San Jose Sharks: MVP of Week Two

Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Wow! What a week for San Jose Sharks hockey as they remain undefeated, beating the Rangers, Canucks, and Senators. One of the main story-lines of this week, if you haven’t already heard, was Tomas Hertl’s sensational four goal game against the Rangers. Even more publicized was his fourth goal, a between the legs shot on the breakaway. This all happened in front of his crying mother and girlfriend, it was a sight to be remembered. It comes as no surprise that this weeks Blades of Teal MVP is awarded to #48, Tomas Hertl (aka. Teenage Mutant Ninja Hertl).

His four goal game was a huge momentum boost for Team Teal, however, it sparked some major controversy in the hockey world. Washington Capitals coach, Adam Oates, was the first to express his discouragement of flashy moves late in the game. Apparently, according to Oates, making these moves is disrespectful towards the league.

"I think it was a little bit of a mood thing, which I’m sure they talked about, because they didn’t play him after that. I’m glad the coach did that because this league, it will bite you if you’re not sharp. Don’t disrespect the league. I’m sure it was a rookie mistake."

Twitter erupted after this goal, in fact, Tomas Hertl was trending in Pittsburgh at 2 in the morning. More and more people were talking about it and more players were asked about their feelings on it. Henrik Sedin, of the Vancouver Canucks on the day they played the Sharks, called the goal “beautiful” and “fun to watch.” I believe Hertl’s goal actually helped the league rather than disrespected it. It brought a ton of attention to the sport of hockey. Football fans, baseball fans, and basketball fans were all raving about this goal. Hockey, not being one of the most popular sports in the U.S., needs this kind of attention in order to grow and get more of a fan-base. In response to these comments, Sharks GM Doug Wilson went back directly at Oates.

"I think he should worry about coaching his team, and not worry about being a caretaker of the game. I would not allow our coaches to make comments about other team’s players."

Anyways, all this unbelievable controversy was sparked by Hertl’s amazing performace against the Rangers. In his next game, against the Canucks, he was quieter, only posting 3 shots and 2 hits to go along with the Sharks’ fourth straight win. He was the victim of a head-shot by Alexander Edler that sent Hertl’s helmet flying, later on, Edler was suspended for three games for the same hit.

On Saturday night, against the Ottawa Senators, it seemed as if Hertl and the Sharks were going to have a repeat of the Rangers game, when Hertl scored his league leading seventh goal of the young season only 55 seconds into the game. With the game tied in the second period, things got grim for Sharks fans. With time dwindling away, Hertl took a hard hit from Clarke MacArthur and had to be helped off the ice to the dressing room. He did not return. Thankfully, after the game Brodie Brazil tweeted that everything would likely be OK:

Largely fueled by the nineteen year old, the Sharks went undefeated this week. It was quite obvious that this weeks MVP award goes to the rookie, Hertl, as he did score five goals and leads the league in scoring.

Check back here next Sunday for the MVP of week three after the Sharks take on the Senators again in Ottowa.

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