Since last issue, the cool stuff includes:
* It's STILL sunny in California - that's a "looking
forward to summer" type of cool.
* Anthony H. is now a full-fledged deacon - that's a
special type of cool.
* Talked to some friends that I haven't talked to in a
while - that's a "catching up" type of cool
* Moved into a new building for class - that's a "newness"
type of cool.
* The Sharks are still the Playoffs - that's a "Yes, but
for how long?" type of cool.
Things look bleak in TealTown. Down two games, headed to
Colorado for the next three, and having problems scoring,
the Sharks need a miracle now. So how did we get to this
point? Let's begin at home...
Playoff Series Starts at the Tank
Due to the tragedy in Littleton, Col., the NHL rightly
postponed the start of the playoff series between the Sharks
and the Avalanche. The re-arranged schedule meant that the
Sharks would start the series at home (games 1 and 2), the
next 3 games would be in Denver, game 6 in San Jose and
game 7 in Denver. Our prayers and thoughts go out to everyone
affected by the tragedy.
Game 1 started out with a moment of silence for the victims
of the tragedy. Then it was down to business. The Sharks
started out aggressively, keeping possession in the Avalanche
zone and taking the game to Colorado. Marco Sturm and Joe
Murphy had the best opportunities against Patrick Roy, but
neither shot bothered the netminder. Colorado had their
chances and Theo Fluery (Shark-killer extraordinaire) gave
notice by hitting the post early. After a questionable
call by Paul Devorski on Joe Murphy running into Patrick
Roy, Joe Sakic scored on the power play.
The second period was a repeat of the first. Sharks had
most of the possession, Colorado had their chances, Sharks
gave up a power play goal, and it was 2-0. Things did not
look good for the men in teal.
And an early third-period goal by Joe Sakic pretty much
sealed the game for the Avalanche. The Sharks to their
credit kept trying, and Jeff Friesen scored on a power
play. But it wasn't meant to be. The Sharks needed to
win game two.
And before I forget, a word about the refs. Colorado
won the game because they took advantage of their chances,
played their type of game, and had outstanding goaltending.
They didn't need the help of the refs, but the refs gave
it to them anyway. Devorski and Stewart were uneven on
their calls, and it pretty much goes back to the adage of
"the superstars get the calls.. always". Enough is enough!
Call both sides for the same type of penalty, not just
one team!!
Game 2 was a very different contest. For two periods, both
sides played solid defense, chances were few, and the
game was played like an intricate chess match. Marco Sturm
had the Sharks best opportunity when Patrick Roy passed it
to him with a wide open net beckoning. Marco couldn't lift
the puck high enough and Roy made the sprawling save.
Then things opened up when Vinny Damphousse scored on a
perfect shot to Patrick Roy's far side. The Sharks were
riding high, but the lead didn't last as Adam Deadmarsh
scored on a power-play goal. Regular time expired and we
had the most exciting period of sports - sudden death OT.
Tensions were high as both sides had their opportunities
to win the game. Owen Nolan had the best chance but was
stoned by Roy. In the end, the better team won as Milan
Hejduk scored the winner. Down two games, and headed
back to Colorado, things looked mighty bleak for San Jose.
And last but not least, a word about the refs. Kerry Fraser
and Dennis Larue seemed to be following the trend set up by
the previous zebra tandem: give the team without the
superstars the majority of the ticky-tack penalties.
Again, all I ask is for consistent calls, please!!!
My offensive lines have character...
Captain Owen Nolan fired the first volley in the press by
indicating that Patrick Roy could be rattled. He also gave
fodder for the Avalanche by claiming that after the first
two lines, the remaining lines were nothing, while the
had 4 solid character lines. The local press was split on
whether this was a good thing (a psychological ploy), or
a bad thing (get the other team all fired up). Your humble
correspondent frankly feels that you don't give the other
team any sort of additional edge. Granted the Avs are
hungry, ready to prove themselves again, and downright
scary, but don't give these guys any more incentive!!! And
speaking of the 4 lines...
Game One saw the reunion of the top 2 lines over the
stretch one. Vinny Damphousse, Joe Murphy and Jeff Friesen
formed the top line, while Alex Korolyuk, Patrick Marleau
and Owen Nolan formed the second line. The third line was
centered by Mike Ricci with Marco Sturm and Stephane
Matteau, and the grinder line was Ronnie Stern, Ron Sutter
and Tony Granato. In Game 2, Ronnie Stern moved up to the
third line to replace Matteau, and Dave Lowry joined the
bangers on the fourth line.
My defense is better than yours...
On paper, the Sharks seem to have a better defense (wait,
did I actually say that? The Sharks have a better D??
This can't be, the Sharks NEVER had a good defense...
Oh, that was back before Coach Sutter came... never
mind). After Adam "Real Mean SOB" Foote and former Shark
Sandis "Oops I give the puck away in front of my net
again" Ozolinsh, the rest of the guys are a bunch of
no-names.
Of course, if you're from Colorado, you'll say that
besides Bryan Marchment (known for his big hits)
the Sharks have a bunch of no-names on defense. And
speaking of Mush...
After resting the last couple of regular season games,
Mush returned along with Bob Rouse as the third
defensive pairing. Billy Houlder and Jeff Norton were
the second defensive pairing, while Mike Rathje and
Marcus Ragnarsson were the top defensive team. Coach
Sutter pretty much wanted the experienced guys to play
in the high-octane atmosphere of the playoffs.
Trivia Time...
The Sharks have the most number of Canadians of any squad
in the NHL. There are 2 Russians (Korolyuk and Zyuzin),
1 Swede (Ragnarsson), 1 German (Sturm) and 3 Americans.
Who are the 3 Americans?
He's where???
Since it's playoff time, I thought it might be interesting
to find all the ex Sharks on the other playoff teams. Here's
the list:
* Anaheim - none
* Colorado - Shean Donovan, Jeff Odgers, Sandis Ozolinsh
* Detroit - Igor Larionov, Todd Gill
* Carolina - Ray Sheppard, Arturs Irbe
* Boston - none
* Edmonton - Pat Falloon, Marty McSorley
* St.Louis - none
* Phoenix - none
* Philadelphia - none
* Toronto - none
* Ottawa - Slava Butsayev
* Buffalo - none
* New Jersey - Chris Terreri
* Pittsburgh - Kip Miller, Neil Wilkinson
* Dallas - Ed "The Traitor" Belfour
The Morgan Stuart Award
This award is named after my most cool, most excellent, and
most adorable Goddaughter. Awarded to the best Sharks player
since last issue, there's only one candidate and winner, and
that's Mike Vernon. Yeah, the Sharks lost both games, but
Vernie kept the Sharks in both games with some outstanding
saves. If the Sharks could only score some goals, then it
might be a different series. Oh well, such is life. Anyway,
keep up the good work Vernie.
Oh Say Can You See...
The 3 Americans on the Sharks are Jeff Norton (Cambridge,
Massachusetts), Tony Granato (Downers Grove, Illinois),
and Gary Suter (Madison, Wisconsin).
P.S. Thanks Barbra, Craig, Emily, Katrina and Brendan!!!
