Kraken/Torrent News

The Kraken are making a major shakeup in the front office amid their late season freefall.

The team announced last night that president of hockey operations Ron Francis is stepping down from his role at the end of the season. The team said the decision was “mutually agreed upon.”

ESPN reports that current general manager Jason Botterill will take over the totality of hockey operations duties once Francis formally steps down next week.

Francis was hired as the franchise’s first GM in 2019 and moved up to a president role last year. He oversaw their first playoff series win in 2023, but the team has had a losing record in each of the following three seasons.

The struggling Kraken have lost 10 of their last 11 games amid what was once a dead heat for the playoffs. But now they’re just a loss away from being eliminated from postseason contention.

They’re taking on the Vegas Golden Knights tonight in the start of their final homestand of the season. Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7 on KPUG.

 

Meanwhile, the Torrent just picked up their first-ever road win in regulation.

Seattle beat the Ottawa Charge 5-3 last night to stave off playoff elimination. Natalie Snodgrass scored a go-ahead power-play goal with just over a minute left in regulation before Cayla Barnes added an empty-netter to seal the win.

The Torrent still own the worst record in the Professional Women’s Hockey League in their inaugural season.

They’re back next Tuesday for a road match against Vancouver.

Mariners News

The Mariners have the day off today as they return home for a key divisional battle.

They’re hosting the Houston Astros in a four-game series that starts tomorrow.

The Mariners are coming off a nightmare road trip that saw them drop five straight games, ending with a sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers. Their offense struggled, managing just three total runs across the three game series.

The M’s currently sit at the bottom of the American League West standings with a 4-9 record. Despite having the lowest batting average in the MLB, their pitching has excelled throughout this first stretch of the season. They lead the majors in quality starts and rank third in ERA.

Seattle will now face another struggling team in Houston, who’s dropped five of its last six and was just swept by the Colorado Rockies.

Coverage for tomorrow’s series opener begins at 5:30 and first pitch is at 6:40 on KPUG with Emerson Hancock on the mound.

Sounders News

The Sounders fell to Tigres UANL 2-0 last night in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Seattle couldn’t overcome two second-half goals by the Tigres, who hail from the Mexican League.

The series now shifts to Seattle where the second leg will be played next Wednesday at Lumen Field.

Masters News

The first round of the Masters got underway today from Augusta, GA.

Reigning champion Rory McIllroy and Sam Burns each had successful showings and were in early command of the leaderboard. McIllroy is looking to become just the fourth golfer to go back-to-back.

Early favorite Scottie Scheffler spent much of the day tied for seventh place.

The 90th edition of the Masters is taking place without two notable names: Tiger Woods is taking time off following a DUI arrest last month and Phil Mickelson is absent due to family health reasons.