Mixed Results for Sharks over Thanksgiving Weekend

The San Jose Sharks had a Thanksgiving weekend that was truly a mixed bag. On one hand, the Sharks had some trouble scoring goals but also got one clutch goalie performance from Antti Niemi, and one reminder that a new rival still seemingly has their number. Wednesday Night’s game saw the Sharks take on the Chicago Blackhawks, where the men of teal were challenged for the entire evening. Against the Vancouver Canucks, it was the Canucks who seized control of one period, with the Sharks doing the same in the following period.

Both games were early season tests. The Sharks overall passed these tests but at the same time showed their is plenty of work that lies ahead if they are to be successful in landing at their ultimate goal. The Sharks will have another busy night Monday as they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Kings, before returning home Thursday Night for a match with the Montreal Canadiens…Here’s a look at how the Thanksgiving weekend went for team teal…

Chicago Shutdown – The Blackhawks came with their loaded roster and gave the Sharks everything they had as they controlled large portions of each period. Jason Demers’ power play goal late in the 2nd period and 34 saves from A Niemi gave the Sharks a hard fought 1-0 win at the Shark Tank. Niemi’s best save of the night came in the second period as he was able to block a Marian Hossa breakaway shot midway through the second period. The Blackhawks had a 23-11 shot advantage through two periods (and a 34-21 shot advantage for the game). Demers’ goal game right off a face off after a hooking penalty to the ‘Hawks David Bolland. Logan Couture won the faceoff and the puck came out directly to Demers who drilled a slapshot the hit the stick of Chicago goalie Corey Crawford, which then seemingly ramped up and over his shoulder and into the upper corner of the net.

Niemi took it from there and thwarted every Blackhawks shot on net. Patrick Kane had seven shots on goal while teammate Duncan Keith had six. However, neither they or the rest of the ‘Hawks could find the back of the net against a goalie who helped them win the cup just two seasons ago. The Sharks killed off all four Chicago power plays in the process.

Remember Us? – The Sharks Saturday Night met the Vancouver Canucks for the first time since May 23rd, aka Game 5 of the WCF won by Vancouver on an weird OT goal that the Sharks are still not sure how it happened. That was six months ago. The Canucks and Sharks traded goals in the first period in a relatively even opening period. Former Shark Manny Malhotra put the Canucks ahead early before Andrew Murray scored his first goal as a Shark to tie the contest. The second period however was all about the Canucks, who reminded the Sharks of how dominant they can be and how they can take over a game at anytime. The game changed midway through the second period after Joe Thronton was whisted into the penalty box for a questionable slashing call. This not only negated a Sharks power play, but gave the Canucks the perfect window to take over the game.

The Canucks from that point took over the second period, getting a power play goal from Henrik Sedin who scored off a huge rebound off of Niemi. Then things got worse for team teal when 50 seconds later Andrew Alberts drilled a slap shot from the point that Niemi never saw coming and the Shark were down two goals just like that. Honestly, despite the two goals, it was Niemi who kept the Sharks in the game as the Canucks peppered the Sharks net for most of the period from that point, and once hitting the crossbar on what seemed to be a sure goal. The Sharks could have been down about 5-1 if not for Niemi.

In the third period, this in many ways was the polar opposite of the 2nd period. The Sharks dominated the period and had several chances to get back into the game. The only problem was Canucks goalie Corey Schnieder was on his game and kept up a dominant run that had continued over this game and two previous (both shutouts in Colorado and Phoenix). Schnieder was on top of every Sharks shot and made save after save and was for the most part unphased. He did what a good backup goalie does, he can steal a game. This is what he did. Patrick Marleau’s goal with 1:15 left in the third period gave the Sharks some hope at 3-2. However, even with the extra attacker the equalizer wasn’t going to happen as the Canucks continued a dominant run over the Sharks. Counting last years playoffs, Vancouver has now won 8 of 10 over the Sharks and seems for now to have the Sharks number. I don’t feel right now is the time to be to concerned about this particular game. At the same time I hope both the coaches and even GM Doug Wilson took some good notes in this game. If the Sharks are going to get to the prommised land, it would not be all that surprising if the had to go through the Canucks. With all due respect to the Red Wings and Blackhawks, it may be Vancouver who again may be the Sharks biggest challange.

For the Sharks it’s now onto Los Angeles for some Monday Night Hockey and the second game of six against another rival in the Kings. The Sharks won the first meeting between these two at the Shark Tank three weeks ago (Nov 7th) 4-2. The Kings as do the Sharks have a loaded with a line up that features Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Dustin Brown, Simon Gagne amongst others and a goalie in Jonathan Quick who has risin up and become one of the top net minders in the NHL. Should be an interesting match…

GO SHARKS!!!!

The King Shark