Seattle, WA – On Martin Luther King Jr Day 2023, the Seattle Kraken saw their historic winning streak end at eight games as the Tampa Bay Lightning spoiled the short homecoming. Following seven games over the course of 13 days and the pedigree of the opposition, Seattle was visibly slower and less explosive compared to the juggernaut we saw on the road trip. All things considered, the Kraken put up a solid fight against a Tampa Bay team that has won two of the last three Stanley Cups, but it was ultimately critical defensive issues that nailed Seattle’s coffin shut. One thing remains apparent for a Kraken team gunning to make a playoff appearance in the second year of their existence: they must find consistency defensively if they want to take things to another level.
Following an eight-game streak that saw Seattle’s attack score four or more goals every outing but one, and eight goals twice, the Kraken simply looked like they ran out of juice against Tampa Bay. Seattle was held to 23 shots today, 11 of those coming in the final period when the Kraken were just trying to fling pucks on net. While playing against Vezina trophy winning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy certainly didn’t help, the Kraken had trouble breaking into Tampa Bay’s offensive zone and could not generate clean looks. The only score of the day for Seattle came off a bomb of a shot from the blue line that deflected off a Lightning defenseman. The scorer of that goal, Vince Dunn, discussed his team’s offensive effort postgame.
“I think we could have been better with our execution out of our zone… I don’t think that there’s any excuse to be honest, we had the whole day yesterday off and this morning… we just came out flat. We can always have more traffic net front, I think that our forwards were doing a good job… when you play good teams like that, you have to find a way to score dirty goals,” Dunn stated.
For most of this contest, the Kraken were able to make up for the occasional error that they made defensively, with effort and active sticks. But two key and untimely mistakes ended up dooming Seattle, as the other two Tampa Bay goals were empty netters with time ticking down. The first notable mistake was by Jamie Oleksiak, who was caught out in no-man’s land as two Lightning skaters had free real estate in the Kraken high danger area. An Ian Cole puck from the blue line in period one was tipped in easily by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who was left wide open as Oleksiak seemed to have forgotten his assignment. The second came a little under seven minutes into the third period, as Vince Dunn turned the puck over to Nicholas Paul right next to the Kraken goal, and Dunn even screened his own goaltender as Paul slotted the puck home. Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol discussed his team’s areas to improve.
“We knew it was gonna be a tight hockey game, first period we didn’t do a good job coming out of the zone… tough puck play in the neutral zone, but we cleaned that up a little bit in the second. We were able to generate a little more offensively in the third. It was a tight hockey game, we’re disappointed in the result and outcome, but it was still a tight hockey game,” Hakstol stated.
Immediately following the loss to the Lightning, the Kraken had to get back on the road as they will play the second game of a home-away back-to-back. Seattle heads to Edmonton for a divisional battle against the Oilers at Rogers Place with a puck drop of 6PM PST. The Kraken will look to get back to their winning ways in another difficult contest, facing off against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett had an important decision to make last year. Ride off into the sunset and be the legendary quarterback who won a National championship or come back for one more season.
Bennett told head coach Kirbay Smart, “that’s not just who I am. Why should I do that when I have an opportunity to play again? Why don’t we go win it again?” Bennett came back and scored six total touchdowns in a dominating 65-7 win over TCU in the College Football National Championship on Monday at SoFi Stadium.
Georgia won back-to-back College Football Playoff titles and finished the season 15-0, joining Clemson (2018) and LSU (2019) as the only 15-win teams since the late 1800s. Bennett is the first player in the CFP championship game to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors twice.
“Stetson speaks for himself, the way he leads and prepares,” Smart said. “His mental makeup is such of a quarterback that believes he can make every throw and what he did tonight was truly amazing. Probably had his best game of his career, in my opinion, with some of the checks he made, some of the decisions he made, just really elite.”
The Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Bennett scrambled into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown on their opening drive.
On the ensuing drive, TCU wide receiver Derius Davis was stripped on the jet sweep and Georgia recovered the fumble. TCU held the Bulldogs to a 24-yard field goal and trailed 10-0.
TCU cut the Georgia lead 10-7 on quarterback Max Duggan’s 2-yard touchdown run. The score was set up by a 60- yard reception from Davis. Georgia came right back with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bennett to Ladd McConkey. The Bulldogs took a 17-7 lead with 2:43 left in the first quarter.
Bennett scored his second rushing touchdown of the first half, this time from six yards out and the Bulldogs extended their lead 24-7. After Duggan was intercepted by Jevon Bullard, running back Kendall Milton scored from a yard out to give Georgia a 31-7 lead with just over a minute left in the second quarter.
Duggan threw his second interception of the first half, which led to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Bennett to Adonai Mitchell and a 38-7 halftime lead.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Bennett hit tight end Brock Bowers for a 22-yard touchdown and a 45-7 lead. Bowers finished with seven receptions for 152 and a touchdown.
Georgia took a commanding 52-7 lead on Bennett’s 14-yard touchdown pass to McConkey. This was Bennett’s sixth total touchdown of the game.
Branson Robinson added two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The Bulldogs defense held TCU scoreless for the final three quarters and limited the Horn Frogs to 188 yards on 51 plays.
Los Angeles, CA – Fans and members of both teams were excited for the College Football Playoffs experience here in the City of Angels.
The LA Convention Center was the home for two of the biggest events of the weekend, the Playoff Fan Central and Media Day.
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The Fan Central event was filled with interactive games, special guest appearances and multiple exhibits to celebrate college football.
Fans could play flag football, run the 40 and even take pictures with the most prestigious trophies college football has to offer.
The players had their time to shine as well with Media Day that took place on Saturday morning.
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Both TCU and Georgia enjoyed their time in the spotlight as Media Day gave players and coaches the opportunity to talk to media members from all across the country as they prepared for the championship game.
This is LA, so you know there was going to be top-notch entertainment available for fans to attend as well. Banc of California Stadium housed two free sold out concerts over the weekend. Headlined by bill-topping sets from the Jonas Brothers, Saweetie, Pitbull and more.
Fans and both teams will have to wait for tonight for the football action — but they certainly scored with this entertaining jam packed weekend.
Westwood, CA – Protecting your home court is always a battle cry during the crosstown rivalry game. UCLA was able to creep back for a 61-60 women’s basketball victory of USC Women of Troy basketball team at Pauley Pavilion on Sunday afternoon.
UCLA was trailing by 4 points with 4:18 left on the game clock, when Charisma Osborne (20) kicks ball out to 6’4 forward Emily Bessoir (11) who drains a three pointer over the USC defense. This was a key basket on the Women’s Bruins fall back into the lead 55-54 after a steal and basket by Osborne.
UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3) lead the Bruins with 22 points in 26 minutes. Bessoir grabbed 5 rebounds while scoring double digits with 11 points.
Osborne bring the ball up the court. Photo by Chanel Foster / fi360 News
“Being together I feel like is the biggest thing,” Jones said. “Knowing that we all have each other’s back through the highs and through the lows… that’s what sets us apart.”
Osborne was really active all game on both sides of the ball. She lead the team with 7 rebounds and dished out 4 assist, 9 points. Osborne digging deep late in the game after playing 37 minutes.
Kiki Rice reads the defense. Photo by Chanel Foster / fi360 News
Bruins Coach Cori Close dialed up a great gameplan to move the Lady Bruins to 14-2 overall record and 3-1 in conference.
“Obviously a lot of really difficult moments,” Close said. “But when you have a selfless team and a neutral team, … we get ready for big moments when we need it. Londynn Jones was ready for that big moment.”
The Women of Troy were led by forward Rayah Marshall (13) who scored a shared team high 15 points, and 8 rebounds. Guard Kayla Williams (4) also scored 15 points that was almost enough to get the victory.
Gina Conti spots up for a shot. Photo by Chanel Foster / fi360 News
Okako Adika (24) played 39 minutes the most for both teams in this slug fest where she dropped 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Now the Trojans move to 11-4 record and 1-3 in the PAC-12 games.
They will face the foes from the Bay area this up coming week a hard task to face No 2 Stanford and Cal. These next few weeks will be important for both teams as want a good seed in the PAC-12 tournament at the end of the season.
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs the ball for a gain during the Rose Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes on January 2, 2023 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Pasadena, CA- No. 11 Penn State used big plays and a stout defense to defeat No. 8 Utah 35-21 in the 109th edition of the Rose Bowl on Monday in Pasadena.
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns while running back Nicholas Singleton rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns to help the Nittany Lions become the 2023 Rose Bowl champions.
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the Rose Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes on January 2, 2023 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
“I’m just happy for our guys,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “To come out here and play that team, got so much respect for Utah and Coach Whittingham out here on the road, it’s basically a home game for them, and our guys played their tails off. I’m just so proud of them, offense, defense and special teams.”
After an interception by Kalen King, Penn State capped an 11-play, 82-yard drive with Singleton’s 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Utah answered with Cameron Rising’s 1- yard touchdown pass to Yasmin Thomas in the second quarter.
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (5) runs the ball for a gain during the Rose Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes on January 2, 2023 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Penn State came right back when Clifford found Mitchell Tinsley in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 4:47 left in the second quarter. Utah evened the score 14-14 on a 19-yard touchdown run by running back Ja’Quinden Jackson with 2:38 remaining in the first half.
In the third quarter, Jackson turned on the wheels and raced 87 yards for the score and a 21-14 lead. Penn State opened the fourth quarter with a 88-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to a wide open KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) gets hit during the Rose Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes on January 2, 2023 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
“Our guys just stuck together, made some big plays when we needed to, and we found a way to get a win against a really, really good Utah team,” Franklin said. “I do want to take a moment and just make sure that we show enough respect and appreciation for the University of Utah. I’ve got so much respect for the university as a whole, for Coach Whittingham and what he’s done across his entire career. Watching them on tape, for people that know and love football, that’s a really good football team.”
Rising injured his knee in the third quarter and did not return to the game. Bryson Barnes came into the game and finished with 112 yards and one touchdown. Barnes was intercepted on his first drive.
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) during the Rose Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes on January 2, 2023 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Penn State scored its second touchdown of the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Kaytron Allen and the Nittany Lions took a 35-14 lead. Utah added a late touchdown with 25 seconds remaining in the game.
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 2: Tulane Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt stiff arms USC Trojans defensive lineman Nick Figueroa (99) to avoid a tackle on a run during the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
ARLINGTON, TX – USC and Tulane have similar stories of turning their programs around. USC finished 2021 4-8, while Tulane’s season went 2-10. At the end of the day, Monday’s Cotton Bowl featured two teams with programs heading in the right direction, which is critical considering a College Football expansion in the future. “We’ve learned a lot of things [and] we’ve grown in a lot of ways, and that’s why we’re at this game,” USC Head coach Lincoln Riley said. “There’s still so much to go to be in that position where we got on a conference championship game, or you win a big bowl game like this or a win a semifinal or win a national championship game.”
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 2: Tulane Green Wave Head Coach Willie Fritz celebrates with defensive MVP Dorian Williams (2) after being named Cotton Bowl Champions at the conclusion of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
“I know we all believe 2-10 that wasn’t our best foot forward. We all knew we were a better team than we showed. Coach came in and installed a different mindset in the team,” Linebacker Dorian Williams said. It was the first meeting between these schools since 1946, and Monday’s Cotton Bowl felt like it took 77 years off the crowd in the stands. It was about two teams proving to themselves, their fan bases, the country, and the college football world that they belong in the expanded playoffs, and it turned out to be a thriller.
USC was methodical on their opening possession. The Trojans went 3 for 4 on third down conversions, converted a fourth down, took nine minutes off the clock on a seventeen-play, and seventy-five-yard opening touchdown capped off with Caleb Williams’ three-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jackson III. After Tulane punted while picking up one first down, the Trojans went back to work offensively. Their next scoring drive went ninety-five yards on twelve plays finishing with Williams’ throw to Terrell Bynum for three yards. Seventeen and a half minutes into Monday’s game, USC outgained Tulane 185-21, converting seven of their eight third-down conversions. The lone third down conversion USC didn’t convert resulted in a fourth down conversion to extend their opening drive. “It was tough in the first half,” Williams said. “Seeing [Caleb Williams] on film and playing against it is two different things.”
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 2: Tulane Green Wave receiver Duece Watts (2) races up field after catching a pass from quarterback Michael Pratt (not shown) during the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
Tulane shifted some momentum back to their side after the second USC touchdown. It was a forty-yard scramble for Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt that set up Tulane into scoring position. Finally, the Green Wave scored on Tyjae Spears’ three-yard touchdown run. He threw down a defender to pick up fourteen on his last touch. USC threatened back into Tulane territory, but Williams threw an interception straight to Jarius Monroe inside the Green Wave ten-yard line, nullifying a USC chance to keep the momentum going. On the second play after the turnover, Pratt threw a deep shot to Jha’Quan Jackson for an eighty-seven-yard touchdown, tying a Cotton Bowl record for the longest TD pass (1960 Syracuse’s Gerhard Schwedes threw an eighty-seven-yarder to Ernie Davis against Texas). Tulane suddenly evened the game up at fourteen with five minutes remaining in the half.
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 2: USC Trojans receiver Brendan Rice (2) hauls in a pass from quarterback Caleb Williams (not shown) during the third quarter of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 news)
USC took over the final minutes of the first half. On back-to-back carries, Raleek Brown picked up fifty-three yards darting past the Tulane secondary to put the Trojans back in front. Then, Caleb Williams’ arm produced fifty-nine yards on three completions to set USC up inside the Tulane ten. With twenty seconds left, USC finished the half with Brenden Rice’s four-yard touchdown completion from Williams, putting the Trojans up 28-14 at halftime. [USC quote]
The third quarter was a track meet for both sides. USC used Caleb Williams and the aerial attack, while Tulane used the ground game, equating to 326 total yards between the two teams in the third frame. The quarter started with Spears with four carries and sixty yards, finishing with a seven-yard score to put Tulane back to within seven. USC moved the football and converted another fourth down, but the drive stalled at the Tulane thirty-five as Denis Lynch attempted a fifty-two-yard field goal (which would have been a season-long).
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 2: USC wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) fights through multiple Tulane Green Wave defenders during the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
However, the kick fell short, and Tulane gained excellent field position where their drive stalled at the USC twenty-five. Valentino Ambrosio connected on a forty-two-yard field goal to cut the Trojans’ lead to 28-24. USC turned and connected to Brenden Rice twice (one for seventy-four yards) and the second completion for nineteen yards. The call initially was short of the goal line, but Rice navigated his feet past the pylon, where replay called it a touchdown, extending USC’s lead to 35-24. Tyjae Spears took over the next drive on two rushes for sixty-five yards, with the three-yard carry for the touchdown. Tulane couldn’t convert the two-point conversion, and the deficit for the Green Wave cut to 35-30. [
After the score, Tulane attempted an onside kick which didn’t pan out for the Green Wave, giving USC plus field position, and took advantage with another quality drive (three plus minutes). Williams threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Kyron Hudson to extend the Trojans’ lead back to double digits and a twelve-point fourth-quarter advantage (42-30). After Tyjae Spears fumbled, USC marched for a six-minute drive ending in Denis Lynch’s 43-yard field goal, capping the largest lead of the game for USC at 45-30. “It was going to be like whatever it took, whatever it took, whatever. However, it looks like we are going to get it done. We never lost faith. I’ve been telling guys the whole time we are going to win this game,” running back Tyjae Spears said after the game when Tulane fell down by fifteen in the fourth.”
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 2: Tulane Green Wave placekicker Valentino Ambrosia (43) watches as his game winning extra point is good during the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
Tulane needed to move quickly, and they did. On the following Green Wave drive, it took two plays when Pratt found Deuce Watts for fifty-nine yards, and Spears ran it in from four yards to bring the game back to a one-possession contest (45-37). However, the wheels fell off for USC after that. Mario Williams fumbled the football on the ensuing kickoff, and the ball rolled out of bounds at the Trojans’ one-yard line. Two plays later, the Tulane defense penetrated and tackled Austin Jones in the end zone for a safety, cutting the deficit to six. More importantly, they got the football back immediately with only one timeout.
On the last possession for Tulane, they converted two fourth downs and got a gift drop in bounds by tight end Alex Bauman where if he was tackled, the Green Wave might have one play, at best, to snap. “It was a blessing in disguise,” Bauman smiled when he talked about the dropped pass inbounds. “I’m trying to catch the ball, every ball is thrown at me, but it happened that way.” On the next play, Pratt found Bauman in the end zone, originally ruled incomplete. However, replay overturned the call, and it was a game-winning touchdown, providing Tulane with their only lead of the game, and the only lead that mattered. “I’m trying to soak it in right now. It’s an outstanding job. “We do a drill called fastball where we go as fast as we can. Have a lot of music on and had a lot of chaos, and the guys executed each play and the way they needed to execute,” Tulane head coach Willie Fritz said.
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 2: Tulane Wave wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson (4) celebrates in the end zone after scoring on a 87-yard touchdown pass from Michael Pratt (not shown) during the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Wave on January 2, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
Tulane’s Tyjay Spears ran for 205 yards and four touchdowns on Monday, putting Tulane over 300 rushing yards against USC’s 62nd-ranked rush defense in college football. Michael Pratt threw eight completions but averaged 29 yards per pass completion (234 yards).
For USC, Heisman winner Caleb Williams set a Cotton Bowl record for five touchdown passes and threw for 462 yards and Brenden Rice caught six passes for 174 yards where his previous season high was 72 yards on October 1st against Arizona State. “Losses like this are tough to digest,” USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley said. “I thought our guys laid it on the line and played hard, prepared hard, and we put ourselves in phenomenal position to get it done. But all three sides right there at the end contributed to [the loss]. Now that the season is over, I’ve rarely, at the end of the year, felt so conflicted.” “It’s a huge win for the program, the university, and the city. We represent New Orleans. We represent Tulane University, [and] represent our football program.”
LSU receiver Malik Nabers (8) is tripped up by Purdue linebacker OC Brothers (20) in the first quarter at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
ORLANDO, Fl – The No. 17 LSU Tigers finished the regular season with a 63-7 win against Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on Monday. LSU dominated the game in all phases, and the young players stepped up big with new found playing time.
LSU receiver Malik Nabers had a killer game and was named MVP of the Citrus. Nabers grabbed nine catches for 163 yards with a 75-yard touchdown. He also threw two passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. One of his passes was to Kyren Lacy for 45 yards and the other was a 5-yard touchdown toss to quarterback Jayden Daniels.
It didn’t matter who was at quarterback for the Tigers Jayden Daniels started the game threw for 139 yards on 12/17 passes with a touchdown. Then Garrett Nussmeier stepped up and threw for 173 yards on 11/15 passes with two touchdowns and an interception.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) avoids being tackled by Purdue safety Jah’von Grigsby (12) in the second quarter at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Purdue offense just could catch fire today in Florida. Quarterback Austin Burton completed only 50% of his throws 12/24 for 74 yards and an interception. Off the bench Michael Alaimo jumped in to throw 4/11 passes for 37 yards and account for the Boilermakers only touchdown of the game.
Devin Mockobee carried the lite load for Purdue rushing 13 times for 48 yards. TJ Sheffield led the team with 7 catches for 56 yards and the sol touchdown reception.
The Tiger’s never trailed, recording 594 total yards and finishing the scoring with Quad Wilson’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
LSU cornerback Quad Wilson returns a fourth quarter interception off of Purdue for a touchdown at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
“That’s kind of the mantle of LSU wide receivers,” Tigers coach Brian Kelly said of Nabers, who was the game’s MVP. “It’s his opportunity now, and you can see that he wanted to make sure that he made a statement out there today.”
“This performance shows that I’m able to come out here and perform at a high level with anybody,” Nabers said.
Nabers was clearly a shooting star during this game right from the opening drives by LSU.
Purdue quarterback Michael Alaimo (1) makes a pass attempt in the third quarter against LSU at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Coach Kelly ends his first season with 10 wins, an SEC Championship Game appearance and great momentum for the program heading into the offseason. Not a bad start to bring this storied program back into top tier team discussions.
Seattle, WA – Shaking off any sort of aftereffects from celebrating the New Year, the Seattle Kraken displayed a complete team effort to beat the New York Islanders. Eeli Tolvanen, acquired off waivers weeks ago, was a highlight of the win as not only did he display his rocket shot for a goal, but blocked several shots. Despite the Islanders tying the game in the first period on a somewhat easy attempt by former Seattle Thunderbird Mathew Barzal, the Kraken remained locked in and did not let the goal snowball into a bigger issue. The win begins a tough month of January on the right foot for Seattle, who now embark on a nearly two-week road trip.
Seattle’s ugly, embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers two days ago was a master class on the things not to do in a hockey game. The factor that stood out the most was, which has been a lingering issue until it was fully exposed in that game, was the lack of full effort and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good of the team. There was a complete 180 in that department as the Kraken were blocking shots, had active sticks, and were willing to check throughout the game. Seattle stayed true to their structure defensively and on the penalty kill. It was exactly the sort of tough, gritty hockey that the Kraken need to play if they want to play more hockey once the regular season ends. Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol spoke about his team’s effort to media, postgame.
“Every night is a little bit different, but our readiness and mentality was just better. It was right tonight… What I liked more than Eeli’s power play goal was that he was willing to block shots. He blocked a couple
big shots from the line, he managed the puck well, he checked pretty well. From top to bottom that’s a nice start for him,” Hakstol reflected.
Continuing with that statement by Hakstol, Eeli Tolvanen really made his debut in Kraken colors one to remember. The young forward, having spent weeks as a healthy scratch with the team, made sure he grabbed his moment firmly with a power play goal, two hits, and three blocks on the night. Following the thrashing to the Oilers the other night, a lineup change was in order, and inserting the forward with the heavy shot into the gameplan made sense. Seattle’s depth has been positive all season long, from all four forward lines to the defensemen pairs that have been able to chip in well offensively. It seems that Tolvanen adds to this and makes lineup decisions going forward a little more interesting. Tolvanen discussed his first start in a Seattle uniform.
“It felt really good, it’s been a while since I’ve played my last game so it’s always nice to get the first goal out of the way in the first game… Dunner told me to shoot it as soon as I got it, and that’s what I did… I kinda blacked out for a bit there… I felt really good since I last hopped on the ice,” Tolvanen stated.
While it’s just one game following an ugly three game stretch, Seattle showed great improvements in the areas that they needed to get better. More willingness to sacrifice the body by checking and blocking shots. More alert, aware, focused defensemen limited New York to a goal that was essentially let in by Martin Jones and a handful of potentially dangerous opportunities. The power play showed improved strategy, in large part to the team shooting the puck instead of trying to get too fancy. If the Kraken are able to continue this performance and turn those individuals notes into characteristics, this team is well suited for a strong January run.
Seattle will now spend 13 days away from Climate Pledge Arena, playing seven games over that time. The Kraken begin the tough road trip with a January 3rd rematch against the Edmonton Oilers. Seattle will head to Rogers Place, looking to avenge the 7-2 loss when they drop the puck against Edmonton at 6PM PST. As both teams currently sit at 42 points, the winner of the game will move into the third place spot in the Pacific Division.
Tucson, AZ – Late in overtime after Ohio gave up a field goal to Wyoming to trail 27-24, time stopped for a moment. Ohio Bobcats quarterback CJ Harris (10) dropped back on 3rd&8 from 10 yard-line to hit Tyler Foster (86) in back of the endzone for the win. The whole Bobcats team stormed the north west endzone to celebrate this Arizona Bowl victory 30-27 over the Wyoming Cowboys.
Tyler Foster (86) with the winning catch in OT. Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
“I’m a little overwhelmed with just this whole process, the catch, the call, the throw was just magnificent.” said coach Bobcats Tim Albin, “We had a run with a pass and got the look we were looking for.”
Harris had a solid game throwing for 184 yards with two touchdowns on 20/33 passes. He also used his legs rushing 10 times for additional 52 yards. This performance was enough to win the MVP for Barstool Bowl in only his third start of the season.
“Then it was one on one I gotta take it and give it to my guy and Tyler came down with it. “, said Harris
Quarterback Harris breaking the pocket. Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
Receiver Jacoby Jones (8) lead the eight receivers who caught pass from Harris with 44 yards on three receptions and a touchdown. Foster only catch of the day was the game winner for biggest 10 yards of his career.
Today’s victory pushed the Bobcats to 10 wins for only the third time in program history.
After receiving the opening kick, Wyoming went on an incredible nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive. With quarterback Andrew Peasley (6) looking sharp and completing five of his first six throws, the Cowboys relied heavily on the pass game in their opening drive. A 9-yard burst up the middle by rookie running back Jordon Vaughn (28) to end the drive was a simple run made possible by early, effective passing.
Welch comes down with a football. Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
The Cowboys standouts were receiver Treyton Welch (81) who had 5 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. On the ground Vaughn carried the load with 16 carries for 67 yards with two touchdowns.
“We’re certainty disappointed.” Said Wyoming coach Craig Bohl, “There’s a lot of guys in that locker room who are gut-wrenched right now and I feel for them. I feel for the guys who aren’t going to put on the pads another time. “
Peasley threw for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Cowboys.
Quarterback Peasley picks up few yards down field with his legs. Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
The Cowboys had the ball to begin overtime, but after four plays, the offense stopped. Kicker John Hoyland made his second field goal of the contest to give the Cowboys a 27-24 lead.
Being first didn’t work out the best for the Cowboys this happy ending belongs to the Bobcats!
Seattle Kraken (Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)
Seattle, WA – To end the year of 2022, the Seattle Kraken concluded a poor month of December with a disastrous loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Right out of the gate the Kraken defensemen were out of position and leaving Oilers skaters completely unmarked, resulting in three quick goals just under four minutes into the game. Seattle never recovered from the haymaker Edmonton threw after the opening whistle and were brutally embarrassed on their own home ice.
A goaltender swap after the third Oilers goal failed to provide the effect desired by Seattle, as Edmonton stacked on four more scores after Martin Jones came into the game. A third straight loss continues Seattle’s free fall down the standings, now sitting at fifth in the Pacific Division.
Any presumed positive notions quickly were negated as Edmonton forced a penalty two minutes in, sending their top ranked power play unit out against Seattle’s near-league bottom penalty kill. It only took Connor McDavid 40 seconds to find teammate Zach Hyman completely unmarked on a back door pass to score. 32 seconds later, Seattle got caught in an odd-man rush which led to Klim Kostin being left completely unmarked for a tap-in goal. 39 seconds later, a turnover by Seattle in the offensive zone was taken 200 feet as Edmonton caught the Kraken in a three on two opportunity, where Darnell Nurse was left with all the room in the arena to shoot, scoring the third Edmonton goal in only four minutes of this game being underway. Seattle defensemen Adam Larsson spoke about those opening minutes to the media, postgame.
“They’re a dangerous team, obviously we need a better start, but tonight was more of a 60-minute issue. Just wasn’t good enough. It was a lot of things. Every team goes through a stretch or a game like this, obviously we’ll talk about it and see what we did wrong. We can do a lot of things better, we can be a lot sharper, play a lot faster as a team. It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing,” Larsson reflected.
These past three games have been of solid importance for Seattle, considering that they have all been against divisional opponents and two of those opponents were just points behind in the standings. Those teams, Calgary and Edmonton have now overtaken you in the standings. Las Vegas and Los Angeles seem like they may be able to run away with the top two spots in the division. Things are going to get intense very quickly, especially considering that the January schedule for Seattle includes five divisional contests and six games against teams that are at the top of league standings. Too often you can find examples of lacking effort, failure to sacrifice for the team, and an inability to play the full 60 minutes. Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol had an excellent challenge for his team when it came to the upcoming stretch.
“We have to make that decision, as a hockey team. Whether we are satisfied with the level of play that we have had that has gotten us to this point, or whether we are willing to make that decision to push to the next level. Not just through the next two home games here or through that upcoming road trip, but through the remainder of the season. We have to make that decision as a group, whether we’re ready to make that investment on a day-to-day, game-to-game basis in order to step up the level. That’s exactly what has to happen, our play has to elevate as the stakes continue to get higher and then the games continue to get tighter and tighter,” Hakstol stated.
Seattle will have a day of practice before the final game of their three contest homestand, when they battle the New York Islanders for the first time this season. Puck drop is at 5PM PST for the Kraken’s third consecutive nationally televised game, as Seattle needs a bounce back effort to break the funk of their three-game losing streak.
