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DOH Podcast #90: Western Conference bubble picture, San Jose power play

2010-03-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana discuss come-from-behind wins over the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets, the San Jose Sharks power play, the recent improved play of center Torrey Mitchell, weigh the Anaheim Ducks playoff chances, examine the bubble picture in the Western Conference, pick one Doug Wilson trade they would reverse, and answer reader email on the 90th episode of Dudes on Hockey.

This Sharks podcast is posted here with permission. Visit dudesonhockey.com for more coverage of the team, or download the podcast MP3 file directly here.

Darryl Hunt: Trevelyan, WorSharks Triumph Over Wolf Pack 6-4

2010-03-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks overcame several early miscues by goaltender Frank Doyle and used two third period goals by T.J. Trevelyan to defeat the Hartford Wolf Pack 6-4 Wednesday night at the DCU center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Hartford came into the DCU Center on a four game winning streak against the WorSharks having won all of their previous meetings this season, and it looked like Worcester's bad luck against the Wolf Pack would continue when defenseman Corey Potter intercepted a clearing attempt at the blue line and flipped an easy arcing shot on Doyle that somehow found its way into the back of the net for a 1-0 Hartford lead at 5:54.

The WorSharks would answer at 9:08 with their first of three power play goals on the night. Derek Joslin began the play by breaking in down the right wing side, and firing a shot on Hartford goaltender Matt Zaba that was easily saved. Steven Zalewski was able to grab the rebound and jammed at it twice before the puck got past Zaba to knot the game.

The Wolf Pack would regain the lead as referee Mark Lemelin was waiting to call a delayed minor on Worcester. Just before Zaba could make it to the bench Potter would again light the lamp from the blue line, this time beating an unscreened Doyle with a slapshot over the netminder's glove at 14:16. Doyle would again have an issues with the puck, being called for playing the puck in the restricted area just 13 seconds after Potter's second goal.

Hartford would make it 3-1 halfway through the second period after a turnover deep in the WorSharks zone. Brodie Dupont was able to deflect a pass from Corey Locke under Doyle and just over the goal line at 10:21.

Worcester would get back within one at 14:32 with their second power play goal of the contest. The play began with Worcester skating five on three and not having much luck getting a scoring chance, but as Wolf Pack defense Ilkka Heikkinen jumped out of the box and into the play Worcester was able to get a lucky bounce. After several attempts in close that were turned away captain Ryan Vesce's shot deflected off defenseman Anders Eriksson leg and into the net to make it 3-2. Benn Ferriero and Danny Groulx had the helpers on the play.

Andrew Desjardins would tie the game for Worcester at 7:26 of the third period as the WorSharks third line swarmed around the net. John McCarthy's original shot went wide of Zaba, but Dan DaSilva grabbed the loose puck and found Desjardins in the slot. Desjardins' blast to the stick side just glanced off Zaba's blocker and into the net.

Trevelyan would give Worcester its first lead of the evening after converting on a two on one break. After a rebound of a Doyle kick save that Kevin Henderson grabbed, he and Trevelyan would skate into the Wolf Pack zone against Eriksson. Henderson threw the perfect pass to Trevelyan as Locke dove in from behind to try and block the play, and Trevelyan's blast hit off Zaba and in at 9:30 for the 4-3 Worcester lead.

The Wolf Pack would get back to even at 13:03 of the third when Potter's fluttering blast from the point was deflected by Dale Weise and past Doyle to make it a 4-4 game.

Trevelyan's second of the game at 18:15 would give Worcester the lead for good when he deflected Logan Couture's hard centering pass past a surprised Zaba. Brett Westgarth, in his first home game in Worcester since being traded back to the WorSharks last week, had the other assist on the goal.

With a minute to go in the contest Hartford tried to get Zaba off the ice for an extra attacker, and were called for a too many men on the ice minor. Despite being shorthanded Hartford pulled Zaba as their first opportunity to get the skaters back to even, but they were unable to get a single shot on goal. Groulx iced the game by stick handling out of the Worcester zone as time ticked down, and threw a lazy shot in the empty net that made it over the goal line as time expired. Even though the green light was on Referee Lemelin ruled the goal good for the 6-4 final.

GAME NOTES
Worcester's scratches were Joe Callahan, Matt Jones, Joe Loprieno, Tyson Sexsmith, Dennis McCauley, Cory Quirk, and Michael Wilson. Alex Stalock was the back-up goaltender. Nick Petrecki did not play in the third period, but did not appear injured.

The Worcester Sharks Booster Club announced their players of the month for December and January, with Benn Ferriero winning the award for December and Danny Groulx being the winner for January. Groulx's empty net goal at 19:59.9 kept alive a streak of winners scoring goals in games where the awards were given out that extends back into last season.

Wednesday was the deadline for teams to submit their Clear Day Rosters to the AHL. The AHL rules say that only players on the list, along with college and junior players signed after their seasons are over, are eligible to play from now until the end of the Calder Cup playoffs. In reality, it is very simple for teams to literally play anyone they want. Worcester's list was fairly predictable with the notable exception of Jamie McGinn. McGinn can still play for the WorSharks should he be reassigned to the AHL at any point as long as he is replacing an injured or recalled player on the WorSharks list. Headaches and the sniffles are considered "injures" by the AHL.

Worcester's list contains forwards John McCarthy, Logan Couture, Dwight Helminen, Cory Quirk, Frazer McLaren, Steven Zalewski, Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero, Andrew Desjardins, Dan DaSilva, T.J. Trevelyan, and Brandon Mashinter; defensemen Danny Groulx, Jason Demers, Mike Moore, Michael Wilson, Derek Joslin, Joe Callahan, Nick Petrecki, and Brett Westgarth; and goaltenders Frank Doyle and Alex Stalock.

The three stars of the game were
1. Trevelyan (2g)
2. Potter (2g,a,+3)
3. Vesce (g,a)

Trevelyan was also the AHL's second star of the night

The Sharkspage player of the game was Danny Groulx.

Even strength lines
Trevelyan/Couture/Vesce
Mashinter/Helminen/Ferriero
Zalewski/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Henderson/McCarthy

Demers/Moore
Groulx/Joslin
Petrecki/Westgarth

Power play lines
Couture/Vesce/Trevelyan
Mashinter/Zalewski/Ferriero

Demers/Groulx
Moore/Joslin

Penalty kill lines
Desjardins/McCarthy
Helminen/Ferriero
Henderson/McLaren

Moore/Demers
Groulx/Joslin(Westgarth)

BOXSCORE

Hartford 2 1 1 - 4
Worcester 1 1 4 - 6

1st Period-1, Hartford, Potter 3 5:54. 2, Worcester, Zalewski 21 (Joslin), 9:08 (pp). 3, Hartford, Potter 4 (Dupont, Locke), 14:16. Penalties-Brashear Hfd (hooking), 7:46; Doyle Wor (delay of game - restricted area), 14:29; served by Brashear Hfd (bench minor - too many men), 17:05.

2nd Period-4, Hartford, Dupont 13 (Locke, Parenteau), 10:21. 5, Worcester, Vesce 12 (Ferriero, Groulx), 14:32 (pp). Penalties-Soryal Hfd (fighting), 4:31; Petrecki Wor (fighting), 4:31; Nightingale Hfd (fighting), 6:21; Henderson Wor (kneeing, fighting), 6:21; Westgarth Wor (interference), 10:45; Heikkinen Hfd (hooking), 12:26; Potter Hfd (cross-checking), 13:56.

3rd Period-6, Worcester, Desjardins 14 (McCarthy, DaSilva), 7:26. 7, Worcester, Trevelyan 20 (Doyle, Henderson), 9:30. 8, Hartford, Weise 21 (Potter, Newbury), 13:03. 9, Worcester, Trevelyan 21 (Westgarth, Couture), 18:15. 10, Worcester, Groulx 9 (Demers, Vesce), 19:59 (pp en). Penalties-Joslin Wor (boarding), 0:19; Garlock Hfd (hooking), 3:56; served by Soryal Hfd (bench minor - too many men), 19:00.

Shots on Goal
Hartford 10-18-10-38
Worcester 11-8-7-26.

Power Play Opportunities
Hartford 0 of 4
Worcester 3 of 6.

Goalies
Hartford, Zaba 6-11-2 (25 shots-20 saves)
Worcester, Doyle 2-1-0 (38 shots-34 saves).

A-2,306. Referee-Mark Lemelin (84). Linesmen-Mark Messier (12), Bob Paquette (18).

Tim McKenzie and Jenna Castillo shine at WOTH 5 Muaythai Kickboxing and MMA Championships in Santa Clara

2010-03-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

WOTH 5 - TIM MCKENZIE (13-6) POSED WITH TEAM AFTER WIN IN MAIN EVENT

WOTH 5 - TEAM BLACK'S QUINCEY SHAMON LANDS A KICK VS MATT LUCAS

WOTH 5 - CARRESA KIBLER PERFORMED THE RAM MUAY PREFIGHT RITUAL

The fifth edition of the War of the Heroes Muaythai Kickboxing/MMA Championships presented by USMF/Xfight officially brought a standing room only crowd of nearly 1600 fans to the Santa Clara Convention Center on Saturday night. Unofficially, estimates on seating capacity and the Virtual Box Office information show that as many as 1800 fans may have been in attendance and possibly more. The Santa Clara fire department shut down the box office because it was over capacity.

In the two main event professional MMA bouts, UFC/WEC veteran Tim "the Wrecking Machine" McKenzie (13-6) blitzed Mike Arellano, and Fairtex Mountain View's Chris Moore showcased a slick wrestling and submission game as both ended their fights with early first round submissions. Four U.S. Muaythai Federation title contests headlined 15 amateur fights, and the lone professional muaythai bout witnessed Strikeforce kickboxing veteran Ryan "T2" Roy batter and bloody a game Nathan Bagby.

Flanked by cheerleading and MLM marketing exhibitions, Conference Room B was packed wall-to-wall with fight team members, vocal supporters and a growing underground kickboxing fan base for 4+ hours of marathon kickboxing/mma hybrid action. Stockton-based and SF-trained under Ganyao "Dr. Knee" Fairtex, Tim McKenzie has been in the cage with several grizzled MMA veterans and up-and-comers including Emanuel Newton, Akihiro Gono, Scott Smith and Chael Sonnen. With 3 losses in his last 5 fights, McKenzie was looking to rebound against Gladiator Challenge and Tachi Palace veteran Mike "Showtime" Arellano.

After a short feeling out process, McKenzie went airborne to keep his balance against a solid double leg takedown attempt from Arellano. Folding the Corona, CA native back on himself, McKenzie ended up in the dominant mount position after a short scramble. Instead of going for a ground and pound finish, "the Wrecking Machine" flattened out his opponent while controlling the head. As Arellano bucked his hips and reversed position, McKenzie kept control of the wrists and slipped fluidly into a textbook armbar. The Ronin Jiu-Jitsu instructor finished the fight in 43 seconds with an armbar submission.

In his professional MMA debut, Fairtex Mountain View's Chris Moore looked impressive en route to a first round submission over Sacramento native Tramail Smith. Moore plowed through a hard side kick to score an early takedown, but he could not gain a good enough posture to advance his position. After Smith showed several agressive upkicks and inside kicks off his back, he tried to press the action standing with a flurry of kicks and punches. Moore quickly used a hip throw into the mount position, sinking in a deep keylock submission moments later. Tramail Smith tapped at 1:53.

Burgeoning Muaythai and San Shou star Jenna Castillo (25-1) has seen her profile rise quickly among Bay Area fans and media. A member of Fairtex SF also under Ganyao Fairtex, she has sparred with 2-time female boxing champion Ana Julaton and UFC/WEC/Strikeforce veteran, Scott Smith. Castillo also recently defended her WCSC Batamweight title as the headliner on a San Francisco Female Fury card in convincing fashion. Facing her would be 29-year old Melanie Kohler Edwards (8-4) of Utah. Edwards, a K-1 USA Superfight winner in 2003, came out to a solid walk-in track by Gangstar, but the flow of the fight would be directed by Castillo from the outset.

Castillo piled up damage until the decisive third round. Quick two-punch, inside leg kick combinations found their mark for Jenna. Along with a piercing right hand, left high kick combination, Edwards was on the defensive, covering up and on her heels. Castillo pressed the action and forced a standing 8-count. Cornered again later in the round, Castillo's right hand found its mark repeatedly until referee Dan Stell stepped in and stopped the fight.

In the lone professional Muaythai bout of the evening, Strikeforce and WCSC veteran kickboxer and a member of Fairtex Mountain View, Ryan "T2" Roy put his stamp on Fort Worth, Texas native Nathan Bagby. Bagby started the fight with more effective strikes from the outside, but Roy's power changed the gameplan early. Heavy kicks to the body echoed off the walls of the conference room, and looping right hands were thrown with knockout intentions. Bagby threw a solid, technical high kick at the end of the first. Roy blocked it with both hands and tossed him unceremoniously to the canvas.

In the second round, Bagby followed his corner's instructions and landed several quick pinpoint kicks to the legs and body. An imposing T2 started leveling heavy kicks to the midsection, like chopping wood. After scoring a knockdown, Roy sent Bagby sprawling to the mat seconds later by kicking his leg out from under him. Ryan Roy began finding the zone in the third round, backing up Bagby into a corner and landing knockout quality punches. Bagby was bloodied, but he remained on his feet. An elbow, right hand combination cut a gash over the right eye of Nathan, but after a quick consult the doctor said he could continue. The onslaught resumed until the doctor was called a second time, and the fight was stopped. It was the 7th win for Ryan Roy, and argueably one of the most impressive of his career. His animated in-ring celebration drew a slight chuckle from veteran Thai referee Dej Sri-Ampai, who is as stone faced and professional as any referee in California.

IFMA World Championship Gold Medalist (Nov 27-Dec 5th - Bangkok, Thailand) and AKA fighter Eric Luna earned a unanimous decision win over a flamboyant, spinning kick weilding Mario Martinez, and Combast Sports Academy's Amber Pope looked impressive with unanimous decision wins in USMF Muaythai title fights. American Kickboxing Academy's Gabe Carrasco (11-0) scored the knockout of the night with a high kick through the guard of American Top Team's Eric Shellard. The Winter Springs, Florida native Shellard was out cold for several seconds, and had to be restrained briefly by the ref as he came to after the fight was stopped.

Team Black's Quincey Shamon upset Matt Lucas with a 4th round TKO. The technically sound Shamon picked apart the powerful striker Lucas, and after one knockdown in the corner in the 4th he pressed and stopped the fight. Fairtex Mountain View's Lawerence Ward beat Unlimited Kickboxing's Robert Connejo with a solid performance, 30-27 on all three cards, and San Francisco's Andrew Moy came from behind to win with a stunning 3rd round TKO of Ray Hov. Team Black's Soni Tuungasasi stalked Elite MMA's Matt King for 3 rounds, but the heavy hitting heavyweight could not knock him out. Instead the enormous Tongan earned a decision win, 29-27, 29-27, 28-89, and the well earned respect for any future opponent he will face in the ring. Christie Cheekets, Brooks Hurd, Podar Duarte and Amber Goodwin were all successful in a blistering start to WOTH 5, which created a good atmosphere in the crowd and built up anticipation for the main event fights.

It was announced that there will be 5 War of the Heroes events in 2010, WOTH FC 6 is scheduled for May 22nd at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, WOTH FC 7 is scheduled for July 24th at the Fairtex Thepasit Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand, and WOTH FC 8 & 9 will return to the Santa Clara County Convention Center at the end of the year. Fairtex USA and USMF President Anthony Lin also noted that the USMF is looking to expand its muaythai reach to Texas, Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Muaythai Federation had its most successful run at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships to date, earning 2 Gold medals, 1 Silver Medal, and 4 Bronze Medals in Bangkok, Thailand (Nov 27-Dec 5th). The USMF is dedicated to the promotion of Muaythai kickboxing in the U.S., and looking to furthur the competition of muaythai as an Olympic sport. The USMF will scout American talent to represent the U.S. at the upcoming PAMU Championships in Brazil (April), SportAccord in China (August), and IFMA World Championships in Thailand (November-December).

Strikeforce/UFC/former WEC Champion Scott Smith, Strikeforce Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, K-1 former champion Carter Williams, and WBC Muaythai/WBC Asia/ABCO General Secretary General Kiate Sirigul were on hand to award USMF belts inside the ring. Former Strikeforce title holder Cung Le was in the corner for several USH team fighters. Other notable players within the MMA/Muaythai community in attendance were promoter Scott Coker of ISKA/Strikeforce, Mike Kogan of FEG/K-1, promoter Mick Maynard of Long Star Beat Down, promoter Andy K of Muaythai Lao, Trevor of Pure Pankration, and several others. A post-fight afterparty was held at the Fahrenheit Lounge in San Jose.

A rough photo gallery from the event is available here. Video of the two professional MMA bouts are available online: Tim McKenzie vs Mike Arellano, and Chris Moore vs Tramail Smith.

Official Results:

War of the Heroes 5
Muaythai/MMA Championships
March 6th, 2010
Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara

PRO Mixed Martial Arts bout
Tim McKenzie (13-6) Submitted Mike Arellano (6-4)
Armbar Submission, 1st Round - 0:43.

PRO Mixed Martial Arts bout
Chris Moore (1-0) Submitted Tramail Smith (3-2)
Keylock Submission, 1st Round - 1:53.

PRO Muaythai Kickboxing Fight
Ryan Roy (7-2) tko Nathan Bagby (3-2)
Doctor stoppage, 3rd Round.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Jenna Castillo TKO Melanie Kohler Edwards
3rd Round.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Eric Luna Defeated Mario Martinez
Unanimous Decision.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Gabe Carrasco KO Eric Shelland
KO, 1st Round - 0:40.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Amber Pope Defeated Carresa Kibler
Unanimous Decision.

(Amateur Muaythai Undercard)
Tony Lawrence def. Diego Cuenca, UD
Chrisente Joaquin def. Ivan Guerrero, UD
Quincey Shamon TKO Matt Lucas (4th - 0:33)
Laurence Ward def. Robert Cornejo, UD
Andrew Moy TKO Ray Hov (3rd - 0:24)
Jeremy Leslie def. Vincent Urruty, UD
Soni Tuungasasi def. Matt King, SD
Amber Goodwin def. Liezel Warford, UD
Podar Duarte def. Daniel Marchbanks, UD
Brooks Hurd def. Philip Jucaban, UD
Christie Cheekets def. Jennifer Faust, UD

[Note] Official results were updated via the CSAC, and information from Fairtex was included in the recap. This article was republished on USMF.tv and may be featured in an upcoming issue of Muaythai Times magazine.

Hockey for Haiti-Chile game featuring San Jose Jr Sharks coaches vs Santa Clara Blackhawks coaches raised over $15,000 for charity

2010-03-07T14:05:00.001-08:00

The Hockey for Haiti/Chile game on Friday, March 5th at Sharks Ice in San Jose raised over $15,000 for charity. The San Jose Jr Sharks coaches defeated the Santa Clara Blackhawks coaches 10-8, despite a late penalty shot awarded to SC. There was a round of penalty shots and a speed skating competition at the first intermission, a raffle for prizes including one ticket package for next season with a visit to the broadcasting booth and locker room at the second intermission, and a party at Stanley's Bar & Grill (with windows overlooking the rinks) after the game.

Thanks to the fans for showing their support, former SJSU captain Ray Kellam for organizing the game, Randy Hahn and Jamie Baker for mc'ing the event and participating respectively, and the Jr Sharks and Blackhawks coaches for supporting youth hockey in the South Bay.

San Jose Jr Sharks coaches roster:

John Beaulieu (Fin Coach)- Bantam AAA
Tony Zaswoski - Director of Coaches M18 AAA
Mike Richardson - M16/M 18
Sean Castagna M 16 AA
Tyler Shaffar - M 16 AA / Bantam AA
Yumi Haraguchi - Girls 8U
Tanya Silva - Girls 12U
Martin Dennis - Bantam AAA
Brad Dudschus - Bantam A1
Todd Cleaver - Bantam A1
Robert Savoie - Girls 10U
Gary Bortolotto - PeeWee AA
Martin Moody - Goalie Coach

Santa Clara Blackhawks coaches roster:

Hal Nunn (Talon Coach) M16
Harri Makkarainen - Mites
Ian Fazzi - M16
Ian MacDonald - PeeWee B
Jamie Baker - Bantam A
Ken Moore - PeeWee B
Kevin Powell - PeeWee A
Mike McKinney - PeeWee B
Ray Kellam - M16
Devin Di Nardo - Squirt A
Eric Pane - Mites
Eric Semmelmeyer - Bantam B
Pierre-Paul Allard - Bantam B

A donation can be made online to help support Haiti and Chile relief efforts via the Red Cross at this secure paypal link, and more information can also be found at the Hockey for Haiti facebook page.

To tag your hockey coach in the above video, please keep them positive, use this link.

Darryl Hunt: WorSharks Split Canada

2010-03-07T04:26:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks finished their four game Canadian swing splitting both two game series against the Manitoba Moose and Abbotsford Heat.

The WorSharks first game ever in Canada was Tuesday, and Worcester jumped out early on the Moose with T.J. Trevelyan's power play goal at 5:19 of the first. Unfortunately that would be the only puck the WorSharks could get past former Boston College standout Cory Schneider, who stopped 34 of 35 Worcester shots. Second period goals by Sergei Shirokov and Pierre-Cedric Labrie gave the Moose the lead, and Matt Pope's third period tally made for the 3-1 final. Alex Stalock was the third star of the game.

Wednesday's rematch saw the WorSharks get off on the wrong foot with Manitoba center Marty Murray putting the Moose up 1-0 just 29 seconds into the contest. But unlike Tuesday against Schneider Worcester would have much better luck against Moose netminder Daren Machesney, scoring the next five goals in the game. Second period tallies by Dwight Helminen and Matt Jones, along with third period scores by Trevelyan, Ryan Vesce, and Dan DaSilva would propel the WorSharks to a 5-2 win over the Moose. The three stars of the game were all from Worcester; Vesce, DaSilva, and Trevelyan.

Friday night in Abbotsford looked like a carbon copy of the Heat's visit to Worcester last weekend, with the WorSharks getting ahead early only to fall behind after giving up multiple goals in a row. Trevelyan would score four minutes into the contest on the power play, but by the end of the second period Worcester found itself down 4-1. Michael Wilson would stop the bleeding for a short while in the middle of the third period, but another Abbotsford tally proved costly as Worcester was able to get two more late goals, by Brandon Mashinter and Logan Couture, to make the 5-4 final.

Saturday saw the WorSharks go with newly acquired back-up goaltender Frank Doyle, and Doyle evened his record at 1-1 after a 2-1 win over the Heat. Helminen put Worcester ahead with just 14 seconds left in the second period, and after Abbotsford tied it DaSilva put Worcester ahead to stay as the WorSharks skated on a four minute power play after John McCarthy was cut by a Heat errant stick. Despite winning the contest the WorSharks had just one of the three stars of the game, with Doyle being named as the number two star.

TRIP NOTES
During the trip up north the WorSharks made a trade with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, re-acquiring defenseman Brett Westgarth for future considerations. It didn't take Westgarth long to get back into the swing of things for Worcester, getting into a fight just 15 minutes into his first game back with Worcester on Wednesday and getting into another first period altercation Friday night in Abbotsford.

Ryan Vesce started the trip with Worcester, but was recalled Saturday under emergency conditions as Scott Nichol was injured Thursday night after a late hit by Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre. Lapierre, who was not penalized on the play, was suspended four games by the NHL. Joe Callahan and Tyson Sexsmith didn't make the trip out west due to their injuries.

The season series with both of Worcester's Canadian opponents have concluded, with the WorSharks going 3-1 against Manitoba and 1-2-0-1 against Abbotsford. The next chance for Worcester to face either of them again would be a possible match-up in the Calder Cup finals.

The Sharkspage player of the game for the trip were Alex Stalock in Tuesday's game in Manitoba, Logan Couture in both Wednesday's win against the Moose and Friday's game in Abbotsford, and Steven Zalewski for Saturday's win over the Heat.

Scott Nichol injured in 3-2 win over Montreal Canadiens, Maxime Lapierre suspended 4 games for 'careless' hit on Nichol

2010-03-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

MONTREAL CENTER MAXIM LAPIERRE CHECKS SCOTT NICHOL FROM BEHIND IN 3RD - CSNCA

NICHOL INJURED ON PLAY, COULD MISS 7-10 DAYS - CSNCA

NICHOL MOTIONLESS ON THE ICE AFTER THE HIT, NO PENALTY CALLED ON LAPIERRE - TSN

Thursday night down 2-1 to the Montreal Canadiens, Maxim Lapierre shoved center Scott Nichol dangerously into the boards. Nichol was forced to leave the game with an upper body injury and may miss 7-10 days. An angered San Jose squad stormed back with goals by Dany Heatley (PP) and Manny Malhotra to earn a 3-2 win, but the emotional response may stick with the club for some time.

Last season the Sharks battled a crush of injuries down the stretch, exceeding a 4-year average of 204 man games lost to injury per season by 132. This season only defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was out with an injury (after Manny Malhotra's post-Olympic return). Tweaking a knee January 28th against Chicago, Vlasic was expected to start skating soon and possibly play in 10-15 games before the postseason.

TSN color commentator Ray Ferraro called the hit on Nichol a "garbage, gutless" play by Lapierre. "I don't want to talk about it any more because I am starting to lose my temper." Nichol is an agitating third/fourth line player who can raise animosity among opponents in a heartbeat, but save for the occasional goalie collision most of his edgy play occurs face to face. "When you get a play like that, where a guy hits you 3 feet behind the goal line, that is a dangerous situation," an animated Bret Hedican said on CSN California. After questions were raised why the Sharks did not drop the gloves in response, Hedican noted that they were down a goal late in the game. "If you lose the game, then you can second guess," he said.

Now the Sharks will have to adapt to the short term loss of Scott Nichol, but the game was almost tied on the play. Down 2-1, Torrey Mitchell lasered a backhand pass to Scott Nichol as he drove the net less than 2 minutes into the third period. Nichol wristed a shot off the near post, and raised his stick to take a whack at the fluttering rebound. Monteal center Maxim Lapierre shoved Nichol from behind, forcing him into the end boards awkwardly at almost full speed. Crumpled on the ice, Nichol got up and went ballistic when he noticed a penalty was not called on the play. He held his injured arm and verbally chastised referee Chris Lee before heading to the locker room for treatment.

"I think it was a missed call, I think it was a real dangerous play," San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said after the game. "I wouldn't want to see one of their players go into (the boards) like that, and I certainly don't want to see one of ours."

Nearly two years ago, Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster collided with rookie center Torrey Mitchell in a battle for icing. Foster suffered a season ending leg injury on a play. Six years ago almost to the day, former Shark Marco Sturm also suffered a gruesome season ending injury after being ridden into the boards by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote. Mitchell and Foote were each penalized in-game for their actions, but not suspended after. Maxim Lapierre was not penalized for the hit Thursday night, but Friday he was suspended by the NHL 4 games for his actions.

"I think (the refs) did a good job tonight," San Jose Sharks captain Rob Blake said after the game. "On Scotty Nichol's play, that is a tough play, those are plays we do not like to see. He is in a very vunerable position. It was a tough call, and the refs were very open about it. I thought they did a good job, they let the guys play a little bit. You could see there was some contact, and some atmosphere in that game."

Asked about how the Sharks responded after the Nichol hit by CSNCA's Brodie Brazil in a post-game rinkside interview, "There is no better way to stick it to them than to get the win," game winning goal scorer Manny Malhotra said.

Thanks to Greg Wyshynski and Paul Kukla, for links, info and reactions.

[Update] San Jose Sharks get back on track, rallying by Montreal Canadiens - SJ Mercury News.

[Update2] Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski called this a "reputation-based" 4 game suspension, noting the punishment was about double what would fit the crime in his opinion. Sharks radio color analyst Jamie Baker was semi-apoplectic after the play. "It hurts your eyes... you can break your neck... a brutal, brutal play by Lapierre," the former youth hockey coach and NHL forward said on the radio broadcast. On the CSNCA post-game television show, Baker was full apoplectic. "That is the lowest thing you can do as a hockey player... it makes you cringe to watch something like that," he said. "That is a 5-10 game suspension in my mind, automatic, you could paralyze a guy. I give the Sharks credit, they were frustrated by the play of Carey Price, they were frustrated by the amount of blocked shots... they used their frustration to draw a penalty and score a couple of goals... payback is great, but let the NHL take care of that."

Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir said it was a cheap shot, but not suspendable. "On the one hand, Lapierre's doing his job by clearing out a player who was in position to pick up a rebound off his breakaway attempt. And Nichol must have been skating on Bambi's legs to go down that easily on what looked like a pretty lightweight crosscheck." Actually it was more of a shove. Lapierre placed his gloves on the back of Nichol, already at the side of the net behind the play, and shoved him into the end boards.

[Update3] Official press release from the NHL:

MONTREAL’S LAPIERRE SUSPENDED FOR FOUR GAMES

TORONTO (March 5, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre has been suspended for four games, without pay, for a late hit on San Jose Sharks forward Scott Nichol during NHL game #949, last night, the National Hockey league announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Lapierre will forfeit $14,248.72. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

At 1:50 of the third period, Lapierre knocked Nichols into the end boards with a late, careless hit. Nichol was injured on the play and did not return to the game. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Lapierre will miss games on March 6 at Los Angeles, March 7 at Anaheim, March 9 against Tampa and March 11 against Edmonton. He will be eligible to return March 13 against Boston.

[Update4] A brief video history of this season's NHL suspensions - The Daily Hab-it.

DOH Podcast #89: NHL trade deadline, USA vs Canada gold medal game

2010-03-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana talked about winners and losers at the March 3rd NHL trade deadline, recent "Worcester Shuttle" roster transactions, react to Team Canada's overtime win over Team USA for the Winter Olympic gold medal, the impact of recently acquired defenseman Niclas Wallin, and discuss the stretch run on the 89th episode of Dudes on Hockey.

This Sharks podcast is posted here with permission. Visit dudesonhockey.com for more coverage of the team, or download the podcast MP3 file directly here.

Mistakes costly in 4-3 loss to New Jersey Devils

2010-03-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Sharks re-entry to the second half of the NHL regular season took an unexpected trajectory en route to a 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. After Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur combined to stop 18 total shots in the first period, several of them coming on quality scoring chances and odd man rushes, the Devils started capitalizing on costly mistakes in the second period.

Defenseman Dan Boyle flubbed a point shot on goal, and Colin White quickly moved the puck to recent trade acquisition Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk powered into the Sharks zone, cut high in the slot above Boyle and Kent Huskins, and executed a slick back pass to a trailing Dainius Zubrus. Nabokov made the initial save, but Zubrus and Patrick Elias were first to the rebound. 35 seconds later, defenseman Mark Fraser added to the total with a booming slapshot that beat Nabokov gloveside. The shot may have deflected off of the stick of Jason Demers in front.

"We used up a lot of energy in the first period and needed to get the lead. When 1 turned into 2 real quick, it is tough to come back against a real defensive team, yet we finally found a spark," San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said after the game. "It was too little too late."

The Devils did not let up, and needed all of 6 seconds to capitalize on a Manny Malhotra hooking penalty at the end of the second period. A faceoff loss by Joe Pavelski to fellow Team USA member Zach Parise gave Kovalchuk another opportunity with the puck on his stick on the point. Kovalchuk slid to the center of the ice and released a quick wrist shot that caught Nabokov off guard. 3-0 Devils after 20 minutes, and Joe Thornton took an ill advised interference penalty trying to drive around Jamie Langenbunner.

The Sharks were able to kill the New Jersey power play, but the Devils kept the pressure on. A mistake by Patrick Marleau set up Ilya Kovalchuk for the eventual game winning goal. As Zach Parise carried the puck through the neutral zone, both Marleau and defenseman Douglas Murray moved to challenge him. An unchecked Travis Zajac on the right wing got a step on the defense, and Zajac ripped a shot across the grain for a 4-0 lead.

"I think we had 8 guys that didn't have a shot on goal. It can't be fun playing a game like that. You put 60 minutes in and you have no chance of scoring," Todd McLellan said as the Sharks were outshot 25-20. "Even halfway through the third we didn't have many except for that final flurry."

Right wing Devin Setoguchi, moved up to the top line with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley, gave the Sharks desperately needed life at 8:46. With San Jose registering only 14 shots on goal, 0 to that point in the period, Heatley initiated a 3-on-3 rush into the Devils zone. After a quick dish to Marleau up top, Heatley drove to the front of the net. It was the Devils this time who left a player unmarked in the slot, and Setoguchi quickly pivoted around a puck in the slot. He torqued a heavy shot on goal, almost like a tennis player running around a forehand, and Brodeur had no time for reaction on the play.

Almost like a light switch, the Sharks were exploding up ice and creating a crush of scoring opportunities. With Dean McAmmond in the box for the lone New Jersey minor penalty of the game, Setoguchi tee'd up the rebound of a Rob Blake shot and buried it from 15 feet out. Joe Pavelski would add his 17th of the season at 11:32. The Sharks scored 3 goals on 3 shots in a span of 2:46.

Brodeur, widely considered the best goaltender to ever play the game, was under duress but the fourth and final goal of the Sharks comeback proved to be an insurmountable task. Brodeur held off a late Sharks flurry with Evgeni Nabokov pulled, and picked up his 35th win of the season.

"I think (Marleau-Thornton-Heatley) are still on a little bit of a high, they had some energy in their legs but I don't think they were real polished on plays. Jumbo didn't get a shot on goal. Dan Boyle didn't have a shot on goal. They weren't real dangerous all the time, yet they tried to give us what they had energy wise," Todd McLellan said. "Once we get them to where they need to be, fatigue wise and mentally rested, we will expect more polish from them."

[Update] NJ Devils hang on for 4-3 victory over San Jose Sharks in return from Olympic break - New Jersey Star Ledger.

After flirting with a shutout, Brodeur had to weather a three-goal, third-period outburst from the San Jose Sharks as the Devils barely held onto a 4-3 victory Tuesday night at HP Pavilion in their first game after the Olympic break.

“What happened? We won. It was a good game, a great game,” Devils coach Jacques Lemaire said. “This is great. A week from now we’ll say we just won in San Jose. We won’t say that they were coming back. We got two points.

"It’s like the Olympics. We (Canada) won. They won’t say a year from now it went into overtime. We won it. That’s it. Thank you.”

Sharks Gold and Silver medal post-Olympic press conference

2010-03-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Gold medal winning Team Canada members Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley and Dan Boyle joined Silver medal winning Team USA member Joe Pavelski to answer questions from the media at a post-Olympic press conference this morning in San Jose.

[Q] Can you describe the feeling of having a gold medal around your neck?

[Joe Thornton] You haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face in 48 hours, and I think the rest of these guys are about the same. I am not sure about Pavs. He did a great job though. We still love him. We are just so excited, and really, really, really happy.

[Q] Dan, you have a Stanley Cup and a gold medal, so you are good to go now?

[Dan Boyle] It is pretty awesome. It has been a great career for me, especially where I have come from. I need one more Cup though. We are all aware of what we need to do here. It is a great accomplishment.

[Q] Can you talk about the week after you lost to USA?

[Dan Boyle] We were obviously disappointed losing to USA. It was a big deal. In our meetings, and talking the night before games, we knew even the Switzerland game, we had to play an extra game. It wasn't a bad thing. We needed that. We didn't get it right right away, as much as the Americans did. We needed extra games. I think the Russia game was huge for us. That really got us going. We never really panicked. We had the right guys above us. Stevie Y was in the building and in the meetings, helping us out and keeping us calm. The veteran guys helped out too.

[Q] You have been playing in the U.S. for awhile, what does winning this medal for your home country mean?

[Patrick Marleau] It was complete pandamonium after the game. I think there were streets shut down in Toronto, let alone Vancouver. In Vancouver, it took 3 green lights to get through a light in a car. Everybody was excited, hanging out of windows hooping and hollering. It was something spectacular to see.

[Q] Did it remind you that you are Canadian?

[Patrick Marleau] Yes. Those are the moments you cherish your nationality and where you come from. It brought the country together. It was unbelievable.

[Q] What was the pressure like after you lost that first game to the United States? [Dany Heatley] It was the same as Boiler said, we are confident in the group we had in the room to do the job. Most of us have been through short tournaments like that, you realize that it is 1 game, and you have to play through that. I thought we played well in the first American game, they played well as well. The Germany game, that extra game helped us kind of get used to each other, get used to the system for most of the guys. It helped us through the Quarters.

[Q] What were the thoughts after Team USA tied the game in the third period with less than a minute left?

[Dany Heatley] I think you realize, in a tournament like that with those stakes, anything can happen. You have to be prepared for it. I am not going to say we weren't a little disappointed and a little nervous when that went in, but I think the break in between the third and overtime was good for us just to regroup. We are a pretty confident group. We came out and played well in overtime.

[Q] What were your thoughts after the goal to tie the game?

[Joe Pavelski] I think right from the start of the tournament the group in our room, we felt we had something there. We almost felt like we were going to win before we won. We didn't win, we came a goal shy. Even when we went down 2-0, it was a feeling in that room that it didn't really matter, we were going to break through. It was just a matter of time.

We were able to tie it up late. Going into overtime, we never felt like we had anything to lose. We had to keep playing, and keep pressure on them. They are a good team. That is what we tried to do.

[Q] As Shark teammates, do any of you feel bad for Joe?

[Combined] No.

[Q] Do you look back on how important a game this was now?

[Joe Pavelski] It isn't bad, but it isn't great either. It is one of those things, the excitement of the game that was played, it was in Canada and it meant so much just to the hockey world, just to be a part of it was awesome. We came up short, one goal shy. Down the road it will feel good, but we still didn't win. That is one of the things you look back on. It was a tremendous experience.

[Q] Can you talk about how the experience will have an application for San Jose?

[Dan Boyle] Hopefully, the other guys to, we learned, especially that last game, the ups and downs and the roller coaster of a playoff, the highs and the lows, and just kind of dealing with it. I thought, our locker room especially, I gained from past experience, the Cup in 04. Game 6 in Calgary, going into double overtime, we were calm in Tampa. Fast forward to a couple of nights ago, I just felt it was a pretty calm locker room. With the pressure we had all tournament, going into overtime, I felt it was a pretty calm locker room. I think that is what the 5 of us will bring to the playoffs this year, a little bit more calmness that we saw maybe last year.

[Q] What was it like facing off against each other, when the two Joe's went at it in the faceoff circle?

[Joe Pavelski] It is something that is stressed here, it is one of those things you are kind of looking forward to just get in there and see who would win the draw. I think you can sense that everyone back here was waiting for one of those moments too.

[Joe Thornton] We practice a lot against each other in faceoffs. I think we probably went 50/50, it was pretty even, 60/40 maybe?

[Q] Canada won one game, USA won one game, should they play one more time?

[Joe Pavelski] Hopefully in 4 more years.

[Q] Should NHL players play in Sochi in 2014?

[Dany Heatley] I think so. You see that game, the tv numbers were unbelievable. Everybody I have talked to here, they were watching it in every bar and every home. I think the best players in the world should be at the Olympics.

[Q] You talked about scoring against Nabokov?

[Dan Boyle] My response was it was weirder jumping into Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf's arms. What was I thinking? That was the weirdest part for me, there was a big picture and I was in Ryan Getzlaf's arms.

[Update] The Story Behind the Medals' Design - SJsharks.com.

Team Canada overcomes last minute USA comeback, wins Olympic gold in an overtime game for the ages

2010-03-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

TEAM CANADA WINS 2010 HOCKEY GOLD MEDAL WITH 3-2 OT WIN OVER USA - FLICKR

2010 WINTER OLYMPIC MENS HOCKEY BRACKET - NBC

For one day, all eyes were on hockey. 13 million Canadian hearts collectively skipped a beat watching a preliminary round loss to Team USA in a game that was labeled the most-watched sports program in Canadian television history. After dominating Russia in the Quarterfinals and edging out Slovakia in the Semis, that number will be topped by Canada's 3-2 overtime Olympic Gold finale against USA on Sunday.

With tournament MVP goaltender Ryan Miller pulled in the final minute of regulation for an extra attacker, USA forward Zach Parise set up in front of Roberto Luongo and tracked a Patrick Kane shot that pinballed through traffic. Stick on the ice, Parise quickly gathered the rebound and buried it in the back of the net to tie the game 2-2 with 25 seconds left in the third period. It was yet another heart attack moment for Canadian fans, whose condition would have to be monitored on each subsequent rush up ice in overtime.

Former San Jose Sharks captain Patrick Marleau and Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber created a 2-on-1 scoring chance early in OT that caused fans to rise out of their seats. Marleau tried to quick release a shot 5-hole, but Miller closed it down and expertly froze the puck instead of allowing a rebound. On the other side of the ice a fake shot by Kings defenseman Jack Johnson sprung forward Joe Pavelski along the right wing. Pavelski fired a quick shot but the enormous 6-foot-3 frame of Luongo swallows shooting area in the butterfly. The puck plunked off his goalie mask and deflected into the saftey netting. As the sellout crowd chanted "Go, Canada, Go", Pavelski created another scoring opportunity minutes later trying to split Scott Niedermayer and Shea Weber. Niedermayer stripped him of the puck, but Pavelski chased him down from behind, intercepted a cross ice pass, and fired a quick shot up high off the shoulder of Luongo.

Canada had the opportunity to win its 14th gold medal with a win, a Winter Olympic record, and to become only the third Men's Olympic hockey team to win gold on home ice (1960 USA at Squaw Valley, 1980 USA at Lake Placid). The fact that Team Canada's womens team shut out Team USA for its third straight gold medal on Thursday only intensified the pressure.

American author Ernest Hemmingway once said that "courage is grace under pressure", and there was no clearer display than the 7 minute mark of overtime. Four Team USA members collapsed on Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby as he tried to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Checked to the outside, Crosby was the first player to the puck in the corner. He slid a pass along the wall to Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla, and drove straight towards the front of the net. Checked hard from behind, a diving Iginla managed to hit Crosby with a pass on the tape, and the 22 year old Nova Scotia born Crosby scored on a low shot before Team Canada Place erupted in celebration on and off the ice. "And an entire nation is relieved," CTV's Pierre McGuire said of the goal.

"I just shot it, I didn't really see it to be honest," Crosby said in a post-game interview. "It's special," Jarome Iginla told reporters after the game. "We knew that as players and wanted to be part of it. I'm very proud of Team Canada, not just hockey."

Canada, Russia and Sweden were pre-tournament favorites by hockey insiders, but as the youngest team in the tournament Team USA put their heads down and played a hard nosed style that resulted in 5 straight wins in the leadup to the gold medal finale. That work ethic instilled by head coach Ron Wilson and GM Brian Burke paid dividends, as USA needed to grind its way back from a two goal deficit after strikes by Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry in the first 27 minutes of play.

50 years to the day after Team USA's gold medal winning 9-4 victory over Czechoslovakia at Squaw Valley, the American's sent a message about the sport as played in their country. "Our guys came here as an afterthought to a lot of people, I think we set a new trend for USA Hockey," goaltender Ryan Miller said.

The USA-Canadian finale also crossed boundries between traditional hockey and casual sports fans into a much larger non-sports audience on Sunday afternoon. Sports Media Watch reported a 17.6 overnight rating for NBC, "on pace to finish as the highest rated hockey telecast in the United States since 1980." SMW notes that the 17.6 rating is the second highest rating for a U.S. sporting event this year. An official press release from NBC notes that only the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" win over the Soviet Union (23.9) and the 1980 gold medal win over Finland (23.2) were higher watched hockey broadcasts in the U.S.

The Men's and Women's gold medals for hockey returned to the country where the sport was born, and on Tuesday four of them will return to San Jose for practice in a condensed stretch run for Stanley Cup silver.

Video highlights are available from NBColympics.com here, and a photo gallery from the gold medal game is available from USA Hockey here.

Box Score:

Canada 3, USA 2 OT
Sunday, February 28th
2010 Winter Olympics
Gold Medal Game
Canada Hockey Place, Vancouver, BC

CAN 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 = 3
USA 0 - 1 - 1 - 0 = 2

First Period - Scoring: 1, CAN, Toews (Richards), 12:50. Penalties: USA, Ryan (tripping), 14:02.

Second Period - Scoring: 2, CAN, Perry (Getzlaf, Keith), 7:13; 3, USA, Kesler (Kane), 12:44. Penalties: USA, Malone (high-sticking), 2:33; CAN, Staal (interference), 4:41; CAN, Toews (tripping), 8:25.

Third Period - Scoring: 4, USA, Parise (Langenbrunner, Kane), 19:35. Penalties: None.

Overtime - Scoring: 5, CAN, Crosby (Iginla), 7:40. Penalties: None.

Shots: (by Period): CAN 39 (10, 15, 7, 7), USA 36 (8, 15, 9, 4).

Goaltenders: CAN, Luongo, 67:40, 34 saves, 36 shots. USA, Miller, 66:38, 36 saves, 39 shots.

Power Play: CAN 0-2; USA 0-2

Penalties: CAN 2-4; USA 2-4

Officials: Referees-Bill McCreary (CAN), Daniel O'Halloran (CAN); Linesmen-Stefan Fonselius (FIN), Jean Morin (CAN)

Attendance: 17,748

[Update] Team USA goaltender Ryan Miller, forward Zach Parise and defenseman Brian Rafalaski, Team Canada center Jonathan Toews and defenseman Shea Weber, and Slovakia forward Pavol Demitra were named to the 2010 Olympic all-star team. Miller was also award Tournament MVP.

[Update2] U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Claims Silver Medal with 3-2 Overtime Loss To Canada at Olympic Winter Games - USAhockey.com.

[Update3] Canada-U.S. Olympic hockey final gold for TV ratings, Four in five Canadians watched at least part of classic - Vancouver Sun.

Sunday’s gold-medal Olympic men’s hockey game became the most-watched TV broadcast in Canadian history, with an average audience of 16.6 million viewers. Nearly half the Canadian population watched the entire game on average, while 80 percent of Canadians watched some part of the game (26.5 million).

Darryl Hunt: WorSharks Can't Stand The Heat In 4-3 Loss To Abbotsford

2010-02-28T05:32:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks came back from three one goal deficits but couldn't overcome a fourth in a 4-3 loss to the Abbotsford Heat Saturday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts in front of 5,671 fans.

Abbotsford would have the first goal of the game when defenseman Joe Loprieno misplayed the puck to Heat center Mikael Backlund, and Backlund fired a wrist shot over the right shoulder of WorSharks goaltender Frank Doyle for unassisted tally and a 1-0 lead at 15:01 of the first.

The WorSharks would get the equalizer on their first power play chance late in the first period when T.J. Trevelyan tipped a Mike Moore blast from the point past Abbotsford starting goaltender Matt Keetley at 18:52 of the period. Jamie McGinn had the second assist on the goal.

Another turnover from Loprieno, this time after being outmuscled by Backlund behind the WorSharks goal line, led to Abbotsford second goal. After depositing the rookie defender on the ice and avoiding Logan Couture's attempt to steal the puck Backlund found Cam Cunning in the slot for the 2-1 lead at 6:47 of the second period.

Worcester would again get back to even while skating with an extra attacker as referee Chris Brown was waiting to call a delayed minor on Heat center Ben Gordon for holding behind the Abbotsford net at 10:01. Trevelyan would fire a shot from the right wing halfboards that Keetley would make an easy pad save on, but the rebound went right to captain Ryan Vesce. Vesce kicked the puck on net and then was able to just get his stick on it before it past the goal line to knot the game at 2-2. Michael Wilson had the second assist on the play.

After the goal, much to the shock of everyone in the building, Abbotsford head coach Jim Playfair pulled Keetley in favor of Friday night's starter David Shantz. On his way past the bench Shantz could be seen voicing his displeasure toward the decision. In the end it looks like Playfair's strategy worked.

The Heat would convert another Worcester turnover into another one goal lead at 17:20 when Jason Demers lost control of the puck. A Backlund pass to David Van der Gulik gave Abbotsford a great scoring chance, and when Doyle's poke check missed Van der Gulik found Jason Jaffray for a 12 footer into a yawning open net.

For the third time in the game Worcester would find itself down a goal because of sloppy puck handling, and for the third time the WorSharks would answer. Just 30 seconds into period number three Worcester would convert for its second power play goal of the game. Derek Joslin would blast one from the point wide to the left of Shantz, and the rebounding puck bounced into the slot where Trevelyan banged it home. Mike Moore grabbed his second assist of the game on the tally.

Abbotsford would finally grab the lead for good at 9:22 when J.D. Watt blasted a slapshot through traffic and past a stickless Doyle after Doyle had made two great saves in a row to keep the score even. Worcester would pull Doyle with about 90 seconds remaining but couldn't get a decent scoring chance against the Heat's tenacious forechecking. Worcester finished the game two for three on the power play and were never shorthanded during the contest.

GAME NOTES
After being benched in the third period and overtime of Friday night's loss Nick Petrecki was a healthy scratch and was replaced in the line-up by Mike Wilson who was returning to action after surgery to repair a broken finger. Worcester's other healthy scratches were Will Colbert, Kevin Henderson, Matt Jones, Dennis McCauley, and Cory Quirk. Joe Callahan (neck) and Tyson Sexsmith (sports hernia) are now the only players on the injury list. Alex Stalock was the backup netminder.

It looked for a short while that Worcester might have to play the game down a defenseman when Mike Moore went down in the corner to the right of Frank Doyle about three minutes into the first period. Moore tried a couple of times to get to his feet before finally being able to get to the bench and on to the locker room with the help of trainer Matt White. Moore wasn't out for long, coming back to the bench area almost immediately and back on the ice at about the 13 minute mark.

There was another scary moment for WorSharks fans at 14:47 of the third period when Jamie McGinn was checked into Worcester's open penalty box door just as matching crosschecking minors to Brandon Mashinter and Abbotsford's Riley Armstrong came to an end. Referee Chris Brown blew the whistle immediately as McGinn crumpled to the ice after hitting the edge of the doorway, but McGinn regained his feet fairly quickly and looked no worse for wear.

The game saw two fights, with Mashinter taking on J.D. Watt and Moore doing battle with Radek Smolenak. After a stoppage in play Watt threw a slash at the legs of defenseman Danny Groulx, perhaps not realizing that Mashinter was standing behind him. Watt realized it after however as Mashinter threw several bombs that connected cleanly to the helmetless Watt to earn the easy win for the rookie winger. The fight was Mashinter's 12th on the season.

The Moore-Smolenak tilt began after Moore threw a huge check against Mikael Backlund at the penalty box doors. As play continued into the Heat zone Moore and Smolenak skated grappled with each other in the opposite direction, ending up at the halfboards to the left of Doyle. Moore used his free hand to take off his helmet, and Smolenak did the same. In the end Smolenak probably wished he'd kept his on as Moore landed several high quality shots and got the take down for the victory.

With Frank Doyle's start he became the third goaltender to both play for and against the WorSharks. Doyle's first AHL stint was with Worcester's Atlantic division rivals the Lowell Devils. Nolan Schaefer played 16 games for Worcester in 2006-07 before beating his former team on New Year's Eve 2008, with just a Ryan Vesce last minute goal ruining a shutout bid. AHL journeyman Gerald Coleman played three games for Worcester in 2008-09, and has a 2-2 record against the WorSharks in separate stints with the Portland Pirates and Devils.

Abbotsford finished the east coast swing with an impressive 8-0-1 record. They'll get a chance to continue their hot streak against the Atlantic division when they return home this week and face the Providence Bruins and WorSharks in two game sets.

The three stars of the game were
1. Backlund (g,2a,+4)
2. Trevelyan (2g,a)
3. Jaffray (g,a,+3)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Mike Moore.

Even strength lines
Zalewski/Couture/Ferriero
McCarthy/Vesce/Trevelyan
McGinn/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Helminen/Mashinter

Groulx/Demers
Moore/Joslin
Wilson/Loprieno

Power play lines
Zalewski/Couture/Ferriero
McGinn/Vesce/Trevelyan

Groulx/Demers
Moore/Joslin

BOXSCORE

Abbotsford 1 2 1 - 4
Worcester 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period-1, Abbotsford, Backlund 15 15:01. 2, Worcester, Trevelyan 15 (Moore, McGinn), 18:52 (pp). Penalties-Watt Abb (fighting), 5:23; Mashinter Wor (fighting), 5:23; Kronwall Abb (tripping), 17:10; Smolenak Abb (fighting), 19:42; Moore Wor (fighting), 19:42; Murray Abb (delay of game), 19:49.

2nd Period-3, Abbotsford, Cunning 13 (Backlund), 6:47. 4, Worcester, Vesce 10 (Trevelyan, Wilson), 10:01. 5, Abbotsford, Jaffray 21 (Van der Gulik, Backlund), 17:20. Penalties-Jaffray Abb (unsportsmanlike conduct), 15:05; DaSilva Wor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 15:05; Armstrong Abb (delay of game), 18:43.

3rd Period-6, Worcester, Trevelyan 16 (Joslin, Moore), 0:30 (pp). 7, Abbotsford, Watt 8 (Jaffray, Kronwall), 9:22. Penalties-Armstrong Abb (cross-checking), 12:47; Mashinter Wor (cross-checking), 12:47.

Shots on Goal
Abbotsford 11-11-6-28
Worcester 10-18-6-34.

Power Play Opportunities
Abbotsford 0 of 0
Worcester 2 of 3.

Goalies
Abbotsford, Keetley 10-7-1 (17 shots-15 saves), Shantz 10-6-1 (17 shots-16 saves)
Worcester, Doyle 0-1-0 (28 shots-24 saves).

A-5,671. Referee-Chris Brown (86). Linesmen-Chris Libett (19), Brian MacDonald (72).

Darryl Hunt: WorSharks Cool in Shootout Loss to Abbotsford Heat, 5-4

2010-02-27T06:22:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks raced out to an early lead but suffered a near total collapse in the second period, only to rally in the third period to get the game into overtime before losing a 5-4 shootout decision to the Abbotsford Heat Friday night at the DCU Center in snowy Worcester, Massachusetts in front of 3,240 fans.

Worcester fans saw the return of two fan favorites in Friday night's contest, with Logan Couture returning after missing several games due to a shoulder injury and Riley Armstrong making his first appearance at the DCU Center in the enemy's colors after signing with the Calgary organization over the summer. Both would get on the board during the first period.

Couture would get the WorSharks on the board at 10:07 with a diving goal into an empty net. After Danny Groulx's shot was blocked in traffic the puck bounced to Benn Ferriero in the high slot, who fired a soft backhand shot on goal that went wide to the right of Abbotsford netminder David Shantz. Shantz went to play the carom off the backboards but missed the puck totally as it floated along the ice past him. Couture dove at the loose puck and knocked it into the yawning net for the 1-0 lead.

The Heat had a golden chance to get the game even about 90 seconds later when Olivier Latendresse forced a turnover at the WorSharks blueline and skated in alone on Alex Stalock. Latendresse tried to deke the rookie netminder but Stalock wouldn't make a move, so Latendresse fired a hard laser toward the far post that Stalock flashed the glove out for to keep Worcester's one goal lead intact. But that lead wouldn't last for long.

After a failed clearing attempt by Worcester, Heat defenseman Staffan Kronwall would find Armstrong all alone in the far faceoff circle and the former WorShark had no trouble one-timing the perfect tape to tape pass from his defenseman past the diving Stalock to knot the game 1-1 13:49.

Worcester would regain the lead at 15:08 with their first of two power play tallies on the night when Ferriero set up shop in the high slot and Groulx found him wide open for a blast that beat Shantz to the stick side. Couture had the second assist of the play.

The second period began just as the first had ended, with Worcester carrying the play and Abbotsford working hard but for the most part being held at bay. The WorSharks would extend their lead to 3-1 at 7:29 of the second period with a five on three power play goal when captain Ryan Vesce banked a wrist shot off Shantz to light the lamp. Groulx and Ferriero had the helpers on the goal.

And the the wheels fell off for the Worcester defense, who began to stand around in their own zone resulting in three Heat goals in just under five minutes. The first was at 11:28 as the teams skated four on four when winger Jason Jaffray skated around Derek Joslin, who was doing his best impression of a pylon on the play, and forced Stalock to cut off Jaffray at the far post. Jaffray's half shot-half pass toward the slot allowed an unmolested Mikael Backlund to bang the puck home to make it 3-2.

Abbotsford would knot the game 3-3 at 14:16 when David Van der Gulik flipped one into an open net as Stalock and both WorSharks defensemen were down and out in the crease. After a flurry that required defenseman Joe Loprieno to make a save behind Stalock the Heat were able to work the puck around to Van der Gulik for the tally.

The Heat would take a 4-3 lead at 16:23 with a power play tally as the Worcester defensemen again stood around and watched the play going on around them. Brett Sutter's backhander was the shot that eventually lit the lamp to put Worcester down a goal.

The Heat would continue to pressure Worcester throughout the third period, and it took a great individual effort by T.J. Trevelyan to draw Worcester even. In the midst of a long shift that saw the WorSharks hemmed into their own zone, Trevelyan picked up a loose puck just outside Stalock's crease and skated up ice avoiding every Heat attempt to slow him down. After skating up the left side Trevelyan cut into the Abbotsford zone and almost totally undressed defenseman Kronwall as he veered in on net. There was no way Trevelyan was not going to score after all that work, and after a nice deke of Shantz slid the puck into the yawning net at 8:10. Originally announced as unassisted, the scoring was corrected to add assist to Groulx and John McCarthy.

Both netminders held off charges by their opponents and after an eight round shootout that saw Ferriero and Trevelyan score for Worcester, Radek Smolenak would beat Stalock to give the Heat the 5-4 victory. The two teams play again Saturday night at the DCU center.

GAME NOTES
Prior to the start of Friday's contest the San Jose Sharks signed goaltender Frank Doyle, who had been on Worcester's roster on a PTO, to a two way deal and assigned the netminder to Worcester. The healthy scratches for the WorSharks were Will Colbert, Kevin Henderson, Matt Jones, Dennis McCauley, and Cory Quirk. Micheal Wilson (finger) is the only player that's expected off the injury list soon. Joe Callahan (neck) and Tyson Sexsmith (sports hernia) are out long term.

In a move that may prompt head coach Roy Sommer to carry a roster with him behind the bench, Sommer incorrectly filled out the list of shooters for the first five rounds. His intent was to have Jamie McGinn shoot fourth but he inadvertently put Nick Petrecki's number next to McGinn's name, resulting in the rookie defensemen being forced to shoot. Petrecki's attempt missed the net by a country mile.

Speaking of Petrecki, he should have been well rested for his attempt as it appeared that at some point in the third period he had been benched as Worcester rotated five defensemen. He definitely did not play from about the 16:00 mark of the third period when it was noticed he hadn't been on the ice for a while, and he didn't skate at all during the overtime period.

There was a slight delay after Ryan Vesce's power play goal as wrong player was removed from the penalty box. J.D. Watt was the first Heat player in the box after he picked up an additional double minor to go along with his fighting major for his bout with Joe Loprieno behind the Worcester net, where he was joined by Cam Cunning 25 seconds later. When Vesce scored Cunning left the box, but as it was Watt's first minor that had the least time remaining that was the penalty removed from the board, and Cunning was forced to return to the box as Worcester's five on three continued.

With a little home town scoring involved the Loprieno/Watt battle was called a draw.

Friday started the first of six consecutive games against Canadian teams. Worcester plays the Heat again Saturday night, and then goes off to face Manitoba and Abbotsford in two game sets next week.

Mike Ricci was behind the bench with Sommer and assistant head coach David Cunniff Friday night. Ricci will also be addressing Worcester season ticket holders Saturday evening prior to the start of the game.

The three stars of the game were
1. Groulx (4a)
2. Smolenak (gwshootout goal,a)
3. Kronwall (3a)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Benn Ferriero.

Even strength lines
Zalewski/Couture/Ferriero
McCarthy/Vesce/Trevelyan
McGinn/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Helminen/Mashinter

Groulx/Demers
Moore/Joslin
Petrecki/Loprieno

Power play lines
Zalewski/Couture/Ferriero
McGinn/Vesce/Trevelyan

Groulx/Demers(Vesce)
Moore(Demers)/Joslin

Penalty kill lines
Trevelyan/McGinn
Heminen/McCarthy

Moore/Joslin
Groulx/Demers

BOXSCORE

Abbotsford 1 3 0 0 - 5
Worcester 2 1 1 0 - 4

1st Period-1, Worcester, Couture 19 (Ferriero, Groulx), 10:07. 2, Abbotsford, Armstrong 11 (Kronwall, Cunning), 13:49. 3, Worcester, Ferriero 19 (Groulx, Couture), 15:08 (pp). Penalties-Sutter Abb (boarding), 14:14; Van der Gulik Abb (tripping), 15:25; Kronwall Abb (delay of game), 19:00.

2nd Period-4, Worcester, Vesce 9 (Ferriero, Groulx), 7:29 (pp). 5, Abbotsford, Backlund 14 (Jaffray, Kronwall), 11:28. 6, Abbotsford, Van der Gulik 9 (Smolenak, Kronwall), 14:16. 7, Abbotsford, Sutter 8 (Latendresse, Weller), 16:23 (pp). Penalties-Watt Abb (cross-checking, unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:16; Loprieno Wor (fighting), 6:16; Cunning Abb (tripping), 6:41; Weller Abb (hooking), 10:47; Demers Wor (interference), 10:56; Trevelyan Wor (tripping), 15:11.

3rd Period-8, Worcester, Trevelyan 14 (Groulx, McCarthy), 8:10. Penalties-No Penalties

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout
Abbotsford 3 (Backlund NG, Armstrong NG, Van der Gulik G, Sutter NG, Murray NG, Latendresse NG, Jaffray G, Smolenak G)
Worcester 2 (Ferriero G, Vesce NG, Couture NG, Petrecki NG, Mashinter NG, McGinn NG, Trevelyan G, Zalewski NG).

Shots on Goal
Abbotsford 11-12-10-5-1-39
Worcester 12-13-9-3-0-37

Power Play Opportunities
Abbotsford 1 of 2
Worcester 2 of 7.

Goalies
Abbotsford, Shantz 9-6-1 (37 shots-33 saves)
Worcester, Stalock 32-13-2 (38 shots-34 saves).

A-3,240. Referee-Frederic L'Ecuyer (48). Linesmen-Mark Messier (12), Bob Paquette (18).

DOH Podcast #87 - with special guest in FromtheRink.com's Mike Chen

2010-02-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana brought in a special guest in FromtheRink.com's Mike Chen to discuss the preliminary round of the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey schedule in Vancouver, the salary cap casualty in enforcer Jody Shelley, speculate on upcoming moves prior to the March 3rd NHL trade deadline, examine the role and the long term contract of bruising 2nd/3rd winger Ryane Clowe, discuss the current state of the Sharks defense, and take a look at a new contract recently signed by Worcester Sharks defenseman Mike Moore on the 87th episode of Dudes on Hockey.

This Sharks podcast is posted here with permission. Visit dudesonhockey.com for more coverage of the team, or download the podcast MP3 file directly here.

Darryl Hunt: Stalock, WorSharks Blank Springfield 6-0

2010-02-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks used two power play goals from Steven Zalewski and a 21 save shutout performance from rookie Alex Stalock to defeat the Springfield Falcons 6-0 Tuesday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts in front of 3,411 fans.

Sunday in Manchester the WorSharks scored on the first shot of the game, and on Tuesday they did one better by scoring twice before Springfield had their first shot on goal. T.J. Trevelyan would put Worcester on the board at 2:34 when he tipped Cory Quirk's shot from the halfboards past Falcons netminder Jean-Philippe Levasseur. Zalewski would make it 2-0 on the power play at 7:25 after some nice passing by Jamie McGinn and Benn Ferriero left Zalewski open in front of a wide open net.

Dwight Helminen's ninth on the season, from Dan DaSilva and Jason Demers, chased Levasseur from the game. Levasseur previous start was a 49-save 4-0 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday, but he managed only four saves on seven shots against the WorSharks in just 9:03 of action. Levasseur was replaced by Devan Dubnyk.

Worcester had three goals in the period while the clearly over matched Falcons had just three shots in the period, with the WorSharks enjoying a 15-3 advantage in the stanza.

After killing a double minor to Andrew Desjardins to start the second period, the WorSharks would again begin to dominate play. Zalewski would have his second power play goal at 10:18 when Ferriero dug a loose puck out of the corner and found the center all alone at the top of the right circle. Zalewski's blast went over Dubnyk's shoulder and just under the crossbar for the 4-0 lead.

With just over three minutes in the period Springfield had their best chance to score when Charles Linglet uncorked a one timer off a cross ice pass, but Stalock made a nice pad save to defuse the threat.

Dennis McCauley would make it 4-0 at 9:11 of the third with a blast from the front of the net that snuck through Dubnyk's arm and body to light the lamp. Brandon Mashinter and Danny Groulx had the assist on the goal. Mashinter would have one of his own at 12:05, from DaSilva and Desjardins, when Dubnyk couldn't get the glove open in time to catch Mashinter's blast.

All that was left was to keep Springfield off the board to preserve Stalock's shutout, and in doing so helped the rookie to his American Hockey League leading 30th win.

GAME NOTES
Worcester's scratches were forwards Logan Couture, Matt Jones, Frazer McLaren, and Ryan Vesce, and defensemen Joe Callahan, Nick Petrecki, and Michael Wilson. Tyson Sexsmith was the backup goaltender.

The WorSharks have finished their season series against Springfield, going 7-0-1 in eight games for 15 of a possible 16 points. The only blemish on their record was a 4-3 overtime loss on January 13th when Taylor Chorney scored with just four second remaining in the extra period. It's unlikely the two teams will meet in the playoffs with Springfield being ten points--and three teams with multiple games in hand--away from the final potential playoff spot in the Atlantic division.

With the Winter Olympics in full swing Worcester finds itself represented very well with nine players on men's hockey rosters. Former WorSharks in Vancouver are goaltenders Thomas Greiss and Dimitri Pätzold (Germany), Joe Pavelski (USA), and Douglas Murray (Sweden). Former players for the Worcester IceCats include Michal Handzus and Lubos Bartecko (Slovakia), Arvid Rekis (Latvia), Jochen Hecht (Germany), and Konstantin Zakharov (Belarus).

The three stars of the game were
1. Stalock (21 save shutout)
2. Zalewski (2g)
3. Ferriero (2a)

Alex Stalock was also named the AHL's third star of the night.

The Sharkspage player of the game was Dan DaSilva.

Even Strength Lines
McGinn/Zalewski/Ferriero
McCarthy/Quirk/Trevelyan
Helminen/Desjardins/DaSilva
Mashinter/Henderson/McCauley

Moore/Joslin
Groulx/Demers
Loprieno/Colbert

BOXSCORE

Worcester 3 1 2 - 6
Springfield 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period-1, Worcester, Trevelyan 12 (Quirk), 2:34. 2, Worcester, Zalewski 19 (McGinn, Ferriero), 7:25 (pp). 3, Worcester, Helminen 9 (DaSilva, Demers), 9:03. Penalties-O'Marra Spr (hooking), 5:54; O'Marra Spr (hooking), 10:59; Ferriero Wor (holding), 13:05; Minard Spr (hooking), 14:31; Desjardins Wor (hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00.

2nd Period-4, Worcester, Zalewski 20 (Ferriero), 10:18 (pp). Penalties-Arsene Spr (cross-checking), 6:29; Taylor Spr (roughing), 9:45; Groulx Wor (holding), 12:21; Peckham Spr (roughing, misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 15:40; Hisey Spr (slashing), 18:26.

3rd Period-5, Worcester, McCauley 8 (Mashinter, Groulx), 9:11. 6, Worcester, Mashinter 16 (DaSilva, Desjardins), 12:05. Penalties-Taylor Spr (cross-checking), 0:42; Zalewski Wor (hooking), 15:14; Hisey Spr (hooking), 16:34.
v Shots on Goal
Worcester 15-8-9-32
Springfield 3-10-8-21.

Power Play Opportunities
Worcester 2 of 9
Springfield 0 of 5.

Goalies
Worcester, Stalock 30-12-1 (21 shots-21 saves)
Springfield, Levasseur 6-13-0 (7 shots-4 saves); Dubnyk 11-15-1 (25 shots-22 saves).

A-3,411. Referee-Nygel Pelletier (41). Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Chris Low (88).

[Update] Mike Moore gets two year extension - Fear the Fin.

Welcome to Canada hockey video, Team USA Men's and Women's Olympic hockey schedules

2010-02-16T13:59:00.001-08:00

Toronto-based Bloge Salming and Down Goes Brown posted this interesting Welcome to Canada video as the puck dropped for the preliminary rounds of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Injecting a personality into Sidney "Matt Damon" Crosby is almost as impressive as the lyrics and cinematography. Shots were taken at Evgeni Nabokov and Douglas Murray, but it is nothing a gold medal can't sooth.

Thanks to Fourth Placed Medal for the link.

USAhockey.com posted home pages for the Men's and Women's teams, and a schedule which will be updated with results is listed below. For more online options for Olympic information visit lifehacker or PC World.

2010 Winter Olympic Team USA ice hockey schedules:

Team USA Men's Hockey Schedule:

TUE, FEB-16 USA 3, Switzerland 1
THU, FEB-18 Norway 12PM - USA
SUN, FEB-21 Canada 4:40PM - MSNBC
TUE, FEB-23 Qualification Games 12PM
WED, FEB-24 Quarterfinals 12PM
FRI, FEB-26 Semifinals 12PM
SAT, FEB-27 Bronze-Medal Game 7PM
SUN, FEB-28 Gold-Medal Game 12:15PM

Team USA Women's Hockey Schedule:

FEB-13 USA 12, China 1
FEB-16 USA 13, Russia 0
FEB-18 Finland 2:30PM - MSNBC
FEB-20,22 Playoffs - TBD
FEB-22 Semifinals - TBD
FEB-25 Bronze Medal Game 11AM - TBD
FEB-25 Gold Medal Game 2:30PM - TBD

- all times Pacific.

[Update] Sharks players in the 2010 Olympics - SJsharks.com.

[Update2] Co-captain of the Team USA Women's ice hockey team, Julie Chu, was a guest on a fromtherink.com podcast yesterday. The episode can be downloaded here.

50 foot waves slam 2010 Mavericks Big Wave surf contest, South African Chris Bertish wins title, rogue waves topple award platform and dozens of fans

2010-02-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY'S SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE LEADS WITH FRONT PAGE MAVS COVERAGE

SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL ON CHRIS BERTISH 2010 MAVERICKS BIG WAVE CONTEST WIN

SJ MERCURY NEWS ALSO RUNS FRONT PAGE ARTICLE AND PHOTO ON MAVERICKS

The tide turned locally for Mavericks in 2008. After Half Moon Bay's Jeff Clark rediscovered the giant Northern California break and launched the first Mavericks Big Wave surfing contest in 1999, local media finally caught on with wall-to-wall coverage of San Clemente native Greg Long's big wave title 9 years later. HDNet and the Outdoor Life Network broadcast the 2004 contest to a national audience, 30,000+ spectators mobbed the cliffs in 2005, but it was not until 2008 that the local media started following each contest window, surf forecast, and event update with religious fervor.

The Bay Area now has big wave surfing fever, but that affliction was at the mercy of proper conditions. For the second time in 3 years, the contest was called off in 2009. The window opened two months earlier on November 1st this season, but problems emerged as founder Jeff Clark sued Mavericks Surf Ventures in January. Despite litigation, the show must go on and for the first time it was the 24 competing surfers who would give the green light.

The green light and subsequent 48-hour notice came Thursday. South African Chris Bertish became the 7th Mavericks Big Wave surfing champion after several harrowing drops in the final heat. Predictions of wave faces from 30-40 feet were outdone by frothing 50 foot monsters. Even after a successful 2 or 3 story freefall, Bertish was swallowed on one occasion by a mountain of whitewater and took a brutal closeout to the head on another. Contest announcers on the live Mavericks Ustream broadcast mentioned that even attempted waves should be considered in the judging due to such heavy conditions.

Bertish won $50,000 for first place, edging Shane Desmond, 2005 winner Anthony Tashnick, Dave Wassel, Carlos Burle, and Kenny Collins. Bertish told the Santa Cruz Sentinel he was almost knocked out of the contest in the first round after being held down by repeated waves. "It's hard to explain how much water was moving around out there," he said. "It was scary, very scary. By the time I got picked up (by a jet ski) I was like a lifeless corpse. I thought I was done for. But in life, sometimes you only get one chance to live your dream. So I just put it in my head that I had to get back up."

The heavy surf conditions also took a toll on spectators at high tide. Several major national and international news programs aired footage of two large waves toppling an the awards platform and knocking over dozens of fans watching on the beach (with waves 30-50 feet, you can not see surfers over the waves from the beach). Taking photos and videos from the cliffs is problematic as the break occures a half mile out to sea. Contest organizers offered an online stream and several viewing locations, including one at AT&T park, but reports of a crowd as large as 20,000 were made the day after the event.

Mavericks Surf Ventures CEO Keir Beadling said reports of the spectator injuries were overblown. "We're all having to deal with Mother Nature, everybody has to exercise common sense," he told the SF Chronicle. Mavericks organizers can improve a network of viewing stations among nearby Half Moon Bay businesses, and make sure they are adequately publicized. Mavericks could also work with the community and the Pillar Point Air Force Station to increase safe access to the cliff, and increase the viewing area. Fans now have to pack into a small section of the cliff not fenced off by the base.

Mavericks, once called "the Super Bowl of big-wave surfing" by Sports Illustrated, is now a cultural touch point in Northern California. SF Chronicle writer and noted author Bruce Jenkins said that Saturday rivaled epic Hawaiian big wave contests that were all held at Waimea Bay. "(Saturday) erased 50 years of surfing history in one day. We have some decent waves in Hawaii, but you guys have such a good wave here," fourth placed surfer Dave Wassel told Jenkins.

For more information on the 2010 Mavericks Big Wave surf contest visit maverickssurf.com, or visit a replay of the webcast here. An enormous 89 photo gallery is also available from the SF Chronicle. No Sharks allowed.

[Update] A list of previous winners:

Mavericks Big Wave Surfing contest winners:

1999 - Darryl "Flea" Virostko (Santa Cruz)
2000 - Darryl "Flea" Virostko (Santa Cruz)
2004 - Darryl "Flea" Virostko (Santa Cruz)
2005 - Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz)
2006 - Grant "Twiggy" Baker (South Africa)
2008 - Greg Long (San Clemente)
2010 - Chris Bertish (South Africa)

[Update2] Chris Bertish wins the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest - Surfing Magazine.

[Update3] This photo by the Chronicle's Adam Lau is insane, and may actually show one of the rumored 60 foot waves. A 4-minute long highlight reel from an ABC helicopter is available here. Highlights from the webcast are available via CBS. According to event organizers, visitors contributed $24 million to the local Half Moon Bay economy on Saturday.

Darryl Hunt: DaSilva, WorSharks Break Manchester's Valentine Heart 5-2

2010-02-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks used Dan DaSilva's first professional hat trick to defeat the Manchester Monarchs 5-2 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire Sunday afternoon and jump back into first place in the American Hockey League's Atlantic division, sending home most of the 5,012 fans home disappointed to celebrate Valentine's Day on a down note.

The WorSharks would jump on the Monarchs very early in the contest when DaSilva scored on the first shot of the game. After a Mike Moore dump in Dwight Helminen grabbed the puck from the corner and fought off a Manchester defender, finding DaSilva streaking deep into the zone. DaSilva's blast beat Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Bernier just 23 seconds into the contest for the 1-0 lead.

Worcester would make it 2-0 after Bernier couldn't control a rebound of a Nick Petrecki blueline blast. Both Brandon Mashinter and Frazer McLaren tried to jump on the loose puck, and it was McLaren that was finally able to knock it past Bernier at 12:31 of the first.

DaSilva would make it 3-0 with his second of the game at 17:46 of the middle period when he took a pass from Andrew Desjardins and shot it into a wide open net after Bernier went down to stop Desjardins' fake shot. Helminen's original shot rang off the iron, but luckily for the WorSharks it went right on Desjardins' stick where he was able to throw a nice fake on Bernier.

Manchester would close the gap to 3-2 with two early third period goals. Alec Martinez had an unassisted tally at 3:37 when he knocked down a WorSharks clearing attempt and blasted a laser off the far post and past Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock at 3:47, and a shorthanded goal by Jon Rheault at 5:56 into a wide open net cut the leads to one.

T.J. Trevelyan would get Worcester's two goal lead back on a nice individual effort after retrieving Matt Jones' dump into the right wing corner. Skating out of the corner unmolested Trevelyan went to the net and simply outwaited Bernier, shooting the puck around the downed goaltender to light the lamp at 13:35. John McCarthy had the second assist on the goal.

DaSilva would get his hat trick goal into an empty net at 18:24 off of Helminen's third assist and Desjardins' second assist on the contest.

GAME NOTES
With the NHL on its Olympic break, the Worcester shuttle dropped off Jamie McGinn and Dwight Helminen and both arrived in time to play in Sunday afternoon's contest. Worcester's scratches were Joe Callahan (neck), Will Colbert (healthy), Logan Couture (shoulder), Kevin Henderson (healthy), Dennis McCauley (healthy), Ryan Vesce (groin), Michael Wilson (finger). Tyson Sexsmith was the back-up goaltender.

Sunday's contest finished the season series between Worcester and Manchester with the WorSharks going 5-2-0-1 against the Monarchs this season, gaining 11 out of a possible 16 points.

The three stars of the game were
1. DaSilva (hat trick)
2. Martinez (g,a)
3. Helminen (3a)

Dan DaSilva was also named the AHL's second star of the night.

The Sharkspage player of the game was Alex Stalock.

Even Strength Lines
McGinn/Zalewski/Ferriero
McCarthy/Trevelyan/Jones
Helminen/Desjardins/DaSilva
Mashinter/Quirk/McLaren

Moore/Joslin
Groulx/Demers
Loprieno/Petrecki

BOXSCORE

Worcester 2 1 2 - 5
Manchester 0 0 2 - 2

1st Period-1, Worcester, DaSilva 9 (Helminen, Moore), 0:23. 2, Worcester, McLaren 3 (Petrecki, Mashinter), 12:31. Penalties-McLaren Wor (interference), 7:22; Westgarth Mch (high-sticking), 15:56.

2nd Period-3, Worcester, DaSilva 10 (Desjardins, Helminen), 17:46. Penalties-Azevedo Mch (slashing), 0:19; Groulx Wor (interference), 4:12; Loprieno Wor (hooking), 19:18.

3rd Period-4, Manchester, Martinez 4 3:47. 5, Manchester, Rheault 3 (Martinez, Cliche), 5:56 (sh). 6, Worcester, Trevelyan 11 (Jones, McCarthy), 13:35. 7, Worcester, DaSilva 11 (Helminen, Desjardins), 18:24 (en). Penalties-Kolomatis Mch (interference), 4:10.

Shots on Goal
Worcester 14-15-8-37
Manchester 12-13-10-35.

Power Play Opportunities
Worcester 0 of 3
Manchester 0 of 3.

Goalies
Worcester, Stalock 29-12-1 (35 shots-33 saves)
Manchester, Bernier 23-14-5 (36 shots-32 saves).

A-5,012. Referee-Francis Charron (46). Linesmen-Bob Bernard (4), Chris Libett (19).

Shark Notes - 2/14

2010-02-14T11:41:00.000-08:00

- Instead of heading into the 2-week Olympic break on a high note, the Sharks turned in an uninspired performance en route to a 3-1 loss to Buffalo Saturday at HSBC Arena. Probable Team USA starting goaltender Ryan Miller stopped 27 of 28 shots against, and helped the Sabres end a 6-game losing streak. "Even though it's been a tough stretch, feeling good about the way we played tonight against a good team can go a long way," Miller told John Vogel of the Buffalo News. "Attitude is a big thing, and rest is a big thing in this league. A lot of guys are finally getting it, and it definitely helps going into our break."

It was probable Team Russia starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov keeping the Sharks in the first period. Nabokov shut down a trailing Steve Montador on a 3-on-2 odd man rush, then stacked his pads to keep Montador's body out of the crease as the defenseman's momentum propelled him forward. Minutes later a soft point shot by Thomas Vanek was kicked onto the stick of Derek Roy, who unloaded a quick wrist shot narrowly deflected wide by Nabokov.

San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan split up the Big 3 "Team Canada" line against Toronto, and he continued that configuration against the Sabres. Devin Setoguchi joined Thornton and Heatley on the top line, and Patrick Marleau joined Joe Pavelski and Ryane Clowe on the second. All 6 forwards were held off the scoreboard. Marleau-Thornton-Heatley were reunited for several shifts in the third period in an attempt to provide a spark. According to the AP, it was only the 4th time that the Sharks big three were held scoreless in 2010.

The second period started strong for San Jose. Leading the NHL by a wide margin with a 55.6 faceoff percentage (2008-1602), the Sharks won all 5 early draws and pressured Buffalo early. The Sabres compounded measures by taking 3 of their 5 penalties in the second, but they held the NHL's 3rd best power play scoreless with the man advantage. With a one-dimensional attack usually setting up from the half boards, and a lack of bodies in front of the net, San Jose has now been held scoreless with the man advantage in 4 straight games (0-11), and 5 of the last 7.

"That's the difference in the game," Sharks coach Todd McLellan told the AP. "If you put one of those in, you're in good shape. You build it in the game that they're going to score in the game, but to do that two times in a row really took a lot of life out of us."

The Sabres used the second period to pull out in front. After Ryan Miller made another quality stop in his own zone, Clarke MacArthur and defenseman Henrik Tallinder quick transitioned the puck into the Sharks zone 4-on-3. As Blake forced Tallinder wide, Heatley and Murray sandwiched former Shark Mike Grier at the side of the net. Tallinder slid a pass behind the mass of bodies to a wide open Paul Gaustad. Gaustad, alone at the top of the crease with MacArthur, buried the slick pass to open the scoring at 5:25.

The Sabres capitalized on another defensive breakdown as a Sharks power play expired. Murray and Jay Leach both convereged on a rushing Jochen Hecht, and a Murray poke check knocked the puck off Leach and back onto the stick of Hecht. Hecht slid the puck over to Thomas Vanek, open on his right wing, and Vanek pulled up and directed it around a committed Nabokov.

San Jose Mercury News beat writer David Pollak termed the effort an "Ugly" loss, but Pollak also noted it came at the end of a long 4-2 road trip, and that several players were battling the flu. "That's going around, but I don't want that to be an excuse. Our second efforts weren't there," a flu-striken Dan Boyle told the Merc. Evidence of the Sabres determination and the Sharks sloppy play came on the third goal scored in the second period. Left wing Tim Connolly set up Thomas Vanek for a wide open 1-time opportunity less than 10 feet out from the far post. A diving Jamie McGinn, recently called up from Worcester after the trade of Jody Shelley, cut down on the shooting angle but it took the young forward out of the play. Connolly picked up the rebound being the net, and sent it through the crease as 5 players battled for position. Montador and Ludman reveresed direction around the zone, down to Connolly on the left wing. On a possible set play. Connolly fired a shot/pass off the end boards which deflected around to Nabokov's left. Jason Pominville chopped a shot off bodies and by Nabokov before he could get over. 3-0 Sabres. Huskins added an unassisted end-to-end goal in the third period, but it was an exercise in too little, too late.

One game after Evgeni Nabokov set an NHL record 10-game inseason road winning streak, it was shattered by a harder working team that made fewer mistakes. The Team Russia netminder continued to impress one game after a sparkling 50-save performance against franchise archnemisis Detroit. "Nabokov's been real good, they have said he has been absolutely fabulous, you worry after that first period that you might not be able to get a few by him," Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after the game. "He challenges a lot, we knew we were going to have to get some pucks off his backside and get some people driving there to get some traffic. He is quick, he has got great reflexes, he gets to places you don't think he will get to".

"We all feel a lot better (after ending the 6-game losing streak)... we have done some good things in games but found ways to lose them," Ruff said when asked about the Sabres recent play. "Part of that is the schedule, part of that is the number of games you play, we have just hit some bad spots in games where we haven't been able to pull through. I thought tonight was as close to a 60 minute effort as we have had."

Game Notes:

Buffalo Sabres center Jochen Hecht told the Buffalo News that a thorough pregame scouting report on the Sharks power play was as a big part of the 5-5 penalty kill performance against San Jose. In the past the Sharks at times have had a one-dimensional approach with Joe Thornton setting up off the half boards. San Jose head coach Todd McLellan has stressed shots from the point and a "net front" presence in front of opposing goaltenders. The Sabres regained first place in the Northeast Division with the win. Buffalo is 13-1 at home against the Sharks, 15-6-5 overall in 27 franchise meetings.

With the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Jody Shelley being replaced in the lineup by 6-foot-0, 180-pound winger Jamie McGinn, the Sharks overall team size average dropped to 6-foot-1 and 209-pounds. McGinn was called up after the trade of Shelley to the Rangers, he registered 8:01 of ice time in his first NHL appearance in 6 games. Patrick Marleau lead the game with 7 total shots (and 1 that missed the net), but it was usual linemate Dany Heatley with the more effective play in front of the net. Consistently gaining body and stick position around the crease, Heatley was held scoreless for his third straight game. In 18 previous contests since January 1st, Heatley has 9 goals and 12 assists. An NHL leading 8 San Jose Sharks will travel to the 2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver Sunday.

Post-game comments from San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan:

"It was a 3-1 loss, I don't think we had a lot of energy. What little energy we had kind of went out the window with the power play, it sucked the life and the energy right out of us. Unfortunately you can't win like that. It was a tough night, we had some tough health circumstances we were battling as well. It is time to get healthy and move on."

"It is always hard to answer that question (where your team is at), after a loss because your emotions are a little bit down. I don't want to be hard on the guys, but we have work to do as a team. We know we need to improve in a number of areas. We would like to solidify our team and become more consistent with people we have got coming and going. I think we will have a chance to do that in the second half. And to just start working on things, there is a lot of hockey left. A lot of things can happen between now and then. We do have to polish a few things up."

"(The 4-2 road trip) started real well in St. Louis. The goal in the first minute from our big guys, and I thought we were a little ragged and we found a way to win. Then competed real hard in Detroit. We were outshot, I don't know if we were outshot as hard as the scoreboard indicated, apparently we were. We competed real hard there. To end it tonight was a little disappointing because I thought we would respond with a little more energy and a little more enthusiasm. I guess that is the negative. The positive is we found a way to win some games on the road."

"I think there are two groups. The group that is leaving, going to Vancouver. We are going to be wishing them well, cheering for them individually. We will have our own country teams we will probably root for. The second group it is real important they get some rest. That is what this is about. They are going to have to rest physically and mentally, and when they come back they are going to have to bring their work boots because we are going to go through a mini training camp. I am sure that will be going on around the league. They have to take care of themselves as well during the break."

"(On the lack of energy at the start of the game) We are not rivals. We play each other it seems a couple times every three years. The last game before the break I didn't think it was a real emotional, physical, battling type game. We actually talked about it before the game, the group of coaches, if we could get the lead and maybe ride it. Unfortunately we didn't do that. They did it. It just wasn't a real intense game. When we had a chance to be productive with the man advantage, we didn't."

"(On Buffalo scoring after a penalty kill) It happened more than once. That is the difference in the game. If you at least put one of those in, you build that into the game that they are going to score. Two times in a row really took a lot of life out of us. In the third, when we get that chance late to draw within one and it doesn't happen, you could feel on the bench that it is probably not going to go our way."

- Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski and ESPN's Pierre LeBrun have blog posts up from Team Canada Olympic GM Steve Yzerman's press conference.

LeBrun adds that Chicago may not be comfortable with a Niemi-Huet goaltending tandem, but that nothing they see on the open market is much of an upgrade. One goal scored on Huet by San Jose recently should raise large warning signs for the expensive backup. On a penalty kill with bodies jockeying for position in front of him, Huet did not try to gain a better view of the puck carrier nor was he able to make any reaction on a shot that beat him inside the far post. Huet stood in the center of the crease, flat footed and motionless. It was the polar opposite on the other side of the ice as Evgeni Nabokov poke checked, slashed and peered around opposition forwards set up in front. 6-foot-1, 200-pound Chicago Blackhawk goaltender Antti Niemi has several years of experience as a #1 in the Finnish SM-Liiga, but is Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman comfortable going into the playoffs with a goalie who has put up a 16-4-1 (.916SV%, 2.08GAA) record in his first extended stint in the NHL?

On a pair of Florida Panthers defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and Jordan Leopold, Lebrun notes that they are "are as good as gone" before the March 3rd NHL trade deadline.

- The New York Post's Larry Brooks believes that a solid Olympic performance could spur Jaromir Jagr's return to the NHL in 2010-11. "Jagr’s departure left a gaping hole in the Rangers’ room and within the organization. Charisma (mixed in with a dollop of insecurity) was a constant companion," Brooks said of #66. Larry Brooks also took direct aim at anger issues after a vocal incident between Rangers head coach John Tortorella and young defenseman Michael Del Zotto. Brooks has had several multiple run-ins with Tortorella as a head coach in New York and previously when he was in Tampa Bay. On the upcoming trade deadline he believes Nathan Horton could be traded from Florida, and that Capitals could inquire about Marty Turco.

- Capitals may upgrade netminding, Goalie is hot team's only question mark - Bruce Garrioch for the Toronto Sun.

There is a strong belief in NHL circles Washington GM George McPhee has toyed with the idea of getting a netminder before the deadline, but isn’t sure if what’s available on the trade market is any better than goaltenders Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov.

The Capitals are focused on getting to the Stanley Cup final and the goalie is the only question mark. Sources say McPhee has sniffed around the NHL to see what’s available and the options are limited with the few teams in the mood to sell players.

- TSN's Scott Cullen takes a team-by-team look at the stretch run for the Western Conference. Cullen speculates the Sharks may still be interested in adding a veteran 2-way forward before the March 3rd NHL trade deadline. Also noted were San Jose players with no-trade clauses: Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley, Niclas Wallin, Evgeni Nabokov.

TSN's Bob McKenzie also joined AOL for their latest podcast on the Olympics and the upcoming NHL trade deadline. McKenzie believes Jaroslav Halak may have played well enough to force a Carey Price trade out of town, but that Halak's body of work is not deep enough to pull the trigger until the offseason. "Then the decision will be self-explanatory... that is when the move gets made". The TSN insider also notes that the Canadiens may have inquired about Marty Turco.

- Hockey's Border Skirmish - TV Guide Magazine.

No national ice hockey teams know each other better—or want to crush each other more—than the United States and Canada. “There was a time when the Canadian team would absolutely steamroll the American team,” says U.S. men’s coach Ron Wilson. Thanks to youth, speed and goalie Ryan Miller (of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres), the U.S. is now a rival to reckon with, though Wilson concedes that Canada, Russia and, to a lesser extent, defending champ Sweden are the favorites. “You go to Vegas the week before this tournament, there isn’t going to be a penny bet on us,” Wilson says. “We don’t mind going in under the radar.”

Canada is betting its “lucky loonie,” the hockey team’s good-luck charm, that Sidney Crosby can deliver the gold. After the Pittsburgh Penguins star was left off the 2006 roster, Team Canada finished an embarrassing seventh in Torino. Whoever takes the gold, NBC play-by-play man Mike Emrick thinks fans will be the real winners. “It may be the greatest collection of hockey talent at one time in one place,” he says. “In terms of raw talent, we may not see a collection like this for a long time.”

A Team USA sidebar will links and a schedule be added to the left side of this blog shortly.

- Olympics Q&A: Marleau, Thornton, Heatley & Boyle - Brodie Brazil for Comcast Sportsnet California.

BRODIE BRAZIL: Where does a Stanley Cup fit into a gold medal? How do the two relate to each other? I know they're totally different honors, but...

JOE THORNTON: I think for me it's Stanley Cup, and then it'd be Olympic gold. That's my feeling.

DANY HEATLEY: I think they're just different, obviously. The Stanley Cup is a group you're with all year. You go four rounds in the playoffs. Olympic gold is a group that has to come together real quick and win games in a short period of time.

BRODIE BRAZIL: Can you rate them, Patty?

PATRICK MARLEAU: He stole my answer (laughs). I think there's definitely some significance being with a team for a full year and going through ups and downs. It's such a short tournament with a lot of different teammates and players. Sure, you're going to grow together as a group during the two-week period but that probably doesn't compare with the camaraderie you have going through a full season.

A few weeks back Team USA center Joe Pavelski was interviewed on the popular KNBR 680AM Razor and Mr T program by Ralph Barbieri and former Golden State Warrior Tom Tolbert. An mp3 of the interview can be downloaded here. Ahem, go USA.

- San Jose blogger Mike Chen chronicled the 2010 Winter Olympic opening cerimony from a hockey perspective at fromtherink.com. Given the subdued feel after the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, Canada has to walk a tight balancing act while using the Olympics to showcase a beautiful city, showcase the open and vibrant Canadian culture, and showcase the global Olympic competition. I am rooting more for Canada and Vancouver to make a positive lasting impression than for any individual competitor or athlete.

Darryl Hunt: Jones, WorSharks Chomp Sound Tigers 6-1

2010-02-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

The Worcester Sharks used another stellar performance by rookie goaltender Alex Stalock and two goal nights from both Matt Jones and Cory Quirk to defeat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 6-1 Friday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut in front of an announced crowd of 3,679.

In a game where seven goals were scored one wouldn't ordinarily think of top notch goaltending from both teams, but both Stalock and Sound Tigers netminder Nathan Lawson had great games with Stalock making 33 saves on 34 shots and Lawson stopping 43 of 49 Worcester attempts. Each goaltender had to make quality saves on breakaways and odd man rushes early in the game, and luckily for Worcester it was the Sound Tigers armor that kinked first.

The WorSharks would grab the only goal of the first period at 17:14 off a face-off to the right of Lawson. Quirk won the draw straight back, where Jones swung in and picked up the loose puck and fired a shot on net. Lawson made the save, but Quirk crashed the net off the draw and was able to jam the rebound home for the 1-0 lead.

The teams would exchange goals in the second period, with Bridgeport drawing even 1-1 at 9:14 after an odd man rush. Winger Ryan Kinasewich would break into the WorSharks zone down the left side and fire a shot that Stalock made the save on, but the rebound bounced away and right on the stick of defenseman Anton Klementyev for his first pro goal.

Worcester would get the lead back at 16:32 with a power play goal by Benn Ferriero. Jason Demers started the play with a nice feed to T.J. Trevelyan, who fired a shot on Lawson. The shot was blocked by the Sound Tiger defense, but ended up right on the stick of Steven Zalewski in the slot. Zalewski saw Ferriero streaking to the net to his left and threw a lazy pass that Ferriero blasted into the net for a 2-1 lead after two period.

After Jones had a power play goal wiped out by a high stick early in the third, he would get one that would count at 3:35. With the WorSharks controlling the play in the Bridgeport zone, Quirk threw an easy pass to Mike Moore from the left half-boards. Jones was standing at the near post to tip Moore's blueline blast past Lawson to make it 3-1.

Jones would grab his second of the game at 8:44 after a nice keep in by Nick Petrecki. With Bridgeport trying to break out of their own zone Petrecki was able to get a skate on a pass attempt and deflect it back into the zone to Jones at the right wing faceoff circle. Jones skated around for a better angle, and then fired the puck just inside the near post and past Lawson for the 4-1 lead. Joe Loprieno is listed on the scorers sheet as having the assist on the tally, but it was definitely Petrecki with the helper.

Not to be outdone by his linemate, Quirk would get his second of the game with a goal at 16:06. Demers wheeled the net and fired a shot that went across the slot and right to Quirk standing alone at the far post. Quirk probably won't have an easier goal as his shot the puck into the yawning net to make it 5-1. John McCarthy had the second assist on the goal.

Brandon Mashinter would tack one on the end when he took a two zone feed from Petrecki and beat Lawson at 17:31 for the 6-1 final.

GAME NOTES
Worcester's injury list remains the same but there is some good news on the injury front as Logan Couture (shoulder), Ryan Vesce (groin), and Michael Wilson (finger) are all back to skating. Joe Callahan (neck) had surgery on Thursday and his return is probably measured in months and not weeks. With Louis Liotti being sent back to Kalamazoo(ECHL), and Jamie McGinn being pulled off the team bus just outside of Hartford after being recalled by San Jose, rookie defenseman Will Colbert was the only healthy scratch. Tyson Sexsmith was the back-up goaltender.

The WorSharks have finished their season with Bridgeport, going 5-0-0-1 and getting 11 of a possible 12 points against the Sound Tigers. The only blemish on their record was an October 9th 4-3 shootout loss in Bridgeport. Rookies John McCarthy and Brandon Mashinter both had their first pro goals in that game.

Nick Petrecki and Michael Haley had the only fight of the contest at 3:53 of the first period. It was the third time this season the two have introduced themselves to each other, and despite being cut wide open Haley really laid a whooping on Petrecki for the easy win. (Photo courtesy of Rich Stieglitz and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers).

Matt Jones finished the game at +4, and John McCarthy and Cory Quirk were a +3. The three linemates also combined for 14 of Worcester's 49 shots, and most were high quality scoring chances. Jason Demers, Mike Moore, and Frazer McLaren were the only WorSharks without a shot in the game.

The three stars of the game were
1. Jones (2g,a,+4)
2. Quirk (2g,a,+3)
3. Stalock (33 saves)

The Sharkspage player of the game was John McCarthy.

Even strength lines
Zalewski/Ferriero/Trevelyan
McCarthy/Quirk/Jones
McCauley/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Henderson/Mashinter

Moore/Joslin
Groulx/Demers
Petrecki/Loprieno

BOXSCORE

Worcester 1 1 4 - 6
Bridgeport 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-1, Worcester, Quirk 4 (Jones), 17:14. Penalties-Petrecki Wor (fighting), 3:53; Haley Bri (fighting), 3:53; Gleed Bri (high-sticking), 11:22.

2nd Period-2, Bridgeport, Klementyev 1 (Kinasewich, Mauldin), 9:14. 3, Worcester, Ferriero 17 (Zalewski, Trevelyan), 16:32 (pp). Penalties-Bentivoglio Bri (high-sticking), 16:23; Joslin Wor (roughing), 17:06; DiBenedetto Bri (high-sticking), 17:06.

3rd Period-4, Worcester, Jones 3 (Moore, Quirk), 3:35. 5, Worcester, Jones 4 (Loprieno), 8:44. 6, Worcester, Quirk 5 (McCarthy, Demers), 16:06. 7, Worcester, Mashinter 15 (Petrecki), 17:31. Penalties-Haley Bri (unsportsmanlike conduct), 0:37; McLaren Wor (roughing), 4:58; Rechlicz Bri (slashing, charging, misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 4:58; Moore Wor (tripping), 8:57.

Shots on Goal
Worcester 13-21-15-49
Bridgeport 10-14-10-34.

Power Play Opportunities
Worcester 1 of 4
Bridgeport 0 of 1.

Goalies
Worcester, Stalock 28-12-1 (34 shots-33 saves)
Bridgeport, Lawson 9-10-3 (49 shots-43 saves).

A-3,679. Referee-Chris Ciamaga (41). Linesmen-Paul Simeon (66), Kevin Redding (16).

Sharks trade enforcer Jody Shelley to the New York Rangers for a 6th round draft pick according to TSN

2010-02-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

LEFT WING JODY SHELLEY TRADED TO RANGERS AFTER 137 GAMES IN SJ

JODY SHELLEY'S 1310 PIMS RANK 2ND IN NHL SINCE 2000-01

Veteran San Jose Sharks enforcer Jody Shelley, once described by former head coach Ron Wilson as the team's "nuclear weapon", was traded to the New York Rangers today for a conditional 2011 6th round draft pick according to TSN. If the New York Rangers forestall an Atlantic Division arms race and resign him, the Sharks would then receive a 5th rounder.

"Jody Shelley has been a tremendous competitor and teammate for this organization for the past three seasons. He strived to make a difference on and off-the-ice in San Jose and he was a leader in both areas. We thank Jody and his wife, Mandy, for everything they have given to the Sharks organization and wish them all the best in the future," San Jose Sharks EVP/GM Doug Wilson said today via a press release.

The move is bittersweet for Sharks fans. After being acquired in 2008, Shelley registered 285 penalty minutes in 137 games played for San Jose and he quickly became a fan favorite. In Columbus, Shelley was equally popular with the fan base as well as being a member of a Blue Jackets leadership group inside the locker room.

After registering 3 assists in October and November, the enforcer was sidelined for 23 games with a hand injury from a lopsided November 7th win over Pittsburgh's Eric Godard. Shelley was eased back into the lineup, but in his last 3 games he has dropped the gloves twice with Nashville defenseman Wade Belak and scored the knockout of his San Jose career with a heavy overhand right against Toronto's Colton Orr.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson mentioned after the Dany Heatley offseason trade that he would continue to evaluate his roster right up to the March 3rd NHL trade deadline. After acquiring defensive-defenseman Niclas Wallin under the cover of Super Bowl Sunday, Wilson moved Shelley just prior to the noon February 12th Olympic trade freeze.

In the second year of a 2-year contract, freeing up a prorated portion of Shelley's $725,000 adds a sliver of flexibility to the Sharks tight salary cap situation. When asked Monday night by television play-by-play host Randy Hahn if Wallin would be the final piece added to the Sharks puzzle, Doug Wilson was non-committal. "You never know," Wilson said.

The 6th round draft pick could pay dividends for San Jose's aggressive scouting department. In 2003 the Sharks picked up Joe Pavelski in the 7th round (205th overall), in 2006 Boston University co-captain John McCarthy was taken in the 7th (202nd overall), a pair of high level prospects in Nick Bonino and Frazer McLaren were nabbed in the 6th and 7th rounds in 2007, and then-Yevgeni Nabokov was selected in the 9th round in 1994 (219th overall). San Jose has used late round selections in the past not to restock, but to reload.

The move also opens the door for younger enforcing prospects Brad Staubitz and Frazer McLaren. Staubitz has a one-dimensional mindset to inflict a hurting on opponents, as evidenced by his infamous fight against Nashville pest Jordan Tootoo, but occasionally that aggressiveness can work against him. 6-foot-4, 225-pound Frazer McLaren could add a little more roster flexibility on the 4th line. He has shown a proficency on the penalty kill, and at 22 he could be the next true Sharks heavyweight enforcer in the making. Think Scott Parker.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that Donald Brashear cleared waivers at 12 noon after being scratched in 12 of the last 13 games. Brooks also noted that the addition of Shelley could impact Aaron Voros as well as Brashear, and that Shelley could join the team Sunday for their last game against Tampa Bay before the Olympic break.

[Update] Via EJ Hradek's twitter: "Rangers get Jody Shelley. Another odd move by Glen Sather."

DOH Podcast #86 examines games against Detroit and Columbus, playoff questions, and the upcoming trade deadline

2010-02-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana discuss recent Sharks games against the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, Sharks playoff questions heading into the Olympics and the stretch run, Setoguchi's evolving role on the team, last offseason's trade of defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, and the addition of Niclas Wallin on the 86th episode of Dudes on Hockey.

This Sharks podcast is posted here with permission. Visit dudesonhockey.com for more coverage of the team, or download the podcast MP3 file directly here.

Sharks hand new look Giguere-Phaneuf Toronto Maple Leafs a 3-2 loss, Clowe-Pavelski-Seto line combines for 4 points

2010-02-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Notes and a media recap from the Sharks 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs will be posted after a quick trip up to Sacramento, have to help out a sick relative.

More from GM Doug Wilson on trade for defenseman Niclas Wallin, Sharks to open 2010-11 season in Sweden

2010-02-09T14:00:00.001-08:00

During an intermission interview with CSNCA's Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda Monday, San Jose Sharks EVP/GM Doug Wilson offered a few more notes on the weekend acquisition of defenseman Niclas Wallin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Sharks traded a 2010 2nd round draft pick (from Buffalo), for Wallin and a 2010 5th rounder. According to Wilson, the Sharks targeted the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Wallin for a year and half. "He is a playoff hardened guy that we know very well, a team-first guy," Wilson told television play-by-play broadcaster Randy Hahn. "He has played his best hockey in the playoffs in the past, and a guy that wanted to come to our hockey team. We did our research, he did his research, and we think it is a piece that compliments our team."

Wilson referenced his playoff success and his 2006 Stanley Cup Championship with the Carolina Hurricanes. Wallin earned a "secret weapon" nickname in Carolina on the back of 3 career postseason goals, all overtime game winners. "The one thing about Nic, he is versatile. He can play left side or right side. At 34 years of age, he is at the right time of his career to really fit in and compliment what we have," Wilson added.

Hahn asked Wilson whether or not the Olympic trade freeze Feb 12-28th would accelerate deadline moves leading up to the March 3rd NHL trade deadline. "It (will). A lot of teams, the sellers of players, try to dictate what the market will be," Wilson said. "They have an obvious motivation to move the player before so they do not have to carry the money." On the flip side, "The guys looking to add pieces, you don't want to held at the last moment not getting a player that you want. A lot of these deals don't happen over night, there are conversations back and forth."

Hahn also finished by asking Wilson whether or not there would be a future trade for the San Jose Sharks. Locally, Doug Wilson is well known for not discussing opposing team's players or speculating about trades. Apparently, outside of San Jose a trade denial can actually mean something else. This blog once walked passed Wilson while he was declining to talk about a trade to an out of town reporter, while at the same time a radio clip of Wilson declining to talk about a trade on KNBR was overheard from a nearby office. Asked if he was done yet, "You never know" was the reply Wilson gave Randy Hahn.

Wallin finished his first game as a Shark with 1 blocked shot, and 17:10 of ice time in 23 shifts (all but 1 with Dan Boyle). The Sharks moved to a more traditional 12 forward 6 defenseman lineup, instead of the 11 forward 7 d lineup they used against Nashville. Speaking to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, Doug Wilson also mentioned comments from several of Wallin's teammates in Carolina, similar to the research he did prior to trading for Dany Heatley in the offseason. "There are a lot of mutual friends that speak really highly of him as a teammate and competitor... Whether it be Arturs Irbe or Bret Hedican, for example. We know about him as a person and as a teammate, and he's always played his best hockey in the playoffs," Wilson told LeBrun. Hurricanes teammate Bret Hedican was hired as an NHL analyst this season by Comcast Sportsnet California.

Much of the speculation in the leadup to the trade turned out to be accurate, but news that Wallin's agent initially declined waive a no-trade clause in pursuit of a contract extension deserves more investigation and a second look. In San Jose land, former captain and one-time NHL goal scoring leader Patrick Marleau, and 2010 Team Russia starting Olympic goaltender Evgeni Nabokov are monster UFA's after this season. Both are apparently in "wait-and-see" modes with the organization, and based on past results neither team nor player are insulted by waiting until the posteason plays out. Center Manny Malhotra, leading the NHL in faceoffs, signed a deal at less than market value to join a Stanley Cup favorite and based on performance is first in line for a raise next season. A large multi-year contract offered to defenseman Kent Huskins also makes negotiating a long-term extension more difficult. The Sharks are in full "put up, or shut up" mode this season, from the top down.

Wallin noted to the News Observer that it was a bittersweet move to be traded to San Jose, leaving behind the only NHL team he had played for in 9 seasons. "This is my team, I'm really proud of what I've been a part of here," Wallin said. "When you hear the term 'heart and soul' of a team, he's one of those guys who's such a big part of what we do," former Carolina teammate Matt Cullen said of Wallin.

[Update] Sharks Off To Sweden, Douglas Murray and Niclas Wallin will play host when San Jose opens next year in Sweden - SJsharks.com.

An unprecedented six NHL teams – the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild and Phoenix Coyotes– will open the 2010-11 NHL regular season by playing six games in Europe as part of 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere™ and NHL Face-Off, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today. It will be the fourth straight year the NHL will begin the regular-season with games contested overseas...

The Blue Jackets similarly will be making their first European appearance in franchise history when they play in Stockholm. Columbus has two Swedish Olympians, Fredrik Modin and Sammy Pahlsson, and two other Swedish players in defenseman Anton Stralman and left wing Kristian Huselius. Meanwhile the Sharks return to overseas play after a two-game regular season series against the Calgary Flames in Tokyo in Oct. 1998. The Sharks feature defenseman and Swedish Olympian Douglas Murray, who is originally from the Stockholm district of Bromma, and the recently acquired Niclas Wallin.

Pete Sampras drops exhibition match to Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-6 -- holds court with media on retirement, USA Tennis, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer

2010-02-09T07:24:00.000-08:00

PETE SAMPRAS UNCORKED A 124 MPH SERVE IN 1ST SET AGAINST VERDASCO

ATP #11 RANKED FERNANDO VERDASCO RETURNS A SERVE IN THE 2ND SET

SAMPRAS ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA IN A POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE

Spurred on by the recent Australian Open and the SAP Open men's tournament beginning this week, local players have been swarming tennis courts in the brief moments between major winter storm systems. Monday night, 5,948 fans braved the rain to watch #11-ranked Fernando Verdasco down 14-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras 6-3, 7-6 (2) in an exhibition match at HP Pavilion.

Sampras, a 2-time SAP Open tournament champion in 1996 and 1997, dropped the first game to Verdasco but he answered on serve 40-0. On his next service game, a volley wide and a double fault gave the Spaniard a break and a 3-1 lead. A fit and mobile 26-year old Verdasco was a machine on the court, with footwork setting up his groundstrokes and solid return of serves. The heavily partisan crowd tried to will a slower 38-year old Sampras back into the first set, but a tweaked calf muscle did not help his efforts to revive the serve-and-volley of old. "It took me a few games to figure it out, by the second, I said I'm not playing a match for a few more months, so go for it," Sampras said in post-game press conference. Up 40-15, he mixed it up with a 115 mph spin serve out wide to make it 4-2.

Sampras punctuated another game with a 124mph serve to push Verdasco to 5-3 in the first set, but the result was a foregone conclusion. A blistering Verdasco forehand dropped into the far court like it fell off a table, a glimpse of what it is like when the dial is turned up to 10. Verdasco took the first set 6-3. He was an integral part of Spain's 2008 and 2009 Davis Cup winning teams, and he stormed through Radek Stepanek, Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before losing a 5-set thiller in the 2009 Australian Open semifinals to Rafael Nadal. The 5 hour, 14 minute long match was labeled by many as one of the best of the year.

Pete Sampras was popping his serve to start the second set. 127 mph and 129 mph aces were 2 of 9 total for the match, and another at 120 mph forced a return into the net. He started making his way to the net more, but a left-handed Verdasco matched him pace for pace. After a dig Sampras volley cut just over the net later in the set, Verdasco called out to the crowd "let me see a replay." But the moment was shortlived. Timing and instincts honed from regular Tour play eluded Sampras, who shook his racquet after one missed ground stroke and stared blankly at a linesman after looking flat-footed on another Verdasco ace.

Up 6-5 and trying to force a third set, Sampras could not dent the Verdasco serve. In the second set tiebreak, an errant ground stroke on a long rally and a forehand volley wide gave an early lead to Fernando. With a Sampras double-fault thrown in, the match ended at 57 minutes with a 6-3, 7-6 (2) exhibition win for SAP Open #2 seed Fernando Verdasco. On the court after the match, Sampras told HP Pavilion announcer Danny Miller that Verdasco was a "tough" opponent who is capable of winning a major. Miller responded by mentioning that when Sampras adds his 2 SAP Open titles to his 14 Grand Slams, he is tied with world #1 Roger Federer.

In the night session finale, American Wayne Odesnik fought off a first set bagel and won a second set tiebreak before losing to 6-foot-5 Czech Tomas Berdych in 3 sets, 6-1, 6-7(5), 7-5. Odesnik started to open up more from the baseline as the match progressed. Berdych has a heavy, flat serve. In other Day 1 Singles results Isreal's Dudi Sela defeated Columbia's Santiago Giraldo 7-6(2) 7-6(4), Argentinian Leonardo Mayer defeated Latvian Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 6-4, Finland's Jarkko Nieminen defeated Germany's Lars Poerschke 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin defeated American Ryan Harrison 6-2, 7-5, and American Taylor Dent defeated Qualifier Alex Bogomolov Jr 6-4, 7-6(2). In Doubles action, Haas-Stepanek defeated Cerretani-Kohlmann 6-3, 6-3, and Fish-Querrey defeated Ginepri-Rettenmaier 6-3, 6-4. The SAP Open's top seeded Andy Roddick, and second seed Fernando Verdasco, return to action Wednesday at the Tank. Fourth seed Tommy Haas and seventh seed Sam Querry take the court Tuesday.

A photo gallery from the SAP Open Day 1 night session is available here.

[Update] In a post-exhibition interview with reporters, Pete Sampras discussed his retirement, the state of American tennis, recent comments made by Agassi in his auto-biography, whether Roger Federer should be considered the greatest tennis player of all-time, and several other topics.

A selected transcript is available below:

[Q] How was it out there?

[A] It was a little frustrating, I was having a hard time getting to his service games. His serve was tricky for me to get a hold of it. Sometimes he would spin it in, sometimes he would press to 135, so it kept me off balance. It was frustrating, I couldn't get any rythmn in the service games from the offensive side. I felt pretty good with the serve and volley. When I was broken, I was a little taken aback by a 3-all point. I double faulted, it was a little downhill... I got broken and I felt I could just never get into his service games. It is harder for me to just play defense. It is harder for me to move. He is a tricky player, he plays with a lot of spin. Tricky serves and second serves, give him a short forehand and you are done. He is tough, he is the real deal. He was seventh in the world last year. He is right there, he can win a major. Obviously he is not one of the main guys, but he is a good player.

He strings it real loose, real light. He just whips it and controls it. It is a tough ball to get back. All these guys, you look at a guy like Nadal, it is a tricky game to play against. That Luxilon string, it is tough to play.

[Q] Did your calf loosen up in the second?

[A] It did. I felt a little twinge. It sort of took me a few games to figure it out. I said I am not playing a match for 3 more months so I would go for it.

[Q] Can you describe what you meant by your Hall of Fame induction comments, 'I'm a tennis player, nothing more and nothing less'?

[A] It was a just a comment that I wanted to end it with, that I am a tennis player. I wasn't an entertainer in that way. I looked at what I did as a profession, and it was very pure to me. I didn't get involved in the whole image/entertainment part of the sport. I was just a tennis player. That was the way I came into the game, that was the way I left the game. I did some nice things in the middle. It was just my way of ending the speech, 'nothing more, nothing less than a tennis player." That was the way I felt good about ending it.

[Q] Looking back on your career, and on your visit to the Wimbledon final last year, how do you look back on yourself now since it has been a few years since you left the sport?

[A] When I was at the finals I was amazed at how well Roger and Andy played, it was a great tennis match. But you look back at my career and my time at Wimbledon, and what I looked out there, how dominant I was and what I did on the court. It was reflected a little bit in that 5 hour tennis match, on my game and the 7 titles I won there. The game has changed, I am pretty removed from it. I still play a little here and there, coming up here is fun for me. Fernando is a tough deal for me, but I hope fans enjoyed it. It was a good night.

[Q] On the 2010 Australian Open...

[A] The final of a major, Roger can play a bad match here and there, but in the final of a major the great ones really tighten it up. I have seen some highlights, it was like target practice. Andy wasn't offensive enough, he didn't make it happen. You give enough forehands to Roger and he is going to hurt you... you put Roger in the final and he is going to be tough to beat.

[Q] Can you talk about the general demise that Tiger Woods experienced?

[A] All I am going to say about it is that it is a sad situation. I don't know Tiger all that well. You just feel for his wife and kids.

[Q] Can you talk about the state of American tennis after Andy Roddick?

[A] Sure it would be great to have more Americans in the top-15 or top-20. After Andy it is a little thin. We have (John) Isner, who is coming along, and (Sam) Querry is there. Fans and the media were a little spoiled in the 90's. With myself, Andre and Jimmy, it was a pretty rare group of guys. Now we are looking for our next champion, our next #1 guy. People are looking, but its a little thin. We are pretty good, not where we want to be, but it might take 5 years or 20 years. It is hard to say. Andy is our leader, and he came so close in that Wimbledon final. It would have been huge for him. James is slowing down a little bit, it is looking a little thin.

[Q] A down period?

[A] It is a cycle, a down cycle... The game is all around the world, so you have a lot of great players. Tennis in the U.S. is still very popular, but it is competing with basketball, baseball and football. It is a tough go, it is going to take some time.

[Q] Did you have a conversation with Andre about comments he made about you in his book?

[A] We did... He talked, and I listened. If anyone is a bad tipper, it is him. I gave him so many lessons over the years. We talked about it, I didn't read the book, he said he wanted me to read the book before I commented on it. I got wind of a few things here and there. Listen, it is not a big deal. The book is what he says and does. With me, we are above all that, taking shots. I certainly could have taken my shots at Andre over the years in my book, but I chose not to. He choose to be a little more open and honest about a lot of things, that is his choice. I was a little surprised, but I still like the guy. I have no ill feelings toward Andre, but I was a little surprised he went down that road.

I like Andre, if I see him in here I would not walk the other way. I think it freaked him out a little how I did my thing, or certainly it messed with his head that I was able to maintain my focus. To me it wasn't a big deal but he was amazed by it. So I may have been a little on the quiet side, he couldn't understand that. I think, why can't you understand that. That is what Borg did, that is what Roger did, it is something that is very normal to me.

I don't know if he was distracted or not, everything was very sensitive, everything was a big deal. (On Andre saying he hated tennis) Tennis has been pretty good to me, I am flying home on a private jet. I am not going to complain about it. About some of his comments, I think they came from his childhood, the situation with his father. At the same time, you are complaining about being world famous and making a lot of money. It is a good life, I wouldn't trade it.

It was a positive (conversation). It was fine. It was cordial. He said what he needed to say, and I told him where I was at. It wasn't a big deal, I don't want to give this any more power than it is. I know (he said a lot of good things too). Hearing some of the negative things, you know the press wants to talk about the negative things... I am going to go overseas, maybe I will bring it with me and open (his book) up.

[Q] If you had a chance to write your book, would you do it any differently or is there a sort of lockerroom code?

[A] No, it is not my style. I didn't want to offend anyone. I was sensitive to my family's feelings, I was sensitive to other players. I could have gone down that road but I chose not to. It wasn't about that for me, it was about how I became a champion. The publisher wanted me to write about that stuff, but I want a book that my kids can read that I am proud of, that was my choice. I didn't write a book where I could make a lot of money. It was something I wanted to be proud of... where my kids could understand me as a tennis player.

[Q] Can Roger Federer win a calender year Grand Slam?

[A] Anything is possible. It is not probable. The French is going to be a big one for him to defend that. You look at all these Verdasco's and Nadal's, I think it is possible with Roger. He needs to follow the plan. He needs a good draw, he needs good luck, he needs great weather. Anything is possible. The French will be a real tough hurdle. Wimbeldon will be tough, it is not going to be easy. He is a freak of nature.

[Q] His streak in the semis of 23 straight Grand Slams, do you think that people pay enough attention to that record? People reference DiMaggio.

[A] It is sick. To be that consistent on all surfaces... it is mind boggling.

[Q] Outside of exhibitions like this, are you still looking to be involved in tennis?

[A] It is tough to find out what to do. I talked to the USTA about trying to help out a little bit. We are sort of on different pages on that. If I am going to be doing some things, I want to be compensated for my time. They are on a different page with that. I am in to helping some young juniors and pros, I do know what I am doing out there. I talked to Pat McEnroe a few times. He is on a different page. I am cool with that. I thought about an academy or whatever, I have tossed that idea around. Tennis is a tricky sport to retire and to try to figure out what is next. Golf you can design clubs our course, in team sports you can get into different things, in tennis it is tricky. You play for awhile, and then what do you do. You are not going to own a tournament. I am not into putting on a coat and tie. It really is just playing a little bit, getting involved and giving back in some way. I have time on my hands. If the USTA wants to step up a little bit, I will make a champion.

I live in LA, there is a facility in Carson that is not too far away. I have a lot of time. I find myself hitting with a lot of these younger guys, like I have the last few weeks and few years. I want to help these guys, they are so green. I see in their game and in their attitudes that they need a change. I am not one to tell a kid this is what you need to do, but I'm available for services. When the phone doesn't ring, I know it's them.

[Q] Besides the fame and the wealth, what more did you derive from the game of tennis and what kept you going for so long?

[A] I look at the years that I was the best player in the world, and the grind and the stress, I felt it took some time to get there but that I showed good character when times were tough. Physically going through some things I just felt that I did not sell out, I did it my way. I look back at the tough years, and the grinding and getting massages until 3 in the morning, icing down, it was tough, but I was able to look back at those years and think that I did well. I was proud of myself, and that is not an easy thing for me to say.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Niclas Wallin and 5th round draft pick traded to San Jose for 2010 2nd, NHL Olympic trade freeze looms February 12-28th

2010-02-07T13:40:00.001-08:00

CAROLINA HURRICANES DEFENSEMAN #7 NICLAS WALLIN (47GP, 0G, 5A, 26PIM)

UPDATE: According to the News Observer blog, Hurricanes defenseman Niclas Wallin was traded to the Sharks along with a 5th round draft selection in 2010 for the San Jose Sharks 2nd round draft pick in 2010 (acquired from Buffalo). Confirmed via San Jose Sharks official twitter account.

"Niclas is a playoff-hardened, veteran player with lots of postseason experience and a Stanley Cup ring. Good, solid character players are hard to come by and we think he will complement our existing group very well. He has a history of playing his best when the games mean the most," San Jose Sharks EVP and general manager Doug Wilson told NHL.com.

After trade talks were recent rumored to be called off, reports were surfacing earlier today that San Jose Sharks EVP/GM Doug Wilson was still interested in trading for the services of 34-year old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Niclas Wallin. San Jose Mercury News beat writer David Pollak noted on his blog last night after a 4-3 win over Nashville that the Sharks were still interested in Wallin. "Those conversations that would bring Niclas Wallin from Carolina to San Jose are back on again, according to a source familiar with the situation," Pollak said.

After TSN's James Duthie and Darren Dreger broke the news via twitter Wednesday night that the Sharks were interested in Wallin, trade talks apparently broke down with multiple sources in Carolina reporting Friday that the pending trade was "no longer pending". Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford told Chip Alexander of the News Observer that, "There is no trade." According to Alexander, the apparent 24-hour window for the trade fell through when Wallin did not waive his no-trade clause. Wallin was scratched in a 4-3 win over Buffalo on Friday, and in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Islanders.

Bob Harwood Waeghe at the Canes Country blog noted Thursday that the sticking point in the talks might be the length of the contract extension San Jose is willing to sign. Canes Country cited a radio interview with Hurricanes radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Kaiton, where Kaiton believed the Sharks wanted to sign the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Wallin to a 2-year deal where the defenseman and his agent Paul Theofanous only wanted 1. Kaiton believed a good return for Wallin would be a second round draft pick (in a good, but not great draft).

ESPN insider Pierre LeBrun blogged today that, "Wallin has a no-trade clause, and it's believed he was seeking a contract extension to waive it." The Swedish-born Wallin is playing in the final year of a four-year, $6.9 million contract he signed with the Hurricanes in 2006.

For their part, the Sharks put up results earning 11 out of a possible 12 points in Boyle's 6-game absence due to a lower body injury, but scrambly losses to Chicago and Detroit highlighted possible weaknesses on the blueline. Minute eating defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was also injured in the first period against Chicago, and the Sharks were forced to mix up all three D pairs with the addition of Worcester Sharks callups Jason Demers and Derek Joslin. Rookie Demers put forth his worst performance in the NHL to date against Chicago, with mistakes directly and indirectly leading to Blackhawks goals and scoring chances. He rebounded with his first 2 goal performance of the season against Minnesota, but management in San Jose has to be eyeing Demers with a focus on the postseason.

The Sharks were blessed with a puck moving element on each defensive pair last season (Boyle, Blake/Vlasic, Ehrhoff), and the result was 4 defenseman registering 30 or more assists for only the 4th time in NHL history. The Sharks needed to clear salary for Dany Heatley, and a significant portion of the blueline was turned over with the loss of Ehrhoff, Lukowich and Semenov. San Jose moved hulking Douglas Murray up to the top pair with Dan Boyle with great results, but Rob Blake and Marc-Edouard Vlasic have struggled to maintain their production from last season on the second pairing. Kent Huskins, who signed a 2-year, $3.4 million dollar contract with San Jose in the offseason, started on the third pair with rookie offensive-defenseman Jason Demers.

Demers registered a goal and 12 assists in his first two months of play, but a lack of intensity in his own zone and inconsistent play have been problems. Derek Joslin, whom this blog labeled a polished depth defenseman in the past, has taken a half a step back in his development this season. A fleet of foot skater with adequate size, positioning and defensive zone coverage have been problems for Joslin as well. Enter veteran defenseman Jay Leach, who was claimed off waivers from Montreal on December 1st. With Montreal responsible for half of his $475,000 cap hit, Leach quickly developed chemistry on the third pairing with Huskins.

The Sharks are tight against the NHL's $56.8 million cap for 2009-10, with a pair of websites placing them with roughly a million plus in space (prorated for season in progress). Not taken into account by either website are San Jose's near daily transaction wire manipulations. According to an excellent article by David Pollak, on January 16th the Sharks registered 76 seperate transactions, "three times the league average and 28 more than the next busiest team." The Sharks made 9 more transactions from January 16th to February 1st. San Jose has rotated in AHL forwards Frazer McLaren, Benn Ferriero, Ryan Vesce, Logan Couture, John McCarthy, Steve Zalewski and defenseman Jason Demers, Derek Joslin and Joe Callahan to make incremental improvements on the bottom line and provide enough cap room for a deadline trade or an emergency maneuver.

The acquisition of Niclas Wallin helps the Sharks blueline short and long term. In the near term, Wallin can buttress the defense in Marc-Edouard Vlasic's absence. Down the stretch run and in the postseason, Wallin could create a 3-person battle for playing time on the third pair with veterans Kent Huskins and Jay Leach. According to Hockey Forecaster, Wallin is described as a defenseman who "plays a smart game in the defensive zone and makes few mistakes with the puck."

A depth move by San Jose, the Sharks are looking for simple, sound fundamental play from Wallin early. Short chips off the wall and out of the zone, gauging how much time he has to play the puck, use of the body and stick to prevent a clear path to the crease. With the NHL Olympic trade freeze from February 12-28th, that leaves precious little time for GM Doug Wilson and the rest of the NHL to make a move before the March 3rd NHL trade deadline. Whether this is the last, or just the latest, tweak by Wilson remains to be seen.

[Update] San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson ready for annual trade dance - Mark Purdy for the San Jose Mercury News.

[Update2] Wilson Brings Blueliner From CarolinaSharks Add Cup Winning Defenseman - SJsharks.com.

This year is an odd year for the NHL’s annual trade deadline as there is a hiatus during the Olympics and then there are only three days for trades following the break. "It's important to have time to integrate someone into the team," said Wilson. "He understands how to play with good players."

A strong part of the trade is the Sharks were able to acquire a player with Wallin's qualities without having to deplete their roster. "It worked out, we wanted to add to our team and not subtract from it," said Wilson.

[Update3] San Jose Sharks acquire defenseman Niclas Wallin from Carolina Hurricanes - San Jose Mercury News. Pollak noted via his blog that Wallin is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow night when the Sharks visit Toronto.