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Ducks dominate Sharks in season series |
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With the Ducks 3-1 win on Wednesday they dominated the Sharks this year winning their fifth game of six in the season series.
“For whatever reason our four lines can’t match up against their four, that’s the bottom line.” Is how Joe Thornton put it when he was asked if he was glad he wouldn’t have to return to Anaheim again?
If anybody had any doubt before this game, we now know that the Anaheim Ducks definitely have the San Jose Sharks number. They clearly have confidence no matter what building they play in.
It was for all intense purposes a fun game to watch with end to end action and great saves by both goalies. The Sharks couldn’t bury their chances and nobody had more than Joe Pavelski.
“Snake bitten or not you have to find a way to put one of those home” said Joe Pavelski when asked about his numerous scoring opportunities against the Ducks.
“It doesn’t hurt our chances, we’re still coming. We have five games left and the next game is going to be big.” Pavelski said with conviction in his eyes when asked if this loss set them back.
The next one is huge no doubt and it will be played tomorrow night against the Coyotes in Phoenix. The Sharks don’t have time to dwell on this loss which is probably a good thing. The question is will those who took the night off show up in the desert when their team needs them.
The other question is whether Douglas Murray will suit in less than 24 hours for the next game. Murray played 6:24 in this game so you have to figure that he is doubtful against Phoenix.
“There were a lot of momentum swings. It was pretty evenly played. You had a feeling whoever got the next one was gonna hold a real distinctive advantage.” Is how Todd McLellan summed up the game.
It was another game where the Sharks could have won but didn’t. They have had so many tight games this season that they have come up just short, which doesn’t bode well for the playoffs. Teams can’t bring their “A” games every night to the rink, the difference between organizations that go on to have great success in the playoffs and the Sharks is they find a way to win some of those games that may not deserve to.
San Jose has had to scrap and claw for every point this year which will make a deep run this spring rather difficult.
Scoring details
1st Period
No scoring
2nd Period
ANA – 9:22 –EV – 9 B.Ryan(28) – assists – 77 D.Smith-Pelly(4), 63 N.Bonino(12)
SJ – 10:14 –EV – 29 R.Clowe(15) – assist – 39 L.Couture(30)
3rd Period
ANA – 5:22 –EV- 8 T.Selanne(25) – assists – 5 L.Sbisa(18), 11 S.Koivu(24)
ANA – 19:51 –EV-EN – 10 C.Perry(36) - unassisted
The turning point tonight came from the Finnish Flash Teemu Selanne. He may be an elder statesman in the league but he can still lock horns with the best of them. His go ahead goal ended up being the game winner on a tip in shot where he displayed great eye hand co-ordination.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Jonas Hiller – was great as he always is against the Sharks. His clutch play gave his team a chance to win and for that he is the top contender in this game.
Joe Thornton – has done a good job of hiding his frustration after setting up his mates for prime scoring chances without any results. Jumbo has been great lately and if the Sharks aren’t successful this year the blame can’t fall on the captain. He is the second contender.
Teemu Selanne – scored the goal that the difference so he rounds out the contenders list.
Pretenders
Patrick Marleau – was one of those guys who took the night off. His line mate Joe Pavelski was everywhere creating opportunities, how can Patty be so far off the board especially with Jumbo distributing the puck the way he was. Perhaps it is time to switch Patty and Couture again. Marleau is the game’s first pretender.
Martin Havlat – started off pretty well upon his return from injury but it would seem his lack of game time has caught up to him. He also took the night off and for someone who hasn’t played a lot lately we shouldn’t expect much from him on back to back nights. Martin is the game’s second pretender.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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