Instant Reaction to Sharks-Stars Matchup

Remember the days when Sharks-Stars was an intense rivalry? The disdain for Ed Belfour after his brief cameo in teal before signing with Dallas? Well, those seem like distant memories nowadays but the Sharks need this one to snap put of the current slump that’s bugging them now. At this point, all fans can do is hope and push their hometown folks along. Let’s get it going.

First Period

-Jay Leach making his presence felt in his first game with the team. Starting out as one of the first defensive pairings is an interesting choice though. Douglas Murray being hurt prompted some changes in the pairings though.

-Five minutes into the game, nice to see Leach jumping into the fray an a fracas. Steve Ott did a pretty stupid hit on Dan Boyle from behind, and even gets the extra two minutes for it. Leach got a minor for his part in it, but the Sharks fans appreciate it already.

-Sharks first PP chance had some nice moments, good to see shots on net instead of missing wide or high. Garbage chances occur more that way. Commercial break with 12:43 left, good fast-paced start but still no score.

-Took a while for something to happen, but I think this is going to be a slugfest tonight. Evgeni Nabokov makes a save, and then Derek Joslin sticks up for his goaltender with some pushing and shoving. Couple minutes of 4-on-4 set to commence.

-So much for that, Rob Blake gets a penalty for his hip check on James Neal. Stars will have a PP chance at 9:26 left in the period. Not to mention, a 4-on-3 which opens the ice up a bit.

-Wow, Sharks now face a 5-on-3 after just killing off a penalty thanks to Kent Huskins. With 8:24 left, Sharks PK unit is going to face an early test.

-One penalty killed, the other capitalized on by Mike Ribeiro to give the Stars the early 1-0 edge at 6:52 left. Oy vey…

-Frazer McLaren is making a rookie mistake, seems like he’s changed his focus to jawboning with Ott instead of trying to win. Ott realizes it, and even talking smack from the bench. Refocus, kid.

-GOAL!!! Now that’s the way you respond, Dany Heatley finally hits the 20-goal mark with 5:00 left. Sweet pass from Joe Thornton to set it up, and more importantly, to tie the game at 1-1.

-Offsetting penalties at 3:47 left in the period. By the way, did I just hear the fans calling Marty Turco’s name? Evoking some of the Belfour memories of yesteryear.

-GOAL!!! Blake’s big shot still looking good from the point and it gets by Turco to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead with 3:09 left. Go captain shark.

-They just showed a replay of the last sequence, and Ott fell and nearly took Nabokov with him, the Nabby takes a little slash at him. Ott may just be the villain the Sharks fans haven’t booed since the days of Chris Pronger.

-1st Period Summary: Pretty solid start to this one, definitely going to be a slugfest. McLaren needs to get his act together and not let Ott deter his focus, because that’s just what he does. If he hits you, hit his teammates harder. Other than that, always good to have a lead going into the first break.

2nd Period

-19:28 left in the period, cameras but to a shot of fan favorite Mike Ricci. I’ve heard he has gotten his two front teeth replaced, so maybe that has thrown some people off from recognizing him in public.

-With 16:31 left in this period, this is one of my observations to this point. While the game has been physical, there has been some good back and forth action from end to end. It really has that nice balance to it so far. Oh, and the fact the Sharks are still ahead 2-1 helps a bit.

-This little break at 14:23 has allowed me to ponder a question, why does it seem like most of the Sharks’ attacks this period are just a one shot and done variety? Guys, put the shots on net for extra opportunities.

-Goodness, Drew Remenda said what I was just thinking with 9:00 left in the period. What happened to the pace of this game? This is basically Lunesta with just a tad bit of motion now, the excitement is lacking right now.

-Joslin gets a penalty with 4:51 left, but his collision just sent a stick flying so high that it nearly lands in the stands. Puts the Stars back on the PP again, but geez that stick flew a good distance.

-Looks like Blake is also among the leaders for a stat that is ridiculous to keep track of in hockey: blocked shots. He just tallied #1130 of his career. In a related story, the referee nearly makes an embarrassing error calling a ridiculous penalty on the Sharks. Sends the crowd chanting an expletive that I will not repeat.

-2:51 left, I probably just saw one of the most ridiculous mustaches I have ever seen on one of the suits behind the glass. Trust me, with the game as slow as it is, other stuff catches your attention during the whistle breaks.

-Game stoppage with 52.1 seconds left, as Jamie Benn took a puck to the face off a deflection. Good thing it bounced off his chest first instead of the direct impact, yikes. Not so good thing, Stars with another PP chance to end the period with some carryover into the third.

-2nd Period Summary: Jamie McGinn penalty gives the Stars a carryover penalty, but not much to write about this period. I don’t know what happened there, but it was more of a grind than anything else. Guys, don’t you know it has to be a bit more entertaining than this?? I kid of course, ultimately I want to win.

3rd Period

-Good start by killing off the Dallas PP, but the Sharks again spending too much time in their own zone. Nearly cost them with a turnover at their own end. I think Nabokov would like a little space for once.

-Commercial break with 13:55 left in this game, and while the pace has picked up a little, I am still concerned with the amount of time the Sharks are spending in their own zone. Not to mention the fact they are getting outshot 35-21 to this point. Go for one more score to ice this game up, sitting on a lead should be the last option.

-Well, how else can you make things easier? How about a Blake penalty with 12:55 left to put the Stars back on the PP, that’s just great timing.

-Sharks PK unit comes through again, and a huge save by Nabokov with 10:43 left in the game. If this is their idea of sitting on the lead, fans (and yours truly) are probably on the edge of their seats right about now.

-Just to show how physical this game is becoming, another scrum in the corner near the Dallas net with 9:51 left to go. At this point, one of the only exciting things about this game right now.

-Now things get a bit interesting as Brad Richards ties the game at 2-2 with 9:38 left in the game. Remember what I said about sitting on a one-goal lead? Looks like it’s coming back to fruition.

-Finally some excitement has taken place, and the Sharks will go on the PP with 7:07 left thanks to Thornton being tripped up. Only the second time they’ve had the advantage tonight.

-PP disappoints again for the Sharks, and given the recent slump, I’m not too sure if I want this game to go into OT. By the way, I have to give some kudos to Manny Malhotra who’s been in the middle of things tonight. This last 4:37 will be quite exciting.

-Wow, exciting sequence capped by some incredible saves by Turco with 2:40 left. Malhotra can’t believe how that happened, the excitement has returned to the game…finally.

-3rd Period Summary: Richards’ goal was huge to tie this game up, as it seemed like the Sharks were all too willing to just sit on that lead instead of going for the kill. They pay the price by going to overtime, which hasn’t been kind to them as of late. Great goaltending this period by both Nabokov and Turco.

Overtime

-Extra period only 5 minutes long, and at 3:05 left, showing Steve Ott up to his usual antagonist tricks. Sometimes I think he’s just borderline dirty.

-Kudos to Boyle for playing heads up and saving the Sharks from another loss. Puck was this close to getting into the net for a Stars win. Instead, Sharks still breathing with 1:24 left.

-Some close calls in that last minute, including a Joe Pavelski shot that just hit the post and could’ve won it. Now, it comes down to the shootout period. I still think it is one of the best ideas to decide a game.

Shootout

-Loui Eriksson going first and gets stuffed by Nabokov, trying to go five hole on that one.

-Pavelski now gets the first crack at it. Stopped by Turco as he tried to go top shelf.

-Richards up next for the Stars, as he goes five hole with the forehand shot to score. 1-0 Stars in the shootout.

-Ryane Clowe now up, and remember it was the shootout that got him going. Going backhand, denied by Turco and the chances are getting fewer.

-Ribeiro has a chance to seal it for the Stars, but Nabokov says no way with the right leg pad. Great save by Nabby.

-Devin Setoguchi has the last chance to keep the Sharks alive. HUUUUGE GOAL as he beats Turco, and he has been struggling since coming back from injury. On to round 4 of the shootout.

-Stephane Robidas is denied this time by Nabokov, he won it for Dallas the last time these teams met.

-Boyle can win it with his chance, and Turco comes up huge again. Yikes.

-Neal gets the extra chance for the Stars and Nabokov just standing on his head with these great saves.

-Heatley now with the next chance to win it and starts from his own goal, and ends with another save by Turco. Very anti-climactic moment.

-Jere Lehtinen misses up high, and every round produces more and more angst.

-Patrick Marleau with his chance, and Turco comes through again. Looked like Turco wasnt even surprised by it.

-Morrow now up for the Stars, and this is getting good. Nabokov comes through with the save again, leg pad coming in handy.

-Now it’s Thornton’s turn, and he tries to get too fancy and even slips. Turco finishes it with a poke check. Yikes.

-Tom Wandell with his first ever chance, and Nabokov uses that leg pad again to make a big save. They’re getting deep into the shootout roster.

-Malhotra has been one of the best tonight, but not on his chance as Turco pokes it away.

-Mike Modano, the future Hall of Famer, gets stuffed on his own accord in the NINTH ROUND of the shootout.

-McGinn gets a shot, and can seal it, but is victim to another poke check.

-Benn now up for Dallas, into the tenth round. Nabokov comes through again, both sides standing on their heads right now.

-Torrey Mitchell, someone who can use a confidence boost, doesn’t get it as Turco denies him also. On to the 11th round we go.

-Matt Niskanen comes through on a pretty shot and now the pressure is really on.

-Marc-Edouard Vlasic has to score…and doesn’t. Yet another disappointing loss for the Sharks.

-Game Summary: To say the least, the Sharks let this one get away too. You definitely can’t blame this loss on Nabokov, as he was great tonight. The Sharks just couldn’t get past Turco when it counted, and it extends their losing streak to four. Very much a letdown tonight. Mark it down, the Sharks are in a slump right now. Until next time.

Tags: Game Log, Opinion