Recapping the Home Opener, part 2

I covered a lot of it last night, but I had a few additional thoughts about it that I said I would share.

The penalty shot was cool only because we don't get to see those too often. I think it took about 2 seconds for it to sink in for most of the crowd that that goal was also Heatley's third of the night. Then the hats started to fly.

There was a spontaneous chant of "DANY HEATLEY" sometime between the goal and when the hats were finally all removed from the ice.

A paper airplane is not a hat.

Despite assurances to the contrary, Mina was quite certain that if Heatley hadn't been pulled down on the play, his shot would have missed. That would have left Joe with the team record tying four assists he had on the night.

While I both understand a respect the decision to not have any fan fare what so ever for the unfurling of the new banners, I wish they said something before doing it because I nearly missed it. And again, while I see where they're coming from, I did still want to see them drop.

I'll say it again, "Where is Joe Ike!?" UPDATE: NOOO! They frakking fired him!

At some point Drew stuck his head out of one of the upper boxes behind and to the left of us. The crowd went wild.

I was wondering if JR was sitting in his seat wondering why we were booing Seto during the introductions. We don't boo him, we say "Gooooooooocchhhhh", but it seemed to confuse JR a lot last year. To be fair, it does have a pretty similar sound to it.

Conversations you kinda want to see the end of, but you also want to get back to your seats before intermission ends: "It's not like I was sitting like this!"



Just add a Mike's Hard lemonade and give that deer a surly drunken look and you'll get the idea. The usher wasn't buying it but I give her points for not cracking up as the drunken party in question nearly toppled over during her demonstration. (for those who don't know, leaning forward is verboten. The seat placement makes it so leaning obstructs the view of the people behind you.They even announce this sometime in the first, and yet, people still lean.)

Afro and I discussed how similar Dany Heatley's arrival here has been the JR's. Everyone knows I love JR, but even I was worried when I heard we'd acquired him. Sure, he's great, but will he be more of a liability than a boon? I've had the same reservations about Heatley, though I said before he came, If he's a Shark, I will happily cheer for him. I'm still formulating my own opinion of him, but scoring goals is a quick way to win over fans in nearly any city.

GAMEDAY!

Pregame rally starts at 5pm right next to the Tank. Game starts at 7:30. Be there, or at least be watching on TV. CSN's various incarnations have all kinds of talking head chatter leading up to game time.

Post Game Recap:


Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!


Always nice to win the home opener, especially against a team that's been spoiling those for folks.

It wasn't a sure fire thing in the first though. The Jackets were swarming and the Sharks looked pretty bad. Slow, lost, not communicating, sloppy...it was a bad scene.

We all went into the first intermission down 1-0 to the Blue Jackets and it was looking like perhaps, this night might be spoiled for Sharks fans. There was even booing when the team screwed up.The natives? They were extraordinarily restless.

Nabby was Nabby. Some great saves and then some moments that stopped your heart for other reasons entirely. Like when he PASSED THE PUCK IN FRONT OF HIS OWN EMPTY NET OMG aldjlajfklsajjg;ogergjldg

yeah, yeah that was an intense moment.

I want to type more to recap this but my brain is like;jadjalfsj;afa;skflshattricklskjdksajfhattrickkkdjakdksajoehad4assistskdjsakdskakjfbrokenassistrecordfortheteamjdksjdsklkf. Allow me to try and compose my thoughts....*ahem*

For the Jackets, Nash (of course, dude is dangerously good and totally pwned poor Demers), Chimera (it was a nice shot too. Tied the game up at 2 a piece) and...Raffi Torres.

We don't like Raffi Torres.

Second period saw a couple good fights. Clowe went nuts on Blunden, and Blunden left the ice with a nasty looking cut on the head. Clowe left for a bit for some hand repairs, but both returned later in the game. (At least I THINK Blunden did. I know Clowe did)

A few minutes later Frazier (Not Kyle) McLaren had an odd bout with Dorsett in which his arm got caught in his jersey and he couldn't get it out. For some reason the refs didn't stop the fight, so it continued as a weird grabbing battle which eventually ended with Not Kyle managed to free his bound arm and started hitting Dorsett.

I believe after the 4th Sharks goal (4 of the 6 came in the second) the pulled Mason and put in Giron. Did you know he was with the Pens last year? We apparently missed that.

what happened to Joe Ike?! Why is Danny Miller doing the in game announcing? And why can't he read!? Look, I'll be the first to admit I can't type (or apparent edit), but I'm just a random Jill schmo with a computer and opinions. He was epic fail ladies and gentlemen, epic fail. I'm sure he'll improve but we want Joe Ike back!

Mike Cvik did not call any phantom headbutts. JoePa wasn't playing.

JR was in attendance in the lower bowl in a nice fancy box seats. He got an ovation from us fans when showed on the jumbo tron. <3 U JR. Love the shirt JR. Loved it.

At some point poor Demers, already horribly out skated and played by Rick Nash, was shoved by Nabby in order to clear up space. I am of the opinion that he shoved him and shouted "Dis MAI Crease!" (little known fact, Nabokov speaks interwebs)

Ok, I'm going to leave it there for the night and add some more tomorrow, with any luck. My throat is sore from cheering, but I love it.

Go Sharks!

Playoff Round 1 Day 9 (seriously?! 9?!)

Cat caused fiasco last night. Ah the joys of pet ownership. A few dead pixels aside, I seem to be otherwise whole. Lucky for you!

In a summary of what went down yesterday, the Habs met a wall of bear and Cylon and were eliminated by a giant sweeping broom. I heard Price was heckled mercilessly, poor kid.

The Flames and Hawks decided to have a goal scoring contest in the second. The Flames ended up winning. Note to Blackhawks: Do not piss of Ignila.

Ovie finally found the net in the Rangers/Caps game, but it wasn't enough. Lundqvist has anti Ovechkin spray, I think. Or anti Alexander spray. Not guys names Alex can score against him. (even if they have. The spray is new. Still some kinks to work out.)

What's on the docket today, Bob?

Today @ 4pm
CBC, VERSUS(HD), RDS(HD)
Pens lead series 3-1
This series has been good folks, if you can tune in, do so.

Today @ 4pm
TSN2(HD), FS-D(HD), FS-O
Detroit leads series 3-0
This may be your last chance to see the Blue Jackets this season. Or, it may be a chance to watch them take a game back and crawl back into this series.

Today @ 4:30
Series tied 2-2
VERSUS (I believe this game will be joined in progress), RIS, TSN(HD), FS-CR
Brodeur probably won't lose his mind again, but you never know.

Playoffs Day 7, Round 1

Non Sharks games on the scheduled today:

Tonight @ 4pm

CBC, VERSUS(HD), RDS(HD)
Pens leads series 2-1

Today @ 4pm
TSN,FS-D, FS-O, all HD
Wings lead series 2-0

Tonight @ 4:30
RIS, TSN2(HD), MSG+(HD)
Devils leads series 2-1

Today @ 5:30pm
CBC, KPLR, both HD
Canucks lead series 3-0

Everyone is playing today! Well, not exactly. but it feels like it.

If your in the Bay Area, today is a good day to hide inside and watch some hockey. It's way too hot outside for April.

Playoff Round 1 Day 4

You want more hockey? We've got more hockey!

On right now on NBC.
10am pacific time
Rangers lead series 1-0

Today @ 3pm
TSN, NHLN-US
Detroit leads series 1-0

Today @ 4pm
VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Boston leads series 1-0

Today @ 6pm
TSN, CSN-CH
Chicago leads series 1-0

Playoffs Day 2, Round 1

Today @ 4pm
Watch on CBC(HD), RDS(HD), NESN(HD)
The Couch Tarts say Boston in 5 (Mina) or Boston in 6 (Gray)

Today @ 5:30pm
Watch on VERSUS(HD), TSN(HD)
The Couch Tarts say Chicago in 7

Today at 4pm
Watch on VERSUS(HD), TSN2(HD)
The Couch Tarts say Wings in 5 (Mina) or Wings in 6 (Gray)

Sharks V Blue Jackets

This afternoon at 4pm. Radio, TV, Interwebs

So Mason has mono, the Sharks have been looking less then spectacular in their past two games and Rick Nash is still really really good. How can you preview a game that sounds crazy before it begins?

I find myself as confused as ever, knowing only that starting the road trip off the "right" way, with a win, is in the best interest of the Sharks. Preferably one in regulation.

Go Sharks.
Post Game Recap:

I'm not really too sure what to think about this game. On the one hand, it was a loss, but on the other hand it's the first time the Sharks have dropped three in a row all season. It's not like they've done this a bunch. The Sharks were down all night but did manage to come back and tie in the end. They lost, but they managed to get a point out of it. It was a sloppy ending to a weird game that gave Columbus the win, but the Sharks nearly had it right after OT started. Nabby didn't look his best and every time they mentioned LaCosta, I kept picturing this:


Yes I know, his name is different.

So as I said, I'm not really sure what to make of this game. I do hope the rest of the road trip goes better. We'll see on Tuesday.

Sharks V Blue Jackets

I should totally add Nash's face in there

Didn't we just see these guys?

4pm this afternoon, radio & Stanley's. Check in with Fear the Fin's game day post for interwebby goodness.

We have travel + injuries+ a game tomorrow + a long game agains the Kings on Monday. Am I a bit concerned? Yep. Hopefully the Sharks will recall their last game against the Blue Jackets, ( I know I do. I was there) and adjust their play accordingly.

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In other news:

In case you, as a Sharks fan have been feeling a bit miffed that your team and its fan base (that would be us) is getting crapped on despite being fantastic so far this season, Mr.K (you guys have too many Misters over there. I get them mixed up) has vented for us all here. This is our ride, internet, and we plan to enjoy it.

One of our favorites, Ryane Clowe, is this week's "Ask the Sharks" featured player. Let's get some good questions to him, Sharks fans.

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And now for something almost completely different.


Post Game:
Sharks Lose 2-1 in OT. I'd write more, but I've been stuck in a cold (no heater!), cramped room all day. It makes it hard to focus after hour 9.

Mason stole this game.

Crabs in a bucket should be discussed at length next OT. (I enjoy the radio banter, don't you?)

Sharks V Blue Jackets

7:30pm. Radio, tv, Tank, interwebs.

We'll be there.

Post Game:

Let's get straight to the point, shall we? The team that deserved to win tonight was Columbus. The team that won, however, was the Sharks. 3-2. This despite being out shot, outplayed and outworked in all areas, except maybe in goal where Nabokov stole the show. Don't get me wrong here, Mason was solid in net all night and should have had a star (in my opinion and Mina's, anyway) But seriously, watch the highlight reel. Nabby=Gold. He kept the game from being a blow out in Columbus' favor.

The Sharks looked slow, tired and downright crappy for the first. I could go into detail but basically, they played like crap and it showed. Also, lots of sticks broke.
Columbus took the lead into the dressing room at the end of the first thanks to a goal by Nash. Screen city. Sharks fans began to worry.

The second was better, but not until about half way through. The Sharks started to finally get some life and started connecting. Still lots of weird bounces, breaking sticks and just bad playing from the Sharks. Somehow, the Sharks, despite their best efforts through two periods, managed NOT to shoot themselves in the foot and tied the game on the power play. Sharks fans felt slightly better.

That better feeling rebounded to joyful proportions when, 44 seconds into the third, on the power play, the Sharks took the lead. Not only that, but it was JR goal. O frabjous day! Joyfulness was short lived as Columbus tied it back up about 3 minutes later. Tensions mounted. The guys near by us started to boo. We're not sure, but they seemed to be booing Ehrhoff. Why? We have no idea. They were Sharks fans, but apparently they were a little more disgruntled than the rest of our section. They became more incensed when the Sharks got a 5 on 3 and failed to do much of anything. Columbus did a good gob of being in the way.

Things had started picking up for the Sharks in the third, passes were connecting, things were happening, less craptasticness overall. The boo birds were still busy, but thankfully, somehow, Joe Thornton batted in a goal and gave the Sharks the lead. Callooh! Callay!
It was a lead they'd hold, despite some scary good chances by Columbus. Sharks fans rejoice.

Tonight's win gives the Sharks 45 points in 26 games. We're trying really hard not to get too excited by that record. There's obviously still work to be done.

Miscellanous:

Adversity, Dan Rusanowsky, they had it.

Ryane Clowe owes me a goal.

I, Gray, coined the term "Ehrhoffian" tonight.

Empty nets seem to have a magic force field that turns on only when Marleau shoots a puck at them.

Sharks promotions folks saw fit to sling shirts with this ridiculous image on them into the crowd. Unflattering doesn't cover it.

Tonight's win gives the Sharks 45 points in 26 games. We're trying really hard not to get too excited by that record. There's obviously still work to be done.

And remember...