Sharks and Ducks rookies go head-to-head

SAN JOSE, CA – It’s been pushing 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside all week, but the fans inside the San Jose Sharks Ice arena were cool.   The San Jose Sharks

Rookies took to the ice against the Anaheim Ducks in a three-game series earlier this week.   Fan seating was limited, but those in attendance were ready for the new season to begin.   The Sharks and Ducks Rookies did not disappoint, as both teams brought their A-game, in an attempt to secure an open roster space on their perspective teams.
 
In game one on Monday, the Sharks scored early in the first period, with a goal by Michael D’Orazio (tryout) with an assist from forward Dean Strong (Free Agent Signee).
 
“There was a scrum at the net, the puck went off to the side, and I retrieved it and the D-man was wide open and he buried it.” said Strong.
 
The Sharks lead until early in the third period when Nicholas Deschamps (2008 Entry Draft) sunk a power-play goal past Sharks goalie Thomas Heemskerk (tryout).  *
 
Timo Pielmeier (Trade Acquisition and former Sharks prospect) was in the net for the Ducks and posted 35 saves versus Heemskerk’s 26.   Both teams remained even through-out the five-minute overtime, forcing a shoot-out.   Deschamps poked the puck past Heemskerk in the second round of the shoot-out, but Sharks Daniel Erlich (tryout) managed to sneak the puck behind Pielmeier to tie the score again.   In the eighth round, Strong shot the winning goal with a wrist shot, giving the Sharks the win, 2-1 over the Ducks.
 
In Tuesday’s game two, the Sharks would come out the victors again, as they chalked up a 5-0 shutout.   Sharks forward Strong opened the scoring with a power-play goal in the first period, followed by a goal from Kevin Henderson (free agent), and assisted by D’Orazio.  
 
The only goal of the second period was by Nicholas Petrecki (Entry draft 2007). “We’ve been working in practice on the defenseman coming in late. My former teammate, Benn Ferriero [also a Sharks free agent] found me in the slot and I found some room in the top of the net and was able to put it away.” added Petrecki on his first goal of the series.
 
In the third period, the Sharks would continue to dominate, with two more goals by Henderson (power-play) and C.J. Stretch (tryout), ending the game 5-0.
 
Sharks goalie Alex Stalock was in the net, turning away 39 shots on goal.
 
The second game brought out the pent up aggression from some of the former college players, resulting in four fighting penalties on the night.   
 
In the third and final game, Wednesday night the Sharks defeated the Ducks 5-2 sweeping the series.   In an aggressive and physical game, the sharks came to show their stamina.   There were six fights during the night, resulting in a misconduct to Rigby Burgart (Sharks tryout), as a result of two majors in a game.
 
A power-play goal by Sharks Defenseman D’Orazio, then followed less than two minutes later with a goal by Marc Cantin (Sharks tryout), put the Sharks up 2-0.   The Ducks attempted a come back goal late in the period by Dan Sexton (free agent), with an assist by Josh Britton (Entry Draft 2008), shrinking the Sharks lead to 2-1 at the end of the first.
 
The Sharks increased the gap, with another goal in the second period by Erlich.   Erlich plays much bigger than his 5’6” frame, maneuvering past defensemen with ease. “I have a low center of gravity, so it’s harder for the bigger guys to hit me.” He added, “I want to show my size is not a factor.   I try to emphasize my skill and speed. This is a lot faster game at this level so I have to step up my speed and work harder.”
 
The Ducks scored again late in the second with an unassisted goal by Maxime Macenauer (Entry Draft 2007), to end the period 3-2, Sharks.
 
The third period, the Sharks added two more goals by Corey Quirk (tryout) and Joe Loprieno(free agent), to take the game 5-2 over the Ducks.   Erlich had three points in the game, with a goal and two assists on the night.  
 
In the net for the Sharks, Heemskerk had 25 saves, while the Ducks’ Sebastian Stefaniszin (Entry Draft 2007) had 22 saves.
 
Petrecki agrees that some of the players are putting their all on the line in these games. “You have to find your own equilibrium; not do too much, but still show what you have. You play your strengths. I’m a physical guy, and I try to win battles in the corner and along the boards.”   *
The rookie games are a great opportunity for fans to see the up and coming prospects and players.   These three games were each sell-outs.   It’s clear that these players are trying to make an impression on the scouts, for which there was no shortage in the stands.   Both the Sharks and the Ducks will open their main training camps later this week.   Who knows, perhaps a few of these rookies could have improved their chances to fill a vacant spot on one of those coveted roster spots this season.
Contact the writer at: shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
All Photos by Jack Lima: jack.lima@prohockeynews.com