Locker room report after win over OTtawa
Passing along some additional post-game thoughts after that 3-2 OT victory over Ottawa, and then it’s off to Chicago.
*****************The Sharks were very much aware before their third-period comeback that both Dallas and Anaheim came up empty in their games earlier in the evening.
“We heard at the second intermission about it,” Patrick Marleau said, “but we have to worry about ourselves and our games.”
And, no, it’s not as if the coaches used that information in any sort of motivational talk. Marleau wasn’t sure, but said “maybe some of the guys working out in the back told our guys.”
*****************Jonathan Cheechoo noted the fact that the OT victory enabled the Sharks to move ahead of Anaheim in the Pacific Division race.
“Now we’ve got just one more to catch,” he said.
****************Here’s Brian Campbell’s description of how he helped set up the Sharks first goal, a power play shot by Marleau.
“Usually we set up on Joe’s side, but it just didn’t work out,” Campbell said. “I just went down to be the halfwall guy on the other side there. I just waited and Patty did all the work. He found that little opening in the high slot and that’s a big league shot when he fired the onetimer like that.That’s what good players do.”
(Aside: Some of you were asking how Campbell reacted to the “sign him, sign him, sign him” chanting after the Montreal game. I did ask him that night if he heard it and he indicated he hadn’t. When I told him what the crowd was saying, he said, “Oh yeah? There were some signs out there, too. That was pretty nice, that they support the team like that and they support the players. That’s huge.” Campbell has made it clear that while he never says never, he really would like to focus on hockey until the end of the season and then get down to the matter of what happens next.)
*****************Ron Wilson talked afterward about how his captain must feel as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulder because the trade deadline passed and, despite mutliple rumors to the contrary, Patrick Marleau was still a Shark. Part of Wilson’s remarks were generic on the negative vibe that trade rumors can have on a player. But he also took a specific shot at one writer in particular:
“I’m surprised the one guy who makes the most stuff up isn’t over here. He’s run for cover tonight,” Wilson said. And though he mentioned no one by name, it was a pretty obvious reference to Bruce Garrioch, who was covering the game for the Ottawa Sun and probably in the Senators’ locker room at the time.
See David? That’s why your blog is the best–you take our questions right to the players. Thanks!
Stuart,
Um, I’m afraid that was some sloppy writing on my part that I’ve now fixed. In this case, I actually had asked Campbell that same night about the chanting — so I wasn’t really reacting to the wishes of the blog community. Other times, though, I have.
And while we’re talking, to all of you who have been praising WTC over the past 24 hours, it’s appreciated — and a little embarrassing. Enough already, please. Besides, I’ve now got all the ammo I need, just in case. But let me emphasize again: For now, the job and the blog appear to be safe.
Thanks,
David P
I’m not worried about re-signing Soupy. Rentals who have done well here have decided to stay (Damphousse, Rivet). Those that didn’t left (Weasel, Guerin). If he does well here, he’ll be happy and will want to stay. After the season, Campbell and the Sharks will both know what they’re getting. That’ll make it easier to reach a deal that both sides will think is equitable. –jzap
Patty is stepping up. Good for him. Stock is rising.
I think so as Jzap, very important is Thornton’ effect - they are friend and happy right now…its good for Sharks when stars are happy :-)Maybe he can say:”Hey,J make the ice better a I sign and make parade every night here”
Does Ron Wilson dare change his underwear if the team keeps winning? Will the Sharks keep wearing white until their win streams ends?
David, I assume that Ron Wilson makes the decision on his underwear, but who decides the color jersey the team wears?
sorry about the typo in #5: “streams” should have been “streak”.
Czech Petr,
I think you made 3 good points (jzap too).
The fact that Campbell is friends with Jumbo was probably not lost on management or anyone else for that matter. It will have some effect on Campbell’s deliberations about staying on.
As Mr.Pollak referenced above, RW didn’t directly correlate Marleau’s sudden return to form to the passing of the trade deadline; but it’s obvious to most of us that the timing can’t be entirely coincidence. So your observation that when the stars are happy, they play better is right on the money, in my view. That says much about the character of some stars.
Your indirect comment about the ice at home… how is it that the ice has suddenly not been such a “problem” everybody?
My addition: the old adage that winning fixes everything….right?
Re: #4
As I had guessed would happen, and was then solidified by our informative blog, the “Thornton Effect” for the resigning of Campbell is not only an on-ice thing at all. As Pollak had alluded to, after a trade (and especially for a rental player), a player usually spends the rest of the season at a hotel, but Campbell is staying at Joe Thornton’s place with him also. I have to imagine that it could make a huge impact on our chances to get that extension.
Interesting comment by Wilson about Bruce Garrioch. Bruce actually had some pretty positive things to say about Campbell, Thorton. He also relayed RW’s comments about officiating (previously read by us on this blog, good job, Dave!). And of course, many of the press are not exactly considered reliable sources…but you are Dave!
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/SanJose/2008/03/06/4925876-sun.html
I love to watch my son’s play hockey. My 11 year old scored a come from behind tournament winning goal this year.Pure joy. Jumbo and Soup were once doing the same thing as kids. Can anybody imagine the feeling of knowing you have the chance to win multiple cups with a childhood friend and have a life away from some of the hype? Monday said it all. They looked like kids having fun out there (last night too)and Soup thanking the fans showed me a lot. No doubt he signs-just a matter of working it out.
As an out of town fan that watched the game on NHL network, I was happy to hear Randy Hahn and Drew Ramenda’s voices again. Always makes me think of being back home in the Bay Area.
As for Campbell, He HAS to say he wants to focus on hockey right now; he’s a hockey player. They have cap room and if they make him a solid offer (which I dont see why they wouldnt; they’ve done it in the past re: Rivet and Thornton) He’ll sign before seasons’ end. Give it some time but we’ll see Campbell in teal and white next year.
GO SHARKS!!
A little off topic but…..
I’ll be going to Az for the weekend for my first Giants spring training with my dad. We also have tickets to the Yotes and Sens game Saturday. I was wondering if anyone here or David Pollak has any suggestions of must see things in the Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale area. Things for fun or places to eat. I thank you all in advance!
Wow I feel the pressure, must comment to keep the Blog going. Just Kidding. Good sign last night was the victory pulled out late in the game. The Sharks usually do not win this type of game, and with the playoffs on the horizen, it was a good sign of things to come.
SacBen, there’s some wonderful four wheeling just north of Phoenix in the Table Mesa area, if you’re in to that kind of stuff (I am). Great sights up in Sedona. Then, if you’re an Eagles fan, trek east to Winslow to see the Don Henley statue.
Or you could play golf, lots of golf.
Interestingly the website referenced by tadpole #9 says this about Jumbo…
“the Sharks captain has opened up his home to give Campbell a place to stay for the next couple of months.”
or did someone already note that?
IMO Marleau has been playing well since January. Now the puck is starting to go in. He had the one on one breaks and has been unable to put it away. I’ll take a slow start and hot finish for his year just like the sharks game last night.
Campbell didn’t hear the chants? Neither did we (Sec 120). We stayed through the interview, and still didn’t hear them. Oh well, if we did we would have joined in.
Big win last night and great play in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I think some thanks has to go to Nabby for keeping it 0 - 0 in the first when the Sharks clearly came out flat. They were a little lucky catching an Ottawa team in turmoil of late and after the Ducks beat up on em Monday. They couldn’t quite take advantage of our slow feet in the first. Not trying to throw water on the fire ;-). Just an honest assessment of what I saw. Hopefully whatever they used as motivation for some jump in the 2nd and 3rd is bottled for the stretch run and playoffs.
To Soup:
6.8 x 5 SJ option for year 6 at 8 mil with or without NTC- Sound fair?
SacBen…places to eat…Don & Charlie’s(Scottsdale)…Monti’s Steak House(Tempe)…Pink Pony(Scott.)…lots of memorabilia and baseball crowd at D & C and Pony. Greyhound racing every night in Phoenix. I’ll be there when the boys beat the ‘Yotes on the 25th. Hats off to Cheech, Patty & Ehrhoff…thrown under the bus, yet lived to tell about it!
I think that Marleau has been playing more physical since the deadline/tail end of the road trip, and you could almost see that he was about to break out. Don’t forget, Cheech was having a crappy year also, until he got hot right before the road trip and he’s been in a groove since then.
Yo sac-ben,
Absolutely the best thing the area is Frank Lloyd Wight’s Talliesin/West tour, in Scottsdale.
Center Ice let me down yesterday. I can’t believe they wouldn’t show either feed. I did get to hear the last 5 minutes + the OT on the internet radio feed. sjsharks.com has a new feature where they have a real-time scoreboard. For each goal, it shows up on the scoreboard before you hear it on the radio. It’s kind of strange.
So what happens tomorrow at Center Ice? Do they black out Chicago feed of our game if you’re in San Jose?
David P.,
You are really on top of things… I just finished watching the post game interview with RW before I went to the blog. I heard RW’s comments about “I’m surprised the guy who makes the most stuff up isn’t over here” and I was gonna ask you to comment on who he was talking about… you beat me to it! I figured it had to be someone from the Ottawa Sun… and you even identified him by name! Then Tadpole (#9) even has the guy’s article linked… it’s like you read my mind! You’ve definitely got a hand on what the fans are thinking… this blog rocks!!
I called CI about the black-out last night and they said it was because NHL Network was broadcasting the game which is considered a national telecast. Center Ice has the game against Chicago on the schedule using the Chicago feed. As of right now, the only other Sharks game broadcast by NHLN-US is the Ducks game on March 28th. It’d be nice to be able to see that one, I guess Dan and Jamie will have a few extra listeners that night.
Tomorrow’s game is the Center Ice game we’re supposed to get. You never really know until game time. The game is listed on the Directv program guide.
One other thing I forgot to mention… during the Pregame Warmup on the Sharks Radio Network Jaime Baker mentioned how all the blogs are buzzing now that the Sharks are on this winning streak… he mentioned Hockey Buzz and even Mark Purdy, but unfortunately he didn’t mention David Pollak or Working the Corners. I still think the broadcasters must be reading this site… a lot of the topics discussed here are mention during the radio and TV broadcasts. Just thought this site deserved a little credit too!!
re #21..
I just checked the nhl network (channel 419 on Comcast) schedule and they don’t show tomorrow’s sharks vs Chicago game listed. Am I looking in the wrong channel?
Thanks again DPollak for WTC. Next question to ask Joe Thornton:
“Hey Jumbo, did you deliberately shove Ron Wilson into the bench glass at the end of the Sens game to congratulate the coach, or to let Sharks fans know who’s really in charge?
The game was on the NHL Network ch 215 (I have DirecTV)
#24
The game is on center ice Chicago feed.
It is the chemistry between Pav, Gouch and Marleau that is making the second line go
I think what RW was saying was that Marleau on the offense would find himself in the other team’s end before the rest of the line got there
Pavelski is a strong offensive player with great hockey sense he even plays on the penalty kill
20″ last night
That goat by the first line Mahalek to Thorton to Cheech was beautiful I have the goal on my desk top
Now that Marleau’s much-improved play of late has made Tim Kawakami look like an ass for his “TRADE MARLEAU NOW!” column, Kawakami is spreading fact-free alarmism in his blog about how Marleau’s contract extension is going to prevent the team from being able to sign Campbell.
I already gave him both barrels. Dunno if anybody else wants to waste their time.
Nice work BC. The whole post by Tim K and the point he brings up shows you exactly how much he knows about NHL and the Sharks. It’s so idiotic that I decided to stay away from making any comments. You’ve done a good job.
BC,
Just got done reading you post… classic! I think ol’ Tim must be jealous of how popular this blog is getting and is trying to stir s— to get people to post on his site… You did a fine job of speaking for the rest of us here. I really didn’t see the point of wasting any more time on that guys blog… like he even said so himself, he just lights the fuse and walks away to a safe distance to watch it explode. I say let it fizzle… let it be a dud! Enough said…
Stevo, That’s a good jib about the ice.
We saw that the ice isn’t better at all. The guys are just playing through is better even though and it’s been a little dryer here too, meaning the ice might not be as slushy.
Anyway, Settogucci should have had an easy one last night, but the puck skipped up at last instance. Ice — still bad.
That’s right SCSharksFan, if we’e gonna blast him, let’s do it on the blog that people read….this one.
David, please record the video of the water pistol fight you and Tim have in the newsroom. PS: cover your keyboard first so it doesn’t get wet.
While a agree in principal with what you are all saying about K’s blog - yes, it’s obvious he doesn’t follow the Sharks as closely as we all do; and yes, his “aggressive” style of reporting is, shall we say, not my cup of tea - I think we should keep the name-calling to a minimum. After all, he is David’s co-worker and we wouldn’t want to make things uncomfortable for our favorite blogger at the next Company Picnic
Instead of complaining about Tim’s blog, let’s just focus on the task at hand - namely, debating what’s best for our beloved Los Tiburones (my apologies to MP 
sorry, that should say “While I agree . . .”
David,
Why do you have a link to Tim’s blog and he doesn’t have a link to yours?
David,
A day late and a dollar short but this blog is FANtastic. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Dick, the game last night was actually on NHL Network and in HD.
Aaron,
dude, for some jacked up reason, I don’t get the NHL network. I have DishNetwork, and go to the channel it’s supposed to be on and…
nada
It’s painful I tell ya
I’m going to have to work on that one. Wish me luck.
Linkster #25
I saw the replay of the bench when Patty scored to OT goal. Joe looked like he almost knocked RW on his keester, and the look on RW’s face of happiness at the win, then a split second later shock that he got whacked by Joe was priceless. I wonder how many wind sprints Jumbo did today?
The Ducks have now been shutout two games in a row…I love it!
SacBen, The whole complex where the Yotes play in Glendale is beautiful, go early, enjoy dinner down there, go ealier and enjot shopping, movies, etc. Scotsdale is nice, lots to do there also. Have fun.
Derek, I was watching part of that game last night. I’m truly amazed at what the dirty ducks get away with. I saw rob nederpunk slash a guy hard to steal the puck and the ref didn’t blink. I guess they were over their single game limit for being short handed . . . again.
Next time we play them, we’d better be ready to punch ‘em in the mouth.
George, meet Jody!
The 2 heavies can take care of business, but they have a lot of players that go for the head or are willing to take a 1 game suspension in the playoffs, and really cross the line throughout the game. It will take a team effort to intimidate THEM.
In other news, Joe Thornton is going to need two assists per game in order to hit 90 again.
I was sitting in my regular seat the other day having that sinking feeling with 5 minutes to go at home and the Sharks trailing by a goal. You know the one, loss on the horizan, lots of shots , no goals, great saves and a funky walk home. Then Mickalik to Thornton to Cheechoo, GOAL!!!! It was nice that Marleau got the winner, but even that didn’t matter.
It was the resurgence of the number one line who had been outplayed all game long to get over the hump and get a huge goal at a desperate time that was huge. How many times against Anahiem or Detroit has that happened, we know the answer to that one. It was great to see them respond with a goal against a quality team at that particular junction of the game that had me smiling all the way home Wednesday night.
I’m surprised that nobody is talking about the changes RW has made to his coaching style. One of my biggest complaints about him was the constant juggling of lines. Now he has been keeping the lines together - and Sharks are looking like a contender instead of a pretender. I still think RW has to take more of the blame for the funk the sharks were in the 1st 3/4 of the season - but also give him credit for FINALLY keeping lines together so players can develop some line chemistry.
I’ve been talking to myself about that…
…also about how Jody Shelley has 5 of his 34 career NHL points, in 16 of his 396 games, since joining SJ. Not bad for a guy not even expected to play every night when he arrived, if I recall correctly.
I read that tonight’s game is accompanied by a ceremony honoring Hull and Mikita. Huge crowd expected, huge game for both teams. Any word on JR? With or without him, the effort needs to stay strong.
Thanks to David P and all of you for the words, I really enjoy the updates and all.
Joebl
I don’t see any change of style. Thornton and Michalek has been playing together most of the season. Cheechoo has been all over the place until he started scoring, Marleau can now enjoy same people on the line because they’re finally producing, Mitchell, Grier and Rismiller has been playing together most of the season as well.
I think RW was trying to find right combinations that will produce goals, and now that he’s found them, he’s keeping them, especially since you want to be firing at all cylinders come April. Many coaches do this throughout NHL (look at Pittsburgh, Washington, Dallas).
Remember how this experimenting started with Cheechoo-Thornton-Marleau line in the first couple of games?
Correy Perry is out for 6 weeks according TSN ca. Lets just say I’m not feeling sorry for the Dirty Dux…
When Clowe comes back, assuming Seto stays up with the club on the 2nd line, (I know, I’m making a lot of assumptions) I would love to consider the prospect of sticking him on the ‘4th’ line with Roenick and Shelley.
We would have a very tough line that can score.
I agree with Ivano (#48) - while I concede that constant line-juggling doesn’t give guys a chance to gell, I believe RW’s shuffling this year was simply an effort to try and find a combination that would actually work. It’s the old chicken/egg debate: did RW shuffle the lines because the team wasn’t scoring, or was the team not scoring because he was shuffling the lines? Personally, I believe it was the first one in this case; but I can see both sides . . .
Where’d everybody go?
That was not a terribly pleasant 3rd period to watch; they’ve got to figure out a way to actively win games instead of just passively doing so. But two points is two points, and it is great to see Cheech and Marleau continue their hot streaks.
Please oh please hockey Gods, do not make us play Nashville once again in the first round.
I thought we were a little conservative in the 3rd as well, but probably justifiably. Chicago was really pushing to win and has several fast players. We sure did not want to give them any odd man breaks.
Did you notice the refs were picky picky on every little thing in 1st and 2nd, then swallowed the whistles and let a lot of stuff go by both sides in the 3rd. I hate when they do that.
GaSF, you’re right, but both teams really tightened up and slowed the game down in the 3rd. The first 2 periods before the Douglass Murray fight were exciting and very physical. Everyone was hitting everyone in sight. I was a bit surprised that that was the only fight. Hey, at least that last minute goal was disallowed. He clearly hit it in with the glove. If my memory serves me right, we used to lose the games when they had a “special ceremony” at the beginning.
Was it me or were the Blackhawk announcers really dull? At least they picked Marleau’s goal as the play of the game. It was a sweet one.
Tonight was the night of the stick. I saw more broken sticks and dropped sticks than I’ve seen in some time.
Anyone remember the 5 on 3 from Hades? Edmonton in the second round of the playoffs in 2004. With only three skaters, two of them broke their sticks. Just a memory while I was watching Grier break a stick and pass one of in the same kill.
Good win tonight!
I expect the Hawks were pumped up with their ceremony. I am glad we tied up right after their first goal, that must have taken some wind out of their sails.
Marleau’s goal was sweet. He seems to be skating with a lot more confidence. Good show.
I did not like how they played conservative in the third. It kind of brought me back to some of the losses we experienced this year when they were protecting a one goal lead. Anyway, they pulled it off.
I haven’t seen the game, but only highlights. Our wins on the road mostly aren’t pretty, but they’re road wins, so lets not get ahead of ourselves. And what a goal by Patty! He’s as alive and fast as ever.
How many times do we have to win in a row before reputable hockey news will start taking our team serious and get their stats right?
On NHL.com Joe is the star of night, with 3 assists. Three? Even their game stats clearly shows he only had two. Where did three come from?
Then you go to TSN, and their article reports that we have won six road games in a row, which ties the team high. WTF? What stats books are they using? From 1995/6 season? Whatever happened to 10 road victories in a row from this season?
Topcat, #49
Thanks for the pointer. Dang, I just looked at standings and laughed seeing Nashville is creeping in on us again.
#49 Topcat.
Isn’t playing Nashville again a sure way to get into the secound round?
Dull but certain.
Chicago was outstanding, that’s the way to honour your old timers.
Ivano #53,
Read the NHL.com recap of the game and it’s the same copy as TSN’s.
NHL.com attributes the story to the Associated Press, TSN.ca gives credit to the Canadian Press.
Perhaps Mr.Pollak or or resident expert on all things Canadian, Dick Skylark, can unravel the mystery of these incompetents…