SAN JOSE, CA – San Jose Sharks fans raised the roof Thursday as they witnessed a gutsy 3-2 come from behind victory against the Montreal Canadians. The third period rally got the home team back on track in more ways than one.
For starters, Evgeni Nabakov who has been the brunt of negative press after a poor outing in the Olympics and another subpar performance against New Jersey on Tuesday looked like his old self again. Brian Gionta hammered a slap shot past the Sharks netminder midway through the first period on a shot that Nabakov should have stopped. Perhaps that was the wakeup call he needed because after that his timely saves kept his team in the game and gave them a chance to win. One of his many highlights of the night came on a flurry of shots that started on a break where Nabby (as the home town fans call him) stopped the initial backhand shot that somehow stretched across the crease to keep out, not one but two rebound opportunities, from finding the back of the net. It is not often that the official save of the game comes in the first period of a hockey game but it was in this case. Had the Sharks gone down by two it may have changed the dynamics of the game.
While the Olympics provided great drama for the world to enjoy, coming back to the NHL may seem anti-climatic for some. It will be interesting to watch is how the NHL players that medaled in what some are considering the greatest ice hockey tournament ever played, perform with their NHL clubs. The first game back for San Jose came against the New Jersey Devils resulting in a 4-3 loss. The Devils are not a division or conference rival so a lack of adrenalin was somewhat understandable, especially from a team that is known for slow, boring play. In the post game press conference, head coach Todd McLellan said he was happy with the effort put forward by the medal winning players but that they were “not polished.” Some of the Sharks players just came from playing in the biggest game of their lives so they are forgiven for not competing at their best. Even after the Sharks “Burger Line” of Heatley, Thornton, and Marleau was broken up for Thursday’s game they, along with Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle, were stand outs against the Canadians. After your level of play has been raised for the Olympics, most fans had hoped to see that kind of play maintained when they return to regular season play. Heatley and Marleau both broke out of goal scoring slumps and both players were everywhere on the ice. Dany Heatley has clearly improved his all around game with the San Jose Sharks and Joe Thornton was skating with purpose and his hustle was contagious. These athletes grinded in the corners and didn’t back down from any challenges. Their blue collar effort was fulfilling to watch.
San Jose tied the game in the second period on a shorthanded marker by Patrick Marleau. Number 12 for the Sharks went to the net after killing some valuable time on the penalty kill and tipped in a Rob Blake shot from the point. The momentum swung right back in favor of the visiting team just over a minute later on a Scott Gomez power play goal that went in off of Sharks D-man Douglas Murray. A bad bounce yes but that happens when you throw the puck towards net.
Carey Price was the standout goalie for the Montreal Canadians who was awarded the games 3rd star. All night long he frustrated Sharks shooters, and when he couldn’t find the puck, the posts turned into his best friend. Including a Dan Boyle penalty shot that beat Price but not the crossbar. If not for the inspiring play of the 22 year old first round draft pick, the Sharks would have blown out the visitors from the Northeast Division.
The turning point of this game was when 5’ 9”, 175 pound forward Scott Nichol was cross checked into the boards after hitting yet another post on a breakaway midway through the third period. Nichol was at the goal line and was in the process of circling back into the play when he was checked from behind and went crashing hard into the end boards. What surprised the sellout crowd at the Shark Tank was the replay on TV showing that there was no penalty called on the play. It was one of the nastiest cheap shots you will see this year and was what many would interpret as intent to injure. Scott Nichol’s reputation as a tough guy in hockey went up many notches as he pulled himself up off the ice and appealed to the officials for a penalty. The astounding part of this incident was that the official was in position to see the whole thing. A non-call like that certainly makes you wonder.
Nichol left the game and did not return. Instead of turning things into a goon show and retaliating, the Sharks put the pressure on and got the best short term revenge they could. San Jose began a relentless attack and got results. Heatley’s power play goal came with seven and a half minutes left in the game and Manny Malhotra netted the game winner two minutes later. The go ahead goal was a one timer shot that Malhotra really turned on from Torri Mitchell who had a strong outing and was awarded extra ice time to fill in for the injured Scott Nichol. His fore-check is what turned the puck over on the side boards, Mitchell then quickly moved the puck into the high slot where Malhotra was waiting and made no mistake.
This game had a playoff atmosphere as will most of the games from here on in as teams jockey for playoff spots. The Sharks appear to be back on track because they overcame adversity by scoring timely goals and getting timely saves against a team that is fighting for a playoff position.
Saturday night the Sharks host Olympic gold medalist Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Thursday’s win the Sharks took back the lead in the Western Conference standings.
Keep your sticks on the ice
Contact the author at Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
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