San Jose Sharks: Impressions From The “Futures” Games

The Sharks prospects went 0-2 against Anaheim Ducks prospects in the Futures Games this past weekend. Losing 5-4 in a shootout thriller on Saturday, and 2-0 on Sunday after Ducks goalie prospect Igor Bobkov played sensational in  a 29 save shutout. Let’s break down some of the highlights of each game, and take a look at some of the positive things the Sharks prospects accomplished each night.

Saturday September 13th  

Score: Sharks Prospects-4  Ducks Prospects-5 (Shootout)

Recap:

Unfortunately this game was not streamed live, but the Worcester Sharks twitter account (@WorcesterSharks) did a fantastic job of live tweeting the play-by-play action. Because I wasn’t able to watch this game, most of the game summary is borrowed from the Worcester Sharks twitter feed.

Period 1

The Sharks got on the board early at 3:14 in the first period after John McInnis found the back of the net, Chris Tierney had the lone assist on the goal. The Ducks answered right back scoring on the power play at 8:34 in the first period. The score would remain tied 1-1 at the end of the first, the Sharks finished the period on the PP after a scrum following a huge hip check by Kyle Bigos resulted in a Ducks penalty.

Period 2

The Ducks prospects got on the board first in the 2nd period on a goal from Max Friberg on the rebound at 6:46. The Sharks Rylan Schwartz answered with the tying goal assisted by Gus Young at 12:23. The rest of the period remained scoreless.

Period 3

The third period opened up with the score tied at 2-2, and the excitement really ramped up about 4 minutes into the period with a solid fight between the Sharks Dylan Sadowy and the Ducks Wyatt Johnson. Video of the fight can be seen here. There were a few scoring chances for both teams following the fight, but the Ducks’ Stefan Noesen opened up the scoring in the 3rd period at 10:28. Things didn’t get any easier for the Sharks as William Karlsson scored just minutes later to give the Ducks a 4-2 lead with only 7:21 to go in the game. What happened next was a tremendous show of grit and competitiveness from the Sharks Prospects as Chris Tierney answered with a goal of his own just 50 seconds later to cut the Ducks lead to one. Rylan Schwartz made an impressive save of his own behind JP Anderson to keep it a 1 goal game late in the 3rd. With 1:41 remaining in regulation Anthony DiFruscia tied the game at 4 on an unassisted breakaway goal.

OT Period/Shootout

Neither team found the back of the net during the overtime period, so after 5 minutes of 4 on 4 hockey this game went to a shootout. Gabryel Boudreau was the only player to score for the Sharks during the shootout and the Ducks won the game 5-4.

More from Editorials

• Korenar deserves a chance at the NHL level
• Three prospects the Sharks should consider drafting
• Red hot Couture provides a much needed boost
• Is it reasonable for the Sharks to fire Doug Wilson?
• NHL misses golden opportunity with Tahoe games

Sunday September 14th

Score: Sharks Prospects-0 Ducks Prospects-2

Recap:

The Sharks simply did not have an answer for the stellar play of Anaheim goalie prospect Igor Bobkov in Sunday’s game. The Sharks put 29 shots on goal and had quite a few quality scoring chances, but Bobkov was able to secure a shutout victory with some very impressive saves. The Sharks Power Play unit was mostly ineffective throughout the game, but you can chalk that up to the players not being familiar with one another yet, the chemistry will come in time. That being said, I saw a lot of offensive talent where I wasn’t necessarily expecting it during this game.

Mirco Mueller’s shot looks very solid, and he made smart decisions with the puck that helped the team move up ice. In short, he looked like a player who’s ready to make an impact in the NHL this year. Watching Mueller play reminded me of a young Marc-Edouard Vlasic, a shut down defender who plays a solid mistake free game. I’m looking forward to seeing him in San Jose very soon.

Nikolay Goldobin showed flashes of his incredible offensive talent during the game, but he needs to improve his defensive game more before he can make the jump to the NHL. That being said, he showed why the Sharks drafted him in the first round of the 2014 draft, and if the Sharks offense hits a wall like it did at times last season, he could be called up to help provide a boost.

Every player on the ice showed a solid upside during this game, and the way they played against a Duck’s prospect team that many believe is the best in the league gave me a lot to be excited about.

Period 1

William Karlsson opened the scoring with a goal at 12:23 of the opening period to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. It would be the only goal of the period as Troy Grosenick stood tall and stopped every other shot in the period.

Period 2

The Ducks scored their second goal at 6:09 of the second period on the power play when a shot from the point was redirected past Grosenick. After allowing the power play goal, Grosenick didn’t seem very rattled as he once again kept everything else out of the net. The Ducks had a few more good scoring chances during the 2nd period but Grosenick was able to keep the game close.

Period 3

The Sharks came out strong in the 3rd period applying their best sustained pressure of the night in the Ducks zone. Igor Bobkov made some of his best saves of the game early in the 3rd period, and he faced some very solid shots from the Sharks offense. Grosenick also made quite a few big saves in the period, but at the 10 minute mark he was knocked down when a Duck’s player was knocked into him. Grosenick’s skate was damaged in the collision, he left the game but returned with 1:43 remaining to finish it out. JP Anderson was rock solid coming off the bench and he stopped every shot he faced. The Sharks pulled their goalie with 66 seconds remaining, but were unable to get on the board in this one as Igor Bobkov secured a shutout.

The Sharks prospects may have dropped both games this weekend, but these young players showed a lot of upside and a competitiveness that should be a welcome addition to the San Jose and Worcester rosters this year.