and it’s a different story. We’ve talked about a lot, we’re talking about it consistently, in the room in intermission, seeing what we can do. It’s hard to pick one thing, but we have got to be much better.”

Utah will try to turn things around on a four-game road trip beginning Thursday in Boston and then continuing to Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Montreal before returning home to face the Edmonton Oilers the day after Thanksgiving on November 29.