A San Jose Sharks Blog

July 1, 2010

Well, it's been a few weeks since I last posted and a lot has gone on with our San Jose Sharks. Soon after the season ended and the Chicago Blackhawks raised The Cup, General Manager Doug Wilson began his off-season sculpting of yet another team that has what it takes to win it all. In regards to Team Teal, that means resigning core players...adding new critical personnel...and letting go of those who no longer fit San Jose's game plan. With that said, here's a rundown of what's happened recently.

May 25, 2010

Well, with both the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens saying goodbye to the playoffs, the NHL is left with two teams to face off for Lord Stanley's cup. Personally, I will be rooting for the Philadelphia Flyers, even though I can't stand Chris Pronger! At any rate, click on the title of this post to see the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final Schedule...TV listings included.

May 23, 2010

Well, not too much different to report after Game Four of the series between the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks came out strong, played well, got some good goals, but then let Chicago stick around long enough to tie things up and eventually take the lead. The difference this time is that the game-winning goal came on a bulls**t call. Simply because Patrick Kane has girly little hands and can't hold onto his stick, Dany Heatley was called for a slash late in the game and it gave Chicago the man advantage...on which they obviously scored. However, I guess I shouldn't complain about that single call because it wouldn't have mattered if San Jose (more specifically Evgeni Nabokov) hadn't let in two very soft goals in the second period. It's unfortunate that the referees had an impact on this game, but it's more of an unfortunate circumstance that San Jose couldn't shut things down after grabbing a two goal lead.

May 21, 2010

In a game where the San Jose Sharks had their chances to win the game, someway...somehow...the Chicago Blackhawks ended on top once again. After a bad game in San Jose, Evgeni Nabokov came back with a solid performance...one good enough to win. Unfortunately, Team Teal couldn't convert on a number of late power play opportunities. More specifically, other than Patrick Marleau, no other Shark could beat Antti Niemi who again had a stellar game stopping 44 out of 46 shots.

May 18, 2010

Well, that one wasn't very close. Do you think it's time to get serious and start shaking things up? I do. After losing Game One, it seemed like all of the players and coaches were too calm...too confident. There wasn't any real feeling of a need for change. Granted, the first game was close and it could have gone either way. However, the fact is that San Jose lost...so how could we not make some changes? Well, Team Teal came out with the same game plan and once again...it didn't work. In a last second attempt to shake things up, Coach Todd McLellan mixed up the lines...sadly, not enough to beat Chicago. Bottom line, our beloved Sharks just looked out-classed for the first time in a long time. Time to really shake things up.

May 16, 2010

The San Jose Sharks came out strong and put a lot of pressure on the Chicago Blackhawks and goaltender Antti Niemi. Unfortunately for Team Teal, Niemi was spectacular. Not only was he able to stop 44 shots on net, but the young netminder stole a number of chances that were all but in the back of the net. With this excellent goaltending keeping the game close, Chicago was able to come back from a one goal deficit, gain some momentum, and eventually get two past Evgeni Nabokov who also had a very good game.

May 11, 2010

With Game Six between the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks going down tonight, many San Jose Sharks fans will be watching as the winner of this series goes on to face Team Teal in the Western Conference Finals. At this point, Chicago holds a 3 - 2 lead, but Vancouver is at home and goaltender Roberto Luongo looks to be regaining his All-Star/Olympic form after making a number of big saves in the last tilt between these teams. So, with two potential opponents...who do I want to face? Well, I have arguments for both teams, but after polling a number of Fin-atics, the clear choice is Vancouver by a 4 to 1 margin over Chicago.

May 8, 2010

Thanks to a complete team effort, the San Jose Sharks pulled through in Game Five against the Detroit Red Wings. In what was already an extremely intense series, the intensity in this game just seemed to be off the charts. From the drop of the puck, both teams seemed to be skating with a lot of speed...the passes were crisp...the shots were sharp...and the saves were stellar. San Jose and Detroit clearly were prepared to play.

May 7, 2010

Well, we knew it wasn't going to be easy. After getting beat three games in a row, the Detroit Red Wings had finally had enough and were able to come up with a big victory against the San Jose Sharks. The good news...no matter what the final score was...it still just one game. The bad news...well...we just looked pretty bad. That first period was a nightmare. I'm not sure what strategy or gameplan could have prevented all those goals from going in, but whatever we do...we need to make sure that it never happens again.

May 4, 2010

As everyone expected, the Detroit Red Wings jumped out of the locker room and onto the ice at Joe Louis Arena ready for blood. It was Game Three and they were down by two to the San Jose Sharks, but this game would be different. They were at home, the fans would be behind them, a nobody beats Detroit three times in a row. Well, things sure did look that way after 40 minutes of play. However, hockey spectators around the world are realizing something that true Sharks fans have known for the past six months...this season's edition of San Jose Sharks hockey isn't the same as it's been in the past...it's improved...very much improved.