Sharks Ice Eisbären 3-1 In Berlin

The San Jose Sharks preparing during the morning skate before their match up against Deutsche Eishockey Liga side Eisbaren in Berlin in the NHL Global Series Challenge on Tue Oct 4, 2022 at Mercedes Benz Arena in Berlin (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks topped Deutsche Eishockey Liga side Eisbären Berlin 3-1 Tuesday night from Mercedes Benz Arena in their final exhibition tuneup before Friday’s season opener. Steven Lorentz, Tomáš Hertl and Luke Kunin scored for the Sharks and James Reimer and Kaapo Kähkönen combined to make 18 saves to wrap up the exhibition side of the Global Series Challenge.

The Sharks actually found themselves trailing halfway through the game when Giovanni Fiore beat Kähkönen with 7:50 left in the 2nd. Hertl and Timo Meier played give-and-go with Meier threading a perfect backhand pass from below the goal line to Hertl. Hertl knocked in the gimme shot for his first goal of the preseason.

The Sharks potential fourth line stepped up for the game winning goal after Jonah Gadjovich buried a Berlin skater on a Lorentz dump in. Evgeny Svechnikov sauced the loose puck to Erik Karlsson at the point with an open look. Lorentz buzzed the night, redirecting the point shot for a 2-1 lead with 2:14 left in the middle period.

Kunin iced the game with a short-handed dagger with 8:04 left to play. Mario Ferraro rimmed the puck along the boards behind his own net on a clear that reached an open Kunin crossing center ice. Kunin caught the puck, turned and streaked down the left wing before potting his 3rd goal of the preseason.

Up next for San Jose is the 2022-23 season and an 11 AM Friday showdown with the Nashville Predators. The teams are playing a pair of games at O2 Arena in Hertl’s hometown, Prague, Czechia.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Lets face it money was the reason why Czech Republic relented on Russian players; plus more NHL headlines

Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin skates against the St Louis Blues in Nashville on Sun Apr 17, 2022. The Czech Republic previously wrote a letter banning all NHL Russian players because of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Republic withdrew the ban on Thursday allowing Trenin plus two other Russian players San Jose Sharks Alexander Barabonov and Evgeny Svechinkov who will now be permitted to play the opening season games in Prague on Oct 7th and 8th. (AP News file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The idea of having a ban on NHL Russian players by the Czech Repbulic was wrong in the first place but the reason why the Republic changed it’s mind was simply money. The banning of Russian players would mean the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators wouldn’t travel without their Russian players and the real losers would be the Czech fans and the Republic.

#2 As reported by our San Jose Sharks correspondent Pearl Lo in Anaheim on Friday Anaheim Ducks defenceman Urho Vaakanainen who was taken off the ice on a stretcher, Matt describe how Vaakanainen got the injury and how scary that moment was.

#3 A large donation from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Hurricane Ian relief efforts to the tune of $2 million. Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and the Bolts are making all efforts to help out in the cause. $1 million will come from the Lightning and another $1 million will come from the Vinik Family Foundation.

#4 The Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Jake Allen to a two year $7.7 million contract extension Saturday. Allen will receive an average of $3.85 million per year which runs till the end of the 2023-24 season. Allen was 9-20-4 with a 3.30 goals goals against average with two shutouts in 35 games last season.

#5 The good news came for the Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Courturier when it was learned that he will not need surgery for an upper body injury. Courturier is under observation from the Flyer medical staff since camp opened up in September Courturier has been under observation.

Join Matt for the SJ Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Split SquadTunes Up Vegas 7-3

San Jose Sharks defenceman Matt Benning (5) and right winger Timo Meier (28) celebrate after a goal at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas against the Vegas Golden Knights on Fri Sep 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matt Harrington

A split-squad contingent of the San Jose Sharks topped the Vegas Golden Knights 7-3 at T-Mobile Arena Friday night in Las Vegas. Danil Gushchin had a hat trick and Erik Karlsson, Matt Benning, Jonah Gadjovich and Luke Kunin also scored.

James Reimer made 27 saves and Timo Meier dished out four assists. Karlsson scored his first of the preseason 6:26 into the game with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier picking up the assists. Vegas Answered back with 1:30 left in the frame on Jack Eichel’s second goal of the preseason.

Gushchin scored his first of the game and second of the preseason on the power play 5:35 into the second period. Benning and Gadjovich also scored for three unanswered goals until Reilly Smith’s power play goal with 6:26 pulled Vegas within two at 4-2.

Gushchin restored a three-goal lead just over two minutes later.Eichel’s second goal of the game 51 seconds into the third made it 5-3 but Gushchin’s third goal and a Luke Kunin power play goal with 8:12 left completed the scoring. San Jose’s power play converted on both chances.

Up next for the Sharks is an exhibition against German Leauge side Eisbären Berlin October 4th in Berlin then the season opener Friday against Nashville in Prague.

Ducks win one for Vaakananien 4-1; First Sharks loss of the pre season

The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks faced off in pre season action at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Fri Sep 30, 2022 (@AnaheimDucks photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ September 30, 2022

~ ANAHEIM– After losing Urho Vaakanainen to a scary collision midway into the first, the Ducks propelled forward in front of a crowd of 13,616, backing goalies John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz over the San Jose Sharks’ split squad Friday.

Though Vaakanainen had to be stretchered off after his momentum literally headed him into the boards, he fortunately had full consciousness and movement as he eventually made it to UCI Medical Center.  

Four was the magic number this time in a reversal of fortune between tonight’s game and the teams’ last meeting on Tuesday. Anaheim matched their goal total from that game (preseason high), which they lost 5-4, but this time the one goal they relinquished was a low for San Jose this preseason along with their first loss. 

Both of the Sharks’ split squad games started at 7pm, with the other half playing Northeast in Vegas, winning 7-3 over the Golden Knights with Danil Gushchin´s hat trick.

The Ducks scored first at 9:46 but the celebration was short-lived as this was when Vaakanainen got hurt after securing the primary assist. Derek Grant´s goal was his first of the preseason and Max Jones had the secondary assist. 

Three missed shots and two penalties later from San Jose, Anaheim took advantage as Max Comtois made it 2-0. Comtois scored over goalie Kappo Kahkonen´s right shoulder two seconds after Kahkonen saved Ryan Strome´s shot on the left. The Ducks had strung together eight shots since the Sharks’ last shot and Comtois´ goal occurred on the fourth shot of the 5-on-3 power play. Strome and Troy Terry obtained their second assists of the preseason.

Just over a minute later, Anaheim made their lead triple. With a defender in front, Frank Vatrano was able to score from the inside edge of the left faceoff circle. 

The Sharks finished the period with the last five shots. 

Forty-four seconds into the second, San Jose kept rolling as they obtained a power play advantage.  The teams then traded as it became a period of penalties. with Derrick Pouliot called for slashing at 3:30, Drew Helleson holding at 6:02, and Comtois and Montana Onyebuchi simultaneously served at 10:05. 

Logan Couture broke through Gibson´s wall, when he scored during the holding penalty, making it 3-1. Nathan Beaulieu took the goal back though during even strength at 9:21 as he pulled up going down the slot.

Stolarz took Gibson´s spot and the Ducks then committed and fought through three straight penalties, one 37 seconds into the penalty at 12 minutes and the third at 15:29. 

The period ended with the Sharks called for the last penalty of the second, with 31 seconds left. 

In the extra free shootout for fun, Couture was second up for San Jose and scored again, but Anaheim won it in the fifth round. 

Game notes: With these last games stateside over for the Sharks, just more than half of the team will reunite after cuts, before they head to Berlin, Germany as part of the 2022 NHL Global Series Challenge. San Jose will first face Eisbaren Berlin Tuesday October 4 to cap the preseason before starting the 2022-2023 regular season in Europe as well.

Sharks (Preseason): Perfect Still with 3-1 Win over Kings

The San Jose Sharks who have taken two pre season games from the Los Angeles Kings did it again this time at the Toyota Arena in Ontario the Kings AHL affiliate arena of the Ontario Reign on Wed Sep 28, 2022 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks perfect preseason rolled on the road Wednesday night with the Sharks topping the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 at Toyota Arena.

Thomas Bordeleau, Evgeny Svechnikov and Scott Harrington scored for San Jose, with the Sharks striking twice on the power play in five chances and once shorthanded. Carl Grundstrom netted the Kings lone goal on 27 shots.

Bordeleau opened the scoring 5:54 into the first period on the man advantage on assist from Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier. The second-year pro out of Michigan is fighting for a spot with the big club and could help new Sharks coach David Quinn improve on a bottom eleven power play from last season.

Svechnikov, a player expected to help at both the NHL and AHL levels this year, also scored on the power play to make the lead 2-0 with 7:12 left in the second period. Radim Simek had the primary helper as he looks to impress the new coaching staff after being a healthy scratch for stretches under the previous regime. Scott Reedy also assisted on the goal.

Grundstrom scored 2:27 into the final period, but Scott Harrington scored shorthanded goal with 1:27 left in regulation to ice the game. Harrington is in camp on a professional tryout and is more known for his defensive prowess than his offensive gifts, but converting and then some on a penalty kill goes a long way to getting on a coach’s good graces.

Next up for San Jose is split squad action Friday night. Team Teal will be in action on the road facing both the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks as they tune up for the last few times before departing for Europe and the start of the new season.

Sharks hold off Ducks 5-4 in exhibition hockey

The San Jose Sharks were thrilled to pick up their second pre season win on Tue Sep 27, 2022 at SAP Center over the Anaheim Ducks (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

San Jose had scoring from five different players in a 5-4 exhibition hockey win over the visiting Anaheim Ducks Tuesday night at SAP Center.

The win gives the Sharks a 2-0 record in NHL preseason play. The Ducks are 1-1.

Max Veronneau’s goal at 2:36 of the third period turned out to provide the margin of victory. Daniil Guschin and Andrew Agozzino got the assists as San Jose took a 5-3 lead.

Anaheim cut the Sharks’ lead to 5-4 at 18:37 when Glenn Gawdin scored a short-handed goal, with the Ducks’ Joshua Lopina serving a tripping minor.

The Sharks took a 3-1 lead in the first period, with Noah Gregor bagging the first goal at 17 seconds. Scott Reedy made it 2-0 at 1:56 before Hunter Drew scored Anaheim’s first goal at 12:16. Guschin scored the Sharks’ third goal at 17:46 with Veronneau getting the assist.

Two minutes into the second period, Jonah Gadjobvivh extended San Jose’s lead to 4-1, with the assists going to Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Tristen Robins. Six minutes later, the Ducks got a goal from Gawdin and another at 10:53 from Lopina, pulling Anaheim to within 4-3.

James Reimer stopped 26 of 30 shots for the Sharks, while Anthony Stolarz made 24 saves on San Jose’s 29 shots on goal.

On Wednesday, the Sharks travel to Toyota Center in Ontario, Calif., to face the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks have split squad exhibition games on Friday in Anaheim and Las Vegas. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Penalty filled game ends with Sharks on top over Kings 3-2

Photo Credit to the San Jose Sharks. Kevin Labanc warming up before the game against rival Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (@SJSharks photo)

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE–On a warm Sunday in San Jose both the fans and the players would help to raise the temperature inside of SAP center as the San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime in the first preseason game for each team.

It wouldn’t take too long before the Sharks would find the back of the net as Luke Kunin would score 6:56 into the first period from Thomas Hertl and Timo Meier.

First 𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 game.
First 𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 goal.
We see you @lukekunin9 👀 pic.twitter.com/JIA5qC8gHB

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 25, 2022

Jasper Weatherby would start off the penalty fest that would be this game with a roughing penalty at the 17:48 mark. By the end of the game the Sharks would finish at 0/7 on the power play while the Kings would finish at 0/8.

Tying the game up would be Kings forward Carl Grunstrom at the 59 second mark of the third period assisted by Brandt Clarke and Brenden Lemeiux

It felt like the Kings had fead off of the second period momentum they had generated as the Sharks only mustered two shots early in the third period.

Giving the Sharks the lead back Meier would score on a nice deflection off a shot from Matt Benning also assisted by Hertl at the 9:50 mark of the third period.

Continuing their solid play Blake Lizotte would score at the 17:25 mark of the third to tie it assisted by Grundstrom on a two on one play were Kahkonen would have no chance.

Playing the hero Logan Couture would find twine at the 1:27 mark of overtime assisted by Erik Karlsson and Kevin Lebanc sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Always a good day to #BeatLA 😏 pic.twitter.com/4oUKKTlUjz

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 26, 2022

As the penalties suggest it would be a physical game with the Sharks totaling 31 hits and the Kings ending up with Kaapo Kahkonen would finish with a solid 43 saves on the night while on the other side of things Jonathan Quick would make 17 saves and Matt Vilata made 11 saves.

Kahkonen would comment after the game on all the penalties taken, “Obviously there was a lot of penalties in this game so the rhythm was a little off for both teams I guess but we found a way to win so that’s always nice.”

The Sharks next game is against the Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Sap Center in San Jose.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Maddie Dutra: Rookies fighting for a roster spot; Brent Burns skates will be hard to fill

San Jose Sharks David Quinn looks on when he was head coach of Team USA in the Hockey World Championships against the Czech Republic in Tampere Finland on Sun May 29, 2022. Will be taking the Sharks to Prague for the NHL Global Hockey Series (AP file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Maddie Dutra:

#1 One thing about pre season hockey Maddie it gets physical with the rookies who are literally fighting for a job.

#2 No more Brent Burns he was a main stay with the Sharks. Dealt in the off season to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sharks have to move on but he’ll be missed and was a defenceman who knew how to score goals.

#3 Sharks captain Logan Couture said if two of his Russian teammates Alexander Barabonov and Evgeny Svechinkov won’t be allowed to play opening games in Prague the rest of the team will not play there.

#4 Sharks with some changes in the off season we just wanted to get the opportunity to ask you about some of those changes in first year with the Sharks general manger Mike Grier and head coach David Quinn.

#5 The Sharks open the season hopefully in Prague against the Nashville Predators a lot of new faces and getting to know each other for Quinn to mesh together for the regular season.

Maddie Dutra writes for Fear of the Fin and guested for the San Jose Sharks podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks stand behind Barbanov and Svechinkov in Czech Republic Russian ban

San Jose Sharks Alexander Barabanov is seen here skating against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks during last season’s pre season game on Sun Sep 26, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. NHL Russian players Barabonov, teammate Evegeny Svechinkov and the Nashville Predators Yakov Trenin are banned from playing in Prague for the Oct 7th and 8th games by the Czech Republic government. (AP News file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 With the Czech Republic letting NHL teams know don’t even think of bringing your Russian players to Prague San Jose Sharks team captain Logan Couture made it clear that if Russian teammates Alexander Barabonov and Evgeny Svechinkov are not welcome in Prague the team is not welcome in Prague. Couture said they will do everything as a team.

#2 The NHL never considered banning it’s Russian players. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the NHL Russian players are there for their teams, the fans, and the league.

#3 From the Czech prospective because of their neighboring location near Russian and because the world has viewed the Russian military devastation on the Ukraine as unacceptable they have decided to ban Russian players but as the Couture has said that the Russian players didn’t do anything wrong they shouldn’t be punished.

#4 The two regular season games with the Nashville Predators are scheduled for Oct 7th and 8th in Prague and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that after the NHL received letters from the Czech Government he was assured that things can get worked out to allow the three Russian players in question to be allowed to play.

#5 Troy, got to ask you your thoughts on Sharks general manager Mike Grier who said of the Russian ban in Prague “We are a team. Either we all play, or we don’t play.” 

Join Troy Ewers filled in for Matt Harrington for the SJ Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: How big a hole does Kittle’s absence create for today’s game against Seattle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle runs for it against the Houston Texans during Jan 2, 2022 game at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Kittle is unlikely to be in the line up for today’s home opener against the Seattle Seahawks. (AP News file photo)

On the SF 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, just how much of a hole does it create for the 49ers facing the Seattle Seahawks in today’s home opener with tight end George Kittle out of the line up.

#2 Kittle was listed as questionable but most likely will not make his 2022 appearance as he’s been out with a groin injury he suffered in practice back on Sep 5.

#3 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Kittle looked “awesome” during half speed sessions. Rain is in the forecast for today’s game in Santa Clara but Shanahan said that the wet weather did not play a role in whether or not Kittle will play.

#4 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster said that the Seahawks defensive line have “really, really big guys” Foerster said that when he reviews video of their defense they take up a lot of the space on the frame. Joe would you say the key reason the Hawks were able to edge the Denver Broncos last week was because they do have a big sized line?

#5 The 49ers this week were able to sign punter Mitch Wishnowsky 30 to a four year extension that would have him playing in Santa Clara through the 2026 season. Wishnowsky was 22nd in punting in the NFL with 45 yards.

Join J Hawkes for the 49ers podcasts heard Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com