It was Tim Kennedy’s second goal in three games with the big club that counted as the game winner to snap the Sharks seven game losing streak.

“After that hot start we hit a little slide here, but just getting the two points tonight was huge” were Kennedy’s comments after the game.
“We decided we wanted to get pucks on this goalie because it is only his third or fourth game. I just wanted to shoot for the far side and it snuck through him.”

The Sharks as a whole looked more determined and poised against a team that has won eight of the last nine games they played against each other dating back to last season.

A win like this could, and should do wonders for the psyche of the Sharks whose confidence has been shaken after their winless streak. So much of winning at the NHL level comes from confidence and a player once told me that it takes a lot of time and hard work to build up, but is lost very easily and quickly.

The Sharks are going to need all the confidence they can get if they are going to beat their foes the Chicago Blackhawks who is their next opponent. San Jose will fly to the Windy city tonight and prepare themselves to stop history because if the Blackhawks don’t lose another game in regulation time they will set the standard for most games to start a season without a loss at seventeen.

Tim Kennedy has been a breath of fresh air for the Sharks and I believe his work ethic and determination has been a good influence on this team.

“He’s been a spark plug for us. He’s got some offensive instincts, but before that happens he’s a very competitive guy” was the way Coach Todd McLellan described Tim Kennedy.
“He battles and wins a lot of races to loose pucks, he gets good body position and he’s prepared to shoot the puck and got rewarded again for it.”

Kennedy’s road to where he is now is a unique story. He was drafted in the 6th round 181st overall in 2005 and up until the end of the 2012 season he had played in only 112 NHL games. Injuries have been his downfall and getting back to the bigs shows how much grit he has and is a testament to his character.

The Sharks had an advantage before the puck was dropped because the Blues plane didn’t get in until 6:30 this morning from Vancouver where they won last night. That kind of delay disrupts a player’s game day ritual.

San Jose will have to be better in a few areas if they are going to beat Chicago and the top of that list has got to be the power play. The Sharks went 0-4 tonight and the top unit had a tough time getting set up in the offensive zone. The second unit looked better but that still isn’t saying much.

Scoring details

1st period

STL – 12:54 –EV – 21 P.Berglund(9) – assists – 17 V.Sobotka(5), 25 C.Stewart(6)

2nd period

SJ – 3:56 –EV – 19 J.Thornton(4) – assists – 22 D.boyle(7), 12 P.Marleau(6)

3rd period

SJ – 13:02 –EV – 46 T.Kennedy(2) – assists – 57 T.Wingels(4), 61 J.Braun(1)

Turning point

The turning point was the Tim Kennedy goal. That came with just under seven minutes to go in the third period. Kennedy double clutched on the shot which was enough to throw the timing of the Blues’ keeper Jake Allen off.

Contenders & Pretenders

Contenders

Antti Niemi – has been the team’s most consistent performer so far and thank goodness. Niemi’s calm demeanor has kept the Sharks in many games this year and his numbers are proving it.

Tim Kennedy – is a contender for scoring the game winning goal but also for showing a work ethic that more players in teal should adopt.

Tommy Wingels – makes the list for dropping the gloves against a tough hombre in T.J Oshie as well as a solid effort all night long including beating out a late icing call.

Dan Boyle – earned his way on the contender’s list by stepping it up. Boyle showed a great desire to win tonight and created a number of offensive opportunities, which is what this team has lacked as of late.

Pretenders

Joe Pavelski – makes the list tonight for mental errors and an overall casual effort. Pavs was weak on Berglund on St. Louis’ first goal and his goalkeeper interference call was an easy one for the official.

Jake Allen – was good tonight except for the game winning goal against him. This was a shot that he will stop 99 times out of 100. Kennedy didn’t get much on it and letting that one by him should keep him up tonight.

Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore

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