Saturday Matinee Game Day Report: San Jose Vs. Colorado
By Ryan Bayer
March 1, 2011; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) clears the the puck from Colorado Avalanche center Kevin Porter (12) during the second period at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Today the San Jose Sharks welcome into town the Colorado Avalanche for an early Saturday matinee tilt. The last time these two teams met was back on March 26, 2012 at the HP Pavilion in which San Jose defeated the Avalanche 5-1. In that contest the Sharks received contributions from four different players, which includes, Joe Pavelski with 2 goals, Andrew Desjardins, former Shark Torrey Mitchell, and Ryane Clowe. Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi had a stellar night in goal as he turned away 35 of 36 total shots he faced. The lone scorer for the Colorado Avalanche was Shane O’Brien.
San Jose is ridding a three game winning streak as they defeated the Calgary Flames 4-1, the Edmonton Oilers 6-3, and the Phoenix Coyotes 5-3 at their home opener last Thursday night. For the visiting Avalanche, they are a ridding a winning streak on their own as they have won the last two, including a 4-0 shutout to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
As of today, the Sharks are in first place of the NHL’s Pacific Division with a 3-0-0 record on the season with 6 points. For Colorado, they are currently in second place of the Northwest Division with a 2-1-0 record with 4 points.
***Who’s hot: Following an injury-plagued 2011-12 season in which he was limited to 58 games, Duchene is off to a strong start with four points in his last two games. Parenteau has goals in consecutive games while Varlamov’s .948 save percentage and 1.68 goals-against average rank among the best in the League. … For the Sharks, there might not be a hotter tandem in the NHL than Marleau and Thornton, who ranked first in the League in goals and assists respectively heading into Friday’s action. Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture have kept pace, notching seven points apiece in three games.
Injury report: The glaring omission on the Avalanche roster will be winger Steve Downie, who is lost for the season following knee surgery. … The Sharks are missing defensemen Brent Burns (hernia surgery) and Jason Demers (wrist).***
***Who’s hot and injury report courtesy of the San Jose Sharks.***
Official link: http://sharks.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2012020057
#23 Scott Gomez skates with the San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgray, AB, Canada January 20, 2013. Mandatory credit: Kevin Kurz/San Jose Sharks.
****Scott Gomez update: We’re fairly certain that Gomez will make his Sharks debut today after sitting out Thursday’s home opener. Todd McLellan had Gomez on the second power play unit in practice on Friday, and between Adam Burish and James Sheppard on even-strength line rushes. Gomez has something to prove after getting bought out by Montreal, and should be a motivated player in this shortened season.****
****Scott Gomez report by Kevin Kurz at Comcast Sportsnet California.****
Official link: http://www.csncalifornia.com/blog/kevin-kurz/avalanche-sharks-glance
2011-2012 Season Series Statistics: San Jose Sharks defeated Colorado Avalanche 3-0-1
Today’s contest has a 1:00p PST puck drop and can been seen on Comcast Sportsnet California HD and can be heard on 98.5 KFOX
LET’S GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!
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