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Sharks Win 2-1 Against Jets In The Tank; San Jose wins four of it’s last seven games

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San Jose Sharks left wing Fabian Zetterlund (20) collides with the Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Dec 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – After three straight games that went to overtime, the latest being a shootout loss in Vegas, the San Jose Sharks face off against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets come in on a four game winning streak which the boys in teal ended 2-1. 

The first period was a hot start for the Sharks as they put up 11 shots in the first five minutes. Filip Zadina went to the floor and hobbled off the ice and wasn’t seen for the rest of the period. The first goal of the game was the first goal of the season for Justin Bailey and it came from the point and was assisted by Mike Hoffman and Jan Rutta, 1-0 Sharks. Brendan Dillion tied it up with a blue line wrist shot, 1-1. 

A very quiet second period for both teams, but that’s thanks to a great performance from both goalies. Mackenzie Blackwood was on full display and blocked 13 shots in the second period. Two penalties, but both were killed off and the period closed with a 1-1 score. 

In the final period the teams played a conservative game, but finally after 15 minutes into the period the stalemate was ended when a power play goal by William Eklund off a slapshot to make it 2-1 Sharks. The goal was assisted by Mikael Granlund and Anthony Duclair. The Jets emptied the net between 1 or 2 minutes left to try to get a tying goal, but the final buzzer hit and the Sharks won 2-1. 

After this win the Sharks head to Arizona to face the Coyotes on Fri Dec 15th and hopefully can keep the fire burning that they ignited on the road trip before this game and it seems like that fire is still as hot as it can be with this victory over Winnipeg.

San Jose State Undefeated At Home After 87-82 Victory Over New Orleans

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The San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas takes the ball up the floor as the Spartans defeated the New Orleans Privateers at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Sat Dec 9, 2023 (photo by San Jose State Spartans Athletic Dept)

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose State Spartans (4-5) host the New Orleans Privateers (6-5) this Saturday afternoon in the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Spartans have had tremendous success on their home floor early this season, playing to an undefeated record 3-0 in San Jose.

SJSU came off a difficult road trip in which they went 0-3 losses to Cal Poly, Montana, and North Dakota State. Two of the three games on that road trip went to overtime. 

A very competitive back and forth in the first half between both squads. Balanced on defense and scoring, both teams were playing like it was two heavyweight boxers. Jordan Johnson led New Orleans all the way through the half, but SJSU had a more even distribution of the ball.

New Orleans gained some distance on the scoreboard, until MJ Amey Jr. took over and closed the gap with three straight 3-pointers and ended up with 18 points in the first half. New Orleans was up four, 44-40 at halftime. Neither team had a good game from the free throw line, but from the field it was a battle. 

The second half was a way more physical half, but no lack of scoring. Johnson and Jah Short were leading New Orleans while Amey Jr. was the guy for the Spartans (29 points for the game).

DJ Seixas was the difference maker for the Spartans leading the team to gain their first lead since early in the first half. Alvaro Cardenas had a double double that took the Spartans to a late game lead and at the end Spartans won 87-82. 

Next game for the Spartans will be back at home against Montana, December 17th. Spartans continue their undefeated home record, 4-0.

San Jose State Lose Three Straight After 83-78 OT Loss At North Dakota State

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San Jose State Spartans took a tough loss against the North Dakota State Bison in Fargo North Dakota on Mon Dec 4, 2023 (San Jose State University photo)

Monday, December 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

The San José State Spartans (5-5) are looking to end a two-game skid as they take on the North Dakota State Bison (5-4). The Spartans are coming off losses to Cal Poly and Montana. For the Spartans’ head coach Tim Miles, Monday’s game will be a return to Fargo where he served as the Bison head coach for six seasons, from 2001-2002 until 2006-2007.  It wasn’t quite the visit that coach Miles was expected as the Spartans dropped their third straight game 83-78.

In the first half it looked like San Jose State couldn’t hit a stride all half, Spartans starting the half shooting 29% from the field, but ended up hitting 41% by the end of the half. North Dakota State hit 57% from the three point line and that’s what kept them ahead.

NDSU’s Jacari White led the Bison with eight points at half and SJSU’s Rickey Mitchell Jr. also led his team with eight points. When the buzzer hit for halftime North Dakota State was up 36-28 and thanks to a 7-0 run in the last minute of the half is what closed the gap to within eight points. 

The second half was a back and forth between both squads and it was also the first time the Spartans held a lead. The back and forth climaxed with the Bison having a two point lead with ten seconds left and the Spartans tying it up at 72 and we went to overtime. 

Overtime started out with a back and forth ball game, but North Dakota ultimately took over at the wheel and separated themselves in the last minute win 83-78. The Spartans have now lost three straight games and head back to San Jose in a slump.

San Jose State’s next game is December 9th against New Orleans and it’s back in the Provident Credit Union Event Center where the Spartans look to shake off this losing streak and get back into their winning ways before the new year. 

San Jose State Spartans Lose In Overtime To Cal Poly Mustangs 81-77

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The San Jose State Spartans forward Tibet Gorener (5) with center Adrame Diongue (4) stays ahead of Cal Poly Mustang center Kobe Sanders (3) in Montana on Wed Nov 29, 2023 (San Jose State Spartans photo)

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Looking for their fourth win in a row, the San José men’s basketball team took on the Cal Poly Mustangs. The Spartans won their final two games at the 2023 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, against Norfolk State and Hampton, then returned home and defeated North Dakota State. The contest against Cal Poly was the first of three games on the road as the Spartans will play at Montana on Saturday and North Dakota State on Monday. The Spartans suffered the their first loss of this three game road trip 81-77.

The first half was all in the control of the Spartans with Trey Anderson leading the team in points with 10. 50% from the field and 50% from the three plus only three turnovers, the Spartans were feeling it on offense, but keeping Cal Poly from really catching a stride was a big key to maintaining a lead for SJSU. At the end of the half Spartans hold a lead 38-30. 

The Spartans biggest problem this season is when they lose, it’s usually because they aren’t able to close it out. This seemed to be the case early on in the second half when Cal Poly was able to bring the game within two with 13 minutes left in the game.

Cal Poly eventually took the lead for the first time in the half at 47-46, but it was clear the Spartans had to lock in. Late into the half the Spartans started to run away with the lead and it was because Anderson, Tibet Gorener, and MJ Amey Jr. who all had double digit points, but in the last minute of the game Cal Poly found a way to push it and bring the game within three points.

In the last 13 seconds, Cal Poly made a point game, but a clutch two free throws by Amey Jr. made it a three point game. Cal Poly’s Kobe Sanders made a three to tie and when Alvaro Cardenas missed the game winning three, we went to overtime. 69-69. 

Overtime it went back and forth between the teams, but with 18 seconds Cal Poly had a four point lead and SJSU missed three point opportunities, but settled for a two and were down two with three seconds left in OT. 79-77 Cal Poly and Kobe Sanders was at the free throw line. Sanders made both free throws and went back up by four and that was the end of the game, Cal Poly wins 81-77. 

Unfortunate loss for SJSU on the road to close out November, but they stay on the road for their next game against Montana in Missoula, Montana on December 2nd and hope to start the month back in stride before they begin conference play games.

San Jose State Beats Hampton 71-52 In The Paradise Jam Tournament

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San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas (13) takes a jump shot against the Hampton University Pirates at University of Virgin Islands in St Thomas on Mon Nov 20, 2023 (San Jose State University Spartans photo)

Monday, November 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

In the final game of the Paradise Jam tournament San Jose State faced off against Hampton University at the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and the Spartans won by a decisive margin. 71-52 SJSU. The reason this game was such a blowout was because the Spartans got the best from their star players. 

Tibet Gorener, Trey Anderson, Myron Amey Jr., and Alvaro Cardenas all went crazy, especially Cardenas. Cardenas was the leading scorer with 23 points and he was 50% from the field. Adrame Diongue was one point and one rebound away from a double double and even though the Spartans were out played on the boards by Hampton, a key for SJSU was points off turnovers, 22 points. 

Hampton only scored 19 points in the 2nd half which won’t ever get you a win, but when SJSU scored 42 in that same half, it’s impossible to beat that. 

The next game for the Spartans will be back in San Jose against North Dakota State on November 27th and the Spartans are ready to get back to regular season play after spending the weekend in paradise.

San Jose State Beats Hampton 71-52 In The Paradise Jam Tournament

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Monday, November 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas – In the final game of the Paradise Jam tournament San Jose State faced off against Hampton University and the Spartans won by a decisive margin. 71-52 SJSU. The reason this game was such a blowout was because the Spartans got the best from their star players. 

Tibet Gorener, Trey Anderson, Myron Amey Jr., and Alvaro Cardenas all went crazy, especially Cardenas. Cardenas was the leading scorer with 23 points and he was 50% from the field. Adrame Diongue was one point and one rebound away from a double double and even though the Spartans were out played on the boards by Hampton, a key for SJSU was points off turnovers, 22 points. 

Hampton only scored 19 points in the 2nd half which won’t ever get you a win, but when SJSU scored 42 in that same half, it’s impossible to beat that. 

The next game for the Spartans will be back in San Jose against North Dakota State on November 27th and the Spartans are ready to get back to regular season play after spending the weekend in paradise.

San Jose State Becomes Bowl Eligible After A 24-13 Victory Against San Diego State

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Off and running the San Jose State University Spartans did enough to score and stay ahead of the San Diego State Aztecs at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (SJSU photo)

Saturday, November 18th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – In CEFCU Stadium, the San Jose State Spartans host the San Diego State Aztecs as SJSU looks to win their fifth game in a row. The Spartans look to become bowl eligible for the third time in the last four seasons and it could be the first time the Spartans have ever gone to three bowl games in four seasons and Coach Brent Brennan would be the first head coach in SJSU history to lead the Spartans to three bowl games. 

The first quarter starts with the Spartans having the ball and nothing comes after five plays, but the game plan is visible. Spread the ball around and play a balanced game for their final home game this season. San Diego State running back Jaylon Armstead carried the majority offense for the Aztecs opening drive, even supplying a 39 yard drive, but after surviving a fourth and 3 Armstead jammed the ball in from the 1 yard line and scored the first touchdown of the game, 7-0 San Diego State.

The second drive for the Spartans goes the whole rest of the first quarter, but it doesn’t come without a sense of anxiety when there was a fumble on a handoff that was recovered by the Spartans, but the quarter ends with the Aztecs up 7-0.

San Jose State starts the second from their red zone and Chevan Cordeiro hits Dominick Mazotti for a 10 yard pass in the end zone for a touchdown and the Spartans even the score up 7-7 to start the second quarter.

Cordeiro now has 17 touchdown passes after that last one and is now two away from tying Derek Carr for fourth all time in Mountain West history. On the next drive for the Spartans, Cordeiro kept the drive alive with a little brotherly shove, but the very next play Cordeiro throws an interception to Chris Johnson who returns it for 44 yards.

The Spartans defense was able to recover from the interception and kept the Aztecs outside the red zone and forced them to kick a field goal which they made and now were in the lead again 10-7. Cordeiro recovered from his interception by slinging the ball down the field his very next drive, going 5-7 for 49 yards, but it wasn’t enough the San Diego State defense forced the Spartans to kick a field goal and it was good to tie the game at halftime. 

The Aztecs started the third quarter and couldn’t convert on the fourth down after a 49 yard drive, Spartans’ ball and the chance to take the lead and change the momentum of this game. Cordeiro continued his great passing display with a pass to Isaac Jernagin for 42 yards.

This was followed up with a game changing moment from Quali Conley running for a 20 yard touchdown and after the successful extra point, the Spartans were up 17-10 with 6:16 left in the third quarter and the momentum in their favor.

The momentum didn’t stop for the Spartans as they were able to spoil the next drive for the Aztecs, but Bryun Parham racked up his first interception of the season and returned for 20 yards to give SJSU great field position and a chance to wedge a gap in this game.

The Spartans drive started out terribly though when a failed reverse resulted in a loss of 17 yards, putting the Spartans farther than they wanted to the drive. This disadvantage led to a three and out and forced the Spartans to punt, killing the hype they had after that big interception. The Aztecs ended the quarter with the ball, but not the greatest field position. 

The fourth quarter was majority SDSU gaining field position, but were able to get all the way to the red zone and a chance to tie it up. The rain came out of nowhere and started pouring as the Spartans defense stopped them and forced the Aztecs to hit a field goal, preventing a tie, 17-13.

When the Spartans got the ball the game was solidified when their running backs did what they do best. Conley got a huge run that was just supposed to run the clock down, but the Spartans weren’t done and Kairee Robinson on Senior Night scored on a rushing touchdown, setting a school record with 16 rushing touchdowns this season and his ninth consecutive game with a touchdown making it 24-13 San Jose State. The Aztecs had one more chance to make things happen and they pushed the ball down the field, but a pick by Tre Jenkins put the nail in the coffin. 

The game ended 24-13 with the Spartans getting the victory and punching their ticket for bowl eligibility. The Spartans still have a chance to get second place in the Mountain West and have a possible Mountain West Championship game ahead, but for now they celebrate this win. Next week the Spartans will face the leaders of the Mountain West, UNLV in Las Vegas for the final regular game of the season.

San Jose State Beats Norfolk State 77-53 Thanks To Trey Anderson’s Double Double

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San Jose State University Spartans bench is elated with their most recent victory against Norfolk State at the University of Virgin Islands on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (photo by the San Jose State University)

Saturday, November 18th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas – Another game for the Paradise Jam tournament in University of Virgin Islands, it’s San Jose State against Norfolk State. Last game the Spartans had a great first half but abysmal second half. They hope to actually close out and finish the full game on top.

The first half started with an early 20-6 run from the Spartans and Coach Tim Miles felt even though that was a great start, his boys needed to close. “We didn’t close against Texas Tech, we didn’t close yesterday.”, Coach Miles said. The defense is stronger for SJSU than it was last game, but that couldn’t contain Norfolk State. Norfolk closes the gap with six at a point by crashing the boards, 18 rebounds, 12 of them on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Miles switched up his defense to a 1-3-1 and it changed the pace of Norfolk State’s offense and opened the gap back up for the Spartans with an 11-2 run in the last three minutes of the half. The score at the end of the half was 39-24 Spartans and the Spartans got good use of their prime time players Trey Anderson (11 points), Tibet Gorener (9 points), and Myron Amey Jr. (7 points). 

The second half was the close out that Coach Miles had been looking for for two games. The momentum continued for SJSU this half and it was brought together by great ball movement leading to scoring opportunities. It was a complete domination by the Spartans with not much to dissect. The Spartans win 77-53 with Trey Anderson messing around and getting a double double and we’re not talking In N Out Burger. Anderson’s 16 points and 10 rebounds, 4-7 from 3 point and MJ Amey Jr. with 15 points are the standouts this game and keys to this big tournament win. 

The next game for San Jose State is November 20th with the opponent unknown at the moment, but it’s the final game of the tournament for the Spartans before being back in San Jose for a game on November 27th against North Dakota State.

San Jose State Spartans Lose To Abilene Christian 77-71 After Wildcats Rally In Second Half

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Hard as they tried the San Jose State Spartans just couldn’t finish the job against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at the University of the Virgin Islands on Fri Nov 17, 2023 (photo by the San Jose State Spartans)

Friday, November 17th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

In the beautiful University of the Virgin Islands, the San Jose State Spartans avoid a rainy Bay Area on the beach competing in this Paradise Jam tournament against Abilene Christian. San Jose State this game needed to focus on three things if they were going to win and that’s ball control, hitting 3’s, and being quick, but not rushing.  They fell short to Abilene in a 77-71.

First half for the Spartans was them hitting on those key points. The flow of scoring came from a lot of shots being put on the board and the Spartans hit 56% from the field. The battle between the two point guards was a huge factor.

Alvaro Cardenas with seven points at half and three assists was able to direct traffic and MJ Amey Jr. with 12 points and four assists was able to create a gap in the score in a half that felt like it was within two points all half. 

The second half was the polar opposite of the first with SJSU only scoring 30 points in the second half. ACU closed the gap early on the half and with ten minutes left in the game even though San Jose State was able to tie it up, ACU got the lead right back with great post play.

San Jose State lost their flow in the second half especially with turnovers. The Spartans had seven turnovers, four of them in the second half, and ACU used it as an opening to take over the game. With 3:30 left in the Tibet Gorener hit a three that gave SJSU momentum in a back and forth final stretch and a two point lead.

The key stretch of this game was was the final 30 seconds, down two points, Gorener missed a three point shot (he was 3-9 from three this game) and after the review it was ruled a shot clock violation, because it didn’t hit the rim and that forced the Spartans to have to foul to save time, but the strategy was ineffective and ACU made each free throw ending the game with a score of 77-71 Albilene Christian wins in this game of the Paradise Jam tournament. 

Bad news, the Spartans lost a game they should’ve won, but let go. Good news is the team is by a beach, so it shouldn’t be hard to forget about this loss before the next game. That next game is in the Consolation bracket of this tournament November 18th against an unknown opponent at this moment, but the San Jose State Spartans have to figure out a way to close games when they can be so dominant in the first half.

Sharks Beat Blues In Decisive 5-1 Victory; Three Game Skid Comes To An End

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The San Jose Sharks had lots to be happy about as they’re offense was on as they defeated the visiting St Louis Blues at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Nov 16, 2023 (photo from Hockey News)

Thursday, November 16th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – It’s the San Jose Sharks against the St. Louis Blues in another regular season game and the Sharks are still looking for their third win. The positive for SJ right now in this wild season is that Tomas Hertl leads the Sharks in points and after last game he’s tied with Owen Nolan (206) for fifth on Sharks’ all-time goals list and can take over the spot after tonight. 

The first period was one of the strongest periods for the Sharks this season. Two minutes into the game former St. Louis player Mike Hoffman scored in the slot off a pass from Nico Sturm that put the Sharks up early, 1-0 San Jose.

Last game against the Florida Panthers, Hoffman scored his first goal of the season and now comes back in the building and gets his second. The Sharks had a way stronger attack this period than they did at any point last game plus there’s a sense of chemistry that the Sharks have been looking for from this group.

Another bright spot about this first period was Kaapo Kahkonen who blocked 11 shots this period, but had a couple saves that got big applause from the Sharks crowd. 

San Jose blew the doors open this second period with four goals and it was in outstanding fashion. 17 seconds in Nikita Okhotiuk hits a slapshot and it’s deflected by William Eklund and he gets the second goal. Eklund’s third goal of the season 2-0 SJ.

The rally continued from an “unlikely” source, Givani Smith got his first goal of the season with a wrist shot (assisted by Kunin & Carpenter), 3-0 SJ. A minute after that Luke Kunin scored making it 4-0 and the Blues changed goalies from Joel Hofer to Jordan Binnington, but the game didn’t change even though the goalies did.

The Blues were deflated, but San Jose wasn’t, they were amplified to a level unseen all season. 13:45 into the period and the Sharks scored again. Hoffman got his second goal on a breakaway and the score became 5-0 all the way through the rest of the period.

This second period wasn’t just a showcase of SJ’s best stuff, but it was an improvement on the faults that Coach Quinn wanted them to fix and it seems like they did exactly that.

Kaapo’s continued his great performance stopping everything in his path early in the third period. At this point in the game six Sharks players had multi points (Okhotiuk, Hoffman, Smith, Carpenter, Zadina, and Kunin) and on top of that this was Kunin’s third consecutive game with a goal.

Smith’s goal was the 300th goal scored in franchise history and all these positives resulted in probably the best game of this Sharks season so far. The Sharks couldn’t end their night in a shutout that’s a fairy tale, the Blues get a goal with about six minutes left in the game, but Kaapo still had 39 saves by the time of the goal. 5-1. The clock ran down and the game ended with this 5-1 score and a happy San Jose fan base.

The Sharks get a deserved break before their next game which is November 20th against the Vancouver Canucks Rogers Centre in Vancouver.