Month: October 2015

Sharks @ Stars 151031

TV: CSN CA
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Sharks Radio Network

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Sigh.  Wednesday’s game showed they can fight and be competitive, but they weren’t able to get more than one behind Rinne.  Jones is taking blame for the loss.

The Sharks hit the road for back-to-back games before returning home next week.  On Saturday, they’re in Texas; Sunday Colorado. Sharks recalled Bryan Lerg and Dylan DeMelo to bolster the roster as they’re traveling.

Dallas is leading the Central division with 16 points.  They are on a two-game winning streak.  Jamie Benn is leading the league in points and goals. Dallas is 2nd in PP (27.3%); 10th in PK (85.7%). Sharks are 25th in PP (11.1%) and tied for 16th in PK (80%), in comparison.

Sharks will be facing former Sharks Jason Demers (traded for Brendan Dillon last fall) and Antti Niemi. Niemi is 5-1 this season and has won his last four starts.

DeBoer did not tip his hand which goalie will be starting in Dallas, but with back-to-back games, it’s likely both Stalock and Jones will get starts this weekend.

Sharks vs Predators 151028

TV: NBCSN
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Sharks got the day off on Sunday, and had practice Monday and Tuesday heading into Wednesday’s game.  Lerg, McCarthy and Mueller were returned to the Barracuda, leaving exactly 20 on the roster. And everyone’s healthy, so everyone dresses for the game tonight. (Late update: Mueller recalled per AHL transactions)

The Predators have been forced on the road due to the CMA awards and are facing all three California teams on this trip. Sharks are up first.

There are three games on the schedule tonight, and the Sharks-Predators is the only night game, and on national TV.

Jones scheduled to start for the Sharks.  Guessing it’ll be Rinne for the Preds.

Sharks vs Hurricanes 151024

TV: CSN CA
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Sharks Radio Network

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Last game, the Sharks looked like their energy was still on the road as they could not solve backup Enroth, and fell 1-4 to the Kings on Thursday. Ward had the lone tally; Sharks were 0-5 on the man advantage and gave up two PPG in four kills.  And there was a big scare with Jumbo tripped up where he hit his head, and wobbly headed back to the bench; he missed the rest of the period, all the intermission and the beginning of the next in concussion protocols, but did return to play, to the relief of all Shark fans.

Next up: Carolina Hurricanes.  On Friday, they faced the Kings and lost 3-0.  They are 2-5-0 and 7th in the Metropolitan Division.  In seven games, they’ve only scored 12 goals, while giving up 20.  May be a cure for breaking the Sharks’ three game losing streak.

Martin and Donskoi, as well as Smith, may return to the line up Saturday night.  Further updates may be available after morning skate.  Haley was returned to the Barracuda Friday; Lerg and Mueller are still with the Sharks.

Update: John McCarthy recalled; Donskoi, Smith confirmed still out. Martin returns to lineup.

Barracuda vs Gulls 151023

Deja vu.  The Gulls and Barracuda tangle again, 48 hours after their last encounter.  (The Barracuda leave immediately after the game to head to Ontario for a Saturday evening game.)

Stollery suspended for one game for his elbow in Wednesday’s game.  Haley reassigned to Barracuda.  (Lerg may be returning as well with Donskoi, Smith, and Martin potentially back in the NHL lineup.)

7pm game – doors open at 6:15.

Barracuda twitter list | Opponent twitter | Barracuda preview

AHL game summary | Barracuda recap | Gackle Report recap

The guys still seem to be looking for the perfect pass, the perfect SOG.  Not gonna happen.  Especially with a NHL-caliber goalie in net.  Gotta get the dirty goals, the fast shots to even have a chance.

There were some fireworks tonight, starting with Bickel vs Arseneau about 90 seconds into the contest.  That set the tone for a lot of physicality, with a parade to the penalty box, primarily for the Barracuda.

Gulls won on the shot clock, zone time and on the scoreboard.

Little time to lick their wounds, as the guys boarded a bus after the game for an overnight trip to Ontario to face the Reign Saturday 6pm.

Sharks vs Kings 151022

TV: CSN CA
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Sharks return home from their four-game road trip, trying to reverse their two-game losing streak, and overcoming the list of injuries.  Couture is out for another 3-5 weeks; Martin returned to practice, but won’t be available tonight; Donskoi also has returned to practice, but is another still out.

Lerg was recalled from the Barracuda.

Jones will be facing his former team for the second time, first time on his (new) home ice.  Christian Ehrhoff will be patrolling the blue line for his new team, returning to former home environs.

One major topic of discussion on the concourse tonight will be the traffic heading to Levi Stadium for a Thursday football game that fans had to avoid to get to SAP Center.

Barracuda vs Gulls 151021

After notching a couple of wins on the road, the Barracuda return home to host the San Diego Gulls, affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks.

Barracuda roster is variable, based on the health of Sharks players (potential return of Goldobin and Lerg, based on health of Donskoi and Smith, respectively), Karlsson (potential season debut after lower body injury), and Bergman (food poisoning).

Roster update: Goldobin, Lerg, DeMelo assigned to Barracuda; Haley, Mueller recalled. And Karlsson expected to play.

Barracuda twitter list | Opponent twitter | Barracuda preview

AHL game summary | Barracuda recap | Gackle Report recap

A much better game, but after putting up a two goal lead, an own goal at the end of the first started the downturn.

The Barracuda were on the PK seemingly most of the night, with only two PP themselves.  (Lots of uncalled stuff.)

Karlsson looked OK for his return to play, but did not have the stamina for a full game.

Lerg was good after his demotion, a little ball of energy getting involved with a lot.

McCarthy interacted well with the zebras (and Lerg may have been one of those receiving an infraction).  There was one incident that resulted in a Gulls player receiving a big hit (and taken off the ice, under his own power), heading to the medical side for review.  (Did not notice if he returned to the game.)  The Zebras huddled, but no infractions were doled out.

There were perhaps 1,500 planned for attendance, but it seemed smaller than that.  And cold.  (Will definitely pack a layer or two for week day games in the future.)

Barracuda @ Condors 151017

Barracuda got on the bus to central California to face the affiliate of the NHL Edmonton Oilers, the Bakersfield Condors.

Julius Bergman made his season debut. Dell in nets.

Barracuda twitter list | Opponent twitter

AHL game summary | Barracuda recap

Some crazy non-goals and goals (that perhaps should have been the other way ’round), but the Cuda prevail 4-3 in regulation.  Haley had two goals (named #1 SOTG), Dell made 30 saves.

Sharks @ Rangers 151019

TV: CSN CA
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Sharks Radio Network

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Against the Islanders on Saturday, Stalock got the start on the second game of back-to-backs; DeMelo made his NHL debut. But the team only played (strong) 40 minutes, going off the rails in the third, losing 6-3, including an empty netter.  D Martin out with lower body injury (after skating 30+ minutes the night before).  Smith hit in ear by (Vlasic) slap shot and did not return to play. Hearing that Bryan Lerg has been recalled (I guess for Smith).

Rangers played the Devils Sunday afternoon, so the Sharks are the “rested” team going into Monday’s game. Former Shark Dan Boyle not surprised has been a recent healthy scratch, but pundits now bemoan the contract, cap hit, and NMC. The Rangers have lost their last three games including a 1-2 OT loss to the Devils. Stoll returned to the lineup Sunday, but that was not enough of a spark.  The only player not being criticized is Lundqvist; there is some thought that Lundqvist may get the start on Monday, even though he played Sunday (and all games thus far), but Raanta could be the starter, against the “Jumbo Shrimps”. At 3-2-1, the coach does not want his team to go below 0.500.

Morning skate update: Martin Jones vs Antti Raanta tonight.  Paul Martin, Joonas Donskoi, Ben Smith out.

Sharks @ Islanders 151017

TV: CSN CA
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Sharks Radio Network

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Friday night, while Martin Jones was setting a new Sharks shutout record at 234:33, enroute to a 2-1 SO win, the Islanders were at home on the couch. Nikolay Goldobin made his NHL debut, and Ben Smith made his season debut. The Sharks perfect PK record ended as well.  (The Sharks are leading the Pacific Division as of Friday night.)  (Couture has returned to California and is set for surgery on Saturday to repair his broken leg; out 4-6 weeks.)

Islanders are 2-1-1 on the season. (2-0-1 at home) Former Shark Thomas Griess, signed as an UFA this summer as the back up goalie, has been holding down the fort while #1 goalie Jaroslav Halak has been recovering from an upper body injury suffered during training camp. Halak may make his season debut Saturday, based on how Friday’s practice went. The Islanders claimed G Berube off waivers who has backed up Griess thus far; they plan to keep three goalies on the roster for now.

Given the back-to-back games, Stalock may be starting for the Sharks.

(May update after morning skate)