Heading into Dallas, the Sharks(39-25-2) knew that they had to straighten out their game and snap their 4 game losing streak. Even if this game didn't hold that much relevance in where the Sharks were seeded heading into the playoffs, it was a huge confidence boost to come out of Dallas with a victory. The Sharks did just that, in dominating fashion, scoring 4 even strength goals to shutout the Stars (38-22-5).
At 17:21 the Sharks took an early 1-0 lead on a Curtis Brown goal, his 8th of the season. That was plenty for Evgeni Nabokov, who stopped 26 goals for his 5th shutout of the season and his 32nd career shutout.
The Sharks finally looked like the stronger, more physical team on the ice, which made them one of the most feared teams in the league late last season and early this season.
With 8:33 left to play in the 2nd period, the Sharks drew blood once again to make it 2-0 on Ryane Clowe's 14th goal of the season. Four minutes later, San Jose was on the attack again. Matt Carle brought the puck into Dallas zone and moved it from the point to Jonathon Cheechoo, who then put the puck to the net, but Marty Turco made the initial save. Joe Pavelski was there to clean up the mess and stuff the puck past Turco into the net for his 13th goal of the season, which gave the Sharks a dominating 3-0 lead.
Dallas was given a chance to jump right back into the game when Brown was issued a double-minor for high-sticking Jussi Jokinen just 2:03 into the third. But the Sharks penalty killing unit rose to the occasion, blocking shots, clearing pucks and preserving the 3-0 lead.
Nabokov seemed possessed the entire game; sprawling out for pucks, sacrificing his body to ensure the Sharks end their skid. He was able to preserve the shutout and get the Sharks within 1 point of the Stars for second place in the Pacific Division and 9 points back of the Ducks, who beat Nashville on Sunday as well.
Click HERE for video highlights of the game.
4 comments:
First of all, I really like the style of your blog. Very clean, and the colors work great. The title is fun, and I love the way you have the link to expand the story.
Now, I'm not a big hockey fan. I know little to nothing about the sport(besides having watched all three Mighty Ducks movies). But your entry was very clear and I could still understand what you were talking about, even though I don't know all the terms.
Anyway, my sport is more football.
Davos, your shit is amazing, the new shit that is.
The Sharks, A.K.A The Bay Areas Best shot at a play-off team for the 2006 season are playing well and should make the playoffs at the fifth spot (out of eight) in the Western Conference.
A fact that needs correcting is the fact that beating Dallas didn't affect the seeding going into the play-offs. BY beating them they moved into fifth from sixth, passing Dallas.
Nabby had another shut-out against the Minnesota Wild on March 6th also. 120 minutes of total shut-out time is rad. Vesa Toskala better start sweating on the bench with his injury.
I think the SJ Sharks can do it once they get into the playoffs. Hey, at least the Bay Area has one play-off team.
Wooo! Go Sharks! Check out the Science of Hockey. It has a bunch of Sharks talking about hockey, well the science of hockey.
Also, thanks for not putting up a comment security thing. I hate those things.
No offense, my friend, but people in California have no business playing, watching, or posting blogs about Hockey. We hardly get any rain in these part, let alone ice. A Hockey team from San Jose makes just about as much sense as a Jamaican Bobsled Team. Besides, how can you get behind a team that scores fewer points in a season than the Oakland Raiders! The greatest team in San Jose has to be the Sabercats.
Your blog is aesthetically pleasing and entertaining.
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