Sharks Gameday: Turning Point
by TCY on Mar 18, 2010 3:00 AM PDT
in Gamedays
163 comments
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| 43-16-10, 96 points | 43-24-3, 89 points |
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| 1st in Western Conference |
3rd in Western Conference |
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CSN-CA
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[Update]: According to our Worcester Sharks source (Broadcaster and Media Relations Director Eric Lindquist), Logan Couture has indeed been called up for tonights game. No news on the line combos.
We've waxed pretty heavily over the last 120 hours. Without a doubt, this stretch of Sharks hockey has seen me question the team more than I ever have during any other span of a regular season. A blown lead against Florida, a lazy game against Anaheim, and then a complete implosion against Dallas led me down a path I don't travel often.
Talking with a coworker yesterday, the old adage "at least we're getting the slump out of the way now" came up. Although that could be an apt point, it didn't hold true for the team last year. This isn't just a slump; the team is facing some major personnel issues and an overall lack of effort. That's not to say that these issues can't be fixed, but as of this point in the season, I'm not seeing it.
That's why tonight's game against Vancouver is, in my opinion, the most important game the Sharks will play this season. Plank wrote a telling article yesterday, highlighting the Sharks struggles against Western Conference opponents and the fact that Phoenix is gaining ground in the Pacific division race. Ideally, the Sharks would have cleaned up against the non playoff teams faced earlier in the week, and a loss against the Canucks would have done little to affect the team's collective psyche. Now, though, that's not the case.
If the Sharks don't show up tonight, I've got serious doubts about their chances for any modicum of postseason success.
The game does present itself with an opportunity, though. If the Sharks win tonight, I think it could be the turning point to their season. Vancouver is a solid team, and they'll punish the Sharks for each and every mistake they make, much like Dallas did on Tuesday night. If the Sharks don't come out hard, with effort, they'll get embarrassed. If that happens, look to this game as the one where the Sharks just couldn't put the season's toothpaste back in the tube.
We can discuss the deteriorating play of Nabokov after the Olympics, the curious tendency of McLellan to change line combos that have functioned all season (to the tune of a career year for Patrick Marleau), the refusal to keep up AHL star prospect Logan Couture until this critical point in the season (as it appears he's been called up for tonight's game), or Doug Wilson's inability to improve the defense at the trade deadline. I feel like we've covered these things time and time again.
The players on the ice have little control of the above. They do, however, control the level of effort, which in turn makes the problems above seem less severe. I want effort. I want this game to be close. I want it to be a 3-2 slug-fest where the Sharks have to work for every puck, win battles, fight for rebounds, crowd the neutral zone, and establish offensive flow. To me, that's the only way I know they're back in it. If they come out and dominate, I've seen that before. I want to watch them fight a game out. If they get embarrassed again, well, I don't want to think about it.
Moral of the story, this team has the talent to succeed, but unless they discover the necessity of playing a full 60 minutes or more in ALL GAMES, they're going to have a tough time making any kind of noise in the upcoming playoffs.
Last note: Dan Boyle should have been made captain during the off season. I can't get over the leadership he shows on and (apparently) off the ice. If there's any part of me that's confident in the Sharks right now, it's the part that knows Dan Boyle just won't let himself play below 100%, and he expects the same of his teammates.
Prediction: Sharks win 3-2. Goals by Thornton, Heatley, and Marleau. McLellan invents a machine that does in fact put toothpaste back in the tube. Makes millions.
Go Sharks.
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Good article
Throwing out all notions of superlatives and the like, I think this probably has to be the biggest game of the season thus far. There is no way they can come out flat. I’m with you on the aspect of grind game— a tough sixty minute effort would work wonders for this squad.
I’m a little nervous. Maybe it’s all the coffee I’ve been drinking tonight.
At any rate, I don’t really give a shit who is Captain right now. Sure Blake has regressed since last season, but he’s far from the only problem with San Jose at this current juncture. I doubt Boyle’s words in the media before the Dallas game carry any more weight if he’s wearing the C or not. If Blake says the same thing the result is probably similar.
I’m not defending the decision to give Blake the C— hell, I was a Boyle supporter when we had a little back and forth last summer, and in retrospect maybe he’s the better choice. But ultimately it’s a locker room issue to me, and probably doesn’t make as big of a difference as we think. It takes a village and all that jazz.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Agree with you that the captaincy is a locker room issue, but that’s the type of issues the team seems to suffering from right now. I don’t personally know how Blake interacts with his teammates, but I think Boyle would be the same way with or without the C. I think that’s why I like him in the role.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
The only thing I can really see affecting the team, in terms of the Captaincy, comes back to on-ice play. There’s a possibility the players witness Blake’s performance out there taking penalties and getting burned defensively etc. Therefore, the team encounters a situation where their level of play regresses to what the Captain is exhibiting. Essentially, it is a slightly altered manifestation of the “playing down to your opponent” theory.
I don’t really see his locker room presence affecting all too much though. If the team needs a “ra-ra” guy to wear the C and start chucking shit around the locker room to elicit some passion out there, that’s an issue. An issue that is found within the personnel as a whole, not the leaders tasked with leading said personnel.
Who really knows anymore. Wins erase all ills.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
The captaincy is one of those things where no one outside of the dressing room can really quantify the importance. It’s such an unnecessary debate, but I’m just going with my gut feeling that Boyle is a better leader. S’all.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
when the team meets or exceeds its potential. when there is all out effort every night. when roles are accepted. when banners are raised and champagne flows. that’s when the debate is unnecessary! until then…who wants to spend any time reading a message board that only says “go sharks”!!
Boyle for Captain, Marleau for Govn'r, Pavs for President! Go Sharks!
go sharks
(used to live in Vancouver and EEEEEEEEEveryone talketh smack)
Boyle for Captain, Marleau for Govn'r, Pavs for President! Go Sharks!
there are several reasons for that. Was it 2006 when the Canucks played the Sharks back-to-back in April and SJ eliminated the Canucks from the playoffs?
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 18, 2010 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sorry
But look, you had regulation losses to the Ducks twice in those two weeks! Blame them, not us!
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Oh for sure..I don’t solely blame the Sharks at all! The Canucks did themselves in. But when you’re watching games and praying in a drunken stupor that you don’t get mathematically eliminated…those Sharks games remain ingrained in my memory.
Just making conversation
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 18, 2010 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha, no problem. We just like to blame the Ducks here. For everything. Playoff elimination? Ducks’ fault! Losing streak? Ducks! Recession? That was the Ducks. World War II? Hitler with the help of the Ducks.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Yeah, that’s why I smell blood in the water when it comes to Captaincy discussions. First it was taking a dump on Marleau after last postseason’s meltdown, now it’s potentially Blake… just seems like a cop out.
Not that you threw Patty under the bus or anything. Just the general vibe that usually circulates this time of year.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Just to reiterate something on captaincy
One game against Columbus this season, I had the CBJ feed, and their announcers discussed the Marleau/Captaincy issue just briefly, and the color guy noted that Captains have a lot of off-ice commitments; giving management input, helping with schedule planning, media obligations, etc. Basically a lot of things that have to do with team operations, not necessarily hockey. For that reason, maybe Patty had some more spring in his step, not having THOSE extra obligations.
Blake’s been around a while. He’s served on the NHLPA if memory serves, so he’s definitely used to the business side of things.
It’s probably true that Boyle deserves to be Captain, but maybe we are better off with Blake with the C as he knows how to handle these sort of things.
Just food for thought. BOYLE FOR CAPTAIN!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
I know Blake did a lot with the NHLPA when that whole Glenn Healy fiasco went down earlier this season. Pretty sure he served in the advisory committee of some internal investigation. Man that thing was a joke.
I’m definitely not trying to disparage the Captain’s role or anything of the sort— it’s definitely important. I just don’t buy the argument that the fans have some glorious insight into what it means at a locker room level, and we can make a decision on weather or not he (Blake in this case) has sufficient leadership abilities in there, and how interacts with the team. Fairly big believer in what is shown on the ice is all that counts; probably a large part of the reason I don’t pay all that much attention to postgame quotes either. Lip service is all but dead to me.
The former SBN writer (and all around genius) Jonathan Willis of Hockey or Die! actually wrote an article on Patty’s play the first 58 games of this season. Nearly identical to his numbers last year.
Again, maybe it makes a difference, or maybe it doesn’t. No way for me to sufficiently say.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
‘Will over skill’ is a saying I believe Canadians invented that is used frequently when teaching Canadians to play hockey.
DW assembled primarily a Canadian team. Even Swedish players look and sound like Canadians.
Someone should remind them of that saying.
Enough of the pretty plays and puck possession crap. I want to see 40+ hits tonight. I want to see ugly goals and lots of blocked shots. I want to see Heatley take blow after blow on his wrists as he’s standing in front of Luongo. I want to see Thornton drop his gloves and Murray throwing people around like its a computer game. I want to see Mitchell driving with speed like he did two years ago. And I want to see a W.
Go Sharks.
Fear the Fin - all Evgeni, all the time.
by Ivano M on Mar 18, 2010 5:50 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I just punched my monitor!
that fired me up…now if only fan energy equaled player energy the Sharks would be monsters!
Boyle for Captain, Marleau for Govn'r, Pavs for President! Go Sharks!
Go Sharks
The point count for Vancouver needs fixing.
I’m staying up tonight to watch the boys attempt to make amends for the last 3 games they’ve played. It’s almost like they know they’re in the playoffs, so they can skid and lose the rest of the season and save their energy for the playoffs. I’m not impressed.
But in any event: Go Sharks
by AmazinglyGraceless on Mar 18, 2010 6:04 AM PDT reply actions
Time to Win!!!
I have been out of the country for the last three Sharks games (the only three I have not watched this year), and all have been bad losses. Please, boys, get the train back on the tracks before I get home on Monday!
I would like to see Couture bust (geddit?) out with a 3+ point game. That would be Awesome!
Choose your words carefully, Cam ;-)
Fear the Fin: "Man goes into cage. Cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa.... our shark."
by Conico do Mayo Miracle on Mar 18, 2010 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
The Sharks remind me of my high school students.
School is easy, they skate by (ok, pun intended) for a few years and then you throw them Shakespeare or Dante or one of the Russians (ok, again, a parallel—sorry) and they don’t know what to do! But it’s too late to learn to analyze/read again and the colleges acceptance/denials are coming.
BUT—they always pull through and figure it out before it’s too late—the skills are there they just have to tap into it. I wish for the same for our boys.
Go Sharks!!!
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
Holy crap. The Sharks are me.
"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" Club
Russians as in one of Nabokov’s novels?
Fear the Fin - all Evgeni, all the time.
by Ivano M on Mar 18, 2010 7:23 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Don’t stand sooooo, close, tooo meeeeee
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
yep
DIfficult to get through, but can be “softer” than some of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky.
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
What can I say – you know your stuff.
Fear the Fin - all Evgeni, all the time.
by Ivano M on Mar 18, 2010 8:14 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I just finished War and Peace—took me a year!!!
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
That was my first long book I’ve ever read, as I had to read it for school one summer when I was like 14.
Still one of my favorite books of all time.
Fear the Fin - all Evgeni, all the time.
14?!!!
School in Russia? Wow! Here 14 year-olds get Of Mice and Me or To Kill a Mockingbird. I barely do Crime and Punishment with my 12th graders! Difference between our school system and others….sigh
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
Just as long as it’s not Catcher in the Rye. Of all the “school assignment” books I’ve read (though I didn’t read it for school, personally), that was the worst drag-on pile of — well, suffice it to say, I’ll not be re-reading it.
That’s one of those books that people either love or hate; there is no middle ground.
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
I did finish it, at least. It was decent writing, even. I just wanted to be able to reach into the pages and punch Holden Caulfield right in his mouth for pretty much the length of it. If that had been possible, it’d have been an alright read I think.
If you really want to hear about it, and I don’t think you do, nothing but a bunch of goddamn phonies enjoy that book. No one looks for a good read anymore. It kills me.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
HAHAHAHA
That’s brilliant.
Fear the Fin: "Man goes into cage. Cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa.... our shark."
by Conico do Mayo Miracle on Mar 18, 2010 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Holden.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
there happens to be a book that everyone hates
House on Mango Street
by a10dency2ask on Mar 18, 2010 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions
yes, that happens to be my experience too.
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
I HATE THAT BOOK
Stupid Red Clowns and vignettes and not making any sense!
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Thank God I never had to read it.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
why not?
it was required back when I was a sophomore. you lucked out!
by a10dency2ask on Mar 18, 2010 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Teachers pick the books they want to teach. Some people had to but my teacher was cool.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
Private school
I think it’s still required in public schools, but idunno goes to a private school.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
not always
i went to a public school, we mostly got to choose our books.
Official Ambassador for Nucks Misconduct.
Canadian beer is better than Miller, but I really like my vodka.
Warning: I'm bad at catching on to sarcasm and jokes.
GO CANUCKS GO!
a10 went to the same school.
And on another note a10 sounds like a bad boy band.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
Hmmm
Well then, things must have changed. I just remember K teaching us HOMS back in freshman year, and everyone hating it.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Mr. K teaching you. I still think that’s weird and crazy.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
Yeah, I still think it’s weird and crazy too. And a little awkward, haha.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
it's just awful
i remember having to read another one of the author’s poems for some class in college. it was equally terrible. ick ick ick!
by a10dency2ask on Mar 18, 2010 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
When I was 14....
(not to long ago) my teacher made us read The Odyssey. That wasn’t very nice. She also had us read Oedipus which was awwwwwwwwwkward.
Also I really like Of Mice and Men. Probably the only John Steinbeck book I could read. The book still makes me sad… That year my teacher had us read The Elephant Man too, so that brought up conspiracy theories that she was trying to get us depressed.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
i was wearing my Nabby shirt one day, and somebody who saw it from the back first thought it was referring to the author… because authors totally have t-shirts made with a number on the back, too. >.<
Authors wish! :)
What could the number refer to? Books sold? Books written? 20 is about the number of countries that have banned Nabokov’s Lolita—cool.
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
Now all we need is for the Ducks to drop Hiller or the Habs to drop Halak so we can pick them up on Waivers and have a playoff ready goalie…..
by SanJoseLandShark on Mar 18, 2010 7:38 AM PDT reply actions
or we can bring up Sexsmith or Stalock………..play them the last 10 games of the season, hope that we lose enough games that we fall to the middle of the pack and don’t have to play Detroit in the first round, and then can decide from 3 or 4 goalies to use instead of the two we currently have to chose from
oh how quickly we turn on Nabby.
by SanJoseLandShark on Mar 18, 2010 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Does anyone know how Toskala ended up on Calgary after his trade to the Ducks? Was it a waiver thing?
by SanJoseLandShark on Mar 18, 2010 7:52 AM PDT reply actions
Calgary and Anaheim swapped backups at the deadline in one of the most awkward deals ever.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
Both Kipper and Toskala had worked with the goalie coach in Calgary and were apparently both comfortable with each other as well. and yes, awkward.
Boyle for Captain, Marleau for Govn'r, Pavs for President! Go Sharks!
Their mutual nationality has to help a little towards their comraderie.
Fear the Fin: "Man goes into cage. Cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa.... our shark."
by Conico do Mayo Miracle on Mar 18, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
actually the “getting the slump out of the way now” thing didnt apply last year. they were actually playing pretty solid down the stretch last year. problem last year (and the main reason they lost that no one seems to like to remember) is that they essentially benched or sat down most of the roster that played down the stretch and put in all the injured guys who hadn’t been in any games for 3 or more months. i guess you could say starting off the playoffs in a slump, but putting around 2 1/2 lines worth of guys who hadn’t seen any game action for months up against the hottest team down the stretch..not generally gonna be setting yourself up for success.
did you forget their pathetic losses
to like Colorado and LA and Phoenix. I remember we were all waiting for the one win that would clinch the president’s trophy, and it never came
by a10dency2ask on Mar 18, 2010 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, it was really all thanks to Boston losing that we got it.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Jamie Baker, re: Slumps
I forget when he said this, but, there are not a finite number of slumps a team can go through. You can’t just “get them out of the way.”
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
anyone watch Baker
He seems like a quality guy but I have only lived in SJ for a few years. Is he all talk or one of those competitors the Sharks need now?
Boyle for Captain, Marleau for Govn'r, Pavs for President! Go Sharks!
He WAS a great competitor when he played
He’s always got great insights. Makes listening to the radio broadcast more than make up for not being able to see the game.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Jamie Baker totally ripped me off man!
I’m sticking with my guns from last week and recognizing that this current slide is the product of an 82 game NHL marathon. That being said, I don’t buy the thought process that it’s “good we get it out of the way now.” Never made sense to me. It’s not like there’s a limited supply of losing streaks a team can experience throughout the course of a season.
Kidding of course. I probably stole that from Baker.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
It could be I'm remembering you saying it
And attributing it to Bakes because it sounded like something wise he would say.
Either way, it’s a valid point.
This is how much stock I put in what you say Plank, I’m starting to put you and Jamie Baker on the same level!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
This is where Plank takes advantage of us and becomes our cult leader…
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
You mean he isn't already?
(looks at closet shrine of Plank)
Awkward…
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Pickles update?
Have there been any recent updates about Vlasic that I have missed?
He will be back March 23rd against the Wild at the latest.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Dear Sharks,
Please play for a full 60 minutes tonight. Please at least act like you care. I’m sure you do care, but it definately isn’t coming across on the ice. If you get embarassed again today, things in my room might break. And I have nice things and wish that not to happen.
Sincerely,
ZeroIndulgence
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 10:35 AM PDT reply actions
A suggestion
Get a couple of Ducks decals and put them on empty beer bottles.
Just as a precaution.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Speaking of the Ducks… I notice a familiar 4-2 win from them last night, but the opposing team read “Chicago”
Somebody please assure me it’s too late for the Ducks to make the playoffs?
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
They can really only drop two more games in regulation to expect to have a good shot. Safe money says it doesn’t happen.
Safe money also said that last year.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
I don’t think they’re mathematically eliminated, but they can only lose max two games or something in order to make it, and the teams in front of them can’t go on similar streaks.
So, basically, I’ve got a bad feeling about this…
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
It’s too late for the Ducks to make the playoffs.
It’s definately not too late for them to fuck with contenders, like us and Chicago, though. At least they decided to not only play good against us.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Couture call-up confirmed? Still a rumour?
Still can’t find anything official in daily transactions or on WTC. Anyone been able to confirm Prince Logan’s arrival?
by OtherKid on Mar 18, 2010 10:36 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Rumor has it TCY is camped out at the airport with a bouquet of flowers and chocolates. I’m sure he’ll have something for us soon.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Either that a postcard from prison.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Lock of hair, preferably. My closet shrine needs that extra something.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
It's not an obsession or anything
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
by ElvisVF101 on Mar 18, 2010 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Nice boots…
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Misplaced a b there.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
And that is officially the creepiest thing I have seen all morning. Good show.
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
There are no words for this…TCY you got some awesome stems there…what’s your workout plan?
"The coaches should tell the goalies to do the splits and then windshield wipers. That's how you'll block shots every time." - Peeny 3.13.10
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 18, 2010 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
CONFIRMED
Through Eric Lundquist, our contact with Worcester. 100% good to go.
Woooo-weeeee!
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
So, how many goals is Staubitz going to score with Couture centering his line?
…
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Guessing Staubitz is the playing time casualty.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
Could be Ortmeyer…
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Of course, it appears we can go back to my original question…how many goals for Staubitz with Couture centering his line… :-/
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
he’ll score all the goals with his fist…so we’ll get to a billion goals tonight :P
"The coaches should tell the goalies to do the splits and then windshield wipers. That's how you'll block shots every time." - Peeny 3.13.10
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 18, 2010 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions
if Nabby didn’t toke it up he’ll be good tonight.
"The coaches should tell the goalies to do the splits and then windshield wipers. That's how you'll block shots every time." - Peeny 3.13.10
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 18, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
You mean Couture hasn't already assisten on a Staubitz goal?
BUST!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Go Sharks!
We all know what’s got to happen tonight, 60 minutes of pride and passion. Nothing more, nothing less. This team has got it in them, they just need to start showing it.
Forget all this talk about getting a slump out of the way before the play-offs, the West is so deep that we’ve got to hit the ground running come TMTSNBN.
Let’s send a big message to the rest of the league tonight, the Sharks’ quest for the Cup starts here!
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
The thing I fear most
Is not another game without effort.
No, the thing I fear most, is that the effort has been there the last six games. That, my friends, is terrifying.
Last note
I have to agree with you there. In the “State of the Sharks” conference last season, Boyle seemed visibly distraught and sounded like he was a bit choked up about their playoff performance. His emotions showed his passion for competition. He has the heart and experience of a leader. I think he would have been an excellent choice as captain, and actually thought McLellan was going to give him the C, but that was not the case. In my opinion, seems most of the team is lacking this necessary passion to carry themselves deep into the playoffs. Of course now we’re in jeopardy of even finishing first in the division. I can’t help but think the Olympics screwed things up in some way. Tonight’s game will be surely be a heavy one. Go Sharks!
by 408SharksFinatic on Mar 18, 2010 11:48 AM PDT reply actions
I was reading WTC this morning
Apparently Morrow wanted to drop the gloves with Clowe after he lit up Robidas with a clean hit.
Morrow skated up and wanted to fight. When talking about it after the game Clowe said this:
"I told him I wasn’t going to fight him, that I’d fight Barch," said Clowe. "I probably should have fought him (Morrow), but I have a hard time fighting guys who are the top players on other teams. I don’t know."
Somebody convince him it’s okay to throw down with the other team’s top skaters.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
It’s a weird look at the way hockey fighting culture is, too, I think. I mean, what other situation can you think of where a man approaches another man (at work, no less) and says, “I want to fight you,” and the response is, “No, no — send your buddy over, I’d rather fight him.”
Seems odd to me really that there’s so little emotional “LET’S DO THIS” behind a lot of the fighting, when the fights themselves can look so intense and visceral.
It’s kind of insulting to Morrow really… Sorta translates into “I don’t want to break your face in, send over somebody who knows what they’re doing”
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Even more insulting: Taking Morrow off the ice for five minutes is equivalent to taking Krys fucking Barch off the ice for five minutes.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
That’s pretty dumb, honestly. Poor Clowe. Can’t even catch a break when he’s off the ice.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
And this is why Clowe isn’t a true enforcer. I appreciate his willingness to drop the gloves…but Shelley or Staubitz would not have hesitated to knock Morrow out of the game for 5 minutes. That’s just being smart! Hell, Carcillo for Philly graciously accepted a challenge to fight from Gaborik earlier this season. People came down pretty hard on Carcillo, since he obliterated Gaborik…but seriously, he had a chance to take NY’s sole offensive threat out of the game for 5 minutes. That’s just smart fighting.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Stick Logan on the 1st Line tonight!
I’d really Mix up the lines tonight and try and create NEW chemistry. I think its something the Sharks really NEED!
Couture-Marleau-McgInn
Heatley-Thornton-Pavelski
Mitchell-Malhotra-Steoguchi
Ortmeyer-Nichol-Clowe
defense….Leave it the same except bring up Jason Demers!
Yay Sharks!!!
Can’t wait – the game is actually on TV in Canada tonight! It will be nice to watch the game on something besides my teeny laptop screen.
"Goaltending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you." - Jacques Plante
No laptop-to-TV hookups? That’s what we do when Comcast is failing up a storm, it’s a definite eye-saver, following the puck on anything less than 20" must be a chore.
DVI to HDMI Cables FTW!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Interesting choice, especially considering that Mitchell has done virtually squat this year.
It must be Mitchell’s contract.
Fear the Fin - all Evgeni, all the time.
The coaching staff seems to be very hard on Ortmeyer. I mean, I’ll be watching games where I think he’s playing great, and then we won’t see him for a whole period. I dunno what the deal is.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the emergence of an offensive 3rd line has something to do with it.
McLellan shortens the bench in tight games, especially when we are behind.
Jed is a defensive grinder, and is usually the ice time victim in games like that, as he doesn’t have the same scoring pop as Manny or Clowe. We also haven’t been on the PK a lot recently it seems (well, Dallas notwithstanding).
I think those factors have something to do with it.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Agreed. He has been a fraction of his old self.
by sharks in oc on Mar 18, 2010 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I’ve seen improvement over the last half dozen games.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Me too. He’s reminded me a bit of the guy that was in last year’s playoffs, buzzing around, being pesky and whatnot. And it’s not just because I’m a self-professed Mitchell fangirl – he’s been god awful for most of the year, and is only just now getting back to form.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Leg strength is probably key
For a guy like Mitchell, whose game is speed, that core strength you loose after that much time off can take a while to get back, and it probably helps him not get bodied off the puck as much.
Consistent playing time also can’t hurt.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Also
Spelling fail…
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
That’s what I’m thinking. When he was playing with Marleau, the speed the two of them had was insane. They could make a 2-on-1 become a 2-on-0. And he’s starting to get his hands back, because I’ve seen a few great set-ups from Mitchell the past few weeks.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Mitchell’s really good defensively too. I’ve noticed him do a good job cutting off passing lanes and there have been a few times recently where i’ve seen him cut off passes that probably would’ve lead to a goal had it gotten through.
Its true he had been improving a lot. However it seems like for every good play he is making, he is getting bodied off the puck in the offensive zone.
by sharks in oc on Mar 18, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Thats the big thing I’ve noticed with Mitchell. Yeah, he’ll win a race to the puck on the boards…but the guy he beats will just skate up, toss him aside, and get the puck anyways. Dude needs to man up!
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 18, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
while this is true
i’m praying he doesn’t become the new cheech. we would always see spells of improvement from him that didn’t come together in the end. i love mitchell though. keep it up kid! please!
by a10dency2ask on Mar 18, 2010 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, great stats Evilducks!
I’ve got a few for you Sharks fans as well:
Who are the Sharks’ Canuck killers over their past 5 meetings?
-Patrick Marleau: 4 goals and 3 assists
-Thornton: 2 goals and 6 assists
-Dan Boyle and Ryan Clowe have 4 assists each
-Devon Setoguchi has 3 goals
-Joe Pavelski has 3 assists
enjoy the game! I’ll probably pop in later game time
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 18, 2010 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Tonight is the night.
For the Sharks to pull their heads outta their asses, get it together, and perform well as a team. GO SHARKS! =D
Go Sharks!
gotta go to a meeting :(
Hopefully tonight when I get home between the 2nd and 3rd the sharks will be up—a lot. I didn’t like Tues….
Go Sharks!
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
hello hello
i’m stopping by tonight.
you guys sure comment a lot before gametime, i’m not used to seeing this…
Official Ambassador for Nucks Misconduct.
Canadian beer is better than Miller, but I really like my vodka.
Warning: I'm bad at catching on to sarcasm and jokes.
GO CANUCKS GO!
welcome.
Wait til game time!!! That’s why this board is awesome.
And what’s the advice (Murray’s grandfather, Lars [Lasse] Bjorn) gives him?
"Hit more people."
i know, i’m expecting insanity. i have been here before, just not for a while.
Official Ambassador for Nucks Misconduct.
Canadian beer is better than Miller, but I really like my vodka.
Warning: I'm bad at catching on to sarcasm and jokes.
GO CANUCKS GO!
Granted, this is kind of a lot for pre-game, but we do tend to comment a lot. ~600 comments in a gamethread is our norm, assuming it’s not a highly-attended home game or one that’s really, really boring.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
ah, okay. that’s about the same for NM.
i’m used to the insanity of PPP and Japer’s.
Official Ambassador for Nucks Misconduct.
Canadian beer is better than Miller, but I really like my vodka.
Warning: I'm bad at catching on to sarcasm and jokes.
GO CANUCKS GO!
Yeah, they’re kind of crazy. I tried keeping up for their Haiti threads; man, that did not work at all.
Of course, Eastern Conference teams have the advantage of never playing when most people are at work.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
Gamethread is up.
"I think people were ready to watch some hockey. We took up enough of everyone’s time."
-Jody Shelley after 87 seconds of hockey fighting against Cam Janssen
and i thought this was the gamethread….
Official Ambassador for Nucks Misconduct.
Canadian beer is better than Miller, but I really like my vodka.
Warning: I'm bad at catching on to sarcasm and jokes.
GO CANUCKS GO!
This is the game day thread, with all the fancing writings and such. The gamethread is where all of our in-game comments go, so as not to soil the dignity of the preview.
That, and it makes the page and comments load faster.
"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" Club
Fools and Sages
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