Sharks even series behind Nabokov's shutout
San Jose Sharks' center Torrey Mitchell (right) throws his arms up in celebration
after scoring the second goal of the night in a 2-0 victory over the Calgary Flames.
(John Remus III / Bay Area Blitz)
Sharks' defenseman Kyle McLaren fights for puck possession against
Flames' center Matthew Lombardi in the second period of Game 2.
(John Remus III / Bay Area Blitz)
The Sharks powerplay unit celebrates as Mitchell's goal gave them
a 2-0 lead midway in the second period.
(John Remus III / Bay Area Blitz)
by Audren Zarrabi / Bay Area Blitz
The Stanley Cup playoffs are sports’ most grueling postseason. What made this postseason series unusual is that it featured back-to-back night games. During the regular season the Sharks posted a record of 11-4, and the Flames a 9-3 record on the second night of back to backs respectively. Thursday night’s game turned into a test for the hometown Sharks who were looking to even the series with the Calgary Flames at one game a piece.
One night after quieting a ruckus crowd at HP Pavilion in San Jose with a 3-2 victory, the Flames came into Thursday’s game looking to make another statement. Already stealing home ice advantage away from the Sharks, the Flames looked to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best of seven series with the Sharks and head back home to Alberta, Canada with their heads held high.
The games first period featured stellar defensive plays from both teams, particularly Sharks’ goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. During one sequence, the Flames carried possession of the puck into the Sharks defensive zone, Flames defenseman Cory Sarich pinched down from the blue line and charged the net. A nifty pass from defenseman David Moss saw Sarich with a wide open net to the glove hand side of Nabokov, however Nabokov slid over to his left and denied Sarich the goal.
“It’s actually fun to watch both of these goalies work against each other,” said Sharks’ head coach Ron Wilson. “I’m sure Warren Strelow is upstairs watching with a big smile on his face at this kind of exhibition in goaltending.”
Strelow was a long time goaltender coach in the league who passed away last spring. Both Nabokov and Kiprusoff were under Strelow’s tutelage in San Jose.
Both teams went scoreless in the first period, with the Flames posting 10 shots on goal to the Sharks’ 8.
With the start of the second period, it was evident that both teams wanted to step up the physicality of the game. Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf looked to push around his weight, especially when the Sharks’ sure handed center Joe Thornton was on the Ice. Equally, the Sharks’ defensive tank Douglas Murray, who also is known for his big hits, was matched up with the Flames’ superstar captain Jarome Iginla.
The Sharks managed to get the puck into the net after 4:56 into the second period. Sharks blue liner Marc-Edouard Vlasic slapped a shot from the point that ricocheted off the end boards and in front of the net. Joe Pavelski of the Sharks was able to shoot the puck past Flames goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff, scoring his first goal of the postseason and putting his team up 1-0 in the game. The assists went to Vlasic and Sharks’ captain Patrick Marleau.
The second period saw the Flames take seven minor penalties. With two men already in the box, Calgary defenseman Jim Vandermeer was called for slashing Thornton. With a full two-man advantage, the Flames’ penalty killers, and Kiprusoff dug down deep and killed off the first part of the two man advantage, proving the old hockey adage that your best penalty killer is your goalie.
Finally the Sharks were able to add an insurance marker and make the score 2-0 with nearly two minutes left in the second period during the final seconds of Vandermeer’s penalty. The Sharks finally capitalized on their power play chances, and saw rookie forward Torrey Mitchell score his first playoff goal, assisted by forward Milan Michalek and defenseman Craig Rivet.
During the second period, the Sharks outshot the Flames 27 to 3, setting a franchise record for most shots in a single postseason period.
“I thought we were pushing the pace and forcing them into taking some penalties,” said Wilson. “It took a little while to wear down Kipper but we eventually got to him.”
The highlight of the night came from Nabokov, as once again he made a glove save that trounced the one he made in the first period. Not only did this save appear more outstanding, but it came against Flames rugged winger and former Sharks’ captain Owen Nolan. After receiving a pass of the right slot, Nolan had the entire left side of net open to bury the puck, but once again Nabokov’s glove was in the right position to make the save.
Nabokov’s save of the game came with 4:51 left to play in the third period. Had that shot gone in, the Flames would have had plenty of the time to get the potential tying goal and be a greater thorn in the side of the Sharks.
Wilson didn’t forget to sing the praised of his own goaltender.
“We know how good Nabby is and I think he’s deserving of the Vezina trophy,” said Wilson. “He’s been the best goalie this year, and I think a night like tonight shows why we think so highly of him.”
The Flames continued getting called for penalties, being cited for four more infractions in the third period and had a total of 12 penalties for the game.
During the postgame interview, Calgary head coach Mike Keenan was asked about the number of penalties called against his club.
“I’ll share those thoughts with the league, and with the supervisor of officials,” Keenan said. After the second period had expired, Keenan stayed behind the bench and was seen jawing with officials about the number of penalties called against his team.
Although the Sharks failed to score with the man advantage in the third period, their effort to draw the last penalty won them the game.
With 17:29 gone by in the third period, Sarich cross-checked Sharks forward Ryane Clowe. Sarich’s penalty negated any possibility of the Flames making a two goal come back because the Flames would’ve had only 31 seconds to score two goals once Sarichs’ penalty had expired.
The Sharks were contempt effectively playing keep away with the puck on their final man advantage, eating away the clock, securing their victory, and sending the series to Calgary for games three and four tied at one game a piece.
by Audren Zarrabi / Bay Area Blitz
The Stanley Cup playoffs are sports’ most grueling postseason. What made this postseason series unusual is that it featured back-to-back night games. During the regular season the Sharks posted a record of 11-4, and the Flames a 9-3 record on the second night of back to backs respectively. Thursday night’s game turned into a test for the hometown Sharks who were looking to even the series with the Calgary Flames at one game a piece.
One night after quieting a ruckus crowd at HP Pavilion in San Jose with a 3-2 victory, the Flames came into Thursday’s game looking to make another statement. Already stealing home ice advantage away from the Sharks, the Flames looked to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best of seven series with the Sharks and head back home to Alberta, Canada with their heads held high.
The games first period featured stellar defensive plays from both teams, particularly Sharks’ goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. During one sequence, the Flames carried possession of the puck into the Sharks defensive zone, Flames defenseman Cory Sarich pinched down from the blue line and charged the net. A nifty pass from defenseman David Moss saw Sarich with a wide open net to the glove hand side of Nabokov, however Nabokov slid over to his left and denied Sarich the goal.
“It’s actually fun to watch both of these goalies work against each other,” said Sharks’ head coach Ron Wilson. “I’m sure Warren Strelow is upstairs watching with a big smile on his face at this kind of exhibition in goaltending.”
Strelow was a long time goaltender coach in the league who passed away last spring. Both Nabokov and Kiprusoff were under Strelow’s tutelage in San Jose.
Both teams went scoreless in the first period, with the Flames posting 10 shots on goal to the Sharks’ 8.
With the start of the second period, it was evident that both teams wanted to step up the physicality of the game. Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf looked to push around his weight, especially when the Sharks’ sure handed center Joe Thornton was on the Ice. Equally, the Sharks’ defensive tank Douglas Murray, who also is known for his big hits, was matched up with the Flames’ superstar captain Jarome Iginla.
The Sharks managed to get the puck into the net after 4:56 into the second period. Sharks blue liner Marc-Edouard Vlasic slapped a shot from the point that ricocheted off the end boards and in front of the net. Joe Pavelski of the Sharks was able to shoot the puck past Flames goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff, scoring his first goal of the postseason and putting his team up 1-0 in the game. The assists went to Vlasic and Sharks’ captain Patrick Marleau.
The second period saw the Flames take seven minor penalties. With two men already in the box, Calgary defenseman Jim Vandermeer was called for slashing Thornton. With a full two-man advantage, the Flames’ penalty killers, and Kiprusoff dug down deep and killed off the first part of the two man advantage, proving the old hockey adage that your best penalty killer is your goalie.
Finally the Sharks were able to add an insurance marker and make the score 2-0 with nearly two minutes left in the second period during the final seconds of Vandermeer’s penalty. The Sharks finally capitalized on their power play chances, and saw rookie forward Torrey Mitchell score his first playoff goal, assisted by forward Milan Michalek and defenseman Craig Rivet.
During the second period, the Sharks outshot the Flames 27 to 3, setting a franchise record for most shots in a single postseason period.
“I thought we were pushing the pace and forcing them into taking some penalties,” said Wilson. “It took a little while to wear down Kipper but we eventually got to him.”
The highlight of the night came from Nabokov, as once again he made a glove save that trounced the one he made in the first period. Not only did this save appear more outstanding, but it came against Flames rugged winger and former Sharks’ captain Owen Nolan. After receiving a pass of the right slot, Nolan had the entire left side of net open to bury the puck, but once again Nabokov’s glove was in the right position to make the save.
Nabokov’s save of the game came with 4:51 left to play in the third period. Had that shot gone in, the Flames would have had plenty of the time to get the potential tying goal and be a greater thorn in the side of the Sharks.
Wilson didn’t forget to sing the praised of his own goaltender.
“We know how good Nabby is and I think he’s deserving of the Vezina trophy,” said Wilson. “He’s been the best goalie this year, and I think a night like tonight shows why we think so highly of him.”
The Flames continued getting called for penalties, being cited for four more infractions in the third period and had a total of 12 penalties for the game.
During the postgame interview, Calgary head coach Mike Keenan was asked about the number of penalties called against his club.
“I’ll share those thoughts with the league, and with the supervisor of officials,” Keenan said. After the second period had expired, Keenan stayed behind the bench and was seen jawing with officials about the number of penalties called against his team.
Although the Sharks failed to score with the man advantage in the third period, their effort to draw the last penalty won them the game.
With 17:29 gone by in the third period, Sarich cross-checked Sharks forward Ryane Clowe. Sarich’s penalty negated any possibility of the Flames making a two goal come back because the Flames would’ve had only 31 seconds to score two goals once Sarichs’ penalty had expired.
The Sharks were contempt effectively playing keep away with the puck on their final man advantage, eating away the clock, securing their victory, and sending the series to Calgary for games three and four tied at one game a piece.
posted by Reza Kazempour at
11:58 PM
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