Schneider steals a victory in San Jose; Sharks lose 3-2

by Matthew_Taylor on Nov 26, 2011 9:37 PM PST in Sharks Game Recaps

With two of the Western Conference's elite going head to head tonight, you would expect a tilt with plenty of skill and flash. With the recent history between the Sharks and Canucks, it was fair to expect a little piss and vinegar as well.

The teams gave observers both, and early. At just 2:10 of the first, Brad Winchester and Aaron Volpatti dropped the gloves for a rematch of their short (but not so sweet) preseason scrap, This time, Winchester won decisively in a fight that seemed to energize both squads.

The Canucks would be the first to capitalize on that, as Manny Malhotra would score a strange goal against his former organization to put Vancouver up 1-0. After Sharks' netminder Antti Niemi lost his stick, Manny Malhotra retrieved the puck from behind the net and banked it off Douglas Murray's skate. Murray, who was trying to pick up Niemi's stick for him, was standing in a dangerous position - his own crease. The resulting own goal put the Sharks behind early.

Another Murray would score in the period, but luckily Andrew Murray did it for his own team. Stealing the puck from Edler at the San Jose blue line, Murray took the puck and drove to the net. He lost control, but some strong follow up by Andrew Desjardins got the puck back to Murray for the one timer. It was the first goal that Canucks netminder Cory Schneider had allowed in over two games, and it brought the teams to a tie that would last through the period, despite some late pressure from both teams.

The score would stay that way for a while, thanks to some incredible goaltending displayed by the constantly improving Niemi. A save on Chris Higgins is a shining example of that, as Niemi fought off shot after shot before sliding the pads over and stealing a slam-dunk chance from Higgins.

Cory Schneider had some glorious saves of his own, including two on a penalty to Maxim Lapierre. First Schneider stopped Patrick Marleau on the doorstep, and then Brent Burns point blank.

Joe Thornton would take a slashing penalty in the waining seconds of the Sharks' power play, and from that point the Canucks opened up the floodgates. Henrik Sedin scored on the power play, and less than a minute later, Andrew Alberts scored one of his own to put Vancouver up 3-1.

The Canucks dominance of the second period was unfortunate, and it went against the Sharks' modus operandi so far this year. Before tonight's game, the Sharks held an incredible +20 goal differential in the middle frame. +18 is nothing to be ashamed about, but to say that San Jose would like those two back is an understatement.

The third period was scoreless until late, with Cory Schneider again stealing the show. With seconds ticking away and Antti Niemi pulled, the Sharks would get within one. Patrick Marleau, after being stoned by Schneider a sequence earlier, ricocheted one off Kevin Bieksa. To give an illustration of how good Schneider has been, it was only the second goal he's allowed in 117 shots against. Incredible.

Momentum was back on the Sharks side, but some poor positioning and a slip and fall by the struggling Dan Boyle ended any chance that San Jose had at a comeback.

It's a tough one to lose, as the Sharks played well aside from the one minute in the second where they allowed two goals in rapid succession. They fired more shots (45-27) and won most of the face-offs (60%), but hang their heads in defeat tonight.

You lose some that you deserve to win sometimes, and often it's because of the play of a single player on the other side. Just ask Chicago how that feels.

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where did dan boyle i grew to know and love go?

by drewhamlet on Nov 26, 2011 9:41 PM PST reply actions

Seriously…what is going on with him??

Liked (most of) the Sharks game tonight…Niemi had been spectacular the last 4 games w/ the skaters struggling a big – they weren’t able to bail him out tonight. It happens.

by milanahalek on Nov 26, 2011 9:45 PM PST up reply actions

Boyle just needs to settle down sometimes

I think we all know how critical of himself he is. I personally think it’s a case of just pushing a little too hard. Obviously you would never want to take away his passion but maybe he can let te game come to him a bit more. Much like steady Eddie has focused and being a defensive force and letting the offense come naturally, I think Boyle could play just a bit more conservative and let’s the points come as they may. Maybe just pick his spots a bit more.

Also I think the coaching staff could do more to give him a bit of a rest. I know they want him out their on the top PP but maybe we can give some more ice to Braunemers on the PP to get them more accustomed to playing with the top unit, and at the same time keeping Boyle fresh.

GO SHARKS!

by jMoneyBrah on Nov 27, 2011 12:14 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Conservative has never been Boyle’s game and it never will be. The reason he’s so good is that he’s a) a great skater and b) so dynamic with the puck. He’ll never be a defense first player.

If it was just a few games that he’s looked lost I wouldn’t worry, but it’s really been all season long. It’s also causing Murray to have some issues as they rely on each others strenghts a lot.

I have to think, that because he’s so competitve, he’ll pull himself out of whatever because he’s clearly not happy with his own game.

by milanahalek on Nov 27, 2011 7:35 AM PST up reply actions

there's definitely something going on there...

…our top D pairing looked pretty bad out there tonight.

The Thanksgiving own-goal is starting to look like an annual curse.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
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by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 8:29 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

The Canucks owned the front of their net

They got to rebounds first. Schneider played very good, but he didn’t have to steal this one.

GO SHARKS!

They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn

Changing signatures is for suckers.

What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.

by ElvisVF101 on Nov 26, 2011 9:44 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

So true.

They are just so clean with everything. Like on the breakouts, it seems like there is always someone right where he needs to be as an outlet to get the puck out of the zone. Just really high efficiency.

"I believe in you guys in the media. I believe that you will find a way to doubt his team. Just as long as what's written is written against us we'll be happy." - Jim Harbaugh

by SanFranciscoKnights on Nov 26, 2011 11:05 PM PST up reply actions

agreed in full. also I would have liked to see the sharks finish a few checks, if not all the time, at least when we went down by two and things were clearly not going our way

by meetyourmako on Nov 27, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

I agree. I think it was an overstatement that Schneider stole the game. The Sharks got a lot of shots on goal, much the majority of them were weak fully seen shots or double/triple poundings of a puck already up against his pads. There certainly were quality shots, but most of the time the Sharks got in the zone, fought for minutes on the board, did one weak shot along the ice (both goals were lifts) that Schneider went down on, with the puck going right to one of their defensemen standing in front of the net who then promptly scooped it up and out of the zone (or on a breakout pass to one of their point forwards).

In and out with few second chances or screened shots. That was the problem. Squandered power plays with too cute movement.

by VVhirlwind on Nov 27, 2011 5:33 PM PST up reply actions

Well... at least we're still technically on top of the division, somehow, thanks

to Phoenix… sorta/

by JenLovesHockey on Nov 26, 2011 9:51 PM PST reply actions

Uggh, I had forgotten than Chi and LA are still playing...

by JenLovesHockey on Nov 26, 2011 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

Two main thoughts from me tonight...

Schneider did a great job of directing rebounds to the side the Sharks weren’t on (which was pretty consistently the weakside).

And Boyle needs to get some rest, whatever it takes. He looks like he has tired legs. Burns and Vlasic could probably handle those minutes and in my mind they probably should if only so we can have quality minutes from Boyle when he’s out there.

Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!

by Auth0r on Nov 26, 2011 9:53 PM PST reply actions

Problem with Boyle

He’s looked like this all season, skating, shot, decision making, passing – everything is off. I’m starting to wonder if he didn’t completely heal from the knee injury he got during the playoffs. Whatever it, they either need to lower him minutes a LOT or pull him out of the line up for a couple of games and let him rest up.

He’s such an important part of the team, but the Sharks really need him healthy and at his best at the end of the season and into the playoffs.

And I agree, Burns and Vlasic can and should handle those minutes.

by milanahalek on Nov 26, 2011 9:59 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah,

he’s been off, can barely hold the zone anymore on a PP, can’t skate as well, makes mistakes, etc.

by JenLovesHockey on Nov 26, 2011 10:00 PM PST up reply actions

Burns on the other hand looks like an absolute stud, which is great to see.

He is awesome to watch in person.

"I believe in you guys in the media. I believe that you will find a way to doubt his team. Just as long as what's written is written against us we'll be happy." - Jim Harbaugh

by SanFranciscoKnights on Nov 26, 2011 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

I was at the game tonight and it seemes like Boyle would only shoot when there was zero traffic in front.

He was so impatient and never waited that extra half second to get a screen in front of the goalie—probably a big reason as to why he only has one goal on the season.

"I believe in you guys in the media. I believe that you will find a way to doubt his team. Just as long as what's written is written against us we'll be happy." - Jim Harbaugh

by SanFranciscoKnights on Nov 26, 2011 11:01 PM PST up reply actions

I would agree, I think his knee is bothering him, and because he feels he doesnt have the step he should that he’s forcing his decision making where normally before he would pull some deft skating move. All his problems have been decision making problems where he’s been under pressure to move.

by VVhirlwind on Nov 27, 2011 5:39 PM PST up reply actions

Schneider didn't steal a win.

Sharks gave him one.

Words getting around the NHL: “ATTN: Goalies. Want to inflate your stats on bad shots? Play the Sharks!”

The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw

by Evil Stanchion on Nov 26, 2011 10:00 PM PST reply actions

Disagree

He came up huge on Pavelski, Marleau (3 separate times), and on a few scramble plays in front of the net as well.

by Very Serious Person on Nov 26, 2011 11:58 PM PST up reply actions

Quit being so serious.

The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw

by Evil Stanchion on Nov 27, 2011 7:24 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah he ROBBED us several times in the game

by JenLovesHockey on Nov 27, 2011 10:06 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

please. that’s been the case for at least three years now.

by meetyourmako on Nov 27, 2011 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

And 20 games are completed

Sharks lose a 2-day-off game for the 1st time this season, bummer.

game 20 this season: 2-3 loss vs Vanc (2-day-off-game)
game 20 last season: 5-2 Win vs Chi
at 20 games this season: 13-6-1 / 27 pts, 60 GF – 46 GA
at 20 games last season: 10-6-4 / 24 pts, 60 GF – 54 GA
next 10 games, games 21-30 last season: 5-4-1
Going: L, W, L, W, L, W, SOW, L, OTW, SOL

Next up, the Sharks last game of November, a 1-day-off-game at LA on Mon Nov 28 at 1930 PST. Sharks must continue to improve in the 1-day-off-games.

These, and the rest of the November Sharkstistics have been updated.

Despite the loss to Vanc, the Sharks remain at the top of the West in the Potential Points Standings.

Sharks, play harder, score more goals, and give us more wins!

If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.

by Soloact on Nov 26, 2011 10:08 PM PST reply actions

According to live Couture, there's a few more __ is a lousy _ videos coming out shortly.

Including another one starring him.

The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw

by Evil Stanchion on Nov 26, 2011 10:12 PM PST reply actions

Boyle has a INJURY

Just found out that Boyle was spotted at the Valley Fair Mall last week, walking around with a SERIOUS limp. I don’t know if its a issue with his performance, but it could be.

Go Big or Go Home

by ChangoT on Nov 27, 2011 12:16 AM PST reply actions

One thing I wish

is that if a Sharks player has an injury, they should take the time off to heal rather than “tough it out” and play poorly because of it.

by Soloact on Nov 27, 2011 5:05 PM PST up reply actions

picasso

the creativity on the sharks power play reminds me of finger paintings i used to do

by Sweet Chinito on Nov 27, 2011 2:31 AM PST reply actions

Schneider did steal that game

Breakaway, point blank close shots, deflections were all handled. His positioning as superb and rebound control was great. And if you think 43 saves were all on bad shots give your head a shake.

The Sharks are a dangerous team and it was interesting to see another team besides the Canucks work behind the net as well as the Sharks did. Burns is a bloody monster out there. I look forward to three more games like that this year and another playoff meeting.

Enjoying .500 hockey this year.

by westy99 on Nov 27, 2011 5:18 AM PST reply actions

Yes he did…I thought Marleau could’ve (should’ve) had about 3 goals and Pavs was robbed at least twice.

Niemi was a bit off tonight & the Sharks power play wasn’t very sharp, aside from the PK, the difference between these two teams is almost non-existent.

Gonna be really interesting to see what Vancouver ends up doing with Schneider. I can’t imagine them trading him during the season, even though he’d fetch quite a bit, but unless Luongo goes, they’re really not going to be able to re-sign him in the off season.

He’s not a back up goaltender and he’s worth WAY more than the $900k he’s making.

by milanahalek on Nov 27, 2011 7:30 AM PST up reply actions

trade him to Columbus.

;-)

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 8:10 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

Or Tampa – but I do think they’ll wait and trade his rights. their next two goalies, Lack and Climie…well, if Luuuuu gets hurt I don’t know that they’d trust their season to one of those guys.

by milanahalek on Nov 27, 2011 8:15 AM PST up reply actions

It's not a matter of trust, it's a matter of Cash...

…And the Canucks will be hitting the cap limit this year hard. No way Schneider stays at sub-$1M in this league. No effin’ way.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 5:17 PM PST up reply actions

That’s not something they have to worry about this season though which is why I said they’ll probably wait until the off season to move him.

by milanahalek on Nov 27, 2011 5:25 PM PST up reply actions

Fair enough.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 6:06 PM PST up reply actions

Fairly painful to watch...

…mostly because it was like watching Wednesday’s game…were I a Chicago fan.

Despite all the tire pumping at many of the VC sites, they really should cool it a bit, as this game was far closer than it looked. I’m in total agreement with Author: Schneider was great, but all through the game he was directing rebounds to the weak side of play, right where none of our players were. Vanc capitalized on that to push play back to our end. I’ve seen this as our Achilles heel; the most prominent hole in our play. We should know by now that the way you beat a goalie like Schneider is immediately off the 2nd or 3rd rebound, before he can adjust positioning. The Sharks were definitely playing the rebound, the problem is we missed some amazing opportunities because those shots came from so far out, and no one was even close enough to reach it when it came back.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 8:22 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions

for clarity, change

“the Sharks were playing the rebound,” to, “the sharks were initiating the rebound…”

Makes the point clearer.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 8:33 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

Honestly, being right after the Chicago game

I couldn’t get too upset about this one. You win some like this, you lose some like this.

If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.

by Kazoonole on Nov 27, 2011 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

I would have traded the Chicago win to win this one

Without any hesitation whatsoever.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 10:17 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs

me too

grrr, …Vancouver…

by JenLovesHockey on Nov 27, 2011 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

And they played so well yesterday...

somehow schneider keeps them at bay.

Luon-who?

Schneider seems better than Luongo. The fact that he’s about 6 years younger doesn’t hurt at all.

"I think he just dedicated a Cee Lo Green song to the referee"-Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda on Randy Carlyle yelling at the referee

I never forget a face, but in your case, I'd be glad to make an exception-Groucho Marx

by sanjosesharksfan on Nov 27, 2011 6:15 PM PST up reply actions

Better than Luongo

you mean the goalie that was 4-1-1 against the Sharks last year? That is high praise for Schneider.

Enjoying .500 hockey this year.

by westy99 on Nov 27, 2011 7:46 PM PST up reply actions

Right now? Yes he is better

Overall? I don’t know…honestly…too tight to call. Is Luongo on the decline?

"I think he just dedicated a Cee Lo Green song to the referee"-Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda on Randy Carlyle yelling at the referee

I never forget a face, but in your case, I'd be glad to make an exception-Groucho Marx

by sanjosesharksfan on Nov 27, 2011 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

Tell me about it

I was watching with a Canuck’s fan and it got painful in the second.

by athletics68 on Nov 27, 2011 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

side note: Nitty's coming back, and Dallas lost their starter.

HINT HINT DEE DUB

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Nov 27, 2011 11:49 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Niemi for Jamie Benn STRAIGHT UP

by Briceratops on Nov 27, 2011 12:14 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Or Loui Eriksson

Cause Benn is one of the up and comers.

Dany Heatley=All-star.
Randy Hahn: "He's got moves like Jagr."

by dfh15 on Nov 27, 2011 6:13 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

I went to practice today.

Shepperd and Nitty were progressing well. Both were out there, and, in fact, Nitty spent a whole extra 30 minutes in full pads taking shots, practicing clearing, and doing some pretty insane calisthenics on the ice. He’s looking like he may be back by Christmas. I couldn’t get down to that end because the partition was up, but i think it was Corey Schwab working with him along with Ginner and Braun.

Woodcroft was spending a lot of time with Brad Winchester, working on fighting for and protecting the puck in corner/board battles, at least a good 15-20 minutes.

Demurs is just amazing; probably one of the most devoted players on the roster in the lower lines—he stayed on the ice practicing all kinds of shots until he had to leave to allow the scheduled juniors game to start. That guy can skate. Gave me some great photography practice on the action shots.

In general, the team was focusing on areas that were not working well last night. Tip-offs, rebounds (a LOT of rebounds), two-man rush.

Didn’t see much focus on the PK. As a side note, I believe that the PK suffered last night due to the raw speed of Vancouver. I have no love lost for their antics, and lack of will to defend them, but one thing that whole team can do is skate fast, and that’s where the 1-3 system falls apart. If you can skate around it, or better yet, skate through it before it sets up, it’s totally ineffective. Just ask St. Louis Blues coach, Ken Hitchcock, when asked to comment on Tampa’s 1-3-1:

“I think you make too much of that,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They play with structure, so how do you counteract the structure? To me, it’s like any team. If you allow a team to set up in their structure, they’re going to beat you, doesn’t matter if it’s 1-3-1, 1-2-2 or 2-1-2.

“You have to attack the structure before they set up. … It’s the same as an offensive zone forechecking system. You have to find a way to get by it before it sets its course. So for us it’s about not allowing them to control the tempo of the game.”

As we all know, Murray isn’t a fast skater, and Boyle’s been a little off for whatever reason, making them prime targets to attack. I expect, as word spreads about our better than average PK tweak, that teams will focus on our top 2 blue liners should we stick with 1-3.

Side note: Winchester? That’s one big dude. Seriously.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 6:01 PM PST reply actions

I think Sheppard makes 2nd line by the playoffs.

BOLD predictions.

The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw

by Evil Stanchion on Nov 27, 2011 7:51 PM PST up reply actions

Bold prediction:

What you say doesn’t happen

by Briceratops on Nov 28, 2011 12:35 AM PST up reply actions

Know what the Sharks think of Vancouver?

That is all

(I found this today, hilarious :D)

"I think he just dedicated a Cee Lo Green song to the referee"-Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda on Randy Carlyle yelling at the referee

I never forget a face, but in your case, I'd be glad to make an exception-Groucho Marx

by sanjosesharksfan on Nov 27, 2011 6:13 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

Boyle needs to sit out

He’s definitely injured and we can afford it because of our defensive depth.

Dany Heatley=All-star.
Randy Hahn: "He's got moves like Jagr."

by dfh15 on Nov 27, 2011 6:16 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I was trying to see evidence of that at practice.

Came up empty.

by Noctro on Nov 27, 2011 6:21 PM PST up reply actions

Could be age

But I’m erring on the side of injury.

Dany Heatley=All-star.
Randy Hahn: "He's got moves like Jagr."

by dfh15 on Nov 27, 2011 6:32 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Maybe Dan Boyle just needs

a good ol’ fashioned benching. Let him take in a game or two from the pressbox to get his head right, and give Braun a couple games with Murray.

A 35-yr old defenseman who’s known for his skating and averages over 25 mins a night doesn’t need to play all 82 games. Isn’t this the whole point of having depth at the blue line?

by BillytheSid on Nov 27, 2011 6:49 PM PST reply actions