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2B Daily News – Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Sharks look to tie series with Kings SAN JOSE (AP) — For all that the San Jose Sharks accomplished with their overtime victory over Los Angeles in Game 3, they know it will mean very little if they don't back that win up with another at home against the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings. ''We haven't accomplished anything,'' Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. ''We didn't get our work done in LA, and that put us behind the eight ball. The fact that we win Game 3, that's great, but we still are behind in the series and the series is getting shorter. The lifeline wasn't as long as it was in the past. We've just got to find a way to get even. If our intensity or urgency drops because we've won a single game, I would be disappointed in our group.'' After taking it easy the day after San Jose's 2-1 win, both teams stepped up preparation on Monday in advance of Game 4 on Tuesday night at the Shark Tank. The Kings aren't about to feel complacent, considering they were less than 2 minutes away from losing Game 2 at home and have won just once in 10 road games since March. ''We can't rest and just be comfortable with being a good home team,'' forward Justin Williams said. ''We need to be killers on the road. Coming back with a 3-1 lead is certainly something we're going to do our darnedest to do.'' The Kings came close to getting that elusive road win in Game 3 on Saturday when they fell in overtime after being called for two penalties in the final minute of regulation to set up Logan Couture's power-play goal in overtime. The second of those penalties particularly irked the Kings, who contend Trevor Lewis was pushed into San Jose goalie Antti Niemi by Patrick Marleau and shouldn't have been called for goaltender interference. That came one game after the Sharks complained about a late delay of game call on Marc-Edouard Vlasic that gave the Kings a two-man advantage and eventually led to two goals ''We haven't accomplished anything. We didn't get our work done in LA, and that put us behind the eight ball. The fact that we win Game 3, that's great, but we still are behind in the series and the series is getting shorter." — San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan that gave Los Angeles a 4-3 win. The Kings look to rebound from their disappointment the same way the Sharks did from theirs. ''There's zero momentum,'' Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. ''Once you get in the playoffs, there's zero momentum unless somebody is way better than somebody, and as you see, nobody is. If there's a carry-over, then you're probably not a playoff team.'' The home teams have won all three games so far this series and both teams are undefeated at home in the postseason this year. The Sharks have been dominant all season on home ice, going 17-2-5 in the regular season that included two wins over Los Angeles. The biggest reason for the home success has been a potent power play that has been far more efficient at the Shark Tank than on the road. San Jose has scored on an NHL-best 28.4 percent of power plays at home during the regular and postseason compared to just 13.6 percent on the road. The difference has been even more stark in the postseason where the Sharks are 8-for-20 on the power play at home and just 1-for-16 on the road, including 0-for-7 the first two games in Los Angeles. San Jose did score one goal 5 seconds after the end of a power play in Game 2 against the Kings. Defenseman Dan Boyle said there was little difference other than the final results on the power play in Game 3, when he got the scoring started with a power-play goal 4 seconds into a man advantage early in the first period and Couture ended the game with a powerplay goal in overtime. ''It's about scoring goals,'' Boyle said. ''If we don't score yesterday, you guys would be talking about how bad we are, how much we're struggling. We had some good looks in L.A., we just didn't put the puck in the net. The one goal we had, the penalty had just expired. ''The end of the day, you've just got to put the puck in the net and the first power play took, what? Three or four seconds. That's not a good power play, that's execution. It's a won faceoff, it's a guy going to the net. That's just good execution.'' The Kings could get a boost with the potential return of forward Kyle Clifford, who has missed the past four games with an upper-body injury. Clifford scored three of his seven regular-season goals this year against the Sharks and all three of his career playoff goals came in a six-game series against San Jose two years ago. ''He can give us that big physical, emotional lift that we can use right now,'' forward Colin Fraser said. ''He's a guy that doesn't take a shift off, and he's hard to play against. I've played with him on and off for two years, and he's a big, physical player who keeps it simple. You know what you're going to get out of him every shift.'' NOTES: McLellan said he would consider dressing seven defensemen with F Marty Havlat once again sidelined with a lower-body injury. D Jason Demers, who has missed the past 11 games with a lower-body injury, skated with the forwards for part of practice. ... San Jose F Adam Burish, who was ruled out of the series with a broken right hand, took part in practice and remains hopeful he could return at some point this series. Warriors GM: 'Sense of desperation has passed' OAKLAND (AP) — The turnaround has taken place. The total transformation might not be far away. And if they want to be considered true title contenders, the Golden State Warriors will have to develop their promising young talent even more and show they can be consistent — and consistently healthy — for longer stretches. That was the message from Warriors general manager Bob Myers and coach Mark Jackson on Monday, when the brains behind the franchise's rapid renaissance pushed ahead to a promising offseason. After finishing two wins from the Western Conference finals, Golden State has gone from needing a complete makeover to a touch-up job. ''I think that sense of desperation has passed,'' Myers said. ''I think that whereas when you're trying to do anything to get over the hump you do sometimes chase things that may be difficult to acquire. Whereas now, doesn't mean we're satisfied, it doesn't mean we think our work is through, but we can be prudent and patient with opportunities as they come along.'' The Warriors went from a 23-43 record during the lockoutshortened season to a 47-35 team, earning the conference's sixth seed and dominating Denver in the first round of the playoffs. Mounting injuries eventually wore them down and the four-time champion San Antonio Spurs sent Golden State home in six games. Myers, a former sports agent who was promoted from assistant general manager last year, had talked about building the team through the draft and trades when he first took over basketball operations. Simply put, the native of nearby Danville said his hometown team was just not an attractive place for free agents. Now those days might be done. ''What's the best word to describe a 180?'' he said. ''People do enjoy watching this group of players play. They do enjoy watching our games on TV and seeing what the crowd brings. They do enjoy watching our coaches get the most out of the players we have. What does that say? Well, if you're a player in the NBA and you're witnessing all these things, it does make it a desirable place to go and be a part of.'' The toughest challenge Myers and Jackson said they are facing is finding a way to improve the team without disrupting continuity and chemistry. The entire starting lineup — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, David Lee and Andrew Bogut — is signed through next season. Top reserve Brandon Rush, out since tearing a ligament in his left knee in the home opener, will be back. Rookie reserves Draymond Green, Festus Ezeli and Kent Bazemore along with veterans Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedrins — and their hefty expiring contracts — also are among those signed. ''I don't want to overreact because we had a great year. I want to build on it,'' Jackson said. ''This is a great offseason to challenge every one of them to come back better. And I'm excited about it. I have no problem coming back with the same group, but this is truly a NBA PLAYOFFS business.'' While the franchise is set up to be big spenders in the coveted 2014 free agent market, there are still more immediate concerns. The two biggest questions will be deciding whether to re-sign free agent Jarrett Jack and possibly Carl Landry, who is likely to opt out of the final year of his two-year, $8 million deal. Both players said they hoped to be back next season, and Myers expressed the same sentiment about each. Whether the Warriors can afford will be determined in free agency. If Landry does opt out, Golden State will be at about the $70,307,000 luxury tax line. Warriors owner Joe Lacob already has given Myers the goahead to go into the tax if warranted, but that could complicated matters under the new collective bargaining agreement, which penalizes teams more each year they cross threshold. ''Anything's possible,'' Myers said. Jackson, as of now, also has only one more guaranteed year left on his deal. The coach has a team option for the 2014-15 season, though both sides are likely to work out a longer extension soon — and it shouldn't be too tough. Jackson is represented by renowned agent Arn Tellem, Myers' mentor and former boss at the Wasserman Media Group. Jackson, who doubles as an ordained minister, said his situation will ''work itself out.'' NHL PLAYOFFS Conference Semifinals Monday's result Detroit 3, Chicago 1 Detroit leads series 2-1 Today's game Memphis at San Antonio, 6 p.m. San Antonio leads series 1-0 Today's games Los Angeles at San Jose, 7 p.m. Los Angeles leads series 2-1 Boston at N.Y. Rangers, 4:30 p.m. Boston leads series 2-1 Wednesday's game Indiana at Miami, 5:30 p.m. Series tied 0-0 Wednesday's game Pittsburgh at Ottawa. 4:30 p.m. Pittsburgh leads series 2-1 Conference Finals ''I trust in God. I'm in the best hands possible, and I don't mean Arn Tellem,'' he quipped. It's unlikely the Warriors will make any dramatic changes this offseason. Myers wants to see Curry, Bogut and Lee all playing together at full strength. He said the injuries to Bogut and Lee, in particular, makes it difficult to evaluate the roster. Myers expects Bogut's surgically repaired left ankle to be completely rehabilitated by training camp. Lee has doctor visits scheduled to see if he'll need surgery on his torn right hip flexor. And if Curry's ankles can hold up, the Warriors are excited about the possibilities. ''To have another year of continuity, I do think we'd come back with a better product, assuming health,'' Myers said. ''But I'd have to balance that against what options we had on the table and decided not to do. And that's the thing that the draft brings, and free agency brings, and trades bring.'' MLS WESTERN CONFERENCE FC Dallas Salt Lake Portland Galaxy Colorado Seattle QUAKES Vancouver Chivas USA W 7 6 4 5 4 4 3 3 3 L 2 5 1 4 4 3 4 4 6 T 3 2 7 2 4 3 6 4 2 Pts 24 20 19 17 16 15 15 13 11 GF 20 17 20 17 11 14 13 14 13 GA 15 14 14 10 10 9 19 16 22 EASTERN CONFERENCE New York Kansas City Houston Montreal Philadelphia Columbus N. England Toronto FC Chicago D.C. W 7 6 6 6 5 4 3 1 2 1 L 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 6 7 8 T 3 3 2 2 3 3 4 4 1 2 Pts 24 21 20 20 18 15 13 7 7 5 GF 20 16 17 15 15 13 8 11 6 6 GA 15 10 12 11 18 10 9 16 16 20 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. —————————————————— Saturday's games San Jose at FC Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Portland at D.C. United, 4 p.m. Philadelphia at Montreal, 4 p.m. Toronto FC at New England, 4:30 p.m. Chicago at Real Salt Lake, 6 p.m. Chivas USA at Colorado, 6 p.m. Sunday's games Houston at Kansas City, 12:30 p.m. Columbus at New York, 2 p.m. Seattle FC at Los Angeles, 8 p.m. Raiders plan for Woodson visit ALAMEDA (AP) — Charles Woodson will receive quite a greeting from Oakland Raiders fans when he makes a free agent visit to the team's facilities on Tuesday. A few of his potential teammates in Oakland will give him a warm reception as well. Woodson spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Raiders after being selected with the fourth overall pick in 1998. He signed with Green Bay following the 2005 season and helped the Packers win a Super Bowl title five years later before being released by the team in February. He has said he would like to play for a contender and has visited a handful of teams since being let go by Green Bay — including San Francisco and Denver. Woodson and the Raiders have also had preliminary talks. Raiders coach Dennis Allen, whose team began organized team activities on Monday, said he is hopeful of bringing Woodson aboard. Oakland's secondary has been almost completely revamped for a second straight year and Woodson's experience might help the transition. ''We'll see. I want to do anything we can to help this team get better,'' Allen said. ''We'll see how that process goes.'' Quarterback Matt Flynn said he would welcome the addition of the eight-time Pro Bowl defensive back. The two spent four years together in Green Bay before Flynn signed with Seattle prior to the 2012 season. Flynn, obtained in a trade from the Seahawks this offseason, noted Woodson's influence in the locker room would be equally important to his production on the field. ''Everybody knows he's a great player but he's also a great man, a great teammate, a great leader,'' Flynn said. ''I don't know what's happening with all that ... but the front office (is) going to make the right decision about what they think is going to be the best for us going forward. We'll see how it plans out.'' Several Oakland fans began an online campaign via Facebook and Twitter asking others to gather at the Raiders facility in anticipation of Woodson's arrival. Some who live as far away as Fresno have tweeted they plan to attend in hopes of making Woodson feel welcome. up-the-middle that plated both junior Kiara Rickson and Taylor Peters for a Bob(Continued from page 1B) cat 3-1 advantage through 18 coming into the top of the three innings. seventh inning. "I had to bring myself in "She was keeping us off and make myself focused balance, she does a good job because it did make me changing her speeds and mad," said Kelm, referring to moving the ball in, out, up all the commotion surroundand down," Red Bluff coach ing her at-bat. "I knew what J Howell said. "I believe she I had to do (and) I was going hasn't lost a game this year, to hit the ball if my life there is a reason behind that. depended on it." You don't do that in high Howell said he had equal school softball unless you're respect for his pitcher, Hailee very talented." Salisbury finished the Nicholls, for being able to battle back from what was a season with a 15-0 record. Danielle Kelm drove busy at-bat by Kelm. home the go-ahead and "Hailee is a junior but eventual game-winning runs she's a very mature kid and in the bottom of the third. she stayed focused the whole Many factors led up to the time," he said. "It's a big Bobcats' biggest hit of the game, and in big games little game, starting with a shot things matter and she did a down the first-base line off great job staying focused." the bat of Kelm that was The whole Red Bluff overturned and ruled foul, team battled to the end, prompting arguments from Howell said, and if it wasn't both coaches. "At first I was thinking for one particular catch out how could they take that hit in left field, the Spartans (29away from me," Kelm said. 8) might be polishing their Later in the at-bat, Kelm fourth section crown in six dealt with a flamboyant years, and first in D-III. pitcher throwing up her arms "We start from day one in disgust of a particular non- saying there's 21 outs in a strike call by the home-plate softball game and the umpire, which again led to requirement for Red Bluff the teams' coaches coming softball is you got to battle out to state their case. for 21 outs," Howell said. All the while, Kelm "The girls did that today and remained near the box wait- put themselves in a spot to ing to hit. She eventually got win it (but) the Paradise leftthe chance to swing the bat fielder just made a heck of a and belted a two-run single catch." RB MLB MLB American League West Division Texas A's Seattle Angels Houston East Division National League West Division W 29 24 20 17 13 L 16 22 25 27 32 Pct .644 .522 .444 .386 .289 GB — 5.5 9 11.5 16 Arizona Colorado GIANTS Padres Dodgers East Division W 25 24 24 20 18 L 19 20 20 23 25 Pct .568 .545 .545 .465 .419 GB — 1 1 4.5 6.5 W L Pct GB New York 28 16 .636 — Boston 27 18 .600 1.5 Baltimore 23 21 .523 5 Tampa Bay 23 21 .523 5 Toronto 18 26 .409 10 Central Division W L Pct GB Cleveland 26 17 .605 — Detroit 23 19 .548 2.5 Kansas City 20 21 .488 5 Chicago 20 23 .465 6 Minnesota 18 23 .439 7 —————————————————— Monday's results Oakland 9, Texas 2 Atlanta 5, Minnesota 1 Chicago White Sox 6, Boston 4 Cleveland 10, Seattle 8, 10 innings Houston 6, Kansas City 5 N.Y. Yankees 6, Baltimore 4, 10 innings Toronto 7, Tampa Bay 5 W L Pct GB Atlanta 26 18 .591 — Washington 23 21 .523 3 Philadelphia 21 24 .467 5.5 New York 17 25 .405 8 Miami 13 32 .289 13.5 Central Division W L Pct GB St. Louis 28 15 .651 — Cincinnati 27 18 .600 2 Pittsburgh 26 18 .591 2.5 Chicago 18 25 .419 10 Milwaukee 17 26 .395 11 —————————————————— Monday's results Washington at San Francisco, late Atlanta 5, Minnesota 1 Cincinnati 4, N.Y. Mets 3 L.A. Dodgers 3, Milwaukee 1 Miami 5, Philadelphia 1 Arizona at Colorado, late St. Louis at San Diego, late Today's games Oakland (Straily 1-2) at Texas (Darvish 7-1), 5:05 p.m. Detroit (Scherzer 5-0) at Cleveland (Kluber 3-2), 4:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees (P.Hughes 2-3) at Baltimore (Mig.Gonzalez 2-2), 4:05 p.m. Tampa Bay (Cobb 4-2) at Toronto (R.Ortiz 1-1), 4:07 p.m. Minnesota (Pelfrey 3-4) at Atlanta (Hudson 4-3), 4:10 p.m. Boston (Doubront 3-1) at Chi. White Sox (Quintana 2-1), 5:10 p.m. Kansas City (W.Davis 3-3) at Houston (B.Norris 4-4), 5:10 p.m. Seattle (Harang 1-4) at L.A. Angels (Williams 2-1), 7:05 p.m. Today's games Washington (Strasburg 2-5) at San Fran. (M.Cain 3-2), 7:15 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Samardzija 2-5) at Pittsburgh (W.Rodriguez 4-2), 4:05 p.m. Cincinnati (Leake 3-2) at N.Y. Mets (Niese 3-4), 4:10 p.m. Minnesota (Pelfrey 3-4) at Atlanta (Hudson 4-3), 4:10 p.m. Philadelphia (Cloyd 0-0) at Miami (Fernandez 2-2), 4:10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Greinke 2-0) at Milwaukee (Burgos 1-2), 5:10 p.m. Arizona (Kennedy 2-3) at Colorado (Chacin 3-3), 5:40 p.m. St. Louis (Wainwright 5-3) at San Diego (Volquez 3-4), 7:10 p.m. Wednesday's games Oakland at Texas, 11:05 a.m. Minnesota at Atlanta, 9:10 a.m. Tampa Bay at Toronto, 1:37 p.m. Detroit at Cleveland, 4:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore, 4:05 p.m. Seattle at L.A. Angels, 4:05 p.m. Boston at Chicago White Sox, 5:10 p.m. Kansas City at Houston, 5:10 p.m. Wednesday's games Washington at San Francisco, 12:45 p.m. Minnesota at Atlanta, 9:10 a.m. Cincinnati at N.Y. Mets, 10:10 a.m. L.A. Dodgers at Milwaukee, 10:10 a.m. Arizona at Colorado, 12:10 p.m. Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, 4:05 p.m. Philadelphia at Miami, 4:10 p.m. St. Louis at San Diego, 7:10 p.m.