San Jose Sharks finish preseason with 2-1 win over Calgary Flames

EVGENI NABOKOV #20 AND ROB DAVISON #5 CORRAL THE PUCK

CALGARY FLAMES CAPTAIN #12 JAROME IGINLA

SAN JOSE SHARKS CAPTAIN #12 PATRICK MARLEAU

The San Jose Sharks held off a late charge by the Calgary Flames to earn a 2-1 win at HP Pavilion on Saturday night. The Sharks finished the preseason undefeated in regulation (5-0-2) and will travel to Edmonton to open the 2007-08 NHL regular season on Thursday.

Ryane Clowe opened the scoring for San Jose 16:11 into the first period, and Joe Pavelski earned his 9th point of the preseason with an assist. Pavelski gathered a bouncing puck that eluded Rhett Warrener, and fed Clowe for a shot which beat Calgary Flames goaltender Curtis McElhinney over the shoulder. The Sharks "Murderer's Row" line of captain Patrick Marleau, former NHL MVP Joe Thornton, and former Rocket Richard winner Jonathan Cheechoo struck next for San Jose in the second period. Patrick Marleau snapped home a rebound from very sharp angle to make the score 2-0 Sharks after two periods. Veteran center Craig Conroy beat two Sharks defenseman for a goal 4:27 into the third period to set the stage for a very close finish. Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov made several sprawling saves on Iginla, Tanguay, and Nilson in the waning minutes to lock down the win.

The Flames should have been hindered more towards the end of the game by the borderline reckless play of star defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf tried to ratchet up the pressure on the Sharks down the stretch, several times hitting players well after the play had passed by. The NHL's hacking and obstruction laws appear to be adjudicated differently for Phaneuf, he was only called for 1 interference penalty early in the 3rd period.

Notes from the game: The Marleau/Thornton/Cheechoo power play unit was stunningly good in the first period. On one cycle in the corner, Marleau and Thornton each compeleted a behind the back pass that had the defender skating in the wrong direction. Lots of movement from all 5 players, but the shot still came from 10 feet out. The Sharks have new HD video equipment to film rinkside and post-game interviews, which should be a regular staple of the San Jose section on NHL.tv. Former Sharks center Mark Smith signed a 1-year $487,500 contract Saturday with Calgary after being released earlier in the week by the New York Rangers. Owen Nolan also was a scratch for the Flames.

A photo gallery from the Sharks 2-1 win over Calgary is available here.

Line combinations and defensive pairings:

Marleau-Thornton-Cheechoo
Clowe-Pavelski-Bernier
Michalek-Roenick-Setoguchi
Rissmiller-Goc-Grier

Ehrhoff-McLaren
Murray-Vlasic
Davison-Carle

Post game comments from San Jose Sharks head coach Ron Wilson:

[Q] One of the preseason goals is to make it through without injuries. It was a physical game tonight, did you guys make it through without injuries?

[RW] Yes, I belive so. They have not had a pretty good preseason. They brought in their full lineup in what I think was their 4th game in 5 days. I think Mike Keenan obviously brought out the sandpaper to try to irritate a few people. They turned it into kind of an ugly game. I think mentally we were dealing with it as the last exhibition game, where you want to come out of it and survive, and get ready for Thursday's game with Edmonton.

[Q] What is the process between now and Thursday, getting the roster down to 23?

[RW] I don't know. The coach doesn't do this, the general manager does. I am part of the process, but I don't know the rule for it. We will talk to a few people tonight and go from there.

[Q] How would you describe the play of Davison and Murray tonight?

[RW] I think they both can play better, and they have to if they want to play regularly on our team. They have to be more physical, and in general play better. They both had their ups and downs in camp, and we have some decisions we have to make on the back end.

Post game comments from Calgary Flames head coach Mike Keenan:

We had a real strong effort overall, particularly in the third period. They showed signs and I think we can build on the way we finished this particular game. We saw some progress, and that’s what we’re looking for.

We're trying to evaluate players [in the preseason], and we've had a lot of young players in the line-up. We're looking at a lot of players over the course of this time, which is particularly important when you have a new coach. You get to see more players and evaluate the system.

Post game comments from defenseman Douglas Murray:

[Q] How would you describe your game tonight, how do you come away from the preseason thinking about your chances?

[DM] Whatever happens in the preseason, you try to be successful all year. Whatever happens in game 1, I am still going to have to prove myself every day. I am fairly happy with the preseason. I feel I did some good things today, but there are still mistakes that need to be eliminated from my game for me to be in the lineup, and for me to play a lot.

Post game comments from defenseman Rob Davison:

[Q] How did you prepare for the preseason?

[RD] I tried to address some of the issues, maybe some of my faults from last season. Tried to improve. It will be a coaches decision.

[Q] The fact that your scored on a penalty shot against Vancouver can't hurt?

[RD] You know, I don't think that has anything to do with it because I doubt I will be taking regular season penalty shots. But you never know.

[Q] Were you expecting such a physical game from Calgary tonight?

[RD] Calgary, always. That is what they are known for, grinding it out. I think they got away from that a little bit, and the players they brought in this season addressed that. That toughness, or that physical factor they are known for.

[Q] Was it unusual to see Mark Smith in there for Calgary?

[RD] You know it is always unusual to see your ex-teammate in another jersey, but you put that out of your mind in warmups. He is just another player now.

After the game Sharks defenseman Rob Davison was asked about the play of Dion Phaneuf, about what it was in Phaneuf's game that elicited so much controversy. Davison said it was Phaneuf's hits from behind. He mentioned that if Phaneuf hit someone face to face he would not have a problem with it. After a report of a RBK jersey malfunction during a recent fight, possibly causing an injury, and another writer claiming it was easier to be "jerseyed" with the tighter uniform, defenseman Douglas Murray was asked if he could see an increase in either occuring with the new jersey. He mentioned being caught with the jersey pulled over his head in his last fight with Vancouver's Pierre-Cedric Labrie, but that he did not notice a significant difference between the two jerseys when physical play occurred.

[Update] The Sharks assigned 3 players to the Worcester Sharks of the AHL; right wing Graham Mink, left wing Lukas Kaspar, and goaltender Thomas Greiss. The current roster of 26 players will need to be trimmed by 3 more prior to Thursday's season opening game in Edmonton.

[Update2] Sharks look ready after final tuneup, but exhibition wins don't mean too much - San Jose Mercury News.

Darryl Hunt: Worcester Sharks win preseason finale with 4-3 shootout victory over Providence Bruins

The American Hockey League's regular season does not start until Wednesday, but the rivalry between the Providence Bruins and Worcester Sharks was in mid season form Saturday night as the Sharks defeated the Bruins 4-3 in a shootout thriller. Rookie netminders Taylor Dakers for Worcester, and Tuukka Rask for Providence, showed why they are both highly rated prospects by making several key stops and combining for 64 saves in a spirited game, where play at even strength was uncommon.

Games between the Sharks and Baby-Bs are often very physical contests, and it took exactly 71 seconds for the tone of the game to be set. After a nice glove save by Dakers put the face-off to his right, Jonathan Tremblay took the ice. Providence, with the last change as the home team, sent out Steve MacIntyre. The puck barely beat their gloves and helmets to the ice, and both skated to the center of the rink to do battle. After an exchange of multiple left hands, both attempted to take down the other, neither succeeded. As both players held and threw shots that missed, and wrestled for position, the linesmen stepped in and ended the bout that fans on both sides called a draw. The remainder of the first period was hard played with only minors called. That would not be the case for the rest of the game.

Just 43 seconds into the second stanza, just as Sharks forward Nate Raduns was being whistled for kneeing, Providence defenseman Nathan Saunders pinned fan favorite Riley Armstrong against the boards. Heavy hitter Brad Staubitz stepped in, and Saunders really wanted no part of Staubitz, holding on and not letting Staubitz throw any punches. After a few seconds of wrestling, Staubitz let go of Saunders and got an instigator minor penalty for his effort. The Bruins took advantage on the power play, with Vladimir Sobotka flipping one past a sprawling Dakers.

The game got very chippy, with five minors being called, four against Providence, in the span of 3:22. While on a five-on-three advantage, Worcester defenseman Patrick Traverse tied the game with a booming shot from the right point. As the Sharks continued a two-man power play, Riley Armstrong broke in alone and slid one past Rask to give the Sharks their first lead of the game.

The third period saw Taylor Dakers make several of his best saves of the night, but there were two chances he most certainly wants back. At the 4:31 mark Providence defenseman Kenny Smith flipped a shot at the Sharks net that Dakers misjudged, and it rolled just inside the goal line tying the game at 2-2.

Traverse's second goal of the night came from a centering feed that deflected in off of a P-Bruin defender to put the Sharks back on top 3-2. The score remained the same until Providence pulled Rask for an extra attacker, and with 40 seconds left winger Martin Karsums pounced on a loose puck in the slot and beat Dakers five-hole, the puck just squirting over the goal line. Both teams then played a scoreless overtime stanza.

Armstrong and Raduns both had pretty shootout goals, while Dakers stoned the shooters he faced. The Worcester Sharks ended the preseason on a high note.

There were no stars of the game announced, but my votes would have gone to:
1) RW - Riley Armstrong
2) D - Patrick Traverse
3) G - Taylor Dakers

Boxscore from the game:

Worcester Sharks 4, Providence Bruins 3 OT Shootout

WOR 0 2 1 0 1 - 4
PRO 0 1 2 0 0 - 3

1st period
Scoring: none.
Penalties: Wor-Tremblay (fighting) 1:11; Pro-MacIntyre (fighting) 1:11; Pro-Tobin (tripping) 3:59; Pro-McQuaid (interference) 5:51; Wor-Raduns (hooking) 17:43.

2nd period
Scoring: 1 Pro-Sobotka (Pelletier) PP 1:35; 2 Wor-Traverse (Walsh,Armstrong) PP 7:40; 3 Wor-Armstrong (Ciocco) PP 9:16.
Penalties: Wor-Rabuns (kneeing) :43; Pro-Saunders (fighting) :43; Wor-Staubitz (instigator, fighting, misconduct) :43; Pro-Rabbit (holding) 2:52; Pro-Laliberte (hooking) 5:01; Wor-Rome (hooking) 5:07; Pro-Platt (kneeing) 5:33; Pro-DiCasmirro (slashing) 6:14; Wor-Dakers (slashing, served by Armstrong) 9:42; Pro-McQuaid (roughing) 11:34; Wor-Murray (roughing) 11:34; Pro-MacIntyre (hooking) 12:14; Wor-Murray (interference) 18:59.

3rd period
Scoring: 4 Pro-Smith (Collins,Trevelyan) 4:37; 5 Wor-Traverse (Walsh,Rome) PP 5:58; 6 Pro-Karsums (Imbeault,Trevelyan) 19:20.
Penalties: Pro-Saunders (tripping) 5:21; Wor-Tremblay (hooking) 7:18; Wor-Rome (roughing) 9:25; Pro-Karsums (boarding) 9:25; Pro-Platt (interference) 10:38; Wor-Iggulden (tripping) 12:05; Pro-Sobotka (high sticking) 12:43; Wor-Raduns (interference) 14:58.

OT
Scoring: none.
Penalties: Wor-Prudden (hooking) 4:43.

Shootout
Wor: Iggulden (NG); Armstrong (G); Valette (NG); Raduns (G).
Pro: Sobotka (NG); Karsums (NG); Rabbit (NG); Collins (NG).

Shots on goal
Wor 10 12 7 4 - 33
Pro 9 14 12 2 - 37

Goalies:
Wor: Taloyr Dakers 37 shots, 34 saves
Pro: Tuukka Rask 33 shots, 29 saves

[Update] T.J. Fox a dangerous offensive player - Worcester Telegram.

Introducing your China Sharks

HOCKEY PHOTO - CHINESE ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

The San Jose Sharks recently announced that they would be sending 3 coaches and 5 players to Beijing to help the new China Sharks franchise compete in the Asian Ice Hockey League. "It's part of the idea of continuing to sell hockey on a worldwide basis" Sharks President and CEO Greg Jamison said.

The China Sharks are a combination of two franchises that played last season in the ALIH, the Hosa and Changchun Fuao, who collectively finished at the bottom of the ALIH standings. The China Sharks are now under the management of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, and their home ice is located in the Chinese capital of Beijing with over 13 million residents (also the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics).

Derek Eisler, a Jr Sharks head coach, and Tom Lenox, a junior coach from Minnesota, are 2 of the 3 coaches heading east. Keegan McAvoy, Kevin Korol, Jason Beeman, Dan Knapp and Zach Sikich are the players that will suit up for the China Sharks. McAvoy has played right wing for the University of Saskatchewan (CIS), and also has WHL and ECHL experience. Left wing Kevin Korol also has WHL, ECHL and CIS experience. Right wing Jason Beeman scored 24 points and racked up 143 PIMs for the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL last season. Zach Sikich is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound goalie who has played for St. Thomas College (NCAA), as well as for teams in the UHL, SPHL, and ECHL.

A brief history of the Asian Ice Hockey League (ALIH):

The ALIH began play in the 2003-04 season with 4 former Japanese league teams, and the Korean Anyang Halla Winia franchise named after a local refrigerator company. In correspondance with ALIH headquarters after the start of the season, the league's mission statement was to "aim to develop ice hockey as a very popular and longed for sport, and also to make the venue full of spectators."

In 2004-05, while the NHL and NHLPA were marching toward the cancellation of an entire season, the Asia League Ice Hockey exploded onto the scene with 8 teams in 4 different countries. Japan featured 4 teams, the Nippon Paper Cranes, Oji Paper, Nikko Ice Bucks, and Kokudo HC, Anyang Halla Winia represented Korea, Qiqihar and Harbin played in China, and Golden Amur represented far eastern Russia. In a single post on this blog, hockey starved fans (mostly expat Canadians) sent in notes and photos from teams in Japan, Korea and Russia. Some of photographer Igor Saranchin's photos from eastern Russia are still available online, and photos of a globe trotting Esa Tikkanen skating for Halla Winia in Korea are available here.

New York Islanders general manager Mike Milbury posted an incredible ESPN Page2 report from China shortly thereafter, Hockey Days in China. Milbury traveled 28 hours from Long Island to visit the Harbin and QiQihar ALIH franchises in China. Both teams supply most of the players for the Chinese national team, and the Islanders had set up a branch office in Harbin. The conditions for the players and the teams in Harbin and QiQihar were difficult, but the enthusiasm from the professional and youth teams was there according to Milbury.

The Kokudo Ic