Game Day Report: Sharks Vs. Ducks
By Ryan Bayer
Dec 26, 2011; San Jose CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe (29) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin (23) line up during the first period at HP Pavilion. The Anaheim Ducks defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Today San Jose hosts their arch rival’s the Anaheim Ducks for some Tuesday night hockey. It is the first time this season these two California foes square off against one another, with four additional meetings later in the year. When these two clubs last saw one another, was back on March 28, 2012 in southern California as the Ducks defeated the Sharks 3-1. That contest was considered a fairly clean one between these rivals as only one penalty was handed out for tripping to former Anaheim Ducks defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. The lone goal scorer for the Sharks was Ryane Clowe who found the back of the net, while Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, and Teemu Selanne each scored for the Ducks. San Jose’s Antti Niemi had a good game vs. Anaheim that night as he turned away 27 of 29 shots that came his way, as for Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller, he practically put up a brick wall by stopping 28 of 29 he faced.
San Jose is clicking on all cylinders right now as they have won five straight games. Three of those five games were a series of home openers the Sharks had the pleasure of playing in. The other two were against a young team the Colorado Avalanche lead by Gabriel Landeskog and a very skilled Vancouver Canucks roster with a one two punch by the Sedin twins. As for the Ducks, they have gotten off to an okay start this season having won three of their last four games.
The Tale of The Tape Report:
Current Record:
San Jose Sharks are in first place in the Pacific Division with a 5-0-0 record and ten points to their credit. In addition, San Jose is second overall in the Western Conference just behind the Chicago Blackhawks who also undefeated with a 6 straight wins of their own. For the Ducks, they are in second of the Pacific and fifth overall in the West with a 3-1-0 record and six points to their credit.
Notables:
In their previous game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Sharks successfully killed off all seven of their penalties that were assessed against them, including Clowe’s double minor in the second period. Furthermore, Marleau’s goal scoring streak continued as he knotted his ninth marker on the season, while Pavelski tallied two strikes and Thornton contributed with one of his own. Moreover, in a span of their last five contest’s, San Jose has scored at least two power play goals with a combined total of 12 entering today’s contest.
***Injuries:
Sharks: Brent Burns (lower body) and Jason Demers (fractured wrist) are out. Dan Boyle left after the second period against Vancouver on Sunday due to a bloody nose.***
***Injury Report courtesy of Kevin Kurz***
link: http://www.csncalifornia.com/blog/kevin-kurz/sharks-ducks-glance
2011-2012 Season Series Statistics: Anaheim Ducks defeated San Jose Sharks 5-1.
Today’s contest has a 7:30p 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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