San Jose Sharks - Quick Glimpse of the 3-0 Road Trip

Every season, a team can go on a streak, either for winning or for losing…the sharks hit a small one at the beginning. For having such a talented team like San Jose, it does not sit well for fans as the Sharks enter a road trip going 1-3-0 anchored at the bottom of the division. But road trips can give surprising results, as the San Jose Sharks are now 4-3-0, on a 3 game winning streak, its seems a little trip was just what the team needed to jump start what was called a struggling offense.

Before the road trip had started the Sharks had faced the ducks, twice, and the St. Louis Blues. Each a different goalie that decided to “stand on their head” as the Sharks peppered each goaltender with more than 30 shots each, taking 3 losses in that span.

Now it seems the Sharks have conquered the so called “hot goaltender curse” and have been loving to play against the “big name” goaltenders, as they have beaten out All Stars such as Tim Thomas and Pekka Rinne!

In their first game against the Devils the Sharks were being shut out 2-0 by their goaltending replacement in Johan Hedberg. Big Joe Thornton decided to show why he is has been playing in 1000 games, as he scored the first goal for the Sharks.  Then the goal scoring machine “jump started,” as clutch goals were scored by Ryane Clowe with 4 minutes left in the 3^rd to bring the Sharks closer to tying the 3-2 game. This is when Joe Pavelski, with 33 seconds left in regulation, decided  to show why he such an important piece to the top 6 by scoring the game tying 3^rd goal and bringing the game to the shootout where Michal Handzus and Ryane Clowe sealed the game with shoot out goals, ultimately winning the game 4-3.

After a clutch game against the Devils, one would think San Jose would be ecstatic but a little tired as they faced the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. Yet the Sharks controlled the pace for the first 2 periods holding the Bruins to 0 goals and having Joe Pavelski score the first goal and Logan Couture scoring the second (his first). In the 3^rd period, Milan Lucic capitalized on defensive lapses by Dan Boyle and Douglas Murray to score one passed Niemi to make 2-1. The scoring did no end there; in less than a minute the Bruins scored again as Tyler Seguin caught a pass from Lucic and beat Niemi to tie up the game at 2-2. Thomas was holding down his fort as the Sharks tried to put more pressure back on in 3^rd period and finally Massachusetts Native Benn Ferriero scored off of a nice rebound to score the game winning goal. In the end the Sharks would win 4-2, scoring another as Patrick Marleau scored his first of the year on an empty net.

The Sharks were given a day off to rest before facing the Predators and everything seemed great as they sat on a 2 game win streak. The offense was working, Niemi is playing great, the defense was doing well…all great for the Sharks and their fans. The bad news hit when Nashville announced they would have Mike Fisher back and Francis Boullion. Mike Fisher is an excellent 2 way player and an expert on faceoffs while Boullion is a good strong Defenseman who is returning from a concussion. This game was going to be emotional for the Preds.

Last year each game was won by a 1 goal margin. This game was going to be a hard fought defensive grind it out type of game, which is the Predator style. In the beginning the pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter were sent out, shutting down the Sharks top line. It was not until a penalty against Justin Braun, where a goal was finally scored. Logan Couture caught a nifty pass from Marty Havlat, who is on a point per game pace, and scored short handed! There were puck battles and hits but no goals were scored again until the 3^rd period. The Predators had a weak power play, but this did not stop the youngster, Craig Smith, from scoring on it. The game was tied 1-1 and Joe Pavelski again decided he would be the Sharks go to guy and scored the next 2 goals to win the game 3-1 and with assists from Thornton on both goals. Big Joe now joined an elite class with 700 career assists!

There are ups and downs in a season. Thankfully the Sharks are on the upside for this road trip with a 3 game win streak. San Jose’s next game is against Detroit, who is itching to get back at the Sharks for bouncing them from the play offs 2 years in a row.

This will be a game to watch!

-Justin Stefani

Little Joe, Big Impact - The Sharks Love this Guy

For years, the San Jose Sharks were a team meant to contend for the Stanley Cup. General Manager Doug Wilson created a core for the Sharks by making blockbuster trades for stars, or signing the right role players to the team; yet the draft also has a hand in helping this team be so great, and its the late round gem being highlighted today.

Joe Pavelski is an American born hockey player. He was raised in Wisconsin and even played college hockey for the University of Wisconsin where he helped the team win the 2006 championship. Little Joe was drafted in 2003 by the Sharks in the 7th round, going 205th overall. For being such a late pick he has made his impact on the Sharks.

Joe is one of those players that can play all roles: Power Play, Short Handed and 5v5. He has played center for most of his career with the Sharks, bouncing around from 3rd line duties to 2nd line center, now as the right wing for the top line. His hockey awareness on the ice really separates himself from the average player, he may not be the fastest skater out there but he seems to know where to be to block a passing lane or catch a pass from an opposing player. Another plus to this guy: he is also one of the Sharks Shoot out specialists.

Pavelski played his first game for the Sharks in 2006 and scored his first goal as well. He made quite an impact for his first stint with 14 goals and 14 assists in 46 games. In the 2007-2008 season he played all 82 games, scoring 19 goals and 21 assists; increasing 12 points from his previous year; the year after he increased to 59 points. The last 2 seasons Little Joe did not play the full 82 games; in 2009-2010 he was limited to just 67 games but still put up decent numbers, scoring 51 points (25 goals and 26 assists). Yet in 74 games of the 2010-2011 season he scored 66 points, increasing his number again. (this was while he played as a 3rd line center for part of season as well).

The real value of Pavelski is not just that he can put up decent numbers in the regular season; he is a legend in San Jose as being a playoff hero. Around San Jose he has been called "captain clutch" for his timely goals or you will hear the name “the Big Pavelski for scoring the game winning goals and being the kick to start the Sharks offense. He is a player that you can trust throughout the playoffs for a sometimes inconsistent Sharks team.

This Season Coach Todd McClellan decided to move the natural center to play right wing along side of the Captain Joe Thornton and left wing speedster, also center, Patrick Marleau. This line has it all; puck control, hockey awareness, defensively responsible, and bonus each can take face offs!

Each year, after 06-07 season, he has played he has taken over 200 shots and now that he has premier play-maker Big Joe Thornton passing the puck he has the potential to score upwards his career high of 25 goals. This young winger is entering his prime years and now playing top line minutes he can flourish and really show fans and viewers what he is made of. 

My prediction for Little Joe: Another 60-70 points is in store for him, especially with his new line mates.

- Justin Stefani