NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Canadiens hosting game with no crowd limit; Leafs won’t deal goalies; plus more

Montreal Canadien fans can fill up the Rogers Centre in Montreal tonight as they Habs host the Edmonton Oilers for the first allowed capacity game after many years of Covid 19 protocol restrictions (file photo Fox News)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens face off tonight with no crowd limits, mask mandate still in effect. They expect 18,000 fans at Rogers Centre in Montreal. Fans are happy they get to fill the arena how safe will this decision be?

#2 Matt, the Toronto Maple Leafs say they have no plans to deal goaltender Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek. Both goaltenders combined have allowed 31 goals in the last seven games there have been calls in Toronto by fans and the media to trade one of the goalies. Kyle Dubas the Leafs general manager said he doesn’t need to deal either goalie but would like to obtain more defense.

#3 Matt how important is it that the Philadelphia Flyers Kevin Hayes has returned to the line up after missing 15 games and is expected to return this Saturday. Hayes said he had a bad groin infection that spread to his left side. Hayes says he feels pretty good now.

#4 The San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer is week to week with a lower body injury he sustained in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights on Tuesday who played in his 12th straight game. Matt, was it a matter of the Sharks just over played Reimer or some way some how Reimer was going to run out of gas and something was going to happen. Also talk who the Sharks most likely will go with in goal Adin Hill, Zachary Sawchenko, or Alex Stalock?

#5 Matt, the Carolina Hurricanes will get a shot at hosting the Stadium Series on Feb 18, 2023 when they host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Carter-Finley Stadium at North Carolina State University in Raleigh NC.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Former head coach DeBoer enjoyed getting career win 500 against former team

Former San Jose Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer looks on at his team the Vegas Golden Knights at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas against the Sharks on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len taking a look at the Vegas Golden Knights and their head coach Peter DeBoer and their win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday 3-1. The win was DeBoer’s 500th career win as a head coach and it had to be sweeter to get it against his old team the Sharks.

#2 DeBoer was fired as Sharks head coach Dec 11, 2019 and the Knights hired DeBoer Jan 15, 2020. Looking back on the DeBoer firing did the Sharks fire him prematurely or they made the right decision to let him go at the right time.

#3 DeBoer also got his 499th win over the Sharks on Feb 20th and it was just as good as 500 said DeBoer, “San Jose, that experience is fresh enough with me that that still gets the juices flowing.”

#4 Len, on Sharks goaltender James Reimer after 12 straight games he got a lower body injury against the Knights and is listed as week to week and the Sharks now will have to depend on Adin Hill, Zachary Sawchenko and Alex Stalock how do you see this tandem going into tonight’s game at SAP Center.

#5 Next up for the Sharks the Nashville Predators (30-19-2) who have lost five of their last eight games and lost their last game to the Tampa Bay Lightning last Saturday 3-2. How do you see the Sharks and Predators matching up at SAP Center tonight?

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford good first half, lose second half to Arizona 81-69 in Tucson

Stanford forward Spencer Jones (14) drives on Arizona guard Pelle Larsson at the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford podcast with Daniel:

1 Despite a gallant effort, Stanford bounced back from a horrendous game against Cal and played at least one good half against Arizona.

2 What was working for the Cardinal in the first half, and where did it go south in the second half?

3 How are Stanford’s chances to pick up a win on Saturday against Arizona State to end the regular season on a positive note?

4 What do Stanford’s chances for postseason men’s basketball look like?

5 Meanwhile, Teri Vanderveer just received Pac-12 women’s basketball coach of the year for the 17th time, as the Cardinal women are primed for an extended tournament run.

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

Pac-12 champion No. 2 Arizona defeats Stanford 81-69

Stanford guard Michael O’Connell (5) drives on Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin at McKale Memorial Center in Tucson on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, March 3, 2022

Fresh off clinching the Pac-12 regular season title, No. 2 Arizona returned home to McKale Center in Tucson and held off inspired Stanford 81-69 in men’s basketball Thursday.

Bennedict Mathurin led the Wildcats with 24 points, followed by Christian Koloko with 21 points and 10 rebounds, as U of A (27-3 overall, 17-2 Pac-12) remained undefeated at home in its first season under Coach Tommy Lloyd. Kerr Kriisa added seven assists and Azuolas Tubelis chipped in with 11 points.

Arizona also clinched its first conference championship in four years.

After defeating No. 16 Southern California on Tuesday in Los Angeles, Arizona came out sluggish against the Cardinal (15-14 overall, 8-11 Pac-12), shooting poorly while Stanford built a nine-point lead in the first half, eventually whittled down to a 39-37 Cardinal lead at halftime. Stanford made more baskets in the first half (12) than they did in their entire loss to California.

But the Wildcats pulled away after the intermission, outscoring the Cardinal 44-30, as Stanford’s late-season tailspin continued with its sixth loss in seven games. Mathurin had a personal 8-0 run against the Cardinal to open the second half that put U of A up 67-58.

Arizona stayed close by making 16 points off 11 Cardinal turnovers. Things didn’t go much better for Stanford in the second half, making 3 of 9 from 3-point range while finishing the game with 17 turnovers.

Spencer Jones led the Cardinal with 22 points, followed by Michael O’Connell with 16 points – all scored in the first half. Maxime Raynaud added 10 points and seven rebounds, and Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with nine boards.

Stanford made 15 of 28 in the first 20 minutes, including 7 of 10 behind the arc.\

Stanford finishes the regular season in Tempe on Saturday, visiting Arizona State.

Run Ragged: Sun Devils race past Cal in 71-44 romp in Tempe

By Morris Phillips

How do you characterize the two-game series between Cal and Arizona State this season?

Well, that’s easy. Both teams put forth their best effort, that is if they didn’t fall on their collective faces.

On January 2, the Bears growled menacingly from the start, leading by 18 at the half and winning by 24 as they shot 51 percent from the floor and passed the ball expertly leading to 17 assists.

On Thursday in the rematch in the desert, ASU was off and running, building a brief, double-digit lead in the first half, then burying Cal with a running and shooting barrage after halftime, resulting in an, easy 27-point win.

The common thread in both games was that while each team looked pretty darn good in their wins, they’ll likely beat themselves up remembering how out of character they were in getting blown out.

“As well as we played last Saturday, we played the opposite defensively today,” coach Mark Fox said. “We really collapsed on the defensive end in the second half.”

The Bears survived a rough first half in part by getting a pair of big baskets from Grant Anticevich before halftime to climb within six points of the Sun Devils. But all that effort to get back in the game disappeared after halftime. The Bears allowed ASU to make 18 of their 28 shot attempts, and couldn’t stop run outs or 3-point attempts.

“When you don’t score and they can fast break on every possession, you’re going to have a hard time getting your defense set,” Fox said.

Previously against Stanford in their 53-39 win, and on February 12 at Oregon in Cal’s last road game, a 78-64 win, the Bears played at a methodical pace, made shots when the game was in doubt, and defended as if they were constructing a fortress in front of the hoop.

Against ASU those same Cal Bears put up little resistance and showed hardly any resolve. With all the attention around the program this week and speculation regarding Fox and his now likely return for a fourth year at the helm, the effort and result looked completely out of place.

Furthermore, the Bears (12-18, 5-14) may not get another opportunity to better present themselves. Saturday’s regular season finale at No. 2 Arizona could be a particularly turbulent experience, and a conference tournament opener currently sees them matched up with either Washington or Washington State. Cal dropped both meetings with those two schools.

D.J. Horne was one of five Sun Devils (13-16, 9-10) to score at least 10 points and led the hosts with 13 points. Marreon Jackson and Jay Heath combined to miss 20 shots in the first meeting between the clubs, this time they contributed 11 and 12 points respectively. Arizona State has won 6 of their last 7 after losing 9 of 11.

“We knew what their game plan was going to be, they ranked last in pace of play,” ASU’s Kimani Lawrence said. “We got bigs and guys on the wings at different positions that can run, putting pressure on defense and getting on the fastbreak benefits our offense.”

Jalen Celestine led Cal with 11 points, and the sophomore was the only Bear to score more than 10 points.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings rebound pick up big win in San Antonio on Thursday night

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) grabs a rebound over San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, right, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, talk about the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes he had 27 points he was the go to guy as the Kings came away with a 115-112 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thursday night.

#2 Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich had picked up his 1,334th career win but now have lost three straight games and it was an accomplishment that was none too easy for the Kings.

#3 The Kings got scoring help from De’Aaron Fox 26 points, Domantas Sobonis 12 points who also had 12 rebounds and fouled out of the game.

#4 It was the Spurs first home game since Feb 4th because of the San Antonio Rodeo. Could that have made a difference being away so long and given the Kings an advantage?

#5 The Kings head to Dallas and face a very physical and offensive Mavericks team lead by Luca Doncic on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm PST how do you see that match up?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Kings podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113; Golden State drops fifth out six games

Luca Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks keeps the ball away from the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (43-20) lost to the Dallas Mavericks (38-25) 122-113 and in a second meeting in less than a week. The way that Dallas is playing right now, they are very real contenders in the upcoming playoffs.

Sunday night after leading by 21 points going into the fourth quarter, the Warriors went cold losing to Dallas 107-101 in a 27 point turnaround. Lack of energy, execution and effort were the downfall of Golden State. Losing on their home court is something that we rarely see but it has been happening lately.

The Warriors tried their luck in the Mavericks building trying to even the score in these last three games. January 5th in Dallas the Warriors lost 99-82. Then again in January on the 25th, the Warriors manhandled the Mavericks 130-92.

That was then and this is now and the Warriors needed to get their act together. Jason Kidd has coached the Mavericks brilliantly and the Warriors need to impose their will instead of visa versa. Better execution and effort will be the order of the day in this game.

They needed to start hitting those open looks and if the three’s are not dropping they have to drive the basket, maybe draw some fouls and stop making the long ball the end all be all. Thursday the team needed help from Klay Thompson who returned to the court. In the one game that Golden State won this season against Dallas, Klay played.

The Warriors opened the first quarter working very hard defensively but it was a slow start offensively. The Mavericks got of to a great start leading 14-7 mid-way through the quarter. Luca Doncic was the driving force for Dallas shooting and drawing fouls. After a single quarter Doncic had scored 19 points. The Mavericks held a 38-27 lead and had shot 60% from the field.

The Mavericks became far too comfortable offensively in the first half. The Warriors had to do something to disrupt their flow in the second half. It was as if the Mavericks could not miss through two quarters. Dallas’ three point shooting was the difference in this game. The Mavericks held a 68-54 half-time lead.

The Warriors made up some ground in the third quarter which became a shooting marathon between both teams. With four minutes left in the quarter Doncic already had 35 points. The Mavericks were having their best three-point shooting night of the season with 15. The Mavericks maintained their lead after three 99-91. The Warriors had made up some ground but still had a lot of work to do.

After being 17 down the Warriors had tied up this game thanks to Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody dropping three’s. These rookies had come to play. With 6:26 left in the game and the score 104 apiece this was anyone’s game.

The Warriors put up a fight but just could not handle Doncic and company. Doncic finished with 41 points and the Mavericks had 17 from downtown in an amazing game. The Warriors had 15 from long which is not at all shabby.

It was just too little too late in yet another game that Golden State was unable to finish. “We did not start out the game the way that we wanted to,” said Head Coach Steve Kerr after the game. “We let him (Doncic) get going,” he said.

The Warriors had a great fourth quarter but it was just not enough to make up for the first half. Jordan Poole was the point leader in the game with 23 points.

It’s onto Los Angeles for the Warriors to take on the Lakers Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Kings Edge Spurs 115-112;Sac ends four game loss streak

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo (11) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Edge Spurs 115-112; Sac ends four game loss streak

By Barbara Mason

Last night the Sacramento Kings took what was probably their most disappointing loss all season to the New Orleans Pelicans. Before this game both teams were vying for the tenth seed and a chance to play in the postseason.

Lack of defense and turnovers were the main culprits in this loss. The win put the Pelicans into tenth place in the Western Conference. The loss dropped the Kings into 13th place.

Thursday night the Kings (24-41) took on San Antonio (24-39) in a game that highly favored the Spurs. The Spurs have a 24-38 record and sit in the twelfth spot in the Western Conference. After last night’s loss in a must-win scenario, the Kings needed to bounce back.

They really want to see if their win right now trades have made a difference. Tonight the defense has to show up and they need to protect the ball. Those will be the keys to this road game.

The Kings got a great start in the first quarter leading after one 30-27. Sacramento extended their lead at the half 64-51. De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes both had a nice first half for the Kings.

The Spurs mounted a comeback in the third quarter outscoring the Kings 31-24. The Kings still led but it had dissolved significantly 88-82.

The Spurs continued to threaten the Sacramento lead in the fourth quarter. De Jounte Murray was having a great game with 21 points but the point leader through three for the Spurs was Lonnie Walker IV with 30 points off the bench.

At 7:45 San Antonio had tied the game at 91. Momentum was clearly on the Spurs side. With under four minutes left in the game San Antonio had taken the lead 103-101. With under two minutes left in the game the Kings had a slim 104-103 lead.

Sacramento took back the momentum in the closing minutes of the game winning 115-112. This game could not have been any closer and after leading through most of this game the Kings came dangerously close to losing it. Harrison Barnes was the point leader with 27 points for Sacramento.

The Kings will be on road in Dallas to take on Luca Doncic and the red-hot Mavericks Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal opens two game road trip at ASU tonight to close out regular season

The Cal Bears Grant Anticevich makes his way up the floor against the Stanford Cardinal on Sat Feb 26, 2022 at Haas Pavilion (photo by Cal Bears twitter)

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Miguel:

#1 Michael, the Cal Bears (12-17) kept the Stanford Cardinal (15-13) in check in their last game last Saturday holding the Cardinal to only 39 points which would you allude it to, the Cardinal shooting was just simply off or the Bears defense was all over Stanford?

#2  Winning after a lengthy streak of rough results didn’t deter the Golden Bears. Instead it strengthened them, according to coach Mark Fox.

#3 The ball was constantly going to Cal’s Jordan Shepherd who scored a team leading 28 points no other Cal player got into double figures.

#4 In the second half the Cardinal tried to make a valiant effort outscoring the Bears 27-18 but that comes off a first half where the Cardinal scored only 12 points.

#5 The action continues at ASU (12-16) tonight. The Sun Devils just got by the Utah Utes last Sat Feb 26th at Utah 63-61. The Sun Devils are on a roll they have won five of their last six games. How do you see Cal and ASU as they match up on tonight.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: How Russian NHL players are impacted by war in Ukraine; plus more news

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is one of some 50 Russian players in the NHL who are saying very little about their country’s invasion of Ukraine (AP file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony, talk about how this war in the Ukraine will effect professional sports now that the NBA and the NHL have cut off ties with Russia in obtaining Russian players?

#2 On the flip side who this will effect Russian players who are playing the NHL whose country who has invaded the Ukraine or players waiting to leave Russia to come to play in the NHL.

#3 Tony first two weeks of the Major League Baseball season canceled by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred because the players declined MLB’s latest offer. The owners raised the MLB minimum from 650,000 to 700,000 but other issues the players were not agreeing to revenue sharing and player arbitration.

#4 Manfred said that the cancelation of the first two weeks of the season is a result of a “disastrous decision” of having to cancel games but the players have said that the offer did not only seem right but it didn’t earn the trust of the players.

#5 The Sacramento Kings were trounced by the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Smoothie King Arena 125-95 and the Pelicans Brandon Ingram led with 33 points. The Kings have dropped four of their last five games.

Join Tony for Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com