|
Flames too much to handle for Sharks |
|
|
|
|
|
The Sharks split their Western Canada road trip after the Flames handily took them down 4-1.
The game was tied after the second period 1-1; however Calgary was the better team from the drop of the puck.
The Sharks have been unable to get their momentum going again since their quick start. Tonight was an opportunity to keep the wheels turning but they simply got outworked against a team that wanted it more than they did.
The Sharks gutted out a big win last night in Vancouver and it seems that victory emptied their tank because there was a lack of jump from everybody wearing Sharks white tonight.
The Calgary Flames are a team that relies heavily on the few talented players they have and they got their best performer back after a month on the injured reserve list.
Mikka Kiprusof suited up for his first game since February the 5th. He was out with an MCL injury and the Sharks weren’t able to get many quality shots on net.
Anytime a goalie comes in after an extended layoff the idea is to pepper him with as much rubber as possible, and pepper him early before he can get his timing back. The Sharks were only able to muster sixteen shots through the first two periods.
On top of not enough quality shots Mikka Kiprusof showed why he is one of the NHL’s best goalies by performing brilliantly in his return. Tonight the lack of good scoring opportunities caught up with them on the second game in as many nights.
The Flames on the other hand didn’t get too many shots on net, however once they took a 3-1 lead early in the third period they went into defensive mode. The Sharks did record seventeen shots in the final frame, but it was too little too late.
San Jose countered with Thomas Greiss between the pipes, who also hasn’t played in almost a month, but he has been on the ice and as a back-up he has made a living by playing well after extended breaks.
There has to be concern from the whole organization as far as the lack of scoring goes. The Sharks haven’t been able to light the lamp more than twice in regulation time for five weeks. Either their goal scorers aren’t as good as they once were or they aren’t as good as they think they are.
The result will have to lie in the hands of GM Doug Wilson to shuffle the deck if this crew can’t show that they are able to show more potency around the net.
Scoring details
1st period
CAL – 4:27 –EV - 10 R.Cervenka(3) – assists – 4 J.Bouwmeester(8), 12 J.Iginla(11)
2nd period
SJ – 13:53 –EV – 19 J.Thornton(5) – assist – 8 J.Pavelski(10)
3rd period
CAL – 2:57 –EV – 17 B.Comeau(1) – assists – 44 C.Butler(5), 7 T.Brodie(5)
CAL – 4:36 –EV – 12 J.Iginla(7) – assist – 24 J.Hudler(12)
CAL – 19:04 –SH-EN – 20 C.Glencross(8) – assist – 22 L.Stempniak(10)
Turning point
The turning point on the scoreboard was the go ahead goal by Blake Comeau which came early in the third period, but the turning point in the game was the second period which was dominated by the Flames.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Mikka Kiprusof – was …well himself. He was great on a night where he wasn’t heavily tested. The Kipper is the game’s first Contender for stopping 32 of 33 shots.
Jarome Iginla – makes the list tonight for scoring a goal and an assist and he also finished the game at plus – 2. Iggy showed good leadership and got his team ready to play.
Pretenders
Logan Couture – is on the list tonight. He wasn’t a threat at any point and finished the game minus – 2 and he was also a mere 33% in the face-off circle.
Sharks leaders – didn’t show up tonight on the score sheet, nor did they inspire the rest of their mates to make an impact. Good leaders make everybody around them better and the way they played tonight there was no inspiration.
The Sharks prepare to host the Blues from St. Louis on Saturday afternoon at the Shark Tank. The puck drops at 1pm.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»