Cheechoo Still Out

Shot to head keeps winger out

When the San Jose Sharks take the ice tonight to take on the Dallas Stars, they will be without Jonathan Cheechoo for a second consecutive game. Number 14 has been the hottest player on Team Teal during the recent winning streak and his absence is forcing coach Ron Wilson to juggle lines. As we saw against Phoenix the other night, juggling may not be in out best interest.

I've watched the cheap shot a number of times and it still is very frustrating to watch. On the play, Cheechoo had already dished the puck when he took a butt end of a stick to the back of his head. If it was a bang-bang play, then maybe I'd be more understanding and see it as unintentional. However, the replay clearly shows that there was enough time for Kunitz to pull up. Even worse, you can see the Anaheim player bringing his hands up towards Cheech's head...he didn't lead with a shoulder or a hip. Instead, he went up high with his stick...cheap...very cheap.

This "check" was clearly an attempt to injure a key player for San Jose. Do you think it was intentional? I do. What better way to improve your future in the playoffs...hurt your opposition's top players...makes sense, but doesn't make it right.

Well, let's hope that the Sharks can lock up the Pacific without Jonathan. Equally as important, let's see how San Jose responds to the hit Friday night. The two squads hook up tomorrow and I want to see our boys in teal do some damage...with clean checks, unlike the one Kunitz threw.

A San Jose Sharks Blog