Sharks Gameday: Reunited and it feels so good
by TCY on Mar 2, 2010 3:30 AM PST
in Gamedays
49 comments
@
7:30 PM PST
37-21-3, 77 points
40-13-9, 89 points
2nd in Eastern Conference
1st in Western Conference
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Phew.
Although I'm sad that the Olympics are over, I am glad that the Sharks are back in action. That, and I don't know how much more Julia Mancuso v. Lindsay Vonn media fueled feud I could take. That, and Apollo's beard thing is creepy.
Tonights game will be a tough one for both teams. Neither gets to get back on the same page against a weak opponent. Instead, players who participated in the Olympics will have to re-gel with their teammates against one of the top four teams in the NHL.
Plank has the big picture and little picture covered perfectly when it comes to the Olympics. Looking back, it was great, and I'm glad so many Sharks were given the opportunity to play for their country. Going forward, though, I think the effects of the Olympics will be far reaching. Especially for San Jose.
I don't think the Canadian members of the Sharks will have trouble talking to Evgeni Nabokov after helping to obliterate his Russian team in the elimination round, but I do think Nabby will have a hard time putting his Olympic failures behind him. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. Nabokov has had a tendency to shift the blame off of himself, but in a recent interview with the Russian media (beautifully translated by Ivano), he's taking the criticism head on. Although that's admirable, what does it mean for the Sharks?
Nabokov was in the midst of arguably his best ever NHL season. Heading into a contract year, he was positioning himself for a big pay day. Although this failure on the world stage shouldn't matter when it comes to contract negotiations, it does put a seed of doubt into the minds of Sharks fans everywhere. Can he shake these games and continue his strong play? Can Nabokov carry his team when needed in the NHL playoffs? We'll find out.
Other areas of concern include none other than Joe Thornton. His two point, -1 Olympic performance caught some flak from the Canadian media, who dubbed him "No Show Joe". Although his important first goal against Germany turned some heads, he had a tough couple of weeks in the global spotlight. Those familiar with his style of play were less critical, but even I think he had a sub par couple of weeks. I was looking for a break out on the world stage. Instead, more of the same. We can hope, like Nabokov, the criticism fuels him to be better come playoff time.
On the other end of the ice, New Jersey has more silver medals (Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise) than gold (Martin Brodeur). They are also facing a bit of a surprise in net, where Brodeur's star has fallen slightly after being pulled in the Olympics for Roberto Luongo. Brodeur, though, is still one of the game's best and will hold New Jersey in the top of the conference for the rest of the season. Oh, and if you didn't hear, they have Ilya Kovalchuck now. He's pretty good.
My mom's from New Jersey, so the Devils have always been a team I pay close attention to. That's not to say I'll be rooting for them in the least tomorrow, but the Sharks - Devils matchup is one I look forward to every year. Should be a great way to welcome back the NHL season.
Go Sharks.
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I wish I could have gone to this game.
With their American heroes, Parise and Langenbrunner, and newly acquired Kovalchuk, the Devils are climbing up my list of favorite teams.
"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" Club
Roll call
Who’s going tonight and wants to meet up in HP? I’ll be heading up from work so I’ll get there shortly before gametime.
by OtherKid on Mar 2, 2010 6:46 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Sharks hockey!
It’s been so long…
"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
GO SHARKS!!!
Oh how I’ve missed the teal…I’m so excited!
"Boys only voluntarily hug when someone scores."
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
GO SHARKS!
Hopefully Broduer fails like he did in the first Canada vs. USA game.
by Icing On The Power Play on Mar 2, 2010 8:42 AM PST reply actions
Whoo!
Go Sharks!!!
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
Speaking of Nabokov
it seems Warriors season is officially hopeless now, as wheezecoughack Tim Kawakami interviewed Nabby yesterday about the Canada meltdown and how it might affect him.
Tonight!
While slothing down the freeway and cursing the idiots who refuse to reach over and turn on their headlights during this downpour, I realized the Sharks host the Devils tonight. Joy has returned.
I'll drink that! oh...I'll drink TO that.
I don't think we need to worry about Nabby
I bet he recovers from the Canada loss very quickly. My guess: Nabby returns to form tonight and has a great game.
In regards to Thornton, he played like he had been playing going into the Olympics, which was sub-par for his standard. Like the whole month before the Olympics Joe’s play had been down and when he went to the Olympics he played the same, but was surrounded by superstars so it was highlighted all the more.
We’ll see how he plays in the remaining 20 games, but I am a little concerned about him based upon his recent play and the playoffs last year.
GO SHARKS!!
As thrilling as the Olympics was, it’s nice to be home again. :)
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
by ang6666 on Mar 2, 2010 10:25 AM PST reply actions
I am giddy about today's game.
For reassurance purposes, did anyone else find themselves booing our fellow sharks on Team Canada?
by SharksFanTillDeath on Mar 2, 2010 10:28 AM PST reply actions
for shizzle cheering when Heatley fans or Marleau shoots wide…felt so dirty but so right :D
"Boys only voluntarily hug when someone scores."
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 2, 2010 11:13 AM PST up reply actions
I was quoted on NBC Bay Area news last night at 5pm and 6pm, saying that I booed Marleau, etc. Talk about morning after guilt. Granted I did let out a boo once during the game, I didn’t realize that interview was actually going to be broadcasted. TV interview FAIL
by SharksFanTillDeath on Mar 2, 2010 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
for shame!!!
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
by ang6666 on Mar 2, 2010 11:21 AM PST up reply actions
I know….
The interviewer put me on the spot. I was confused and blacked out. As soon as I came to, it was too late.
by SharksFanTillDeath on Mar 2, 2010 11:29 AM PST up reply actions
I cheered when Orpik put Heatley in the bench
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
me too....
I said Heater wanted in on the best team… >D
"Boys only voluntarily hug when someone scores."
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 2, 2010 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
I have to say, Julia Mancuso is just as good a skiier as Lindsay Vonn. The media just fell in love with the hot, blonde chick and left the slightly less hot brunette out in the cold (so to speak). So, yes, Mancuso has a right to be a little upset by that.
Wait, the Olympics are over, and we aren’t talking about them here? Shit, I’m going to need to get my brain focused in the right direction again.
So, the Sharks (that’s our team, right?) come back from break and end up facing a Devils team with two American heroes on it. We have only one. Hmmmm…. Also, both teams have awesome goaltenders who will be looking to avenge themselves. Hmmmm… Does this have the feeling of a 1-0 game to anyone else? Maybe with Parise getting the only goal with like 1 minute left in the game? I sure hope not. Maybe Pavelski is ready to carry this team on his back…as he was a very integral part of tying the US game up, and almost ended it shortly before Cindy’s goal.
I’ll be interested to see who comes up today and fills out the lines. With Malhotra back, does that mean McGinn goes back down, or does Helminen go back down, and McGinn plays the 4th line. Or maybe they just call up McLaren. I’ll be interested to see what the plan is regarding the AHL talent for the remainter of the season.
No prediction, TCY? Ah well.
GO USA SHARKS!
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
This is who practiced yesterday:
Clowe
Malhotra
Seto
Mitchell
Nichol
Ortmeyer
Staubitz
Blake
Huskins
Walllin
Leach
Murray
Obviously someone will be needed from Worcester… I’m gonna gouess McGinn
by SharksFanTillDeath on Mar 2, 2010 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
BUST has been playing, so maybe he might be called up.
"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
Go Sharks
Hope all our guys can gel right away. I hope Heatley, Marleau, Thornton and Boyle don’t give little Joe too much grief about the gold medal game. I think Canada winning the gold medal benefits the Sharks the most. It was good to see Heatley scored plenty of goals in the tournament. We’ll need that in a couple months.
Currently, Fear the 16
Nabokov
I am thinking that while the huge loss he suffered against Canada felt terrible, even he has to realize the Russian defense was abominable. That was one of the worst displays of hockey from top to bottom I have ever seen…multiple fundamental breakdowns. As sketchy as our D has been at times this year we can at least function as a cohesive unit a majority of the time.
by BleedingTheTeal on Mar 2, 2010 11:58 AM PST reply actions
Olympics were great but I’m so glad the sharks are back. Just hope they play these final 20 games better than last years ending run.
"Thats a lot of hoopage"- Randy Hahn 2/4/10
Off-topic
A Pens fan worked catering at the Molson Canadian House, so he got to hang out with all the players and their families. Here’s a gallery from the gold medal party:
Facebook photos
He said all the players were super nice. Jumbo Joe and his brother John were super friendly and goofy (as usual), Iggy was the nicest, MAF the funniest and when he asked if he could hold the gold, all but Sid obliged. When he asked Joe, he answered “Man, you’ve GOTTA hold the medal.”
The Pens fan said he hated Joe as a player for being such a choker, but said he found him so nice in person that now he can’t help but like the guy. Heh.
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Mar 2, 2010 12:33 PM PST reply actions
very cool!
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
by ang6666 on Mar 2, 2010 12:43 PM PST up reply actions
Holy crap!
The Great One wore pajamas to the party. Dude needs some Zoloft or something. Get help, Wayne!
Wow..
Some of those guys look smashed!
by SharksFanTillDeath on Mar 2, 2010 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
Heater just looks crazy
But only because the dilated eye is glowing red. Ha. Gotta love that Joe took the picture.
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Mar 2, 2010 1:18 PM PST up reply actions
Joe would take the picture.
"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
where's mr. awkward?
i’m feeling a very distinct lack of awkwardness in this album.
boyle definately did not appreciate the arm over his shoulder.
you do NOT touch dan f-ing Boyle.
"Devin Setoguchi’s haircut has released the dragon" ~Drew Remenda
by Jay Fin Anderson on Mar 2, 2010 6:14 PM PST up reply actions
from the Sharks Olympic Medal press conference …
Boyle closed things with a funny anecdote about how shooting and scoring on Nabokov was not as awkward as celebrating with enemies from Anaheim while wearing the Canadian jersey.
"I was jumping into Perry and Getzlaf’s arms," joked Boyle. "What was I thinking?"
and tonight everything is back to normal … friends are friends again and enemies are enemies once more.
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
by ang6666 on Mar 2, 2010 3:26 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
We were all thinking the same thing…
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 2, 2010 3:41 PM PST up reply actions
Bad Boyle!
Dirty Boyle bad boy! Bad! LOL totally true..what the hell was he thinking?! Probably hit some German meth courtesy of Greisser.
"Boys only voluntarily hug when someone scores."
"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous
by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 2, 2010 3:43 PM PST up reply actions
Haha, I watched the whole thing
Heatley added onto the end, “Getz told Jumbo it doesn’t matter, they’re still going to fight the next time.” Hilarious.
"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
I'll be at the game tonight - snagged a last sec. solo
drop a text or say ’ello if you see me at the Tank
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
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