Frozone

Nice article here in the Merc on San Jose's improved(?) ice surface.

Sorry I've been AWOL but hopefully I'll have a post up soon about it. Hint - it involves tonight's respected opponent and Elk Jalapeno hot dogs.

Go Sharks. Keep up that momentum.

OMG

This site is awesome:

http://fuckyeahsharks.tumblr.com/

That's What I'm Talking About

After yet another rough start to last night's tilt vs. the New York, San Jose found their legs, then used those legs to step on the Rangers' throats and never let up. Beautiful game.

San Jose's 3rd goal (Ortmeyer from Ferriero and Huskins, 2:20 in the video) was scored by the Anti-Sharks. The NegaSharks, if you will: A shot from the point (!) towards a screened goalie (!!) gets banged in off the rebound (!!!). Who is this team?

Then, to my utter disbelief, they score on that exact same play again for the 4th goal (2:40).

San Jose Sharks - you're talented and experienced - manufacture goals just. like. this.

Holy Shit!

You probably already watched this, but I would be remiss if I didn't post the goal of the year.

The kid is friggin 9 years old. When I was his age I was still eating paste. The goalie's reaction at 1:00 is classic. Welcome to life, kid. When your best isn't good enough, look at the ref and shrug.


-Spotted first at Puck Daddy

-Paste joke from my buddy Josh. That was too good not to steal.

Scotty Nichol? Really Guys???

Scott Nichol was our best skater last night? Scotty fucking Nichol???

Jesus H. Christ, you just had a 2 day layoff and are only 6 games into the season. Wake the fuck up out there and get your skates out of the fucking molasses.

New Sharks Blogger

This time it's... Jody Shelley!

His first entry is long on story-telling and short on substance, but the kid's got style. I'm looking forward to it way, way more than the latest update on Marcel Goc's bottle of water.

Magical Mystery Tour

View Larger Map
I can see Cuba and Nova Scotia. That cannot be good.

The San Jose Sharks embark on their annual NHL-imposed torture test tonight: 5 states, 2700 miles, 6 games, 9 nights. I don't even have any jokes. This swing always sucks. All of these teams actually have respectable records (except NYI) so a 3-3 clip would be fucking fantastic.

And remember kids - godawful start times of 4 and 4:30. Set those DVRs.

Patrick Marleau and Fucktards With Short Memories

"Since Patrick Marleau has lost his captain's "C," the theory goes, the pressure is off: That's why he scored a flurry of goals to start the season, with five in the first five games"

If I hear this fucktard stupid comment one more time I'm going to punch my goddamn eye out. Comments like this make my blog look like a paragon of journalistic integrity.

I don't mean to pick on the Chronicle's sportswriters (who knew they'd heard of hockey?), but they're giving credence to this ridiculous sentiment floating around San Jose. Just google "Marleau Captain Pressure".

How quickly we forget. Patty had one of his most statistically-relevant seasons last year, netting a career-high 38 goals. That furious pace he's set so far, 5 goals in 6 games? By my count, he matched that 4 times last year:

• 10/14 - 10/24 - 5 goals in 5 games
• 12/4 - 12/23 - 7 goals in 9 games
• 1/3 - 1/27 - 8 goals in 9 games
• 2/10 - 2/19 - 7 goals in 6 games

Yes, folks, it's that all-time favorite nerd pet peeve: correlation does not imply causation. Just because Patty lost the C does not mean he all of a sudden figured out how to skate fast and shoot well. In fact, it's pretty clear, he's been doing that for a very long time.

Now don't get me wrong, I've been a big a critic as anyone of Marleau over the years. But regular season statistics have never been the cause of concern (well, maybe once). It's those stinkers he drops in the playoffs. Since the 06/07 season, Patty's averaged 0.85 points per game in the regular season versus 0.57 in the playoffs, a 34% drop-off. As always with this team, impress us when it counts.

But for now, C or no C, keep pouring 'em in.

DA-NY HEAT-LEY!!!

DA-NY HEAT-LEY!!!
DA-NY HEAT-LEY!!!
DA-NY HEAT-LEY!!!

I have been drinking.

Insert Face Palm Here

I've only been able to watch 2 of the 3 Sharks contests this year. Guess which one I missed?

So I'll have to take it on good faith that San Jose has played one game this year that didn't make me face palm during the 3rd period.

In trying to take away some positives from last night, rallying from 0-4 to tie it at 4-4 is quite impressive. Then again, all 4 goals were on the power play and with at least 3-4 All-Stars on the ice for S.J. at the time. It's probably not a good sign when your team can only score skating 5-on-4 with half an Olympic Roster peppering a sophomore goalie.

My diagnosis: lingering symptoms from roster overhaul. 8 of our 18 skaters last night are new to teal, and that doesn't even include Greiss. Teams with completely different lines should look shaky 5-on-5 where positioning, movement, and familiarity are key. Right?

It's going to be a long October with this lack of familiarity and a 6 game swing through the eastern time zone in just 8 days. Repeat with me: I will not freak out from a slow start... I will not freak out from a slow start... I will not freak out from a slow start...

Awesome

This has nothing to do with anything, but it's great:

Let's Just Forget That Ever Happened