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Defense was at a premium in Calgary |
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The San Jose Sharks finish their road trip with a win, a shutout, and most important they stopped a three game losing skid with a 1-0 victory.
It was a scoreless game until just about half way through the third period when Benn Ferriero bulged the twine to break the Flames shutout by going to the blue paint. After last night’s loss to the Oilers second effort chances were what the Sharks needed more of, and Ferriero’s goal was the fourth whack at the puck on that sequence.
He described the play afterwards “It was a regroup in the neutral zone and a chip in behind their D, Patty skated up to it and found Boiler coming in. It was a rebound and I fanned on the first one then the puck was rattling around in the crease when I grabbed it and pretty much had an open netter.”
That was Ferriero’s sixth goal of the year and his third game winner. He hasn’t scored a ton this year but when he has they have been clutch goals.
Antti Niemi got the start tonight after a couple of subpar performances and he earned the win, via the shutout. He wasn’t tested a lot through the first forty minutes but stopped fourteen shots in the third when the Flames came out hard and put the pressure on in the beginning of the final frame. Niemi faced a total of eleven shots throughout the first two periods stopping twenty-five on the night.
The Sharks now can enjoy the All-Star break much more than had they lost 1-0. Even though they haven’t played their best hockey in the last few games the taste in their mouths will be that of a win which makes vacations so much more enjoyable.
With the pressures that professional athletes deal with today it is important that they get their time off and are able to get away from the grind of having to answer to the fans, the media, and the coaches on a daily basis.
The next part of the season is the wind up for the playoffs and the importance of being in the right place mentally for that drive cannot be understated. This is why the next five days are so important for teams and players alike.
The Coach Todd McLellan spoke about how valuable the break is “It’s important that our guys get out of here, get away from the game, spend time their families, rest, and then come Sunday night start thinking about hockey again. Practice Monday and then away we go, but this is their time right now and they’ve earned it.”
The Flames and the Sharks played just a week ago and it was another defensive battle that finished tied at one and needed a shootout to decide a winner. That game came with its controversy as the Sharks won the game in overtime but the officials muffed a call and it ended up being decided in a shootout.
Lat week’s battle with Calgary became quite physical in the third period which surprisingly didn’t roll over to tonight’s game. Both teams were focused on the two points which meant something to both squads.
For the San Jose Sharks a win meant going into the All Star break with a lead in the Pacific Division and for the Flames a win meant that they are tied for the final playoff spot in the West.
Scoring details
1st Period
No scoring
2nd Period
No scoring
3rd Period
SJ – 11:35 –EV – 78 B.Ferriero(6) – assists – 39 L.Couture(15), 22 D.Boyle(25)
The turning point in this game was the Sharks, and more so Niemi weathering the storm at the start of the third period. Calgary came out flying and put the pressure on the Sharks. Niemi made some great saves and the skaters got in front of some shots and as a team they got through it.
The way the first two periods went, and after the last time these two teams met last week I had the feeling that one goal would be all it took.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Antti Niemi – was solid tonight and even more important his game was back in form. The Sharks are only going as far as Niemi can take them and tonight he looked sharp, number 31 is our first contender.
Benn Ferriero – scored the only goal in tonight’s game and for that he is the second contender.
Mikka Kiprusof – stopped 26 of 27 shots and although he will get credited with the loss he wins by making the contender’s list.
Joe Pavelski – looked as good tonight as he has on the current road trip. He had his wheels going and created some offensive chances.
Pretenders
The Flames offense – was lacking desperation tonight aside from a spell in the third period. Where was the compete level from the Flames. They took the second period off only recording three shots and none in the first ten minutes. They are the only pretender tonight in a close hockey game.
The Sharks get some well-deserved time off now until Monday when they are due back to practice.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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