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Coyotes leap frog into 8th and Sharks drop to 9th

March 30, 2012, 1:50 AM ET [32 Comments]
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Mike Smith shut-out the San Jose Sharks for the third time this year by stopping all 37 shots they fired at the Coyotes goalie by the score of 2-0.

So many golden scoring chances for the Sharks Thursday night but the same old story for San Jose; no finish around the net. There were very few rebounds from Mike Smith which means they didn’t get enough traffic in front of him and the loose pucks that were in front of the net were controlled by Phoenix.

“It’s frustrating we had a ton of opportunities, some really good looks at the net and it didn’t go in for us” is how coach MacLellan put it in the post-game presser. “They capitalized on their chances and we didn’t…that’s the game.”

The frustration involved in the Coyotes dominance of the Sharks and the lack of scoring the last two games was evident by those who cover the Sharks, you would know what I am referring to if you watched the post-game show. I know how they feel and I am also irritated by the lack of success this team has had considering the opportunities that have passed them by.

From whatever angle fans look at the Sharks situation this team has had a tough time winning on the road. They struggle against competent goaltenders and it would appear that opposing net minders savor the games against San Jose.

At the end of the day the Sharks lacked enough desperation to come away with two points. The fact that Smith has shut them out three times this year tells me that they needed to do more homework on him and figure out a way to get under his skin. We saw some of that from team captain Joe Thornton with a snow shower and then when he pushed Adrian Aucoin into the goalie after the whistle, but that wasn’t nearly enough.

After a poor outing against Anaheim I thought that the Couture line was much better Thursday and won more puck battles in the offensive zone. The depth lines did their job but at some point they need some scoring from Dominic Moore who has all in all played well for the Sharks aside from lighting the lamp.

“Probably a better effort tonight, but we obviously didn’t score on our chances” said Ryane Clowe afterwards “We played pretty well I guess, but I still think we can get a little more juice from some guys.”

“Individually you have to realize what’s on the line” was Clowe’s response when asked how they find more juice with four games left. “Do you want to play or go home, you have to find it within yourself, you have to push yourself, you have to get up for these games. Whatever your role is on this team you have to do it right now. We have to find ways to score.”

Scoring Details

1st Period

No Scoring

2nd Period

PHX – 3:49 –PP – 17 R.Vrbata(31) – assists – 13 R.Whitney(49), 11 M.Hanzal(24)

3rd Period

PHX – 8:17 –EV – 17 R.Vrbata(32) – assist – 13 R.Whitney(50)

The turning point in this game was when Tommy Wingels had the puck bounce to him in the high slot without a defender around for miles and he shot it high above the net. San Jose needed that one to get them going. That would have tied things at one and the odd man rush that went the other way that resulted in the Coyotes second goal would not have happened.

Contenders & Pretenders

Mike Smith – is again the first contender and with a shut-out what else can be expected. He was a wall and must drive player’s nuts by not letting out rebounds.

Radim Vrbata – just came back from injury and just in time to take down the Sharks. He had both Coyotes goals and gets the second contender of the night for it.

Ray Whitney – inched closer to his 1000th point with two assists. He was a contender Thursday.

Pretenders

Tommy Wingels – had a chance to tie things up in the third on what was the Sharks best scoring opportunity but missed and wasn’t even close. Tommy is the first pretender.

Dominic Moore – needs to contribute on the scoreboard. He has done everything else fairly well but he his team needs more from the guy they traded for at the deadline.

The officials – missed a couple of calls in this game including a blatant high stick on Logan Couture in the third period. The Marleau call was extremely weak on a physical level. That was a good clean hit, on top of that the refs have been letting so much go lately I don’t know how they justify the minor that led to the Coyotes first goal.

The Sharks aren’t dead yet, they meet Dallas Saturday at the Shark Tank for the biggest game of the season.

Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
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