Sharks finish road trip with 3 wins, 2 losses

Been a bit busy lately, so haven't posted anything. I did watch all the games during the road trip. The two losses came when the Sharks played with less-than-inspired play; the last two wins came when they decided to play with some grit and take it to the other team. The game tonight in Florida was a prime example. Only Toskala's play kept the Panther's from scoring, while the anemic offense couldn't figure out how to get the puck into the other zone. Florida figured out the goalie first, but finally, after a fight to spark things up and a just-off-the-power-play goal by Jumbo Joe, you could see the life in the Shark team. Man, I was sweating as the minutes ticked down in the 3rd: I didn't want it to go into OT. Thank the hockey gods for the crazy shot by Erhoff that ended up being the winning goal. The Sharks needed to win a dirty won, and the come-from-behind win on the last leg of the long road trip should be a good wake-up call.

It was cool seeing Ron Wilson on the headset talking to the studio in the 2nd period - they were amazed he did that, but seeing his coolness as the team began play was, well, cool. Just my take on things. I will endeavor to keep up a bit better, but seeing as I have to move my Mom down from SJ to Riverside over the next few weeks, please bear with me if I'm tardy.

Wings down the Sharks

I've got to hand it to Detroit - they outplayed the Sharks during their 2-1 win Wed night. I thought the Shark's were lucky to be up 1-0 when the 1st period ended, the way Detroit was out-shooting them. Nabokov was the only reason the game stayed so close. I left to go to the Duck's game and by the time it started, found out the Shark's had lost. Thanks to DVR I was able to view the game afterwards. Detroit out-hussled and out-played the Sharks, though San Jose was finally able to get some quality scoring chances in the late 3rd period. Detroit played their game plan, while San Jose did not. We can only take so many wake-up calls. I thought Nabby played much better than Saturday, he just didn't have help...the puck was kept in the San Jose zone far too long. Tonight will hopefully be better.

The Duck's game was similar in terms of scoring chances - Edmonton outshot the Ducks (what, 31 to 20), but unlike the San Jose game, they managed to get them by Roloson. It was a fun game to watch, but I had mixed emotions knowing that Anaheim was going to pass the Sharks up in the standings. But, it's still early and I'm sure there will be plenty more changes in the standings throughout the year.

Tosk gets his first Shutout of the Season

Much better game tonight. Of course, Columbus is now in the midst of a 4-game losing streak, but the Sharks played a much better game. Toskala made some good saves, but more importantly, blanked the Blue Jackets. It was nice to see him finally get his shut-out too...he deserved it.

The power play started off right with two goals. The penalty kill was good too, killing them all off. Marc-Eduard Vlasic got his first NHL point tonight too, with an assist on Marcel Goc's goal. Nice cap to the night for the youngster who learned he is staying up with the big club instead of returning to his junior team this year. I'm sure those who feel the Sharks "D" is too young as it is, will just use this as another reason to explain why San Jose won't make it to the cup finals.

Wild 4 - Sharks 1

So, I broke down and bought a ticket for Saturday's game. I figured it would be a good one, with the undefeated Wild coming into the Tank. Well, apparently the Wild were ready to avenge their one loss to Anaheim while San Jose was not mentally ready for the challenge. Minnesota controlled the game throughout the 1st and 2nd periods. I didn't see "Shark's Hockey" until the 3rd. By then it was too late.

I was disappointed at the fans who booed Nabby throughout the game, even when he didn't deserve it. Now the last goal, he should have had, but again, the D wasn't up to par and sure didn't help. These fans seemed to have forgotten how well he played when not hurt. Hey, we got to good goalies, I think we should be supporting both. Just my 2 cents.

Sharks (b)eat the Red Wings

At least the Shark's won. Of course, with 16 power-play opportunities, they better have won. I missed seeing the first two goals, thanks to a delayed flight from So Cal. My 4:45 flight out of Ontario didn't leave until 5:30 p.m. By the time I got my luggage and the shuttle to the rental car place, it was already 7:15 p.m. Add in the clueless customers at the rental car desk, and let's just say, I missed the first 10 minutes of the 1st period. At least one of the reps could relate though (and provide directions so I could find the Shark Tank) as she was supposed to be at the game too, but was forced to work a double shift. I'm not used to getting to the Shark Tank from the airport, so I tend to lose my bearings. Luckily, I could hear the game on the radio so I heard about the first score. I was standing on the steps waiting for a break in play when the second goal scored.

The game looked much like the one in Detroit the night before. Sleek, I don't know if the officiating was any better (or worse), but I'm thinking there had to be something to Detroit's inability to skate through the neutral zone without taking a penalty. I was going to see if the officiating crew followed me up here to San Jose, but just didn't get around to it. We'll see what happens next week in Detroit.

I had a great time at the game, as did my 3-year old cousin. He watched the game, but was really a bit more intersted in the whereabouts of SJ Sharkie. Since he also ice skates, I'm hoping he'll remember his hockey-fan cousin if he ever decides to play hockey. (Hey, let me dream, ok?).

Next up, the Wild. I must say, I appreciate the fact that Anaheim has had the opportunity to beat up both these opponents before they make it up here to the Tank. Oh well, until later.

Annoying Fans, Part I

Last night I attended the Anaheim-Detroit game. My pal has season tickets, so even though I'm a Shark's fan, I've been going to a lot of Duck's games. I don't even mind rooting for the Ducks, provided they don't pass SJ in the standings! Anyway, like I said, we went to the game, sat in our season seats, and proceeded to listen to the annoying Detroit fan bag on everything that was positive for Anaheim. The entire game. I was trying to figure out how I could throttle him and keep my job, but in the end, I decided he wasn't worth it.

I can appreciate good heckling. I hear a lot of that up in Section 422 in Anaheim, especially toward the visiting goalie and the refs, but Detroit Fan was anything but creative. He was behind the times, constantly referring to the "Disney" team and "Mickey Mouse" even though they no longer own the team, who wouldn't meet Disney's standards of conduct (See Brian Burke's, "We won't apologize for fighting", comments). Then he blames all the goals and "ticky-tack" calls on the refs. But of course, only when they go against his team. Then, near the end of the game, he starts to criticize the banners (or lack thereof) hanging in the rafters at the Pond, er Honda Center. Well of course Detroit has more, they've only been around a lot longer. I appreciate the legacy of the Red Wings, but jeez man, get over the fact you are about to lose a game!

The best part of this whiner's night though: He was so busy arguing with a Duck's fan across the aisle, he totally missed the only Detroit goal of the night. We had to tell him. What an idiot!

Anyway, I'll get back to other annoying fan items throughout the season. (Like the gaseous fan who let's one go in the stands, but that's a whole other story).

Nabby blanks the Stars

Sweet. That's all I can say about that save with about 4:30 min left in the 3rd period last night. Nabokov somehow made that stacked pad save. Like I've said before, Nabby's my #1 goalie and he showed why I still have faith in him unlike many of the fickle fans in the stands. Get over it people. Right now we have two #1 goaltenders who have been playing well.

Turco looked good last night too (damnit). Luckily the pressure down there gave that great goal by Michalek and Cheechoo's pass to bell was just plain SWEEEET. Defense still has some work to do, as does the forechecking, but hey, it was a "W" now wasn't it.

Sharks douse the Flames

SJ 4 - Cal 1

I was hoping to see Toskala get a shutout, but alas it wasn't to be tonight. So close. But I guess Calgary had to finally get a powerplay goal after 10 previous tries (and that was just tonight - they were like 0-23 or worse before they finally got that goal). SJ penalty killing looked good, even if some of those calls against were a bit, soft. In my opinion anyway. Glad to see the #2 line get some good scores - I know Cheechoo will get his soon. He's been looking good out there anyway, grabbing pucks and working the boards. Plus the attention paid to him opens up another player. He'll get going soon, hopefully Thursday against Edmonton.

I had to tape the game since I was at the Ducks game. Nice win, 2-0 over St. Louis. Giguere got a nice shutout. The chant "We want McGough" was pretty funny, especially since the fans ridicule him every chance they get. Oh well, so be it. It was fun to be at the game - my first of the regular season for any team.

Nice going Nabby

Thank goodness for DVR on the cable box. A late night at school led to my sleeping through the first two periods of the game against the Islanders. A much better defensive game tonight than opening night. The team did a good job keeping the Isles from scoring, especially on all the power plays. Vlasic is looking very poised out there for a rookie. I liked the good, physical play by the Sharks tonight too. Seeing Brendan Whitt out there again reminded me how annoying he can be.
I was thrilled to see Nabby get the shutout. I like Tosk a lot too, but Nabokov is one of my favorite players. He was moving well and seeing the ice well. Good athletic play combined with the defense led to this shutout. Hopefully, we'll only see more this year.
I can see how the attention to the Bell-Thornton-Cheechoo line is opening up the opportunities for the Michalek-Marleau-Bernier line; I think as they get/stay hot, more attention will be paid to them, opening up the other line again. What a nice trade off through the season as teams have to decide which line to try and mark.
Finally, I wasn't sure how McSorely would do in the booth for us, but he seemed much more comfortable tonight...not too surprising. His ancedotes and stories add some nice touches. Randy and Marty should be fun to listen too, though I'm still going to miss Drew.
Enough for now.

SJ 5 - CAL 1

I was hoping for the shutout, but I'll take the "W." My first home game of the season. Well, I did drive up to Fresno too, but that was a little different. Too bad it was preseason, but I'll be back for the Detroit game. It was good to see the Shark's penalty-kill get a good workout. I was impressed when they kept Calgary from getting over the blue-line for over a minute. I was equally impressed by Vlasic's play - he looked pretty darn good and kept up his end of the game.

Good physical game too, with Bernier taking the "W" in the fight column too. What a reaction in the crowd when the Calgary helmet went flying up after the uppercut. The take-down afterward was nice too!

Hopefully this energy will carry over into the regular season and there won't be a drop-off like last year.