Month: November 2015

Barracuda vs Stars 151129

Barracuda want to get a home win streak going. (And the Stars would like to redeem their weekend with a split.)

With Grosenick starting on Saturday, guessing that Dell will start on Sunday.

DeMelo and Haley assigned to Barracuda.

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Improvement over past losses: team did not collapse when giving up first goal(s), they did not get shut out, they kept working.

But a few bad penalties, missed opportunities (including the PP and penalty shot opportunities) pushed the team to under 0.500 again.  Currently ranked 6th (of 7) in division.

Team has the day off Monday before heading back to the ice on Tuesday to prep for Friday’s home game against Stockton.

Barracuda vs Stars 151128

Home again. Second double header of the season on Saturday.

Team is traveling on Thanksgiving, and should practice Friday before hosting the Texas Stars on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Texas is the AHL affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars.

Two wins this weekend, and the Barracuda would be in a playoff position.

Crane assigned to ECHL Allen.  Gallant out injured.

Update: DeMelo recalled

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Barracuda came from behind twice (2-0 and 3-1), scoring four in the second, and notched only their second home win.  Goldobin scored two; Bergman got the game winner – his first pro goal – in the final minute of the third period.

Teams are back at it on Sunday afternoon.

Sharks vs Flames 151128

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Sharks finally notched a power play goal on home ice, but fall to 3-6-0 at home, losing to the defending Stanley Cup champions. Disappointing, but not the end of the world.

However, there were a few casualties.  Hertl and Wingels were benched for the third period, and called out at Thursday practice.

Braun is out from a staph infection (elbow); no timetable for return.  But it provides an opportunity for Tennyson to show his worth.  Couture is still out after his broken leg, but participated in a full practice with the team on Friday.

On the other side, are the Flames, played Friday in Arizona (losing in OT) before their Saturday game in San Jose. They are sixth in the Pacific Division, 29th in league, with a 3-8-2 road record. Can Sam Bennett be the Flames’ savior?

Ramo played Friday, so logical guess is that Hiller will be the starter for the Flames.

And I’m guessing that Jones will get the start.

Update: DeMelo recalled

Sharks vs Blackhawks 151125

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Sharks come off of a very successful road trip (sixth team in NHL history to sweep 6+ game road trip).  Patrick Marleau scored his 1000th point (and counting).  And the team swept a 6-game road trip for the first time in franchise history. And Couture has started skating (I’d estimate he won’t be back until at least 12/1 game).

For his actions, Martin Jones was named #1 Star of the Week.

Sharks signed Dainius Zubrus to a one year, two-way contract. He’s expected to be in the line up (4th line) on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, back at the Tank, the Sharks have a 3-5-0 record at home.  They have yet to score a power play goal on home ice.  The Sharks would like to have both those things improve. The confidence from their road wins should help.

They’ll have to do it playing the defending Stanley Cup Champions, with hundreds of their fans in attendance (traditionally; especially as an Original Six team, and the only one remaining in the Western Conference). And without Couture; he is still on the IR and no return date has been set.

Chicago is coming off a 3-6 loss in Vancouver on Sunday; they are 1-1-1 through the first three games of their 6-game Circus Trip.  How did they spend the days off since?  Team bonding in Vegas (and they aren’t sharing any details). Teravainen (upper body) is doubtful for Wednesday; more likely for the weekend. Crawford’s starting. Patrick Kane is looking toward US record of 18 straight games scoring a point (currently held by Eddie Olczyk); he’s at 16 games.

Former Sharks on the Chicago roster include Andrew Desjardins (traded for Ben Smith last season), Brandon Mashinter. And you can add in the San Jose connection to Viktor Tikhinov.

Update: Jones starting.  Braun out (day-to-day, upper body); missed practice yesterday too.

Barracuda @ Checkers 151124

4-game point streak (2-0-2) on the line, and the Barracuda are finishing up their seven game road trip with a pair in North Carolina against the Charlotte Checkers.

Goldobin was assigned to Barracuda Sunday (flew from Ohio to North Carolina and joined the team there). Gallant was left behind in San Jose (day-to-day).

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Larry Robinson was in the stands watching the game. Dell was in nets.

The Barracuda increased their league-worst first period goal differential giving up three (including a couple on the PK). Langlois prevented the shutout with a goal in the last minute.

Barracuda have a chance to exact some revenge as the teams meet again on Wednesday.

Sharks @ Blue Jackets 151122

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Sharks right back at it on Sunday afternoon, in Columbus, looking to complete a perfect road trip.

Marleau notched his milestone 1000th point Saturday in Pittsburgh, leading to a 3-1 win, with goals from Burns (2) and Martin (back visiting his former team). Boughner, Spott and Hedberg were behind the bench with DeBoer out for personal reasons.  (Unclear if he’ll be out for Sunday‘s game as well.)

While in Pittsburgh, Couture hit the ice for the first time in gear since getting a broken leg.  (My guess – he’s out at least another week.  Conditioning needed.)

Saturday’s win put them in a point-wise tie with (idle) Kings for 1st in Pacific Division.

It won’t be easy against Columbus.  Sharks are playing 6 games in 9 days. Jackets are playing 4 games in 6 days. But the Sharks haven’t forgot that 19 days ago the Jackets were the victor at the SAP Center.

Bob will probably be in net.  Bobrovsky had the shutout over Nashville Friday.  Under Tortorella, the Jackets are blocking a lot of shots.

Jackets missing a number of players. Dubinsky out with elbow for weeks. D Goloubef broke his jaw in Friday’s game and is out indefinitely; D Tyutin had an upper body injury and did not complete Friday’s game. Bodnarchuk recalled after Goloubef had surgery for his broken jaw.

Update: Stalock vs Bobrovsky.  DeBoer in NY heading to game (may make game or be late) — arrived before the puck drop.

Sharks @ Penguins 151121

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Sharks won the defensive battle in Philadelphia 1-0 with an odd-man rush in OT.  The Melk Man delivered!  And Jones notched his 10th career shutout.

But Marleau is still sitting at 999 points.  Perhaps he’ll reach the milestone in Pittsburgh?

Penguins have holes in their roster.  Maata is out 3-4 weeks after being hit into open bench door, and overnight hospital stay; Warsofsky recalled from AHL to replace him on the roster. Dupuis is still having issues with blood clots.  But Malkin and Crosby scored to help them win 4-3 over the Avalanche on Thursday (but the GM hasn’t been satisfied with the results so far this season; and the players don’t think major changes are needed). Letang, Hornqvist and Cullen took a maintenance day Friday.

Pittsburgh is 3rd in division. 29th in PP (Sharks have 21st PK) and 6th rated PK (Sharks are 28th in PP).

Saturday is the penultimate game on the Sharks’ road trip, with the finale on Sunday in Columbus.  It might be that Jones gets both starts of the weekend, or the starts are split with Stalock.

Sharks are 4-0 on the six game road trip, so regardless of the results of this weekend’s games, will have a winning record.  SI thinks the Sharks are just getting by on luck, not sound play. (Not accounting for return of Karlsson to NHL lineup?  Line shuffling? And the opponent?  Better to be surprised by attack from below the water/ice by a Shark, I guess.)

Update: Sharks announce DeBoer will not be behind the bench for Saturday’s game due to a personal matter. Jones starting.

Barracuda @ Heat 151121

After sweeping in San Diego and losing in the SO at Bakersfield, the Barracuda travel on to Stockton for a Saturday game. This is their last game in California (PT zone) for a week.  2-1-1 through the first four games of their (multi-week/state) seven game road trip.

Minor line change on 4th, with Gallant replaced by McLaren in Friday’s practice.  Parkes has his (external) stitches out, but continues to play with jaw protection.  Appearances at practice are that Grosenick will start.

Heat celebrating Star Wars night.  And they’re giving out youth jerseys to young fans.

Langlois feature

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Grosenick in nets; he made 49 saves.  Barracuda actually got the lead early in the third.  But the game was lost in the shootout (to cold backup goalie to had to come in when starter was injured after first round of shootout).   And the Barracuda extend their point streak.  (Sunday off; early morning Monday flight to east coast for final two games of road trip.)

Barracuda @ Condors 151118 (10:30am)

First morning game of the season.

Boys had the day off Sunday after returning from San Diego.  With an optional practice on Monday, and full practice on Tuesday, with newly arrived Mike Aviani (ECHL Florida) and the three from ECHL Allen. They’re heading to Bakersfield Tuesday afternoon and spending the night to be ready for their morning game.  Parkes, with 41 stitches (inside and out) skating with jaw protection.

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Dell in net. Lerg scored the only ‘Cuda goal in regulation in the third, after the Condors took a 1st period lead. Nothing was decided in OT.  No Barracuda player was able to score in the shootout.

So, the team extends their point streak, but end their win streak at two.