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Emerald City Spectrum
@emeraldspectrum.bsky.social
All Seattle Sports, All The Time. #FollowTheSpectrum for unrivaled insight and analysis on the pro and college teams you love 365 days a year. www.emeraldcityspectrum.com
With crucial points on the line against the Ducks at Climate Pledge Arena on Friday, the #Kraken floundered, missing out on a key opportunity in a loss Lane Lambert summed up as a “disappointment.”

What went wrong in a rough home defeat?
https://ow.ly/vcYf50Y2RFB
Seattle Kraken Lose Crucial Division Matchup Against Ducks — Emerald City Spectrum
With crucial points on the line against the Anaheim Ducks at Climate Pledge Arena on Friday, the Seattle Kraken floundered, missing out on a key opportunity in a loss Lane Lambert summed up as a “disappointment.”
ow.ly
January 24, 2026 at 7:19 AM
The #Reign returned to practice on Thursday with 22 players rostered from the 2025 campaign, looking to build on a strong season with several young players aiming to take a big step forward.

Details:
https://ow.ly/SO1n50Y2Nno
Maddie Mercado Among Young Reign Players Looking to Reignite Offense in 2026 — Emerald City Spectrum
The Seattle Reign returned to practice on Thursday with 22 players rostered from the 2025 campaign, looking to build on a strong season with several young players aiming to take a big step forward.
ow.ly
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Arguably the two best teams in the regular season, it seemed inevitable the #Seahawks and Rams would collide again in the playoffs and now will do so in the NFC Championship Game.

What numbers matter most heading into Sunday’s rubber match?
https://ow.ly/35jR50Y2NhO
Five Numbers That Matter for Seahawks vs. Rams in NFC Championship Game — Emerald City Spectrum
Arguably the two best teams in the regular season, it seemed inevitable the Seahawks and Rams would collide again in the playoffs and now will do so in the NFC Championship Game. What numbers matter most heading into Sunday’s rubber match?
ow.ly
January 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Since Oregon State entered the WCC last season, the games between the Beavers and #Gonzaga women’s basketball have been nothing short of electric, and Thursday’s edition was no different.

What events led to the Bulldogs’ slim overtime loss on the road?
https://ow.ly/8PvJ50Y1xIg
Oregon State Outlasts Gonzaga WBB 92-87 in Instant Classic Overtime Affair — Emerald City Spectrum
Since Oregon State entered the WCC last season, the games between the Beavers and Gonzaga women’s basketball have been nothing short of electric, and Thursday’s edition was no different. What events led to the Bulldogs’ slim overtime loss on the road?
ow.ly
January 23, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Any premier baseball team needs a top-line reliever for the biggest situations, and the #Mariners’ Andrés Muñoz proved himself time and again in 2025.

How does he stack up against baseball’s other elite closers?
https://ow.ly/MgKF50Y1xgB
Mariners’ Andrés Muñoz Enters 2026 as Top-Level Closer - Can He Become Best in Baseball? — Emerald City Spectrum
Any premier baseball team needs a top-line reliever for the biggest situations, and the Mariners’ Andrés Muñoz proved himself time and again in 2025. How does he stack up against baseball’s other elite closers?
ow.ly
January 23, 2026 at 5:14 AM
The #Seahawks will play in a conference championship game for just the fourth time in franchise history when the Los Angeles Rams visit Lumen Field for the NFC title game.

How important is homefield advantage for this game? Take a trip down memory lane: https://ow.ly/S4w850Y1xgl

Analysis: NFC Championship Game History on Seahawks’ Side — Emerald City Spectrum
The Seahawks will play in a conference championship game for just the fourth time in franchise history when the Los Angeles Rams visit Lumen Field for the NFC title game. How important is homefield advantage for this game? Take a trip down memory lane.
ow.ly
January 23, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Building an 18-point first half advantage, the #Redhawks withstood a valiant rally from the LMU Lions on their home court, securing their third WCC win.

How did Seattle U use a comfortable early lead to cruise on Wednesday?
https://ow.ly/Of7T50Y11Q9
Unexpected Source Steps Up to Close Out Redhawks 69-59 Win Over Lions  — Emerald City Spectrum
Building an 18-point first half advantage, the Redhawks withstood a valiant rally from the LMU Lions on their home court, securing their third WCC win. How did Seattle U use a comfortable early lead to cruise on Wednesday?
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 8:59 AM
With injuries to big-name players, doors have been opened for a few #Gonzaga players to receive more playing time than normally accustomed.

Which Bulldogs made the most of heightened opportunity during their 84-60 rout of Pepperdine?
https://ow.ly/SbsG50Y10P9
Gonzaga Powers Past Pepperdine 84-60 as Several Players Maximize New Opportunity — Emerald City Spectrum
With injuries to big-name players, doors have been opened for a few Gonzaga players to receive more playing time than normally accustomed. Which Bulldogs made the most of heightened opportunity during their 84-60 rout of Pepperdine?
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 7:39 AM
It was a busy night for the #Kraken penalty kill against the Islanders at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday, going 6-for-7 as Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak.

How did the Kraken get it done after falling behind early?
https://ow.ly/bqnt50Y10H0
Kraken Snap Skid in 4-1 Win vs. Islanders With Stellar Penalty Kill — Emerald City Spectrum
It was a busy night for the Kraken penalty kill against the Islanders at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday, going 6-for-7 as Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak. How did the Kraken get it done after falling behind early?
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 7:23 AM
The Washington Men’s Basketball team continued its Big Ten struggles at No. 7 Nebraska on Wednesday.

What issues repeated themselves for the #Huskies in Lincoln?
https://ow.ly/wCEa50Y10sV
The Washington Men’s Basketball team continued its Big Ten struggles at No. 7 Nebraska on Wednesday. What issues repeated themselves for the Huskies in Lincoln? — Emerald City Spectrum
The Washington Men’s Basketball team continued its Big Ten struggles at No. 7 Nebraska on Wednesday. What issues repeated themselves for the Huskies in Lincoln?
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Losers of three straight WCC games, the #Cougars desperately need to get on a winning streak to climb back into the conference race.

Two winnable games loom this week, providing a chance to do just that:
https://ow.ly/1VBS50Y0tj4
Cougars Look to Build Momentum vs. WCC Cellar Dwellers — Emerald City Spectrum
Losers of three straight WCC games, the Cougars desperately need to get on a winning streak to climb back into the conference race. Two winnable games loom this week, providing a chance to do just that.
ow.ly
January 21, 2026 at 4:41 AM
All-Pro linebacker Ernest Jones draws the vast majority of the attention in the middle of the #Seahawks’ defense, and that recognition is much deserved.

But his sidekick should be drawing equal acclaim as a lynchpin for Mike Macdonald’s No. 1 unit.
https://ow.ly/cE2a50Y0tcT
More Than a Sidekick: Drake Thomas Becoming Essential to Seahawks’ Defense — Emerald City Spectrum
All-Pro linebacker Ernest Jones draws the vast majority of the attention in the middle of the Seahawks’ defense, and that recognition is much deserved. But his sidekick should be drawing equal acclaim as a lynchpin for Mike Macdonald’s No. 1 unit.
ow.ly
January 21, 2026 at 4:25 AM
"We’re making mistakes that are going into the back of our net."

A third period goal from Eeli Tolvanen gave the #Kraken life, but the Penguins proved to be too much in a 6-3 home defeat.

What went wrong down the stretch for Seattle? https://ow.ly/jFpv50XZUAx
Mistakes Plague Seattle Kraken in 6-3 Loss to Pittsburgh Penguins — Emerald City Spectrum
A third period goal from Eeli Tolvanen gave the Kraken life, trimming the Penguins’ lead to 4-3. But the home side couldn’t find the equalizer before Rickard Rakell slipped an ugly goal past goalie Joey Daccord en route to a 6-3 Penguins win.
ow.ly
January 20, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Despite enjoying their best shooting performance of the season in San Francisco, the Cougars couldn’t get quite enough defensive stops to beat the Dons on the road.

What went wrong late to prevent Wazzu from landing a big win?
https://ow.ly/GhfA50XZQZx
Hot Shooting Not Enough as Cougars Lose to Dons 85-80 — Emerald City Spectrum
Despite enjoying their best shooting performance of the season in San Francisco, the Cougars couldn’t get quite enough defensive stops to beat the Dons on the road. What went wrong late to prevent Wazzu from landing a big win?
ow.ly
January 19, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Even without its two leading scorers, #Gonzaga proved why its truly such a dangerous team, drubbing Seattle U 71-50 Saturday night without Graham Ike or Braden Huff.

How did the Bulldogs get the job done on the road at Climate Pledge?
https://ow.ly/BK7650XZpm0
No Huff, No Ike, No Problem; Gonzaga Suffocates Seattle U 71-50 Without Two Big Men — Emerald City Spectrum
Even without its two leading scorers, Gonzaga proved why its truly such a dangerous team, drubbing Seattle U 71-50 Saturday night without Graham Ike or Braden Huff. How did the Bulldogs get the job done on the road?
ow.ly
January 18, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Ernest Jones, cast off by the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans, played a vital role in the #Seahawks 41-6 win over the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

How much has the ever-reliable Jones meant to the Seahawks’ dominant defense?
https://ow.ly/1OTF50XZ8Mj
Ernest Jones IV’s Big Plays, Leadership Take Seahawks to NFC Championship Game — Emerald City Spectrum
Seattle Seahawks Ernest Jones IV, cast off by the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans, played a vital role in Seattle 41-6 win over San Francisco in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. What as Jones meant to the Seahawks’ dominant defense?
www.emeraldcityspectrum.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:29 AM
The #Reign won't start NWSL play for another two months, but the franchise had a busy week as they extended longtime coach Laura Harvey, sent a quintet to the USWNT, and announced some World Cup-driven venue changes.

Details:
https://ow.ly/1inK50XYMNq
Reign Extend Harvey, Send Five Players to USWNT — Emerald City Spectrum
The Seattle Reign won't start NWSL play for another two months, but had a busy week as they extended longtime coach Laura Harvey, sent a quintet to the USWNT, and announced some World Cup-driven venue changes.
ow.ly
January 17, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Since football was conceived, winning the turnover battle has been universally viewed as a key factor for winning games.

But in 2025, along with other teams still alive in the playoff field, the #Seahawks have turned that logic upside down:
https://ow.ly/2Owb50XYMNh
Contrary to Norm, Turnovers Are Overrated For 2025 Seahawks — Emerald City Spectrum
Led by Sam Darnold’s 14 interceptions, the Seahawks have gifted the ball to other teams at an alarming rate in 2025. But as Seattle has proven all season long, that number may not be as big of a deterrent to winning games as the narrative suggests.
ow.ly
January 17, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Surviving a couple of runs made by the Toreros, the #Redhawks curbed their second half offensive woes on Thursday night, snapping a three-game losing streak and building momentum for a looming Gonzaga rematch.

Who stood out in Seattle U’s much-needed home win?
https://ow.ly/suSn50XYg3n
Offense Rebounds as Redhawks Bounce Back With 75-64 Win vs. Toreros  — Emerald City Spectrum
Surviving a couple of runs made by the Toreros, the Redhawks curbed their second half offensive woes on Thursday night, snapping a three-game losing streak and building momentum for a looming Gonzaga rematch. Who stood out in Seattle U’s much-needed home win?
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Tough news hit the airwaves throughout Spokane before #Gonzaga’s game against Washington State Thursday night, as standout forward Braden Huff suffered a left knee injury in practice.

How big of a loss is this for the Bulldogs and what are their next steps?
https://ow.ly/uxUv50XXJjZ
Gonzaga Star Braden Huff Sidelined With Left Knee Injury — Emerald City Spectrum
Tough news hit the airwaves throughout Spokane before Gonzaga’s game against Washington State Thursday night, as standout forward Braden Huff suffered a left knee injury in practice. How big of a loss is this for the Bulldogs and what are their next steps?
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 5:23 AM
WATCH: Though the #Mariners may not be done adding pieces just yet with a little over a month until spring training, no major changes should be expected with their projected everyday lineup.

How does their lineup look heading towards spring training?
https://ow.ly/MxcI50XXHwT
WATCH: How Does Mariners' Current Lineup Stack Up Against American League Foes? — Emerald City Spectrum
Though the Mariners may not be done adding pieces just yet with a little over a month until spring training, no major changes should be expected with their projected everyday lineup. How does their lineup look heading towards spring training?
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 12:33 AM
The Washington men’s basketball team held its own for most of Wednesday’s loss to No. 4 Michigan before falling 82-72, but the #Huskies were unable to overcome another slow start.

What went wrong for UW against the Big Ten’s best?
https://ow.ly/bvGy50XXGMw via Aaron Coe
No. 4 Michigan Holds Off the Slow-Starting Washington Huskies, 82-72 — Emerald City Spectrum
The Washington men’s basketball team held its own for most of Wednesday’s loss to No. 4 Michigan before falling 82-72, but the Huskies were unable to overcome another slow start. What went wrong for UW against the Big Ten’s best?
ow.ly
January 15, 2026 at 11:36 PM
The #Huskies have been restocking the cupboard with talent with the transfer portal now open, including adding a former Lake Stevens star.

Who’s in and who’s out for UW, and what’s the impact to the team?
https://ow.ly/5F2p50XX0km via Aaron Coe
Huskies Transfer Portal: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and What’s the Impact for UW Football? — Emerald City Spectrum
Washington Huskies football transfer portal tracker: Who’s in and who’s out for UW, and what’s the impact to the team?
ow.ly
January 14, 2026 at 10:13 PM
The #Seahawks haven’t won a playoff game since 2019, most recently bowing out in wild card defeats at the hands of division rivals.

As the top seed with the 49ers coming to town, can they finally conquer those NFC West demons in January?
https://ow.ly/mzEw50XWxoA
Seahawks Poised to Flip Script on Recent NFC West Playoff Woes — Emerald City Spectrum
The Seahawks haven’t won a playoff game since 2019, most recently bowing out in wild card defeats at the hands of division rivals. As the top seed with the 49ers coming to town, can they finally conquer those NFC West demons in January?
ow.ly
January 14, 2026 at 7:19 AM
"We're close to something that a lot people don't get a chance to do."

With one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, the messaging has been clear for Ernest Jones and other #Seahawks veterans this week heading into the Divisional Round: https://ow.ly/AN4w50XWvWx via Corbin K. Smith
‘Job is Not Done’: Seahawks’ Vets Preaching Same Approach for Youthful Squad Entering Playoffs — Emerald City Spectrum
One of the youngest teams in the NFL, the Seahawks’ youth could be viewed as a potential concern going into a win or go home Divisional Round rematch against the 49ers. But a strong core of veterans doesn’t envision that being a problem at an energized Lumen Field.
ow.ly
January 14, 2026 at 3:18 AM