Great Start Not Good Enough

Video Highlights from Last Game

Coming into tonight's game against the Calgary Flames, the San Jose Sharks knew that they had to start off on the right foot in order to defeat their hard hitting conference rivals. Well, that's just what Team Teal did...they scored within the first minute of play and jumped to a very early lead. Unfortunately, injuries, untimely penalties, and squandered opportunities cost the Sharks two points.

Well, it was bound to happen and part of me is glad that it finally did...the San Jose Sharks lost a game in regulation at home. It took more than half of the season, but the run is finally over. Maybe now we can stop making such a big deal about a streak that we all knew was going to eventually end and just focus on the hockey. The only thing that bothers me about the streak coming to an end is how San Jose let it happen.

This game was definitely "winnable". Unfortunately, with Rob Blake off the ice after taking a puck in the head, San Jose skated with a short bench for most of the night. Having only five defensemen isn't the end of the world, but losing Number 4 obviously took a toll...especially on the powerplay. The Sharks had five chances to put one past the Flames while on the man-advantage. In fact, there was a brief 5 on 3 that San Jose wasn't able to convert. It didn't help that Blake was in the locker room and Joe Thornton was in the penalty box. The untimely cross-checking penalty to Number 19 might have been the reason Team Teal wasn't able to score on that opportunity.

It appeared that certain players tonight really were working hard, but their efforts were lost on a few players who decided to take the night off. Thornton was a one-man wrecking crew out there. He was skating, checking, passing, scoring...Number 19 was doing it all. In fact, he almost won the game when his slapper went off both posts without crossing the Calgary goal line.

Well, I hope the Sharks can regroup and put a much better effort forward against the Detroit Red Wings who are coming to town on Saturday. If they thought tonight's game was tough, just wait till the Champs come rolling in.

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