141231 – Sharks @ Ducks (pre and post)

Sharks didn’t have morning skate due to the  back-to-back games and 5pm start. (And I had a crazy day so the pre and post game blog entries are combined.)

Sharks skated with discipline and determination, after Haley took on Jackman, scoring 4 (with one waived off); with Niemi not allowing anything into his net.

One continuing concern is that excluding the two Joes, it was more than 190 minutes (3+ games) that someone else scored.  It was finally broken when Couture notched an empty net late in the third.

And Niemi had his 30th career shut out.

Hopefully of lesser concern is that early in the first period, Thornton left the ice after a big hit from Stoner; he did not return.  Postgame, McLellan says that it’s not significant. Heal fast, Jumbo.

Pavelski notched two goals (including a key 5-on-3 power play at the start of the 3rd); Couture the empty net.

In off ice news, the Sharks have signed 2014 draftee Rourke Chartier to an entry level deal. And in the WJC, prospects Bergman (and Bergvik) – Sweden and Goldobin – Russia are advancing to the quarterfinals, while Mueller and Rod – Swizterland are heading to relegation.

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Hockey Fights

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Anaheim Ducks

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SBN: Anaheim Calling

141231 – WJC Switzerland vs Sweden

Day 6 – four games on the schedule.   Group B game of interest for Sharks fans features Swizterland (Mueller, Rod) vs Sweden (Bergman).

No games New Year’s day.  Quarterfinal games start on Friday.  (Sweden’s in.  Russia’s in.  Switzerland is waiting on the final group B game to see if they’re in.)

Pictures from tournament

Switzerland vs Sweden – RecapRosterGame SummarySwiss Player statsSwedish Play Stats

  • Swiss Sharks prospects – Mirco Mueller #5; Noah Rod #26
  • Swedish Sharks prospects – Julius Bergman #7 (Bergvik did not dress)
  • CP recap

 

141230 – WJC Switzerland vs Denmark

Day 5 – two games on the schedule.   Group B game features Swizterland (Mueller, Rod) vs Denmark.

Pictures from tournament

Switzerland vs Denmark – RecapRosterGame SummarySwiss Player stats

  • Swiss Sharks prospects – Mirco Mueller #5; Noah Rod #26
  • CP recap

Sweden’s Bergman talks about his CHL teammate Domi and Swedish teammate Nylander

Sharks: Goldobin showing skill

141230 – postgame Canucks @ Sharks

Pregame news/links

Sharks just did not put out as much effort with as much care/precision as the Canucks.

Best thing: Thornton notching a penalty shot (on the exact fifth anniversary of his previous penalty shot).

Sharks started the night tied with three other teams at 43 points, and ended it losing ground to multiple teams in the Pacific Division.

Hansen fined $5k for hit to Wingels’ head.

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San Francisco Chronicle

Gilroy Dispatch recap

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SBN: Nucks Misconduct

141230 – pregame Canucks vs Sharks 7pm

TV: CSN CA

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

Sharks have been off since loss Saturday in LA.  They’ve had two practices in preparation for Tuesday’s game.

Canucks lost to Anaheim on Sunday evening.

Stalock starting for Sharks; Nieto returns to the lineup. Miller appears to be starter for Canucks.

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141229 – WJC Sweden vs Russia

Day 4 – four games on the schedule.  One Group B game features Sharks prospects playing against each other.

And thanks to the wonders of “set” schedules, I only saw the last 10 minutes of the game. At least they were exciting/entertaining and I saw the GWG.

Pictures from tournament

Sweden vs Russia – RecapRosterGame SummarySwedish Player statsRussian Player stats

  • Russia’s Sharks prospect – Nikolai Goldobin #11
  • Swedish Sharks prospects – Julius Bergman #7, Frederik Bergvik-did not dress
  • CP recap
  • Russian forward suspended one game for hit on Swiss player

141228 – WJC Switzerland vs Russia

Day 3 – just two games on the schedule.  The Group B game features Sharks prospects playing against each other

Pictures from tournament

The Russians dominated in the first with three goals.

The Swiss team held the Russians off the scoreboard early in the 2nd after their teammate was knocked down and taken off the ice, but they were unsuccessful on the subsequent five minute power play. The Russians came back in the remaining portion of the second, and notched two more goals.

In the third, the Swiss pressured hard, but could not get past the Russian goalie, while the Russians added two more.

Switzerland vs Russia – RecapRosterGame SummarySwiss Player statsRussian Player stats

Sharks articles on WJC

141227 – postgame Sharks @ Kings

Pregame news/links

Well, that wasn’t the uplifting, fun game I was hoping for after Christmas break.

Sharks did play a decent first period, but seemed to have a bit of a let down in the rest of the game, not being able to match the Kings work level, and could not keep them off the score sheet on the power play.

Four days without practice = not a good thing.

Guys are back on the ice Sunday morning for practice in SJ (and another practice Monday) before Tuesday’s game against  Vancouver.

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AP Recap

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SBN: Jewels in the Crown

141227 – WJC Sweden vs Denmark, Switzerland vs Czech Republic

Day 2 – two games of interest for Sharks fans.

Pictures from tournament

NHL.com recap of group B day 2

Sweden vs Denmark – RecapRosterGame SummarySweden Player stats

Swizterland vs Czech Republic – RecapRosterGame SummarySwitzerland Player stats

Off day for Team Russia

141227 – pregame Sharks @ Kings 7:00pm

TV:  NBCSN

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

The NHL had a 3 day break; the Sharks have been off for four.  Saturday morning, the Sharks will gather and fly to LA.

John Scott will not be available. He had a phone hearing Christmas Eve, and was suspended by the league four games for hitting unsuspecting Anaheim Ducks’ Jackman and knocking him flat on his keister.  The Sharks recalled forward Micheal Haley on Friday, for toughness, especially in the upcoming games against the Kings and Ducks.

Mirco Mueller won’t be available either; he’s been loaned to Team Switzerland in the IIHF World Junior Championships. Team Switzerland’s first game is on Saturday (they had a big win with Mueller getting assist; Noah Rod, Sharks 2nd round pick, had GWG and assist).

Appears to be Niemi vs Quick in net. Haley probably making Sharks debut tonight.

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