San Jose Destroys the Calgary Flames

Video Highlights from Last Game

What can you really say about a game like that? Wow. I know San Jose was going to come out strong against the floundering Flames, but geez...I didn't expect that explosion! More shocking than the final score of 1 - 9 was who put in those nine tallies for Team Teal. As mentioned in the previous posts, San Jose has been looking for secondary scoring and it came in a big way tonight. Besides Dany Heatley's and Devin Setoguchi's goals, all other red lights were lit by players who hadn't scored in weeks. In fact, the Sharks set a team record by having eight different players score a goal in one single game.

It all started at 4:07 of the first period when Joe Pavelski scored his 10th goal of the season. As I've been noticing lately, Little Joe has been getting more chances, but just not putting the biscuit in the basket. Well, less than five minutes into the game, Number 8 converted and got the snowball rolling. Then, just roughly two minutes later, Manny Malhotra scored his 8th beating Miikka Kiprusoff who usually is a brick wall when facing his former club. However, tonight, the former Vezina Trophy winner looked like a sieve. In fact, Kipper was chased from the net after six shots hit the back of his net.

Over the next 40 minutes, the Sharks rattled off five more goals coming off of the sticks of Scott Nichol, Jed Ortmeyer, Heatley, Ryane Clowe, and Setoguchi. Devin's goal in particular was especially fun to watch. With a defenseman draped across his back, Number 16 made a strong move across the front of the net and tucked one by Calgary's backup goalie using only his weak hand on the stick.

Throughout the game, Calgary resorted to its typical game plan when falling behind on the scoreboard...hacking, hitting, cheap shots...all around rough stuff. Fortunately, San Jose is a tougher squad these days and was able to push back...though not as hard as I was hoping. I don't know about all other Sharks fans, but I still carry a lot of anger over how the Flames beat up on Patrick Marleau in the playoffs. Consequently, I was hoping for our guys to really take it to Calgary and beat up on them with a few cheap shots of their own. I know that there are a number of you out there that think I'm wrong and that we should always take the high road. Well, part of me agrees with you, but most of me just doesn't like the Flames.

Well, if the Sharks weren't going to physically stomp on them...at least San Jose destroyed them on the scoreboard. In fact, with all of the pucks hitting Calgary twine, the Flames seemed to slow down on their own...I guess that's what you call demoralizing a team. Nice work boys.

Game Notes:

Though Torrey Mitchell didn't score tonight, it was awesome seeing him drop the gloves and continuing to play hard even late in the game. Slowly, but surely...looks like Number 17 is back.
In addition to scoring three goals in the last two games, it looks like Seto is starting to hit again as well.
Evgeni Nabokov had another stellar performance only letting one shot past him while stopping 21 others.
Much to my surprise, Jerome Iginla looked like a non-factor out there...weak on the puck, not very physical, and a step behind on every play. I really respect Jerome as a player, but he just didn't look good out there.
With this devastating loss, Calgary has now lost five in a row.
With this spectacular win, San Jose remains tied with the Chicago Blackhawks at the top of the entire league.

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