Sharks Gameday: Hurricane of Emotion
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 19, 2010 3:00 AM PDT
in Sharks Game Previews
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| 2-2-0, 4 points | 1-1-1, 3 points | |
| 11th in Eastern Conference |
13th in Western Conference |
Television |
CSN-CA
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When you take the games in Sweden out of the equation, the beginning of this season reminds me of the beginning of last season, especially from a fan confidence perspective. Coming off a summer where few team needs were addressed, the Sharks opened with a stinker of a game, losing 5-2 to an obviously inferior Colorado Avalanche team. The defense looked slow, the goal tending looked sloppy, and the offense which was billed as one of the best in the league couldn't convert on their opportunities. People were calling for blood.
Problem is, you can't take those games (and the travel involved) out of the equation. Luckily,the Sharks grabbed three out of a possible four points. Unluckily, the travel and gap between games obviously affected the team.
It was to be expected that the Sharks would be a bit slow heading into the game against Atlanta. They were, and it resulted in a loss. But, just like last year, no one should be jumping off the boat just yet. It's not a sinking ship.
There's a bit of a disconnect between the fans and the team right now, a direct result of the trip to Sweden and the funky game times. Not many were able to see an offense which was running on all cylinders abroad, and a defence which looked serviceable, at least. Yes, there are problems. No, they aren't major.
Give this team a little bit of time to adjust, and look around the league at some of the other elite organizations. Of them all, only Detroit and Washington are living up to the early season expectations. Also, remember that everyone ahead of the Sharks in the Western Conference has at least a game in hand on San Jose before tonight's games.
Let's calm down and watch this team grow a bit. That game against Atlanta was one that should have been won, but I'll give the team a pass for now. Tonight's tilt against Carolina is a should win game as well, and I'd expect the team to play accordingly.
Prediction: Sharks win 4-1. Goals by Dany Heatley (x2), Logan Couture and Devin Setoguchi. Joe Thornton with 3 assists, Antero Niittymaki with the win.
Go Sharks.
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I agree
That new Atlanta team looked good, played a better tempo and have some hard workers. Its the beginning of the season, the Sharks will find their groove after a couple more games… no worries
Yeah, I would declare the normally anemic Southeast Division to be the most improved this season, to be honest. Tampa Bay looks like a legitimate threat already, and Stamkos has already lit the lamp 5 times.
..:Fear The Fin:..
The Thrashers from Saturday reminded me a lot of the Sabres from about 2007. I kind of doubt Chris Mason will turn into Ryan Miller, but they were wicked fast.
Jon Casey fan since '84
Founder of Feel the Teal.
I have a Twitter Thing.
GO SHARKS!
After a long summer without hockey tho, it’s understandable why everyone is so edgy about Saturday’s results. We wanted to see on ice the excitement we, as fans, felt with hockey being back. And with some of the plays, it just wasn’t there.
Ah well.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to join in today’s fun in the thread – new job – or tonight while watching the game – class. I suck.
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin
After a long summer without hockey tho, it’s understandable why everyone is so edgy about Saturday’s results. We wanted to see on ice the excitement we, as fans, felt with hockey being back. And with some of the plays, it just wasn’t there.
totally agree :) not too worried yet…
High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous
"Welcome to Fear the Fin...where we eat our own." -Noctro
by mssjsclowie29 on Oct 19, 2010 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Get it done, Sharks.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
Faith intact
I just get edgy watching stars around the league starring for their teams. I am firmly on the teal ship, but it would still be nice to watch a whole game where the best players on the ice played like it.
Patty needs a bounce back game much like the shift after he gave up the shorty goal. Seto needs to earn himself a contract no matter what line he is on. Heatly needs to bring the heat. Wallin seems to be set up to be this year’s Huskins…gonna catch shit until you put together 30-40 solid, invisible, dependable games…but screw up once and you’ll have 2.5 million pieces of shit hitting the fan.
How bout a no excuses, tone setting effort from a hungry team looking to build on another strong season led by a very well paid, locked in core? How bout an offensive effort that outweighs defensive liabilities?
Let’s Go Shaa arks. ClapClap Clapclapclap.
'It's amazing the clarity that comes with psychotic jealousy.'
by Aero72 on Oct 19, 2010 8:06 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
This will be the first game I get to watch this season, and I can’t wait. I guess it’s the only good part about the Giants game inexplicably being a day game (read: Glee reruns take priority). I really like the Canes, and they’re a fun team to watch. I’ve seen a few pundits predicting a bounceback season for Cam Ward, so it should be an entertaining tilt.
..:Fear The Fin:..
Yahoooo GO SHARKS!
TCY, I hope your Heater prediction is correct it’d be badass to see him score like an emmereffer this year! Scores errryday alllldatime!
High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous
"Welcome to Fear the Fin...where we eat our own." -Noctro
damn you flickr.
ill learn you one day!
You wanna do this? LETS GO!
THERE'S BLOOD.... IN THE WATER!
Yeah, it's early...
I’m only a little on edge because, especially Saturday, the problems we expected this team to have going into the season (really shaky defense, Niemi is bad) seemed to be very glaring issues for this team. This team is going to be unable to shut opponents down, and when we are having off offensive nights (like this team is prone to do), we’re going to be doomed. At least until they shore up the blueline. It’s just frusterating to see the Sharks have issues on paper in the offseason, see them go unaddressed, and then see those exact problems manifest themselves on the ice.
That being said, cant’ wait for the game tonight. I think I’ll be in 221 or something, up in the cheap seats. Hopefully Niittymaki gets the start…it still baffles me that he did not start against Anaheim. Here’s another chance to get him into a game against a team he has owned. Oh, and it’d be nice for my fantasy team in the FTF league if Heatley scored a bunch…so I approve of that prediction.
GO SHARKS!
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 19, 2010 10:00 AM PDT reply actions
Let's hope Boyle has a bounce back game
He looked horrible in the last game. I am wishing him a PP Goal four point performance in a 6-2 romp. Goals by Boyle, Clowe, Big Joe, Heater and two by Demers, (both on the PP)
Sharks go 4-9 on the PP
Go Sharks!!!
"Like I said, it’s like me giving you a high-five and chest bump after you hit for the cycle against the kid in the wheelchair." Vacafan on May 14, 2010
I'm not worried about the Sharks in any way
(except for maybe the defense, but I was expecting that)
However, I was very disappointed with their performance in the home opener. I was expecting more out of it. I structured buying my 10 pack around going to the home opener.
As a fan, I feel let down.
It’s not the end of the world and I’m not worried about the rest of the season. I understand the reasons, but all they are is excuses. Now, i don’t expect to win every game (although every game I do think we can win), but it would have been nice for them play hard for a full game.
That’s another thing, all the excuses about travel and not playing for a week, that didn’t seem to be a problem in the first period. Why is it that all those reason why they didn’t play well only took effect after the first 20 minutes? It would have made more sense if they played poorly for the first 2 periods and only got things together in the the end.
I dunno. I’m gonna stop complaining. The sky isn’t falling. I’m not worried. I’ll shut up.
Go Sharks!
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
I think we just need wingels back...
…the team just isn’t playing the same without his lucky blankie around.
Ugh...
Just read that on WTC too…and it really, really irritates me. Why in the world are we keeping the goalie who has amazing records against the SE division on the bench???
Not to say I didn’t see this coming…I figured when we signed the STANLEY CUP WINNING GOALTENDER, that he would be the new Nabokov (70 starts). ugh…
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 19, 2010 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Wtfffffffffffff???
Is Niity injured or something?? He better be for them to be playing Niemi so much.
I feel like we haven’t even really seen Niitymaki yet. Ugh Fuck that.
I feel like if Niemi doesn’t have an amazing game tonight and Nitty doesn’t start Thursday, there’s reason to be seriously suspicious that Nitty is injured.
I suppose it’s also possible that we’re trying to showcase Niemi, but I think it’s still too early for that.
There's definitely something up.
You don’t go around talkin about how how there is no clear number 1 goaltender and how the starts will be dictated by performance, and then play Niemi 2 games in a row after a bad game where he gave up 4 goals on 28 shots.
I think you two are reading far too much into this.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
I’m just bitter cuz i really want to see Niitymaki play.
I actually thought Niemi played pretty well last game. Most of the goals weren’t really his fault. They were all a combination of poor play by our D and bad luck. Even that goal by Anthony Stewart, it just BARELY sneaked between Niemi’s pad/glove, 9 times outta 10 that shot doesn’t go in imo.
So maybe Mclellan feels the same way and wants to give Niemi another shot, and hope that the rest of our team comes out to play tonight.
Clearly, it’s the result of me watching Castle while responding. My brain wants to solve the mystery.
Cant blame you its a bitchin' show!
phillies!!
Be cool to animals but F#CK PETA!
"They didnt quiet a building,they quieted a nation!"--WJC January 2010
"Hah! Crom laughs at your four winds!"
by tealkegkilla on Oct 19, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Or that DW thinks Nitty really, thoroughly sucks.
by JenLovesHockey on Oct 19, 2010 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions
A couple of things are surprising me right now.
1. Chicago has already played seven games. Seven. I understand we got a week off in a weird way, but seven?
2. Sure, the sharks have three points in three games, that’s a pace of 82 points. Not good enough for the playoffs, but they haven’t gone on a roll yet.
3. We’re only 13th in the conference? Really? Who is worse right now? I have to guess (and it is a guess) Minnesota, only because of the hubbub about their bag skate the other day. It’s going to be fun to check out the standings once I hit the “post” button.
Jon Casey fan since '84
Founder of Feel the Teal.
I have a Twitter Thing.
Oh nice they’re goin with a top line of Marleau Thornton Setoguchi. That’s the line i’ve been wanting to see since last season. Thornton gets his right handed shooter in Setoguchi, and a fast, dynamic, defensively sound left wing with a great shot in Patrick Marleau.
It seems kinda weird that Couture is with Heatley and Clowe while Pavelski is with Mcginn and Mitchell. (although Mitchell’s been amazing – CALLED IT! lol)
losing 5-2 to an obviously inferior Colorado Avalanche team.
Ouch…
Matt Duchene, better at being Pavel Datsyuk than Pavel Datsyuk!!!
T.J. Galiardi, now without B.O...
they were coming of a season where they were 28th in the league.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
It was a hard fought 28th place.
Matt Duchene, better at being Pavel Datsyuk than Pavel Datsyuk!!!
T.J. Galiardi, now without B.O...
Screw Saturday's performance
I’m just happy to have Sharks hockey back.
Sharks goaltending: because one finn wasn't enough.
The few, the proud: Thrashers fans.
Fear The Fin
Where the fans are more bipolar than Lindsey Lohan’s mom.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Hee Hee,I heard you can make a case for the dad also.
WHY the hell isnt Niitty starting?
phillies!!
Be cool to animals but F#CK PETA!
"They didnt quiet a building,they quieted a nation!"--WJC January 2010
"Hah! Crom laughs at your four winds!"
by tealkegkilla on Oct 19, 2010 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
i'm totally with you on that
and i’m not hiding.
"We are forty lightyears outside of the Buttermilk Nebula, although....it is possible.... yeah, it's a sticker."
but… but… but…
WE’RE ALL DOOMED!!!
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
That would seem right for the forum.
"Don't even start"
by ZombieSkittles on Oct 19, 2010 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Poops included?
High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous
"Welcome to Fear the Fin...where we eat our own." -Noctro
by mssjsclowie29 on Oct 20, 2010 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
why doesnt Joe shoot more!!!!!!
Either that or more lindsey lohan!
phillies!!
Be cool to animals but F#CK PETA!
"They didnt quiet a building,they quieted a nation!"--WJC January 2010
"Hah! Crom laughs at your four winds!"
Crap, good thing I checked FTF or I would have forgotten there was a game today.
by In Bust we Trust on Oct 19, 2010 4:55 PM PDT reply actions
Pumped about tonight
I have the Soul of the enemy dinner planned out. I don’t have my hopes up because of the previous games, and will wait judgment until at least 10 games have been played. On the plus side Mitchell is getting his groove back. He’s picking up speed on the ice which was really nice to see.
"Don't even start"
Goalie Stats
Where do you guys get the goalie stats, like their record vs a certain opponent.
I think using that stat to choose the goalie who plays is absolutely silly, but I am willing to see how it plays out this season with both Niemi and Nitty, if I can find a place to get such stats.
check yahoo sport
They usually post career stats for the next opponent.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
word, Shaks fans
it is “win”
resident cartoonist @CouchTarts Lightning is seven times as hot as the surface of the sun.
That’s still not as hot as Douglas Murray. -mymclife
"No, That's Not General Malaise, It's NHL Playoff Fever." Real Fake Sports
as in what we're gonna do tonight
resident cartoonist @CouchTarts Lightning is seven times as hot as the surface of the sun.
That’s still not as hot as Douglas Murray. -mymclife
"No, That's Not General Malaise, It's NHL Playoff Fever." Real Fake Sports
So
No game thread tonight?
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
Neimi
resident cartoonist @CouchTarts Lightning is seven times as hot as the surface of the sun.
That’s still not as hot as Douglas Murray. -mymclife
"No, That's Not General Malaise, It's NHL Playoff Fever." Real Fake Sports
Any reason Niitymaki isn’t getting any starts? I feel like DW knew Niemi would be the starter as soon as he signed him.
"Until it's over, I'm not going to tell you it's over." - Nabby
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