Another Game and Another Sharks Comeback, as Sharks Beat Blue Jackets 2-1
by Ivano M on Mar 6, 2010 11:10 PM PST
in Gamedays Review
28 comments
In their third game following the Olympic break, the Sharks for the third time failed to score first, and for the third time went into the third period trailing. Just like against Montreal, the Sharks waited for Dany Heatley to do his magic against Columbus and score his 16th power play goal before the Sharks Nation could finally breathe a sign of relief - it was not going to be another two points that Steve Mason steals from the Sharks. Sharks beat the Blue Jackets with a final score of 2-1.
By the way, is that not why we traded for Dany Heatley?
We've seen Heatley do this trick so many times this season. We see the Sharks battle for the puck around the boards in the offensive zone, while Heatley is skating a few yards away from the goal. He raises his stick in the air to get the attention of his teammates (and he gets ours too, as we know he's about to get open). Next, he skates either to the side or behind the net, not standing in one place but always moving and the defensemen forget about him. A second or less later, we see Heatley standing all alone right in front of the crease, with the puck flying into the net from an easy tap in. How do the NHL defensemen forget about him? No one in this league does this better than Dany. NHL has players who own that spot in front of the net (Ryan Smyth and Tomas Holmstrom - to name a few), but no one can read the development of an attack and defensive mismatches better than Dany Heatley. Not only that - but when he scores, we don't tend to see too many sticks in front of him, or anyone trying to stop him - he just shows up in an open spot and scores what looks like an easy goal.
But before we arrived to the third period where the Sharks scored their two goals, the team played two very different periods of hockey. In the first period, the Sharks looked hungry. They were driving to the net, they were hitting the Blue Jackets all over the ice, Staubitz was ready to fight anyone who looked at him with an evil eye, and overall, the game looked just like what we expected it to look like when the no. 2 team in the conference is facing the no. 14 team at home. But yet again something happened to the Sharks during the first intermission, and that drive was gone in the 2nd period. All of a sudden, the Sharks were giving away the puck, they were not finishing their checks, and they allowed a goal without scoring any. When it happens once or twice, it's hockey. But when it happens three games in a row, this is starting to look like a pattern. Dany Heatley downplayed it in the post game interview to CSN, saying he thinks they're just running into hot goalies. The Sharks have shown their character in those games, getting very close to tying the game against the Devils, and actually winning the games against the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets, but we all can agree that this is not how we want to be playing 6-7 weeks from now.
But let's finish this game recap on a positive note. In the 3rd period, the Sharks continued what they started in the first, and eventually the pucks started going past Mason. Following Heatley's goals that tied the game, Joe Pavelski scored with 4:40 left in the game and the team went into shut down mode from this point on. A better team prevailed, and the Sharks earned another two points.
All is well that ends well.
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Yeah, the Sharks looked like a completely different team in the 2nd tonight. They were buzzing in the first, and that got the crowd buzzing. The second was eerily quiet in the Tank, and for good reason, as they just looked flatter than flat. The 3rd they looked better again! If they could just find some consistancy, they would be super tough to play against! I hope they get there within the next month!
Also, Pavelski is a sexy, sexy man. That is all.
"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott
I blame it on McLellan who practically benched Staubitz after that 4-minute penalty.
Stauby brought some major energy tonight, if not the brains.
i thought it was a stupid penalty
As I saw it, Staubitz mugged a guy who was moments earlier balled up in a fetal position on the ice. I dunno if he was shaken up or just dove, but it doesn’t seem like a great idea to go after someone who would end up turtling on the ice quickly under Stauby’s wrath.
The energy came not from Stauby’s energy, but from Columbus being so inept at getting the puck passed center ice on a 4 minute power play.
I remember some TV analysis saying that the Columbus guy had a problem with his left hand and that prevented him from throwing down. I take that with a grain of salt since that guys is known to turtle, but something to think about.
I think his hand was taped up, and you can't fight with that on your hand.
"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" Club
At this time last year, the Sharks were blistering the rest of the NHL
While we still have to worry about scoring aside from our top 3, it seems that going into the playoffs this year we’re a lot more grounded.
But with the Sharks impressive record, dealing with anyone in a 7 game series is still questionable, at this point. I was always on the fence about Heatley and yes he came through again tonight.
But in a situation where every game counts, like the Olympics, have we learned our lessons? As everyone know, I live in Phoenix, and have adopted it as my city to follow, solely becaise I love hockey.
Maloney made some trades on the NHL’s dollar, yes. But the Phoenix team I see now isn’t half as talanted as San Jose, but has more incentive to ’shock the world".
Ivano’s dead right with his words, it just seems that the monotony of the Sharks obviously being a one seed could be their downfall.
A little role reversal. I was there in ’94, Just because the shoe is on the other foot, doesnt mean it wont be the same outcome.
The time is now, San Jose. We’ve heard that for years. But Doug Wilson put his ass on the line to prove he was right. The team is there. The sense of urgency? Not so much.
If the Sharks don’t want to flop, this is the key. There are no ‘big players’ amd ‘small players’/ Everyone that wanted to be a hero ptrviously, will stap up. If they don’t.
Meh. Guess we saw it coming.
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Mar 7, 2010 5:08 AM PST reply actions
I'll admit to only responding to your first line
But no, this time last year the Sharks were starting to slump, but had such a huge lead that it didn’t matter. They were not playing their best, and hadn’t been arguably since late Jan.
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
correct
Sharks were falling over backwards in 2009 to end the season
Sharks were on the high elation of a 20-some game winning streak to end 2008
Patty Marleau: An Erotic Life
Picked overall #2
Admonish man-crush
Trade rumors abound
Turns-around career
Year of the Cup?
by Will Bulldozer on Mar 7, 2010 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
Woot Go Sharks!
Good job Ivano on the post, but one small fix needed – it’s Tomas Holmstrom and Ryan Smyth…otherwise nice recap! =D
Go Sharks!
Anyone watching the Hawks-Wings shitshow?
The Wings are still scary good now that they’re healthy. I think that if this is a preview of a 1st round series, the Hawks are screwed. Huet/Niemi are awful, though the Hawks D hung both out to dry several times today.
By the way, great recap Ivano!
by OtherKid on Mar 7, 2010 11:20 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Yeah I’m watching it … they completely took control of the 2nd period there.
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 7, 2010 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Started watching in the second
The Wings annoy me with their ability to be consistently good even when they’re not.
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
that’s why I want them to keep in line with the Hawks … so at least one of them will be taken out during round 1 … :)
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 7, 2010 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
I was cheering for the Wings just so they could climb into the 7th seed and match up with the Hawks in the 2nd seed. Hell, if the Wings get up to the 6th or 5th seed, all the better. That just leaves the Preds and the Flames for us.
That game flat out put me to sleep in the first. Or was is the beers?
If you're at the table and you don't see a sucker..... you're it.
by Brownie's Year on Mar 7, 2010 12:18 PM PST up reply actions
Im not sure what makes me happier
The hawks losing or the wings winning… There’s cause for both, but at the same time not looking forward to meeting either of them in playoffs.
Answer.
If the Hawks are in first, and they lose to the 8th seed wings, and we win…then we play the wings 2nd round as they are the lowest seed and we are the highest. However, if Chicago wins, then we don’t see them until WCF if we both win…See what I’m saying? So we would absolutely be rooting for Chicago.
This whole scenario would only work if Chicago is 1st, we’re 2nd, and Detroit’s 8th…otherwise scrap everything I said :)
Go Sharks!
Excuses
Another hot goalie? Hmm… that sounds familiar.
Hey, Steve Mason and Carey Price are solid goalies, but they’re nowhere near the same echelon of the likes of Luongo, Miller, or Vokoun. Speaking of which, Vokoun shows up after Nashville. Vokoun’s been solid all year. Nashville isn’t bad in net either— Dan Ellis has solidified himself as the #1. Unlike Columbus, those teams are actually in the mix for the playoffs.
At some point, the Sharks have to start dominating like the #1 seed that they are. At some point, these players have to start holding themselves accountable.
I had a near aneurysm watching the Sharks defecate on that powerplay at the end of the game. Columbus nearly scored shorthanded. That’s not supposed to happen.
Patty Marleau: An Erotic Life
Demonstrate value
Engage physically
Nurture dependence
Neglect emotionally
Inspire hope
Separate entirely
Pekka Rinne is #1 in Nashville
Rinne just signed a new contract and is getting the majority of the starts.
Ellis will be looking for a new team next year
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
2nd intermission Tug-a-War
Did any of you see the sweet tug-a-war during second intermission??
Did you see the sweet red and white vintage 1940s red suit that one dude was wearing??
Yes that was me!!! My friends and I dominated that other team. So fun!!!!
well played on the tug-o-war
Out of random curiosity how were you selected?
A guy in our group knows one of the girls that works for the Tank Patrol. We had to get to the game early and fill out some waiver forms.
It was super fun. You have to go get ready with about 10 minutes remaining in the 2nd period. I had never seen the tug-o-war their before. It was 5 on 5. Each of the winners get $50 to the Sharks store for winning too, so that was a nice bonus. One of the best parts though was getting to hangout by the Blue Jackets locker room after we were done. We got to be right next to them and watch them all walk from the locket room to the ice. I am pretty sure I had a big part to do with the 3rd period comeback because I was talking shit to Mason and Nash. They didn’t like that and i got a lot of dirty looks. GOOD TIMES!!!!
Awesome. Sounds like a lot of fun
Though the credit for the win goes to Randy Hahn for Jinxing the blue jackets on air in just about every way possible.
(Mentioning shut out in regards to mason several times, bringing up the fact that the Blue Jackets lead the league in 3rd period collapses, it was great)
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
CBJ's vs Kings
Kings up 4-0 at end of first period… We have to fight to win, they blow it out of the park in first period. Now that’s how you are suppose to start a game.
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