Evgeni Nabokov earns his 50th career shutout, Sharks clinch a playoff berth with a 60 minute effort
by Matthew_Taylor on Mar 25, 2010 10:44 PM PDT
in Sharks Game Recaps
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PrintAlthough Evgeni Nabokov didn't have to make very many tough saves in the game, he definitely deserves congratulations for his 50th career shutout.
So does the defense.
Nabokov made all the saves that he was supposed to make, and the defense did a good job of diverting the Stars to non-scoring areas. In addition, the Sharks blue liners were able to effectively clear traffic away from the front of the net, pushing Dallas behind Nabokov. The team as a whole was committed to playing defense for the entire sixty minutes, resulting in a much different outcome than we saw in Dallas last week.
The forwards were also impressive, most notably Devin Setoguchi and Logan Couture. Setoguchi effectively utilized his speed throughout the game, while Couture controlled the puck down low and put pressure on Marty Turco in the crease. Couture's drive for the puck has helped get the team out of its current funk, and should only help to make them a more well rounded offensive team in the future.
Although I was a huge critic of the current line combinations, I've grown to like them. It seems to have brought out the best in players like Setoguchi and Couture, and has even appeared to light a fire under Joe Thornton. After averaging just 1.5 shots on goal over the six game losing streak, Joe has pumped pucks towards the net. He's also simplified his game, controlling the puck and limiting turnovers. The coach must have liked what he saw, as well. If Plank's theory about the amount of shorthanded ice time dolled out to Thornton is correct, then the mere 0:46 seconds he saw tonight speaks volumes as well. There's almost no way these lines stay the same in the long run, but I'm glad they've worked as of late.
I do like the HTML reunion on the power play, and thank god the special teams play has improved since Edmonton. I love what I saw from Rob Blake in front of the net, and I hope that his apparent injury doesn't keep him out of the lineup long. Blake had less than a minute of ice time in the third, however, the fact that he even came out to test the injury was an encouraging sign. These last two games were the best he's played all season, and gave me hope that he'd be effective in the postseason. The return of Vlasic (and his minutes) have done wonders for his game.
Logan Couture also got banged up in the third period, and although he didn't play at all after the injury, he was sitting on the bench. I'm thinking it had more to do with the penalties and general tone of the game, which got out of hand towards the end. It's nice that the big three stand up for eachother, a sight that pretty much discredits any crack pot (Purdy) theory about locker room issues.
The Sharks are once again first in the West, and have played 120 minutes of almost mistake free (Mitchell, I'm looking at you) hockey. Life is good.
Go Sharks.
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Just got back from the game.
Soooo good. Probably the closest I’ve seen to a 60 minute effort game.
Setoguchi and Clowe were awesome. Nabby made a few crazy good saves.
Possibly the best game I’ve been to: the effort, the shutout, the audience-led anthem, the $50 to Best Buy, and most importantly, the oppurtunity to yell “Cooch!” at the top of my lungs in front of 17,561 other people. Also, thanks to the guys in the parking lot who jumped my car’s dead batteries.
"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" Club
$50? Nice! My wife and I each pulled in $10. Eh, it’s good enough for a new movie or some such.
"It's a lumberjack convention out there." Drew Remenda 3/4/10
Jon Casey fan since '84
Not bad.
It was crazy though, I got $50, the guy in the seat in front of me got $50, and his wife got $75. I had never seen anything other than a $5.
"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
Proud member of the "Lifetime Contract for Marleau" Club
I’d actually single out Mitchell… and Marleau. Marleau had a few floaters across open ice that were just horrible, he was gliding a lot and generally just didn’t play a solid game.
Now, that’s nit picking a great night.
Fuck the Stars.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Agreed about Marleau
Couple of nasty turnovers, which fortunately amounted to nothing. Still a beast, however.
Great game to see live – aside from the wave that started once we built the 3-0 lead. Section 218 just would not cut it out.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Good Call - however....
Evilducks – good call, however, I would counter that with saying Jumbo also had some mishandled pucks, yet, Randy and Drew accounted those misfortunes (that thankfully didnt lead to a goal this time) to this ice from the Jay-Z concert.
NOTE: by no means am I letting those men off the hook. A turnover is a turnover….
Just a thought!
BTW – I would have to agree with jwizzle…although I was not at the game, it appeared to be the closest game all season to a 60 minute game. SHARKIES SHARKIES SHARKIES – YAYA!!!
Todd Frassetti
HR Professional
Fair point about the ice BUT
It’s been a problem all year for Joe. And more so lately. Every game IS different, but trends are always troubling.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Jumbo had some bad turnovers early, I don’t remember seeing many after the first period from him.
Also, like Elvis said, I’m use to seeing Jumbo force passes that lead to turnovers, seeing Patty glide down a side and throw a half asses pass across ice is something new, and stands out.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Fair assessment – as mentioned, turnovers are turnovers and its not tolerable.
lets just say this – our Sharkies need to maintain a sense of control of the puck. Puck possession leads to goals and goals will lead to wins wins wins.
LETS GET IT TOGETHER SHARKIES!
Evilducks and Elvis – nice responses.
Todd Frassetti
HR Professional - Looking for an HR Job - any takers?
"We’re closer," said McLellan. "They used the same recipe tonight. Now it’s how long can you hold onto the recipe? It is the right way to play."
Agreed all the way around
Nice to see Joe be more responsible with the puck. Clowe in particular looked really good on the PP. Patty… well, at least he showed good leadership. Drawing a 2, 4, and 10 from Ott and not turtling is pretty much the optimal outcome when you deal with a guy like that.
Great recap TCY – I fully agree.
I love the kind of hockey the Sharks are playing right now. This is a blue collar team – a kind of team we have not seen in years.
I hope this is not a fluke and that they keep playing like this.
Fear the Fin - all Evgeni, all the time.
by Ivano M on Mar 25, 2010 11:07 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
The Sharks got a shutout?? I thought there was a rule against that! So awesome!
The defense over the last few games has really been encouraging. It’s play like that which will make the Sharks a tough team down the stretch. They still need to continue to be committed to this kind of play, but it’s definately been an encouraging few games.
Back to back this weekend against two playoff bound teams. It’ll be a good test for a team that’s starting to look like it might be figuring it out again.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 25, 2010 11:35 PM PDT reply actions
maybe we are in an episode of the Twilight Zone?
I'm warning you! I have ADHD and I know how to use it!!!
by Diamondback15 on Mar 25, 2010 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions
sorry to nitpick as a lurker but it’s “berth” not birth :)
great recap of an awesome game. nice to see some passion in the boys after bucci said they weren’t maniacal enough to go far in the playoffs! we’ll see about that.
anyone know what happened to blake? i was in 201 and i didn’t see him almost at all in the 3rd. the google machine doesn’t seem to know anything (yet)..
Fun typo.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
by Matthew_Taylor on Mar 25, 2010 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions
GOD IT FEELS GOOD
The Sharks are playing awesome and they’re back on top of the west.
Although to nitpick, Mitchell didn’t look good at all and I didn’t think Marleau or Thornton played all that well tonight either. Seto, Clowe, Couture, and Manny all looked daammn good though.
My worries about secondary scoring are pretty much out the window atm, Nabby looks like the Pre-Olympic Nabby, and our defense looks feels fairly solid now with Vlasic back in the lineup.
ALL IS WELL AGAIN!
When mah American feats hit American soil the sharks win!!! Jerome oustide USA = Sharks lose. Jerome back in USA = Sharks win.
It could also be be: Vlasic back in = even Ray (I Devour Cheestakes like… well, how you would expect Ray Ratto to devour cheesesteaks) Ratto can see: THE SHARKS D IS WAY BETTER!!!
Shaba shaba ding dong. Good effort from the boys out there tonight.
This weekend’s the first real big test since the six game losing streak, couldn’t be more pumped. Keep it rollin’.
Fuck Dall-ass.
"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
In the game preview I politely requested, a little optimistically perhaps, a four-goal winning margin and a 60-minute effort from the Sharks last night.
Now, they may not have quite reached the goal tally I rather cheekily sought, but they sure as hell did put in the effort all over the ice. This is the time for the boys to come out fighting, built some momentum and begin the push for the cup – and they have done just that. I couldn’t be happier with what I’ve seen in the last two games.
Go Sharks!
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
Too bad
we don’t see Dallas again. I have a feeling Ott would get his face smashed in for his shenanigans at the end of the game. Kudos to Patty for (semi) standing up for himself. Liked the solid all around play and effort last night. I was actually glad to be watching a game after the last few weeks awfulness. Here’s to hoping we can roll like this for the last few games. Go Sharks!
I thought we visit the terrible country again next week.
by ToddMclellan'shair on Mar 26, 2010 6:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Yup
next Wednesday in Dallas.
"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
So, do we let Stauby take an instigator to go Tootoo on Otts face?
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
I'm down.
"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
Proud member of the "Lifetime Contract for Marleau" Club
Same here,
Detroit’s gonna match up with us no matter where we end up anyways, so the points really don’t matter.
Hmm,
thought I read somewhere that the season series was over after last night. Well, now I look forward to Ott getting his shit stomped on.
by Chicago Shark on Mar 26, 2010 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
The Sharks are just playing great right now and if it wasn’t for Turco there could have been a couple more goals. Me happy.
Oh, and Couture scored, which is just pure win.
by Icing On The Power Play on Mar 26, 2010 7:26 AM PDT reply actions
New Line Combos
What did you guys think about the newest line combos?
Marleau – Pavs – Manny – by far has had those most chemistry I have seen in awhile with a line!
What are your thoughts?
Todd Frassetti
HR Professional
my three favorite players on one line, can’t complain
by a10dency2ask on Mar 26, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Whatever works
IMO… our Lines show up and play well, then they get complacent. I am liking them NOW…but in a few weeks, who knows.
I do like the defense, and all this without Nichol. we capitalized the F in Fear the Fin again!
Go Sharks
HOORAY FOR NABBY!!!!
Didn’t see the game last night but I’m sooo proud! Boyler and Blake got goals amazing and of course TCY’s favorite Prince Couture :)
"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
Didn’t see the game last night? What a slacker!
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 26, 2010 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
I know...
social life is back in full swing and I hate it. I’m missing the Sharks and sleep. But…I’ll be @ the game on Sat! Hooray for Clowie.
"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 26, 2010 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Haha, I was out last night too, but I made sure we went to Rock Bottom, so I could watch the game. At least she was into hockey (sorta) and didn’t mind the distraction. I also got to watch the amazing Xavier vs. Kansas St. game at the same time. So awesome.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 26, 2010 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I was at The Row at the Wine Bar in front of Sino…man people were going nuts over that game. My friend’s husband and I were on his iPhone the entire time checking the score for the Sharks.
"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 26, 2010 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions
DEDICATION
thats true dedication – true sharks fans FIND A WAY!
You found a way – HOLLAR!
Todd Frassetti
HR Professional - Looking for an HR Job - any takers?
"We’re closer," said McLellan. "They used the same recipe tonight. Now it’s how long can you hold onto the recipe? It is the right way to play."
Holla!!
For a dolla!
"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 26, 2010 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Stupid MM
March Madness is dumb.
Baller @ the Row.
I have banned the Campbell RB since my friend got fired from there. Sucks.
by ilooklikeafat16 on Mar 26, 2010 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions
it sure looked exciting at Sino last night I’m surprised the windows are still intact. And balla….naw …though I paid $10 for a bottle of Perrier last night so I guess so. LOL! Sucks about RB though dude that place has kick ass desserts
"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 26, 2010 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Blake
Was an absolute beast on the power play tonight. I hope he’s alright because he’s the only Shark I’ve seen all year that not only went to the net, but was impossible to move from that spot once he was there. (Pavs tries, but they muscle him out most of the time).
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Yay, glad he got his shutout :)
Didn’t see the game (I rarely get to, blah), but following twitter updates on my phone is definitely awesome. It’s like the game thread just on a smaller scale, haha.
Hey, I remember you! :-D
How goes it, stranger?
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Good, good! :)
Just so very busy with school and all, blah. I rarely get to see the games!
How’ve you been? Any exotic trips this year? Haha :)
by AppleSweetRose on Mar 26, 2010 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Glad to hear it! (except for the no games part)
As for exotic trips – 7 Sharks road games (Atlanta, Carolina, St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, and Toronto), one upcoming road game (Colorado), and a week in Jamaica (also upcoming). I’m on the fence about going to South America this summer – depends upon how fiscally responsible I’m feeling ;-)
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Any erotic trips?
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
by Matthew_Taylor on Mar 26, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Plenty of sexy ones
Not sure if any of them qualify as that, however.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Here's what it looked like last night walking into the Tank
Absolutely amazing.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
by Mr. K. on Mar 26, 2010 10:26 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I'm jealous
it was 30 and cloudy with wind chill (17 degrees) here yesterday. Wind chill in MARCH!
by Chicago Shark on Mar 26, 2010 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
That sucks
I’m thinking about coming back to Chicago in the summer, for some baseball. You in town then, or do you come back here?
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
I’m actually really interested in seeing Wrigley. And also being in Chicago for more than 24 hours, lol.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 26, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
That's a nice shot
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
Breathtaking and Honored to be a Sharks fan!
Todd Frassetti
HR Professional - Looking for an HR Job - any takers?
"We’re closer," said McLellan. "They used the same recipe tonight. Now it’s how long can you hold onto the recipe? It is the right way to play."
by With12Speed on Mar 26, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Rec’d because that is an awesome picture.
by ilooklikeafat16 on Mar 26, 2010 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions
So awesome I put it as a my background - Thanks Mr. K
Todd Frassetti
HR Professional - Looking for an HR Job - any takers?
"We’re closer," said McLellan. "They used the same recipe tonight. Now it’s how long can you hold onto the recipe? It is the right way to play."
by With12Speed on Mar 26, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks!
I put it on Flickr, too.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Travis Moen
Got cut just above his eye by a skate in a recent game.
That looks horrifying…
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
DUDE...
that was totally, completely and horrifyingly disgusting…but a nice post for my FB page :P you must excuse me now so I can barf.
"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 26, 2010 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, and the stitches really didn’t help…
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
And I thought...
Heaty looked rough…could you imagine facing off with him right now…//shivers scary stuff.
"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 26, 2010 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
proof that he's a zombie
gnarly ass looking stitches and wound.
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
The play of Blake in front of the net (on offense) has been a breath of fresh air. Using him as a forward in a sense, puts a faster forward at the point which is better to ward off breakaways due to horrendous turnovers. Furthermore, Blake battling down low is exactly the example a Captain should set. Jumbo and Clowzer need to get their fat-asses off the sideboards more and do what Blake has been doing in front of the net.
We just traded who for who?!
hehe
I was on the big screen during first period…i think it was because of my flaming red hair i’m sporting now. Man that game was AWESOME!!!
"Sleep is for the off season."~ Randy Hahn. Never question why the man is up at midnight.
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