The Toyota Arena in Ontario sits empty as the San Jose Barracuda and Ontario Reign contest has been postpone for Sat Nov 27, 2021 (Hines.com file photo)
by Marko Ukalovic
ONTARIO, Calif.—Tonight’s game between the San Jose Barracuda and the Ontario Reign has been postponed due to a malfunction of the ice making equipment at the Toyota Arena.
UP NEXT: San Jose travel to Abbotsford to begin a two-game series with the Canucks on Saturday 12/4 at 7:00pm at Abbotsford Centre.
The Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) lays one up in front of the Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) in a contest that went three overtimes at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Fri Nov 26, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night after beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. The Kings won for the first time on Wednesday day after the firing of Luke Walton on Sunday. The Kings were in Los Angeles on Friday to take on the Lakers. The Kings would manage to beat the Lakers 141-137 in triple overtime at Staples Center.
In the first quarter, both teams were evenly matched. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very impressive. The Kings and Lakers both managed to score 20 points in the first quarter in what what a solid defensive but lackluster quarter for both teams on offense. The Kings would look to pickup the offensive effort to build a lead on the Lakers.
In the second quarter, it was a similar story for both teams. The second quarter saw the Kings and Lakers both score the same number of points again with both teams putting up 23 points. The Kings and Lakers would be tied heading into the second half at 43 points each. Leading the way for the Kings in the first half was De’Aaron Fox as Russell Westbrook led the charge for the Lakers in scoring.
In the third quarter, the Lakers would take the first end of quarter lead of the game. The Lakers managed to outscore the Kings 35-30 as both offenses came to life. The Kings struggles to contain the Lakers offense as both teams seemed to take a step back on defense.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings would mount a comeback. The Kings out scored the Lakers 27-22 in the final quarter of regulation to head into overtime with a score of 100-100. In overtime, the Kings would look to win back to back games for the first time in a while this season.
In the first and second overtimes both teams wouldn’t be able to gain an inch. The teams both scored 12 points in the first overtime and the same in the second. The game would be tied 124-124 heading into the final overtime.
In the third overtime, the Kings out scored the Lakers 17-13 and pull out the win 141-137 in the Kings win. It was the first triple overtime game for the Kings since 2009 against the Golden State Warriors. It was a great emotional win for the Kings who saw De’Aaron Fox lead the way with 34 points. Lebron James led the way for the Lakers in defeat scoring 30 points.
The Kings will look to replicate their success against the Lakers when they come to town on Tuesday.
Up Next: The Kings head to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies on Sunday at 3 PM PST.
The Golden State Warriors Jordan Poole (left) and Stephen Curry share the thrill of a basket at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Portland Trailblazer (AP News photo)
Warriors Win 118-103 Despite Portland’s Fourth Quarter Bid
By Barbara Mason
Every starter in the Golden State Warriors line-up had double digits against the Portland Trailblazers handing Golden State the 118-103 win. The bench was great chipping in 23 points handing the Trail Blazers yet another road loss.
Friday night the Warriors (17-2) tried to extend their nine game winning streak as they took on the Trail Blazers (10-10). The Warriors have not only won nine games in a row but all of them were by double digits.
After the rough start against the Sixers on Wednesday night, falling behind by nineteen points is not something that Head Coach Steve Kerr wants to see again anytime soon. Golden State was sluggish through the first half of that game and so tonight the team needs to start fast and finish the same way.
While it is impressive how the Warriors can dispose of teams after trailing by double digits it is not what any coach wants to see. Playing from behind the eight ball is not at all a comfortable position that any team wants to experience and the Warriors are doing it often.
The Warriors will be playing shorthanded but with the depth on this team it does not present any problems. Tonight Damion Lee, Andre Iguodala, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody will not be playing in the game. Lee and Iguodala are out with injury and Kuminga and Moody will be taking the court in Santa Cruz.
The Trail Blazers have lost 18 of their last 24 games. They do play fast though and it will be tough to slow this team down. Damien Lilliard loves to play in the Bay Area being a native and actually averages 29 points per game so the Warriors will have to watch out for him. Portland lost their last game to the Sacramento Kings 125-121. The Warriors are heavily favored in this game.
Both teams had a fast start in the first quarter with Golden State taking a five point lead in the early minutes. The Warriors cooled a bit mid-way through the quarter but picked it up as the first quarter came to an end with Golden State leading by a single point 27-26.
The second quarter was very even and the teams were tied at 42 with under three minutes left in the half. Those final three minutes hailed the return of the three-pointer as Curry and Poole were able to score from downtown giving Golden State a 58-44 lead going into the third quarter.
The Warriors had done a great job containing Damien Lillard who had 8 points in the half. They had also scored 17 points off Portland turnovers. All five starters had scored in the double digits in this game extending their lead to 91-70 after three.
Portland really got on track in the fourth quarter and trimmed the Warrior 21 point lead to ten. Golden State was not finished yet and had to really work for this win. They came on strong in the final minutes of the game finishing on top.
Stephen Curry finished with 32 points followed by Andrew Wiggins with 25 points. The Warriors did a great job on Lilliard who had 16 points in this game. The high score for the Trail Blazers was off the bench—Anfernee Simons finished with 19 points.
Golden State will now travel down to the Southland Sunday to take on the Clippers in an afternoon game. They will be going for seven wins in a row. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.
Right winger Wayne Simmonds hoists his stick and arms after scoring a goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Remier at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Nov 26, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Mary Walsh
SAN JOSE– The San Jose Sharks (10-9-1) fell 4-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-6-1) in San Jose Friday. Toronto goals came from William Nylander, Wayne Simmonds, Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Joseph Woll made 34 saves for the win. Nick Bonino scored for San Jose and James Reimer made 13 saves on 17 shots and Adin Hill made 16 saves in the loss.
Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said: “I just thought that they were the better team, we didn’t look as fresh as we have in the last couple games. I didn’t think we had the same pop. You gotta be at your best to beat one of these teams like this.”
Sharks Captain, Logan Couture said his teams needs to get back to shooting the puck:
“I mean we had success earlier in the season. We shot the puck with traffic and right now maybe we’re looking for seams too early, we’re getting too cute with the puck. I think if we get back to just blasting it from the flanks and from the middle of the ice, we ‘re going to find rebound goals or dirty goals.”
William Nylander started the scoring just 32 seconds into the game. John Tavares made a touch pass at the blue line to catch Nylander on his way into the zone. Nylander carried the puck to the net before taking a shot. Reimer got a toe on it but it bounced over the line. Assists went to Tavares and Morgan Reilly.
Nick Bonino tied tied up at 4:44. Bonino gathered a loose puck up near the hashmarks and took the shot right away. The puck went under Woll and in. Assists went to Noah Gregor and Erik Karlsson.
Wayne Simmonds gave his team the lead back soon after, at 5:16. Simmonds deflected a quick shot over Reimer’s glove and off the cross bar. Assists went to Kampf and Nick Ritchie.
Auston Matthews made it 3-1 at 4:57 of the second period. After a couple of cross-ice passes with Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren sent the puck to the net where it came loose before Matthews tapped it in. Assists went to Michael Bunting and Timothy Liljegren.
John Tavares scored Toronto’s fourth at 10:44, on the power play. Reimer fought off two shots, but Tavares persisted without much interference from Sharks skaters. He finally got it through, over Reimer’s pad. Assists went to Nylander and Mitchell Marner.
After that goal, Boughner pulled Reimer and put Adin Hill in net. After the game, Boughner said:
“It definitely wasn’t his fault. I told him that much when he came back to the bench. I said the plan was to play him Sunday in Chicago. So I said just get some rest. It was good for Hill to get in there, I think I was trying to spark the team, maybe have a little bit of momentum change there. I thought Hiller played well when he went in there, so that was important to see.”
It was the fifth time in a row that Reimer was pulled against the Mape Leafs, playing for various teams.
The shot count for the game was close, 35-33 Sharks. In the face-off circle, it was not close: the Maple Leafs won 60% of them. The Maple Leafs had six shots on the power play, in two tries. The Sharks power play had two shots in three tries.
The Sharks next play on Sunday in Chicago against the Blackhawks at 4:00 PM PT.
The San Jose Barracuda get swept in their home at home series with the San Diego Gulls this time concluding a two game series at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Fri Nov 26, 2021 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)
by Marko Ukalovic
SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Gulls really enjoyed their time against the San Jose Barracuda.
The Gulls used a balanced attack to defeat the ‘Cuda 4-2 on Friday evening at Pechanga Arena.
San Jose have lost four games in a row to its SoCal rival and anchor the bottom of the Pacific Division. San Diego have won games four in a row against its rival from the north.
San Diego (7-6-1-0) drew first blood late in the first period on the power play. Former ‘Cuda killer Danny O’Regan won a faceoff and sent it back to the point where Nicolas Brouillard fired a shot that Brogan Rafferty redirected past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his third goal of the season at the 16:55 mark.
O’Regan snapped a five-game goal less draught.
San Jose (5-8-1-0) out shot San Diego 8-6 in the opening 20 minutes.
The Barracuda answered back with a power play goal of their own early in the second period. The Merkley duo of Ryan and Nick helped set up Joachim Blichfeld all alone in the left slot. Ryan sent a pass over to Nick and he found Blichfeld who blasted a one-timer past Gulls goalie Olle Eriksson-Ek for his fourth goal of the season at the 4:05 mark.
Blichfeld has scored all four goals this season on the man advantage. He also registered his first point on the road with the power play goal.
San Diego regained the lead a little more than halfway through the period. Vincent Marleau sent the puck behind the net where Brayden Tracey collected the puck. Tracey skated out to the faceoff circle, turned and fired a shot that beat Melnichuk to the short side for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:02 mark.
The Gulls received an insurance goal in the second half of the third period on the power play. Alex Limoges skated in from the left wing and centered a pass over to Bryce Kindopp who tapped home the perfect pass to the tape into an open net for his second goal of the season at the 13:29 mark.
San Jose cut the lead to a one-goal game with 33 second left. With Melnichuk pulled for an extra attacker, Ryan Merkley fed a pass over to Blichfeld at the left slot. Blichfeld blasted a shot past Ericksson-Ek for his second goal of the night and fifth of the season.
Buddy Robinson closed out the scoring with an empty net goal with one second remaining.
Things were chippy for the majority of the third period as skirmishes ensured after the whistle was blown stopping play. There was no love lost between the two teams after playing four straight games.
Eriksson-Ek finished the night with 26 saves on 28 shots to earn the victory. He is now 5-0 in his career versus San Jose. Melnichuk 22 saves on 25 shots, including to two breakaway attempts, in the losing effort.
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. San Diego was 2-for-4.
The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Rafferty 2) Tracey 3) Brouillard
UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario was postponed for tomorrow evening at the Toyota Arena.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles to get past Sacramento Kings center Tristan Thompson (13) during Wed Nov 24, 2021 at the Chase Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)
On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:
#1 In the last Sacramento Kings (7-12) the Kings De’Aaron Fox scored 21 points before being ejected from last Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Trailblazers (10-9). Fox got the boot with 6:06 left after getting back to back technical fouls.
#2 The Kings also had two players ejected and received six technical fouls it could have got the Kings in a lot of trouble and could have lost them the game but they played angry and got by the Blazers with a four point win.
#3 The Blazers Robert Covington got even frustrated when he threw his goggles near a referee and was ejected from the game. Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said the game got a little bit chippy and said stay off the officials and said that they got a little bit off their rhythm.
#4 The Portland Trailblazers Damian Lillard said that they just couldn’t come up with the stops saying the effort was there but they were just one or two plays short.
#5 The Kings are in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers (10-10) the Lakers just got by the Indiana Pacers (8-12) in overtime on Wednesday night 124-116. In the overtime stanza the Lakers outscored the Pacers 12-4 to get the victory. How do you see this match up tonight at Staples Center?
Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garber (7) throws against the Stanford Cardinal defense in first half action on Sat Nov 20, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto (AP News file photo)
Cal Bears football podcast with Daniel Dullum:
#1 Daniel, the Cal Bears (4-6) last Saturday in the Big Game crushed the Stanford Cardinal (3-8) 41-11 after Cal has won three of it’s last four games do you view this game as one more brick in the wall a good push toward getting a bowl game birth?
#2 Daniel, Cal quarterback Chase Garbers threw 17-26 for 246 yards, two touchdowns, one interception. It was his first game back since the two week hiatus when over 24 players were out for Covid 19 protocols forcing Cal to play red shirts and call ups against the Arizona Wildcats (1-8) in a game they lost Nov 6th 10-3 and to cancel the following week’s game and win the Big Game last Sat Nov 20th.
#3 It was pretty much landslide game for the Bears last Sunday getting scoring 14 points in the second quarter, 13 points in the third quarter, and 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Cardinal defense just couldn’t stop Cal on their home field.
#4 One of the luxories that Garbers had last Saturday against Stanford was he had time in the pocket to throw and he was able to find a target just about every time dropping back.
#5 Cal takes on the UCLA Bruins (7-4) the Bruins have done their own crushing on offense in their last two games taking out the Colorado Buffaloes (3-7) 44-20 and the USC Trojans (4-6) 62-33. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson Robinson threw for 349 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions against the Trojans.
Join Daniel for the Cal Bears football podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Las Vegas Raiders back up quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) got into the end zone on a carry in the second half of the game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys on Thu Nov 25, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Rich Perez
Las Vegas Raiders beat reporter
It took about a month for the Las Vegas Raiders to get the taste of losing out of their mouths with an overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington 36-33 on Thursday night.
You’d have to go back to Sun Oct 24th when the Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 33-22 when they last won a game. After that game they had a bye week lost two key players to unforeseen circumstances in Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette during that week that could have knocked any team off the rails and make them miss an opportunity at post season.
The Raiders would lose three straight games to New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. After that Bengals loss critics really wonder when the Raiders would win another game. The wait wouldn’t be long. The victory against the Cowboys on Thursday night really gave the Silver and Black some light in their playoff hope tunnel as it were and at least looking to start playing close to get within striking distance of their opponents.
The Raiders held the lead for most of the game and to come away with a win like this against the Cowboys on a Thanksgiving Day you’d have to go all the way back to 1968 proceeding that year the Raiders lost the next two Thanksgiving dates with Dallas but got back in the win column in overtime Thursday after Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson booted a 29 yard overtime field goal to get the Raiders over the hump for the three point win.
For the Cowboys the loss marks their third loss in games when they went overtime and this is the sixth overtime game in Thanksgiving Day history. One of the key reasons why the Raiders won this game is the defense played such a key role in the first three quarters of the game the Raiders held the Cowboys to a single digit in scoring for each quarter. Each time the Cowboys would get close to the red zone the Raiders would close the gap on them and force a turnover.
The other cause for the loss was the four pass interference calls that Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown got while defending the Raiders. On the fourth interference call on Brown came in overtime that put the ball in great field position for Carlson to be able to kick the 29 yard winner and take the Raiders home.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr also had a great afternoon under center throwing 24-39 for 373 yards passing getting one touchdown. Carr didn’t allow a turnover and held onto the rock when he got sacked two times. Carr avoided moving the chains and relied on his receivers including Desean Jackson whose made a difference. Jackson three catches for 102 yards and one touchdown.
The Cowboys falling against AFC West opponents like they did last Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs 19-9. The Raiders jumped right in with a big lead in the beginning, keeping that lead all the way until almost the end of the game.
Carr had a tremendous leadership role in leading the team really the whole game in big third down conversions all game long. Jackson had a great game at receiver and seems to be fitting in really well with the Raiders in that one two tandem of wide receiver with Zay Jones. It seems to be working out at the wide receiver angle along with wide receiver Bryan Edwards who helped out with one reception and 12 yards.
The Raiders now will have ten days off and play the Washington Football Team (4-6) coming in to Allegiant Stadium in a real big game on Sun Dec 5th. For the Raiders who have their eye on trying to get a shot at post season. Washington had a four game losing streak going before winning two in a row against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) and Carolina Panthers (5-6). The Panthers being Washington’s most recent win.
Rich is a Raiders beat writer and join Rich Fridays for the Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 29 yard game winning field goal in overtime against the Dallas Cowboys on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at AT &T stadium in Arlington (AP News photo)
On the Raiders podcast with Rich:
The Las Vegas Raiders (6-5) kicker Daniel Carlson kicked the game winning field goal in overtime to just get the Raiders by the Dallas Cowboys (7-4) on Thanksgiving Day Thu Nov 25, 2021 36-33. It was a real nail biter the Raiders had just enough to stay ahead of the Cowboys throughout the game and got into overtime to get Carlson in good field position to boot the 29 yarder for the winner.
The win for the Raiders makes this their first Thanksgiving Day victory since 1968 the last time they won. This Thursday’s victory ended a two game losing streak and Thursday made it their third Thanksgiving game since 1968 as the Cowboys had won the two previous games.
The Cowboys Anthony Brown just couldn’t keep out of pass interference trouble. Brown’s pass interference help set up a field goal for Carlson. Brown would commit four third down pass interference penalties it no doubt was a factor in the Cowboys losing this game.
Rich Perez did the Raiders podcast at the conclusion of Thu Nov 25, 2021 in Dallas against the Cowboys at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
The Las Vegas Aviators the Oakland A’s minor league affiliate located in Summerlin was named Ballpark of the Year. The A’s are considering moving to Summerlin and building a brand new ball park (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)
A’s Considering Free land offer from Howard Hughes Corporation in Las Vegas
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
OAKLAND–The Hughes Corporation is willing to offer free land to the Oakland A’s if they chose to move to Las Vegas. The Howard Hughes Corp, own the A’s Triple-A affiliate, Las Vegas Aviators and their home, the Las Vegas ballpark. They have officially said that they will give the land to the A’s for free in Summerlin, (15 + minutes from the Strip) if the A’s want to build their $1 billion baseball park there.
David Kaval, President of the Oakland A’s who has made seven trips to Las Vegas since last May said the team would consider the potential land offer. “That is one consideration when we talk to different (owners) of the final sites is land cost, partnership on ancillary development, understanding all the aspects of the different locations logistically, making sure they work” and added “So those negotiations are going on with a couple (of) different groups to see what’s possible”.
On October 26, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to keep the Howard Terminal Stadium plan alive in a 4 to 1 vote. However, if the A’s chose to take the offer of free land by the Howard Hughes Corporation in Las Vegas, then this would be an important change of plans.
For months now the A’s have been working on parallel plans to build a new ballpark, at Oakland or someplace else, with Las Vegas running in a race and tied with Oakland as the two cities. The Commissioner of Baseball is anxiously waiting where all this is going to end, but as he had said the current Oakland Coliseum is not an option for the A’s anymore.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead Spanish play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
