Summer - Still

Getting tired of all the Shark-bashing, though admittedly, some is most assuredly deserved. But to bitch and moan because the GM hasn't made all the big trades people expected is stupid. Sharks don't have the cap-room to make half the proposed trades. Let's take what we have and move on.

Sharks-a-Swimming

So, the Sharks have (using new math) tied the ages old Canadians record for points after 25 games. Nice job boys, but as you well realize, it's the games after the end of the regular season that count. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy to see them doing so well. I thought there would be a bit of a slow start due to the new coaching staff and personnel, but I was wrong. And I too get tired of reading, "just wait until they flame out in the 2nd round again" whenever the Sharks are mentioned on a message board or in an article. All I can say is, come on Sharks, let's get it done this year so we (the fans) and you don't have to hear that stuff* (insert you're favorite perjorative word here).

Sharks Update

So, the Sharks finally lost one at home. Of course it came in OT, after 57 shots on goal, but Dan Ellis just raised his game up rather high the other night. The Sharks should get used to this type of games from goalies though; the "better" you are perceived to be, the bigger the game for the other team. It will be harder for the Sharks to keep their focus sharp than the underdog that comes to play them. That, I feel, will be their biggest challenge throughout the season.

Nabokov is still out, though Cheechoo should be returning tonight. While I hate to see Nabby injured, and wish him a speedy recovery, if there was ever a time for him to be injured, this would be it: After the Sharks gained a pretty good lead in the Pacific Division, after they played Detroit & Pittsburgh, and before a lot of other big-games come around. It makes the team overcome some adversity and to rally around Boucher (and therefore concentrate on D a bit more). This type of work is what will be needed in the long run if the Sharks hope to a) make the playoffs and b) make it past the 2nd round.

Wild game in Philly

Wow. That's about all I can say after last night's game. Marleau had some good moments (4 pts) and bad ones (turnovers & a bad penalty). Nabokov could've been better, but in the end came up big in the shootout. Pavelski & Roenick were big money in the shootout and the Sharks walked away with the 2pts and the win. What a crazy, but fun to watch, game.

For all the craziness though, I thought Erhoff, Goc, and Clowe played well last night. Even Semenov, who can scare the bejesus out Sharks fan at times, looked decent. Who would've thunk he'd crash the net and help Setoguchi get the rebound goal. Nice job there. Another positive would be the fact the PP is starting to look better. It would be nice if the PK would improve a bit, but it's still early.

Can't wait to see what happens Friday in Florida. The DVR is already set.

Sharks roll on Marleau's 2 goals

It is so nice to see Shark Captain Patrick Marleau getting involved in the games - shooting (and scoring), assisting, hitting, penalty killing, etc. His speed is quite evident when he's on the ice and last night that quickness along with Grier's work gave him the second shorthanded Shark's goal of the game. I realize Marleau can be a streaky player, but man, it's just good to see him being the player he's expected to be.

Marcel Goc was back and looked decent in his first regular season game of the year. He didn't seem to be bothered by any back problems and did a pretty good job on the PK, etc. Yes, he and Murray were in the wrong spot on the first goal, but according to others, he was interferred with and couldn't get in position. Regardless, good first game.

Jody Shelley threw his weight around too, getting five hits in the game. Two of them were on the same shift and back to back. That was great to see. It was good to see him being active in the game in the limited minutes and he and Jeremy Roenick gave some energy to the Sharks.

The Sharks seem to be playing 40 good minutes a game now - here's looking forward to seeing closer to 60 minutes of play.

But, even if the Sharks only play 40 minutes of good hockey, it's still way better than the Ducks who are still winless. And it's not even like the Ducks are losing those "close ones." They're just flat out sucking at the game. We'll see what happens tonight, but I'm not holding out much hope.

Thoughts before Game 2

I managed to talk myself out of spending the $300+ on a new sweater yesterday at the Sharks store. I mean, I do plan on getting one of them eventually (with Nabokov's name), but I really should wait for the third jersey to come out first just to make sure I don't like that one better.

I've been chilling out here in San Jose, spending the last day at my cousins' house, enjoying the noise only two young kids can make (3&6). But I'll be back at the Shark Tank tonight for game 2 against LA. My cousin is going with me which is cool. She's a good Shark fan too, though perhaps not as fanatical as I am.

I'm hoping the Shark-head works tonight, I missed seeing that the other evening. I'm also curious to see if the Sharks have any type of let-down after their big win over Anaheim on opening night. It'll be interesting to see what kind of energy they can bring to this one. I really hope to see them beat up on LA.

I was tempted to go to LA's home opener tomorrow (against SJ), but am already posed to go to Anaheim's. And if the last preseason game against Phoenix was any example, there should be some hard hitting, etc. In short, everything the Ducks forgot to bring with them to San Jose. (Except for Guigere, he brought his "A" game, but not many other Ducks did). The only reason I even considered going to LA's opener was to see their reaction to Blake in the teal. Ahhh, oh well, the DVR is set so I'll get to see what they do later. [Prediction: I hear a lot of boo's in Blake's future].

Ok, it sucks when the two teams you follow most closely are in the same Division, but don't worry, the Sharks will always be number one for me.

First Game a Hit

What a night. Totally worth the drive up from So Cal to attend the Sharks home opener. The opening was cool, except for the lack of the Sharks head (I guess there was some sort of problem, so it wasn't used). The player introductions got even better when Nabby was introduced and the place got loud. Soon after, the Sharks regular season began.

The first period was so-so, about what I expected to see from a Ducks-Sharks game. What I hadn't expected to see were the great hits tossed out there by Roenick and Thornton. I did expect to see a fight, especially with Parros and May in the Anaheim lineup and Shelley and Murray in for the Sharks. But didn't happen, shocking.

Now the second period, from a Sharks fan's point of view, was great. Nice to see Cheechoo being a pest in front of the crease ala Holmstrom, and then manage to put two in the net. Thanks to the Ducks for not figuring out how not to play. The third period was almost as good as the second, I mean, who could have expected to see Erhoff put one in the back of the twine. And even though Blake didn't get a goal, it wasn't for a lack of trying. I was disappointed that Nabokov did not get the shut-out he deserved. And I would have liked to have seen a Cheechoo hat-trick, but a 4-1 win was still way better than I expected.

So, in the end, 1 down & 81 more to go. Just keep getting better boys.

Note: Who would have thought Toronto would pull off a road win against Detroit? I sure didn't. I'm happy for Toskala and Ron Wilson. I didn't hate Ron, but can see why a change of coaching perspectives can help a team. I wish him well in Toronto.

Bernier also showed some nice grit and scoring touch in Vancouver's game: fighting Phanuef and scoring a goal. Way to go Bernie, my fantasy team appreciates it.