Bring On The Third Period

SAN JOSE, Ca – For the 3^rd game in a row the Sharks come from behind in the final period to claim victory. To be a fly on the wall in San Jose’s locker room in between periods would have been inspiring, because whatever was said motivated a sluggish team to score 6 goals in the final 20 minutes of play, a feat they have not accomplished since 1996.
The San Jose Sharks were coming off of a 4 day break and it showed. In coach Todd MacLellan’s post game press conference he said that “rust” was not an acceptable excuse for the lack of energy and focus in the first 40 minutes of play, clearly that was the case. The Sharks were so bad in the first 2 periods that they were out shot 34-11. Nobody was good. Goaltender Evgeni Nabakov was the best athlete on the ice in home colors but that isn’t saying much.
It is hard to believe that the scoreboard read Predators 4 Sharks 2 because in every other category that counts Nashville was way ahead.
Blowing a 2 goal lead is uncharacteristic of a Barry Trotz (the head coach of Nashville) team any time of year but especially when they are in a race to make the playoffs. This team came in to the Shark Tank with desperation and played that way for 40 minutes. Problem is that there are 60 minutes to a game.
The San Jose Sharks are in a position where they will make the post season. Nashville on the other hand is in a familiar position. For the past few years, this one included they have been one of the last teams to qualify for the playoffs. This team is experienced at playing desperation hockey in March and April, and more times than not they have been one of the top 16 teams in the league to qualify. That is why the collapse of the Predators was a shock to see. Their starting goaltender Dan Ellis had an off night but because of the lack of shots on net in the first 2 periods we didn’t see the flood gates open until the 3^rd. As it turned out Ellis was pulled in place Pekka Rinne with 5:46 to go in the game. Never have I seen a goalie pulled so late in a game.
These conference rivals have played 4 times this year and last night’s battle in San Jose was the last of the 2009-10 season unless they meet in the post season, which is a good possibility. San Jose won the season series with 3 wins in 4 attempts.
Things don’t get any easier for Nashville as they continue their road trip traveling south to face off against the Anaheim Ducks tonight, and the LA Kings on Sunday who aside form an overtime loss to Chicago have been playing great hockey as of late. If the Predators miss the playoffs after the 82 game schedule is completed, they may look at this blown opportunity as a turning point in their season.
Honorable mention goes to Scott Nichol for suiting up against his old team last night. Nichol was the victim of a nasty check from behind into the boards that resulted in a 4 game suspension for Montreal’s Maxim Lapierre. Not many people expected the Sharks spark plug back in action so soon.
Joe Pavelski was demoted to the 3^rd line after the second period and responded with 2goals and 2 assists. For his efforts Pavelski was awarded the games first star. Manny Malhotra was a key contributor in the final frame recording a goal and 2 assists for 2^nd star honors and Dany Heatley was the 3^rd scoring 2 goals and a helper.
Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray blocked a hart shot in the 2^nd period. He took a shift after that, but did not finish the game as a result. San Jose fans hope to see him back for Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Keep your sticks on the ice.
Contact the writer at Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com