no comments

The last game was a roller coaster ride of excitement, disappointment, stress, elation and then crushing sadness as the Sharks lost a well fought (for at least the last 2 periods) game against the Stars in the SO. Raycroft was having one of those nights were he suddenly remembered that he was quite good at one point, and maybe it was time to just stop everything that came his way, no matter how crazy stupid the save had to be. It was frustrating, but sometimes game are like that.

Tonight is a chance for redemption. Get those 2 points we fought so hard for on Monday. That one point the Sharks did get may prove very important later on this season, given the tight division and an extremely competitive conference, but two tonight would be even more important. Nemo will be back in net, and while you might wonder why given the loss on Monday, he was quite good all night. The shootout did him in, but the shootout is so fundamentally different than the rest of the game that I find myself hard pressed to judge a man based on his performance in it. Let's see what we can do tonight, and let's get those two points. We need um.

Go do it.

Go Sharks.

no comments

So I want to make a big ole post about this game, the last game, the implications, the standings, Nabby coming back from Russia, etc, but I'm at work so that's not going to happen. But hey, gameday. At least I got it posted before gametime, amirite?

Beat the stoopid Stars tonight. Beat by like a thousand.

Go Sharks!

no comments

no comments

Whoa. I so forgot this game was tonight. I was convinced it was Friday, but I was wrong. Anyway, a second game right after last night's roller coaster win will either prove to be a very good thing, or a bad thing for the Sharks. They fought back to win, but they also went to the SO, which means a lot of energy was expended. Ont he plus side, Philly to Buffalo isn't a huge trek, the time zones don't change, and they're likely to have been able to get ti and get some sleep before it hit the wee hours of the morning. Let's get a win streak going to night, boys! Take the Buff-a-Slugs down! Go Sharks!
no comments

So I was going to write this thing about how much I still kind of love Matt Carle and how Pronger is still a total douchenozzle, but I've been working OT and I am tired. So instead, I'll just leave you with this: Chris Pronger, still alternate captain elbows, still a douchenozzle.

Enjoy the game and GO SHARKS!
no comments

 

 

A true test for the ages? Maybe not, but a test of a team that's had an up and down start to the season, yes. The Sharks need these two points to move within reach of passing the Ducks, while chasing Dallas (WHAT?!) for the top spot in the division.  5th is no place to be, and the Sharks won't be there for much longer. This season is about growth, and with that comes challenges. Some of those come from within, and some come from without. This game is exactly what the Sharks need. It represents both an external challenge, facing off against a perennially good Wings team, and an internal one. The ability to move ahead, to move past the bumps in the road so far. As Dave Maley said, it's time for the Sharks to get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Tonight is the night to do just that. Bust down the doors to the Joe, come out full speed, don't look back. Some people have wanted to see the Sharks face more pressure, to have to fight for their spot as one of the top teams in the west. The pressure's on, and you better believe they can handle it.

Let's bust out of the rut and start showing the West who's boss tonight! Go Sharks!

no comments

Losing a game in a an arena where wins for your team are rare at best isn't a huge deal. Losing a game after putting together what was arguably one of the best performances of the season so far is a bit of a let down though. So what is it about Les Habitants that seems to baffle the Sharks every time they take to the Bell Center's ice?

For one thing, the Habs know how to make use of their very lively boards. That's always going to be an advantage for any home team with active boards, although it's debatable as to whether or not that makes enough of a difference. (Folks always say it does at the Joe. I always thinking being at the Joe makes a difference at the Joe, but whatever)

Travel could have been a factor but Ottawa and Montreal aren't so far away from each other than traveling between the twp would have been much of a drag on energy levels. The early start may well have been. I know that your body gets used to certain routines and playing earlier could disrupt that, but even then, that doesn't fully account for how the Sharks came out fast in the first and slow to sluggish in the second and third.

Sometimes I wonder if it's the success of Josh Gorges. It's not that he was bad as a Shark per say, it's just that he wasn't good. It is quite possible that his ability to excel in Montreal caused a rift in space time that makes it very difficult, if not down right impossible, for the Sharks to win when they visit. One would hope this could be offset by the Huskins Effect, but apparently the gravitational pull of Gorges former suck is just too great. (before I get angry letters from Habs fans, or Gorges Mom, this is all in jest.)

The real issue is the same one the Sharks have had all (young) season long: consistency.

Forwhatever reason the Sharks have not yet been able to string together a run of wins or even steady 60 minute preformances. The whys have left everyone puzzled, but the result has been the a team that has been vying for the top spot n the west (if not thw league) the last few seasons now finds itself struggling just to get into playoff contention. The season is still young, and the chance to make up ground and gain valuable points is there. The real question is, are the Sharks ready to take them?

no comments

 

Dany Heatley returns to Ottawa. No one in California cares. Canada however, has declared today a national holiday so everyone can go boo him from the warm confines of their own couches.

I do get it. It's kind of a big deal, but it's his second season with the Sharks now, and he's played the Sens once before. This happens for any big name player who plays against their former team though, so, it's par for the course. Maybe here there's more emotion, Heatley didn't exactly leave town on the best of terms. He doesn't have a lot of friends in the Canadian media, either.

For all that was said about him prior to his arrival, I have to say he's been a pleasant surprise. No reports of locker room drama, he plays well, he scores, and aside from having a very creepy eye, he fits in and seems to be enjoying his stay in San Jose just fine. That's all I really ask for in a player. Play well, don't be a douche, and enjoy all this lovely city has to offer. We're happy with him here and if that means he gets booed anywhere he goes in Canada, so be it. I'll sit on my couch and giggle about it.

Let's get this thing back on track Sharks. Win it tonight.

Go Sharks!

no comments

Tonight @ 7:30pm

no comments