Mid-Season Improvements

Sharks netminder Evgeni Nabokov kept his team in control despite a
breakdown in the third period that saw Daniel Sedin on a breakaway.
(Steven Cabana / BAY AREA BLITZ)

Milan Michalek jabs in his own rebounds for the third goal of the night
while Steve Bernier created traffic in front of Roberto Luongo
(Steven Cabana / BAY AREA BLITZ)

SHARKS START SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON SWEEPING THE VANCOUVER CANUCK
By Reza Kazempour/Bay Area Blitz

It was important that the San Jose Sharks start the second half of the season with a home win. They swept the Vancouver Canucks in the final game between the two teams this season by allowing their defense to dictate their 3-1 victory.

Sharks’ goaltender Evgeni Nabokov picked up his 24th win and Joe Thornton provided three assists on goals from Craig Rivet, Jeremy Roenick and Milan Michalek.

"Right from the drop of the puck we played hard," said Thornton, who picked up his 200 assist in 181 games with the Sharks. "We made it tough on them to get scoring position and scoring opportunities."

Nabokov came close to securing his sixth shutout of the season until the Canuck's lone goal came courtesy of Ryan Kesler's awkward angle wrist shot. While Nabokov remained solid in between the pipes with 20 saves, his counterpart, Roberto Luongo had a tough time dealing with the traffic the Sharks created in front of him.

"He is one the elite goaltenders of the league," said Craig Rivet. "You're not going to beat him if he sees the puck."

Despite the loss, Luongo showed why he's an elite goaltender. With Alexander Edler in the box for holding at 10:52 into the second period, Luongo managed to knock Michalek's shot out of the crease with his stick while sprawling to make the save.

Luongo was voted to be the starting goaltender for the Western Conference in the upcoming All-Star game, but opted out to spend more time with his wife in Florida. While Luongo may not be playing, Sharks' Joe Thornton and Evgeni Nabokov will represent the Sharks this season at the All-Star game along with Sharks' head coach Ron Wilson.

And no two other Sharks deserve the recognition more than Thornton and Nabokov. Thornton was responsible for all three goals, while Nabokov kept the Sharks in control despite after a small breakdown in the third period.

"We go as Nabby goes," said Thornton. "He's a big part of this team, and we really needed him tonight."

After Kesler's goal, the Sharks solid defense collapsed briefly. The collapse allowed Daniel Sedin to easily walk in for a breakaway, only to be stopped by Nabokov's right leg pad.

"We were patient," said Nabokov. "Now we just have to bring [our game] from the road, home."

The Sharks got the got off to a great start with a goal from Rivet, who knocked in his fourth goal of the season courtesy of a disconnected pass by Canucks' defenseman Willie Mitchell. The Sharks picked up Mitchell’s pass and carried it into the offensive zone on a 4-on-2 opportunity. Sharks’ center Joe Thornton connected a pass to a trailing Rivet who lit the lamp for the first goal of the night.

Nearly a minute later the Sharks were forced to kill a two-man advantage with Patrick Marleau and Rivet in the penalty box. With a solid penalty kill effort, the Sharks managed to get more opportunities in that time-span than the Canucks could generate. One of those chances saw Michalek on a short-handed breakaway opportunity only to lose it in the final stride. Marleau was in the box for cross-checking Mike Weaver and Rivet was called for a questionable slashing.

In the second period, the Sharks kept the pressure strong. With a goalie pulled on a delayed penalty, Sharks’ Jeremy Roenick came close to completing a well-practiced give-n-go opportunity that nearly resulted in a goal.

It didn’t matter, as Roenick scored on the ensuing powerplay after Luongo gave up a hefty rebound on Rivet’s shot. Roenick’s powerplay goal was his eighth goal of the season with Rivet and Thornton picking up an assist. Roenick moved into second place in most goals scored among U.S. born players at 503, passing Joe Mullen. Currently, Mike Modano holds the record at 513 goals.

The Sharks will host the Toronto Maple Leafs this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.