How are we at game number 65 already?!

For a team that's not doing so hot, Columbus always seems to give us trouble. Remember the last time we saw them? Right before the Olympic break. The Sharks lost 3-0. Rick Nash made the Sharks his bish. He does that. I swear if there's a game against the Sharks and he's in it, he'll score. I suspect that if he was ON the Sharks he'd still score against them. He's just that good at it. In fact he's so good I'm pretty sure I've written those sentences before. Deja post vu.

After some relatively weak starts to the first two games back from the Olympic Break, it's be really great to see the Sharks take the lead early here and then maintain it. It's not that I didn't enjoy the more thrilling aspects of the come from behind win on Thursday, it's just I'd rather not see the Sharks make a habit of it. There's just something nice about a good old fashion lead the whole game win.

Tune in tonight @ 7:30 for some Rick Nash induced frustration and hopefully Sharks induced elation.

In an act that surprised the league, not because it was unwarranted but because it didn't take two weeks of meaningless debate, the NHL acted today and suspended Habs forwards Maxime Lapierre for 4 games for his hit on Nichol last night. Nichol never returned to the ice after the hit and is expected to be out 7-10 days. (Gray interprets this as 7-10 GAME days and not consecutive calendar days. Like business days, only longer)

This game got out of hand about oh, 2 minutes in. The refs let a lot of things go, and by the time they started calling penalties, it was far too late to stop the punches. For teams that hadn't seen each other in 369 days, it was odd to see so much anger out on the ice. Our best guess was that someone suggested that the night they had spent with an opposing team members' mother was not worth the $5 they spent on it, and that player took offense, hence all the pushing and shoving.

Neither Mina nor I have issues with a physical game, but it got a little too rough out there at times.

I did enjoy watching Rob Blake literally rub some dude's face on the ice, mostly because of the novelty factor. This was preceded by Blake taking the guy down tot he ice in a headlock. I can't even remember what triggered Blake, it may have been in response to Nichol being hit, but either way, it was something else.

This is the first game where someone has described the utterance of the term "soft dump" as being said with a "honey tongue."

Josh Gorges had a bone to pick with Douglas Murray. Oh Josh Gorges, you should really know better than that.

He also kinda had a bone to pick with all the Sharks. Even the new ones he was never teammates with.

Carey price is really good. His posts were better.

TWO. TWO  holycrapthatlookedlikeagoalandweallstoodupbutwaitplayiscontining moments in this game, not including Boyle's penalty shot that rang off the crossbar. Actually it didn't ring off so much as it nearly went in and then was propelled away from the net by some epic repulsion force the underside of the crossbar was putting out.

The Air Sharks have been replaced by a giants flying Chipotle Burrito. Sadly, it did not poop steaming hot burritos on to the audience. It just pooped blue coupons.

Not a fan of Lapierre's hit on Nichol. It took him out of the game. Hope he's alright.

I was, however a fan of Heatley's WABOOM check on someone. If/When I find a video of it, I'll put it up.

The Habs blocked EVERYTHING. It was ridiculously annoying.

Walking from the train station towards downtown, I ran into Danny Miller. My general rule with famous and "famous" people is to leave them be because they're just trying to go about their business, but he looked so downtrodden that as we passed each other I loudly said "What's up Danny Miller!" He looked momentarily surprised, then said a quick hi back. Had he stopped I would have thanked him for his awesome move on my near birthday.

I also passed a ton of Habs fans. There was probably a good 1/4 of the Tank population tonight that was sporting Habs gear. Those barbershop pole jerseys are ugly in person too.

Mina and I were debating whether or not Price should have been second, not third, star. I think the crossbar at least deserves half a star.

So  right now the grout in my hall bath is being ground to a fine plup to fix what we'll just say was a bad grouting job. Sadly this means several things:

1. the art for today is not yet scanned. The room it's in is currently not accessible. So, no art.

2. I'm typing holding a napkin to my face, which means I am typing one handed. Bad day to discover you're out of dust masks. The idea of doing a whole post like this isn't too appealing.

3. I have asthma, so I'm feeling super good right about now.

4. My front door is open wide so I have to sit in the dust and babysit my stuff.

all of which leads to 5. No game day.

Assuming I don't have to drag myself to the ER later, I'll post a recap, with art, after the game.

Oh woe is me. Of all the days to not be by a computer all day. Anyway our pals over at the The 6th Sens are doing LIVE trade deadline coverage. head on over and check it out, won't you?

[Update] 8:45am:

Trade: The Blues aquired Matt D'Agostini from Montreal for AHL prospect Aaron Palushaj.

Trade: Bruins send Derek Morris back to the 'Yotes for a 4th rounder in 2010.

Trade: The Leafs acquire a middle rounder in 2010 draft from Jersey for Martin Skoula.

Trade: Bruins acquire Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski from the Panthers for Craig Weller, Byron Bitz and a 2nd rounder.

Trade: Ducks acquire Aaron Ward from the Hurricanes for Justin Pogge and a 4th rounder.

So the first period I was like, ok, this is about what I was kinda thinking we'd get. The Olympians on both teams are fired up, the guys who were on vacation are a little slow, looking like they need to get their legs back, but it's going ok. Sharks got a ton of great chances. The Devils got some too but both goalies were looking solid in their respective nets.

Did you know Nabby has a new mask? I didn't either!

Anyway, period ends 0-0

Then the second starts. At first it's a lot of the same. Missed chances, back and forth, a few players slipping on one part of the ice (I hear it's quite slippery), the Devils having some weird equipment issues, you know, a normal game.

Then there's this wacky play, puck goes to the net, nabby stops it but is squeaks through and just sits in the crease for a little bit. There's this huge fight in front of the net to find it, not that anyone really knew it was lost, Nabby clearly thinks he's got it for sure, and then Zubrus just kinda see it hanging out there all alone and goes *pppooookkkeee* and in it goes for the first tally.

Le sigh.

But what can you do? Plays like that happen right?

Yeah. Before I even finish thinking that thought WAGUUUUUUSSSSSSSHHHHHH Fraser pounds on past Nabby for the 2-0 lead. "Well," I say to myself, "that's unfortunate." But 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in hockey, or so they say. (They say that about any lead that isn't like 5+)

The period continues. Things settle down a bit, but the Sharks look rattled and the Devils do not. They look pretty decent, though not stellar, but good enough. And wouldn't you know it, Kovy gets bored on a power play and scores to make it 3-0 right before the period ends. "Well," I say to myself, "that's even more unfortunate. It's a good thing Lost is about to be on!"

And so I switch.

Now, before I get someone commenting about tivos and dvrs and watching online, allow me to explain a few things:

First: I've been watching Lost since 2004. I have been watching the Sharks since 2005. The ONLY  thing that can trump the Sharks game, aside from something maybe like a presidential election, is Lost. The Church of Eko and the ZOMGWTFPolar Bear meets once a week on Tuesdays and 9pm. I loyally attend.

Second: Let's just say we don't have a DVR due to that whole one income thing. The only reason we still have cable is because of the Sharks. I want, no, need to be able to watch them live both in town and out. Believe me, if it weren't for the Sharks, the cable would be long gone.

Third: The other half was home. If he's not, and it's a Lost night AND a game night, the game has a better chance of winning out and I'll go watch Lost (legally) online after. But when he's here, there's no way I'm letting him watch without me. He'll lord over me with the facts he has that I don't. I know this because I greet him very late every Tuesday night with "Lost was really good, just so you know." Some might say I'm just asking for him to be annoying about an episode he sees without me by doing this, but trust me, he'd do it regardless. So, I switched.

The third period, I can only assume, started much like the second had ended. It sounded bad anyway, especially when the Devils scored their fourth goal, and I was quite I happy I'd changed channels. But the something magical happened and the Sharks scored THREE unanswered goals whilst I was away on Craphole Island watching Dogen and Sayid compete in a badass-off. For a few minutes, I regretted my decision to change channels. Seto scored twice, once at even strength and once on the PP, and was followed by JOEPA who also scored at even strength to bring the Sharks within one. I say for a few minutes because while the idea of watching my Sharks tie the game (and perhaps even come back to win it) in the third was a very very tempting one, Lost suddenly went to all kinds of kick ass land, and I was compelled to stay. And stay I did. Very happily in fact. I'm sort of tempted to watch it again.

Sadly, the Sharks third period rally wasn't quite enough, and they lost to the Devils 4-3, but at least the eventually made a game out of it. That beats the pants off a 4-0 loss.

Day two of our trade deadlines watch and mini recap. Day one can be found here.

Got started a lot later than expected today. Sorry about that, but you know how it goes. RL first and all that. Anyway...

[Update] 3pm:

Signing: Chris "old man" Chelios was signed by the Thrashers. Analysis: As long as he doesn't forget to go to games because of Bingo night, it's nice to see him get a chance to (Potentially? Maybe? Who knows?) finish his career with and NHL team.

Trade: Senators give up some unknown quantity to the Islanders for Andy Sutton. Analysis: Honestly? I don't pay attention to either team. I just hope they exchanged more than one dude and a bag of pucks.

Signing: Wild resign Zidlicky. Analysis: Still not the best name in hockey, but pretty damn close. Sadly for Zidlicky, teammate Cal Clutterbuck pretty much has that crown sealed up for the next few seasons.

Tweeted Trade: Sharks aquire minor league Dman Brett Wesgarth from the Islanders for "future considerations." Analysis: To be more strongly considered in the future. Like, when we know what the heck that actually means.

Trade: Oilers aquired Matt Marquardt from Boston for Cody Wild. Analysis: Can anything help the Oilers this season? I doubt it. Also, I had a hard time making that trade make sense in written form.

Trade: The Ducks traded Evgeny Artyukhin to Thrashers for Nathan Oystrick and a conditional draft pick in 2011.

[Late night Update]:

Trade: The Leafs traded Ponikarovsky to the Pens for Martin Skoula and forward Luca Caputi. Analysis: Who for who now?

Thank you MTV

After a two week Olympic break the NHL is back is full swing. Games started as early as yesterday, which, when you consider the some coaches and players only finish the tourney yesterday, is kind a crazy. But, after nearly two solid weeks of hockey all day every day (including the women's bouts which you should have watched. they were good!) we're back to the regular NHL season schedule. Versus is trying to cash in on the hockey buzz by showing games all week. Great if you get the channel, not so much if you don't.

Today Sharks hockey returns, resuming their season with a match up against the Devils. Ah, the Devils. Martin Brodeur plays for you, yes? Yeah, so, how's he doing? Sure, sure, he got a gold medal, but in the ONLY game he played in during the Olympics, he bombed. Big time. I know, his team wasn't eliminated far earlier than anyone had predicted, but, as Mina put it, he looked terribly average. No one seem to be too worried about him though. All the talk is about Nabby, Nabby, Nabby. Can't be trusted for this, not good enough for that, blah dee blah blah.  I realize that Brodeur and Nabokov are two very different people, but the fact is they both had one terrible Olympic game that booted them out of the running early. Brodeur just got to stay and warm the bench for awhile longer.

My guess is, the man with the bigger chip on his shoulder would be Nabokov. If nothing else he's had to put up with people question him over and over and over for the last week, which has got to be annoying. Nothing like a solid week of media spin to getthe blood pumping.

Does that mean Nabby's guaranteed a win? No. But neither is Brodeur.

What should we expect? Well, expect a few tired players, as both teams had some folks that played through the final rounds. Expect a jarring and abrupt transition back to NHL hockey. Expect a loud home crowd. Expect Randy and Drew. And expect Running with the Devils to have a gameday up too.

Welcome back NHL hockey.

Go Sharks!

As a reminder, the Stockton Thunder have a ticket deal going on! Get your tickets now!!

Fresh off dreams of giant inflatable animals, lumberjack skits, Shatner, and oddly enough a Toyota Previa, I skipped out of bed this morning, eager to get to my computer and see what late night/early morning post Olympic, pre trade deadlines deals had taken place.

Jordan Leopold. That's it?

Trade: Florida to the Penguins for a 2nd round pick. Analysis: Sure why not! Poor guy needs more a permanent home bad though. Hopefully the Pens can make room for him, but, like a lot of moves at this time of year, he's probably just in for the stretch run.

[Update] 12:30pm

Signing: Matt Stajan will be with the Flames for 4 more years. Analysis: Makes sense. This also means he'll continue to annoy Sharks fans for four more years.

Signing: Steve Ott is staying in Dallas. Analysis: Ugh. Another four years of Ott. Great.

[Update] 2:50pm

Signing: Oilers acquired 2nd round draft pick in 2010 entry Draft from the Preds in exchange for Denis Grebeshkov. Analysis: I think we all knew the Oilers would make a move since they can't just call a mulligan on the season and start over. That move was going to be sell sell sell or trade for pick pick picks. They chose picks. This time.

No word on where Denis' second N went.

Updates to be posted as they come in/as we hear about them. Obviously, any moves by the Sharks will get further, more detail analysis. Or at least be followed up with a post involving incoherent yelling or cheering; whichever applies.

So I am a totally jerk because I nearly feel off my couch laughing when the USA tied the game with 27 or 24 or something seconds left. It was just so absurd.

I wasn't nearly as emotionally involved with this game because my goalie wasn't playing. I totally dig Miller now, more than I did before, but he's not Nabby. And no matter WHAT happened, five Sharks were coming home with medals. FIVE! Whoo! I couldn't be upset about that. When I found myself yelling "COME ON, SHARKS!" instead of "COME ON, USA!" at the tv, I knew. It didn't matter how it panned out, I was rooting for my Sharks.

Edzo kept his damn mouth shut about pulling Miller after he let the first goal in, this saving me from feelings of nearly uncontrollable rage. I was a bit disappointed that it looked like the US was just kinda going to hand team Canada the medal, but thankfully they actually decided to show up in the second and make the game less zzzzzzzzzz and more !!!!!!!!!!

And after the game was over, and the medals were handed out (I did watch. Joe, why did you let Pronger hug you?! Don't let  Alternate Capn' Elbows infect you with his Prongerness!!!) I went and started drawing stuff totally unrelated to the Games. The NHL season start again tomorrow, and I need to be ready! Trade deadline, playoffs (wait what?!), so much craziness is coming!

Maybe now that 4 Sharks have gold those choking jokes will stop...

Who am I kidding?! April, May and, one hopes, June are going to be really annoying. Bring it on!