The San Jose Sharks have charged up the western conference ladder as of late and they have done it by displaying something that many believe they are lacking, an exuberant amount of heart. From the outside looking in on a playoff position only weeks ago the Sharks now find themselves on top of the tight Pacific division after a 4-3 OT win in Calgary and trailing only Detroit and Vancouver in the west. While Vancouver’s nine point lead may be insurmountable the Red Wings are only two points ahead of the San Jose which means after a slow and dismal start finishing the regular season in second place in the conference is a reality. I will cover all the details as to why the Sharks have turned things around but if you had to sum it up in one word it would have to be HEART. When you look up the word heart in the dictionary it gives a number of meanings. Those that relate to the San Jose Sharks play as of late are “bravery, determination, guts, spunk and spirit.” That’s what it takes to win in the NHL and that is how this team has been performing. To get to a point where a team can show heart they have to go through trials and tribulations. For the Sharks it has been two new net minders, it has been learning to trust old line mates again as well new players joining the mix. It has been the growth of young players as well as a young head coach and his evolving staff. The goaltending of Antti Niemi has been rock solid. So good in fact that he was named the NHL’s top star of the week recently, and let us not forget it was this time of year last season that he took the starting job away from Cristobal Huet when they both played with the Chicago Blackhawks and went on to win the Stanley Cup. Niemi has become this team’s number one between the pipes since Antero Niittymaki went down with a lower body injury. He has found a groove and has started the last 17 games in a row with no signs of slowing down. The 6’2 Fin has proven his durability in the month of February and that he has the mental focus to become the Sharks top goalie for years to come. The month of February has been one to remember for the franchise and if things work out in the post season we will look back at this time as a turning point. The team went 11-2 in the shortened month and both losses came on the road and were one goal defeats. Most everybody on this team has played better hockey but the team game is what really stands out. Patrick Marleau has been doing what he is paid to do, score goals and lately he has been captain clutch notching the winning tallies against Phoenix while shorthanded (with his parents in the house to celebrate his 1000th NHL game,) Nashville, Columbus and Pittsburgh. Devin Setoguchi has picked up his game since he has been paired with Joe Thornton and Logan Couture scoring a hat trick against the Avalanche and a pair against the Red Wings. Logan Couture started the month off as consistent as he has been all year long netting game winners against Boston and Washington two games in a row while the team recorded shutouts. Ryan Clowe continues to lead by happily playing on any line and still putting up numbers all the while patrolling the ice as a physical presence who is not afraid to settle his own scores. Marc-Eduoard Vlasic has shown why he is considered a second line defenseman with his great stick play but he has shown a more physical side to his game lately. What really impressed last night against the NHL’s hottest team, the Calgary Flames was not only did they come from behind to earn points in a shootout but they did it without the team’s workhorse Dan Boyle. Boyle missed his first game of the season last night and the rest of the D-corps did an admirable job of picking up the slack. Dan Boyle is one of the league’s top blue liners and so far this season nobody has logged more minutes per game. He is the best puck mover the Sharks have on the blue line and is the most important player on the team. Their ultimate success depends on his return. The newcomers Ben Eager (from Atlanta for a 5th round draft pick), Kyle Wellwood (on waivers) and Ian White (from Carolina for a 7th round draft pick) have all played a key role. Ben Eager adds some much needed grit to the line-up along with some energy and as we have seen he can fire the puck as he showed when he beat Jonas Hiller the all-star goalie from Anaheim from the blue line on a rush. It was the Ben Eager and Tim Jackman fight that turned around a slow start for the Sharks against Calgary. Kyle Wellwood started his season in the KHL in Russia until he was brought back by the Phoenix Coyotes in waivers, which is when Shark’s GM Doug Wilson claimed him. Wellwood has always been known for his great hands but not one to follow the required diet and exercise plan to be a regular NHLer. So far he has shown good chemistry with everyone he has played with. His ability to win face-offs and his consistent play in the defensive zone are keys to his success. His playmaking ability adds another threat to the forward core as well good depth at the center position. Ian White has been a long shot his whole career but has continued to surprise and improve. Standing 5’9 and 185 pounds is on the small side for a NHL defenseman, which is why he must constantly prove himself. His big shot from the point and his offensive flair are what helped him score 13 goals season while sharing time between Toronto and Calgary. If he finds a comfort zone in San Jose he will impress and become a fan favorite. What this all adds up to is a team that is better prepared for a deep playoff run. The Sharks are doing things the hard way which makes them battle tested, and a difficult team to play against. More importantly it makes them a mentally tougher team going forward towards the playoffs. San Jose enjoys the confines of the HP Pavilion, also known as the Shark Tank for nine of their next eleven games. The Tank has been voted one of the toughest buildings to play in by opposing players. The next game is against the sliding Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday March the 1st. Keep your sticks on the ice, Contact Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
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