While last night's game against didn't net the Sharks a win, it did show signs of improvement over the past 3 previous loses. Now I know that's not what everyone wants; we all want a win and we want it now dammit! But these sorts of slumps aren't solved like that. There is no easy button. It took more than one game to work ourselves into this mess and it will take more than one game to work our way back out. Them's the facts, folks.
At times like these I think it's best to turn to great literature and heed the advice of past sages.
I've been trying to think about what I want to say about this game and the response to all the chicken littles out there that seem to come out of the woodwork following bad losses. (where are you guys for the rest of the season, huh?) Something poinent, uplifting, something good, something clean, something pure.
Seriously?
By the way, Logan Couture was called up. He'll be on the ice tonight. For the Sharks. hell, he probably won the game already by himself. He just travelled back in time to play it again, because he's that good.
Long time reader Emily has made another one of her fabulous song parodies for the enjoyment of Sharks fans everywhere! Watch & enjoy! A little levity is a good thing.
I am fully aware the only 14 games are left until the playoffs.
I am fully aware that the Sharks have been slumping since returning from the Olympic break.
I am fully aware that the team is looking similar to last year at this time in that it's play is inconsistent and it appears to be coasting into what has been a long assured playoff spot.
I am fully aware of how frustratingly disappointing this has been.
I was happy to hear Boyle call his teammates out for not showing up.
I was happy to hear the Todd do the same. It's refreshing. At least we know someone on the team realizes there's a problem.
Joe Pa mentioned it a few games ago too. So he knows.
What I don't know is if that will make a difference in the Sharks overall play. The sky isn't falling yet, but cracks might be starting to form in the firmament.
Maybe. (I'm not entirely convinced of that but man does that line sound good)
...lead to very short game day posts. I'll add a recap in here after. Until then, enjoy the matinee game!
RECAP
In an odd reverse of the past 3-4 games, the Sharks had a strong first period.
In an equally odd reverse, they had a very weak 3rd period.
And then they lost in OT.
Total win fail.
This whole home stand has been a tad wacky, but, after Thursday's amazing come from behind to pwn Nashville victory, I think the majority of us felt like the Sharks had figured out what was wrong and gotten their act together. And as it turns out we were right...for one period.
Patty got his 41st goal of the season, and Clowe, yes RYANE CLOWE started of the scoring by getting the first goal of the game! WHOOOOO! He looked pretty decent all game. That was really awesome to see. Go Ryane, Go!
The Sharks came out totally flat in the 2nd and to be honest with you all, the third was so boring that I fell asleep for the last 10 min + the OT period. I woke up to hear the CSN guys saying the Sharks had lost in OT and "how did we get here?"Well, I'm no Einstein but I assume you got there by losing. You know that part in the 2nd where you started skating around like you'd already won and there was no real need to try anymore? Yeah, I suspect that had something to do with the eventual loss.
This is also why when Mina says to me "Come on...It's the Panthers!" I refuse to be lured in. Any time it's a game the Sharks should win easily, I just assume it's going to be this annoying back and forth with a suddenly hot team and hot goaltender because that is what happens. Or, the Sharks will do what they did today and just kinda stop playing in the 2nd. Either way, it won't be good.
I suspect it will be a rather quiet flight to Orange County tonight.
I'm sorry i thought you said SIX GOALS IN THE THIRD! Oh, you did. HOLY CRAP!
I do not understand this!
The first two periods sucked fat booty for the Sharks. They couldn't connect, it took Dany Heatley scoring with like 6 minutes left in the first in to get their first shot on goal and there were more Sharks turn overs than a San Jose bakery. San Jose had no shots for way too long and was being out shot by a 2-1 margin for most of the game once they finally did start putting shots on goal.
It was a bad bad bad bad game. Bad game. Unless you're a Preds fan, in which case it was a great game. After 2 the Preds were leading 4-2. The Sharks looked HORRIBLE. Just atrocious. Unacceptably terribly bad through two.
And then...something happened in between the 2nd and 3rd.
I don't know what. Clearly someone said something.
The Sharks scored 6 goals to come from behind, tie it up, fall behind again, tie it up again AND WIN.
LOLWUT
Word fail me.
My mind is blown.
As soon as Joe Pa's backhand spinorama double mctwisty 1080 is posted, I'm embedding it
UPDATE! Embedded. Whooo!
h/t to evilducks
It was...I don't even know. Amazing doesn't cover it. Randy Hahn was calling it and just screamed "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" into the mic. It was crazy incredible!
So much for the idea that this game would end 4-3 too.
Wow.
Just wow.
Oh Captain, My Captain Patrick Marleau scored his 40th goal this season. 3rd Shark to hit a 40 goal season. Ever. WIN!
Two maybe kicked goals, one disallowed for Nashville, one allowed for Manny (because he was being Manny)
That game beat everyone over the head with a crazy stick.
I just don't even know.
The Todd reminds us all that the Sharks MUST player for 3 periods, not just 20 minutes. But if you're only going to play for 20 minutes, well, that was the 20 minutes to have. (60 would be better though!)
5 day between games was too long! We went from hockey every day with the Olympics, back to a regular NHL schedule and Versus supplementing us with a full week of games to NOTHING FOR FIVE DAYS!! Ajskdjaskfjslfmslfksflldg;f;sf;as
It was rather difficult to handle. To quote Poe*, "another day and I could have gone mad."
Nichol may or may not be back for tonight's game. If not, expect to see Vesce in his place.
This is the last time we'll see the Preds this regular season. Marcel Goc has been excelling in Nashville, which is super good for him and mildly annoying from a "why couldn't you do that for us" perspective. He clearly did need the change of scenery to hit the next level, so, good for him.Just don't score against your old buddies, eh Marcel?
The Sharks have taken two games in this season series and dropped one. Oddly every game had the same final score of 4-3. I'm not sure what to make of it, but it's a curious coincidence if nothing else.
*not Edgar Allen, though he probably had similar thoughts at various times through out his life.
Or do anyone else watch this and wonder what happened to is after it was finished? I do this with food competitions too. As far as I can tell the stuff isn't being eaten and that never sits right with me. For some reason sugar sculptures don't vex me anywhere near as much. Maybe because they look like plastic?
Matt Cooke? Not suspended. Bob McKenzie has the low down on his twitter page. Consistent inconsistency is still consistent. I suppose given that Richards was not suspended, there is merit to his argument. Being consistent in your unwillingness to enforce the rules is still being consistent. Good job guys.
I'm a tad mixed on this idea that it's not a suspendable hit this season, but it is NEXT season. To me that says that they recognize it is (or was) a suspendable offense, but since they blew an earlier similar call and didn't suspend Richards, they can't find a comfortable way to man up and say "Hey, we blew this the first time, we see that now and we're not making the same mistake twice." I'm not so keen on that. I do realize there's probably more to it and it isn't that black and white, that's just how it comes across.
So, uh, how's that instigator penalty looking right now?
I understand that being ok with watching guys fight and not being ok with other hits to the head is hypocritical. I fully acknowledge this, and it's something I am trying to resolve on a personal level. I suppose I justify it because fighting is usually a consensual act on the part of both parties, the hits aren't coming as nearly as high a rate of speed, and to be quite honest most of the guys fall down before they land a decent punch anyway. (please do watch your heads on that ice, gentlemen) It's not a perfect justification, but it's all I have at the moment.
I know he wasn't part of the business meeting, but he's what I think of every time we make that joke, Mina
Just some house keeping stuff and then we'll get to making fun of Colin Campbell.
First: I know we mentioned this before but you all might not know that we have a lovely, bright, shiny new app of awesome! You can download it here and take us with you wherever you go. Metaphorically speaking.
Second: Have you added us on facebook yet? You should!
Third: We're coming down to the end of the season, which mean we'll have soon faced all 29 other NHL teams. After doing a quick art audit, it appears that I never did post Mr. Hurricane piggy pig after Mina filled in for me that gameday. I'll have to fix that.
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Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
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The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 