The San Jose Sharks could not have asked for a better start in Edmonton. Less than two minutes into the game, the team jumped out to a two-goal lead against the Edmonton Oilers, with Collin Graf getting the first point on the board just 26 seconds into the game and Adam Gaudette adding a second one 1:11 later. A Michael Misa goal midway through the first period put the Sharks up 3-0 and with a comfortable lead, the team was in good shape.
What a disappointing loss. Watching the game you could tell the Oilers started to take control from the 2nd period on and the Sharks were just treading water hoping to hold on.
Seems to be a common thing for them. The defense needs to get better and/or they need to remain aggressive and keep scoring. Sitting back in a shell with a bad defense doesn't work.
I remember reading an analyst that said if the Sharks learn how to play D, look out. Which looking at yesterday's game I agree. Their O looks pretty good. Celebrini looks like he's on his way to be a superstar. Can assist but is a good looking scorer. His scoring reminds me a little bit of when Hertl started. Had that 4 goal game within his first 10 games or something like that. Lots of potential.
Askarov does look good. They've had a defensemen issue for many years now. Gave Vlasic too long a contract and I think EK also got way too much for too long. Hopefully they can draft a couple of impact D-Men.
Djokovic's 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Sinner in a match that extended past 1:30 a.m. local time in Melbourne means he will have a chance to play for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
Six minutes into the ballgame, the California women's basketball team took a lead and never looked back and came away with an 80-69 win over visiting Notre Dame at Haas Pavilion on Thursday evening. The Golden Bears (13-9, 4-5 ACC) had their most proficient shooting night in recent memory from long distance going 10-of-14 – their highest percentage with at least 10 attempts since Jan. 27, 2019 when they went 11-of-14 at Colorado. The win marked the first for the Bears against the Irish (13-8, 5-5) and the third conference win in a row and second straight Quad 2 win.
BERKELEY – Three members of the No. 5 California men's swimming & diving team registered their first career dual-meet victories Thursday and sophomore Zachary Tan was a triple-winner as the Golden Bears celebrated Senior Day with a 205-54 victory over Pacific at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
The No. 5 California women's swimming & diving team is set to host No. 3 Stanford this Saturday in the final dual meet of the season, which also marks Senior Day. First event is scheduled for noon PT at Spieker Aquatics Complex on ACCNX.
Six members of the California women's soccer team were named to the All-ACC Academic team, the conference announced Thursday. Five Golden Bears in Noelle Bond-Flasza, Miriam Hils, Alex Klos, Malia McMahon, and Kenley Whittaker made the team for the second straight year and Coco Thistle earned her first-career honor.
For the second consecutive season, 10 members of the California men's soccer team earned spots on the 2025 All-ACC Academic Team, the conference announced Thursday, with CSC Academic All-American Marco Brougher leading the way for the Golden Bears. Joining Brougher on the team are Rohan McEligot, Beau Morrison, Giancarlo Mota, Gaku Nishimura, Junhwan Park, D'Andre Pickett, Isaiah Thomas, Cam Wilkerson and Malcolm Zalayet.
LOS ANGELES – California rugby hits the road again this weekend for a rematch with UCLA on Saturday. The game is set to kickoff at noon, with a reserve-grade contest to immediately follow the match.
Twelve runners from the California track & field team are headed to Seattle to race at the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor this Friday and Saturday, when the Huskies will host the UW Invitational and Mile City meets. The Golden Bears hope to take advantage of the facility's oversized track, which contains wider turns than a standard indoor track, to post ACC Championships-qualifying times and new personal bests.
Mid-Atlantic too. It has not reached freezing in over a week in DC and is not forecast to until early next week. There are three inch chunks of ice all over in places where the snow from last weekend has been cleared. The Carolinas are supposed to get big snow this weekend.
I really wanted to choose the plane but I had to go with my Punch Twist usual answer!
It was such an awesome plane. Fly up to 85000+ and take high res pictures up to a license plate in resolution I think. And then taking off and landing other pilots drove in a chase car (can't remember if it was a camaro or a charger) alongside because the wings were so long and so full of fuel the chase car let the pilots know if they were going to drag the wingtips.
18 year old me wanted to work at Skunk Works. Also loved the SR-71. Never gets old to see it at an air museum. HSB and I stopped off at Castle AFB in the central valley on the way back from Yosemite to see one.
I think U2 was my favorite band up until college. Although I'll have to say I don't really like anything after Achtung Baby. Saw them twice. Once in HS for the Joshua Tree tour at Day on the Green (?) at the Oakland Coliseum with The Pretenders. 2nd time was during college when they had the tour for the next album where they had Trabants up on poles used as spotlights. They do put on a great show. I would totally go to a U2 concert if they only played stuff up to mid 90s. I've heard their Sphere show is really good.
In college I got into REM more and then now I think Green Day is my favorite. I have tickets to see the Michael Shannon Jason Narducy at the Fillmore in the middle of Feb play Life's Rich Pageant (best REM album). They are an REM tribute duo.
NYT Crossword
one that HAG (among others) would like
Clue > Like a listening device made out of a paper clip, a plastic straw and seven Lego blocks
Answer > MACGYVERED
Great show. I downloaded each of the seasons during Covid and re-watched. I also did this with Airwolf and Knight Rider during Covid.
PRO
Quick bites: Sharks jump on Oilers early, flop in overtime
https://www.fearthefin.com/quick-bites-sharks-jump-on-oilers-early-flop-in-overtime/
The San Jose Sharks could not have asked for a better start in Edmonton. Less than two minutes into the game, the team jumped out to a two-goal lead against the Edmonton Oilers, with Collin Graf getting the first point on the board just 26 seconds into the game and Adam Gaudette adding a second one 1:11 later. A Michael Misa goal midway through the first period put the Sharks up 3-0 and with a comfortable lead, the team was in good shape.
What a disappointing loss. Watching the game you could tell the Oilers started to take control from the 2nd period on and the Sharks were just treading water hoping to hold on.
Seems to be a common thing for them. The defense needs to get better and/or they need to remain aggressive and keep scoring. Sitting back in a shell with a bad defense doesn't work.
I remember reading an analyst that said if the Sharks learn how to play D, look out. Which looking at yesterday's game I agree. Their O looks pretty good. Celebrini looks like he's on his way to be a superstar. Can assist but is a good looking scorer. His scoring reminds me a little bit of when Hertl started. Had that 4 goal game within his first 10 games or something like that. Lots of potential.
Goalie seems good too, it's the defensemen that need upgrading. (Per my fairly uneducated hockey analysis.)
Askarov does look good. They've had a defensemen issue for many years now. Gave Vlasic too long a contract and I think EK also got way too much for too long. Hopefully they can draft a couple of impact D-Men.
Aussie Open
Djokovic's 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Sinner in a match that extended past 1:30 a.m. local time in Melbourne means he will have a chance to play for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
Ron Rivera was interviewed for the vacant Arizona Cardinals HC position.
Cal
Go Bears!
Beat ND in WBB last night.
[WBB] Cal Knocks Off Notre Dame
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/womens-basketball-cal-knocks-off-notre-dame.aspx
Six minutes into the ballgame, the California women's basketball team took a lead and never looked back and came away with an 80-69 win over visiting Notre Dame at Haas Pavilion on Thursday evening. The Golden Bears (13-9, 4-5 ACC) had their most proficient shooting night in recent memory from long distance going 10-of-14 – their highest percentage with at least 10 attempts since Jan. 27, 2019 when they went 11-of-14 at Colorado. The win marked the first for the Bears against the Irish (13-8, 5-5) and the third conference win in a row and second straight Quad 2 win.
Grading every first-year Power Four coach's transfer portal class: Lane Kiffin, Eric Morris earn high marks
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-transfer-portal-grades-first-year-coaches/
Spoiler: Our portal game is way way better than the other P4 school in the area.
[MSWIM] No. 5 Bears Triumph On Senior Day
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/mens-swimming-diving-no-5-bears-triumph-on-senior-day.aspx
BERKELEY – Three members of the No. 5 California men's swimming & diving team registered their first career dual-meet victories Thursday and sophomore Zachary Tan was a triple-winner as the Golden Bears celebrated Senior Day with a 205-54 victory over Pacific at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
[WSWIM] No. 5 Cal Hosts No. 3 Stanford On Senior Day
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/womens-swimming-diving-no-5-cal-hosts-no-3-stanford-on-senior-day.aspx
The No. 5 California women's swimming & diving team is set to host No. 3 Stanford this Saturday in the final dual meet of the season, which also marks Senior Day. First event is scheduled for noon PT at Spieker Aquatics Complex on ACCNX.
[WSOC] 6 Bears Named All-ACC Academic
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/womens-soccer-6-bears-named-all-acc-academic.aspx
Six members of the California women's soccer team were named to the All-ACC Academic team, the conference announced Thursday. Five Golden Bears in Noelle Bond-Flasza, Miriam Hils, Alex Klos, Malia McMahon, and Kenley Whittaker made the team for the second straight year and Coco Thistle earned her first-career honor.
[MSOC] 10 Bears Named To 2025 All-ACC Academic Team
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/mens-soccer-10-bears-named-to-all-acc-academic-team.aspx
For the second consecutive season, 10 members of the California men's soccer team earned spots on the 2025 All-ACC Academic Team, the conference announced Thursday, with CSC Academic All-American Marco Brougher leading the way for the Golden Bears. Joining Brougher on the team are Rohan McEligot, Beau Morrison, Giancarlo Mota, Gaku Nishimura, Junhwan Park, D'Andre Pickett, Isaiah Thomas, Cam Wilkerson and Malcolm Zalayet.
[RUGBY] Bears Prepare for Rematch With Bruins
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/rugby-bears-prepare-for-rematch-with-bruins.aspx
LOS ANGELES – California rugby hits the road again this weekend for a rematch with UCLA on Saturday. The game is set to kickoff at noon, with a reserve-grade contest to immediately follow the match.
[T&F] Distance Runners To Race At UW Invitational, Mile City
https://calbears.com/news/2026/1/29/track-field-distance-runners-to-race-at-uw-invitational-mile-city.aspx
Twelve runners from the California track & field team are headed to Seattle to race at the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor this Friday and Saturday, when the Huskies will host the UW Invitational and Mile City meets. The Golden Bears hope to take advantage of the facility's oversized track, which contains wider turns than a standard indoor track, to post ACC Championships-qualifying times and new personal bests.
One of our conference mates - Virginia Tech.
VT
cold this morning in Burlington. -1 deg F at about 700a.
shoveling the driveway of the 12 inches of fluffy snow from last weekend was a good way to warm up a bit.
i think the whole northeast is experiencing a bit of a cold spell.
Mid-Atlantic too. It has not reached freezing in over a week in DC and is not forecast to until early next week. There are three inch chunks of ice all over in places where the snow from last weekend has been cleared. The Carolinas are supposed to get big snow this weekend.
thanks for the post yesterday about ICE and the Williston Center.
i am the one who is in VT more and more these days. we just got here late last night.
Williston is the next tow over from Burlington, but really you can tell them apart too much because of the BIG metro area that is Burlington.
You're welcome--Here's a link to local news coverage, which might be a tad less biased:
https://www.willistonobserver.com/news/region_state/pressure-mounts-to-de-ice-williston/article_3ba13685-4b9d-44a6-a013-e2faf17b0ba4.html
U2
I really wanted to choose the plane but I had to go with my Punch Twist usual answer!
It was such an awesome plane. Fly up to 85000+ and take high res pictures up to a license plate in resolution I think. And then taking off and landing other pilots drove in a chase car (can't remember if it was a camaro or a charger) alongside because the wings were so long and so full of fuel the chase car let the pilots know if they were going to drag the wingtips.
18 year old me wanted to work at Skunk Works. Also loved the SR-71. Never gets old to see it at an air museum. HSB and I stopped off at Castle AFB in the central valley on the way back from Yosemite to see one.
i like this Sunday Bloody Sunday song a lot. i must credit HAG for making me more of a U2 fan than i otherwise would be.
it was playing in their college apartment on MLK a lot.
I think U2 was my favorite band up until college. Although I'll have to say I don't really like anything after Achtung Baby. Saw them twice. Once in HS for the Joshua Tree tour at Day on the Green (?) at the Oakland Coliseum with The Pretenders. 2nd time was during college when they had the tour for the next album where they had Trabants up on poles used as spotlights. They do put on a great show. I would totally go to a U2 concert if they only played stuff up to mid 90s. I've heard their Sphere show is really good.
In college I got into REM more and then now I think Green Day is my favorite. I have tickets to see the Michael Shannon Jason Narducy at the Fillmore in the middle of Feb play Life's Rich Pageant (best REM album). They are an REM tribute duo.
U2 is one of those bands that I like and respect but they're pretty far from my "favorite."
I remember when Apple spammed everyone with a free U2 album.
oh yeah. That showed up on my iPhone 4.