Author: Ivan Makarov

Sharks edge out the Kings in the shootout

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment

By Ivan Makarov

Before the game on Wednesday night, San Jose Sharks and LA Kings were tied for points in the Pacific Division, both at 35. Neither team showed much of an edge over their opponent in this even match up, but the Sharks went on to win it in what was one of the most entertaining shootouts in their history.

It took eight rounds of  attempts to determine the winner. Prior to the game, only Logan Couture scored for the Sharks in the shootout all season. This time Joe Pavelski, Tomas Hertl, Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton all successfully finished their attempts, but it took a while to determine the winner, as Kings had three of their players score in a shootout too. In the end, it was Thornton’s backhand goal and Niemi’s subsequent pad save that secured the Sharks the extra point and put them in the lead in the Pacific Division.

“I was begging coach to look my way [laughs],” said Thornton after the game. “It was nice to be involved in one. Down in their building it’s a one-goal game, tonight another one-goal game. Both teams compete hard against each other and you knew it was going to come down to overtime or the shootout and it did. We were just happy with the two points.”

And just like in the shootout, both teams traded goals and leads back and forth throughout the regulation.

Sharks started their game at a goal disadvantage early on, as Kings scored just 18 seconds into it. LA had the possession inside the San Jose zone, and Dwight King passed the puck off the boards behind Antti Niemi. The puck bounced right back into the crease, with Sharks’ defenseman Scott Hannan unable to clear it. Kings’ Jeff Carter was right there, and shot the puck into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

Sharks dominated the remainder of the first period, winning the shot battle 18-8, but still trailing, with Kings’ goaltender Ben Scrivens taking the most credit for that outcome.

Sharks finally solved him in the second period. Joe Pavelski tied the game early with the ninth goal of the season, winning the battle for the lose puck near the crease and lifting it to the top of the goal.

Joe Thornton helped the Sharks take their first lead of the game with his third goal of the season towards the end of the second period. It was an odd one – he was behind the net with the puck, and sent it towards the crease area, but it bounced into the Kings’ goaltender Ben Scrivens pads and back into the net.

Kings tied the game back in the first half of the third period to make it an even 2-2. The puck went in after Drew Doughty shot the puck towards the net, and it changed direction as it hit Sharks’ Scott Hannan’s skate. Both teams skated well in overtime, but it all came down to the skills competition to determine the winner.

Sharks will be back in action on Friday, as they host St Louis Blues for an early 1pm puck drop.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sharks drop fourth straight

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment
Vancouver Canucks' Brad Richardson (15) is congratulated after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brad Richardson (15) is congratulated after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Ivan Makarov

SAN JOSE, CA – Counting last year’s playoffs, San Jose Sharks have beaten Vancouver Canucks in nine straight games. The streak came to an end on Thursday night as Sharks were defeated 4-2 and have lost their fourth game in a row.

Sharks fell two goals behind in the first half of the game, and while correcting some of the weaknesses in their game, they were unable to execute a come back.

The scoring in the game got off to a quick start as both teams exchanged goals early on. Sharks scored first on a strange bounce around the net. Joe Thornton was passing the puck along the boards inside Canucks territory but it bounced off the top netting, and into the goal off the Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo’s back. Canucks responded with a tying goal by Brad Richardson who scored from close range after Sharks turned the puck over inside their zone.

Sharks defensive woes continued when Mike Santorelli made it 2-1 for the visiting team by scoring yet another goal in front of Antti Niemi that saw Sharks defense got caught in the middle of the change and could not stop a developing fast attack by Vancouver.

But Sharks responded only a minute later with Mike Brown scoring his first goal in the Sharks uniform after a breakaway attack and a great pass from James Sheppard that found him all alone in front of Luongo. Brown put the puck high and say Luongo’s blocker to tie the game at 2-2.

Sharks continued to struggle on the defense, and allowed what was perhaps the most embarrassing goal of their season so far at the end of the first period. In a situation that appeared safe Jason Demers was on his own blue line but bobbled the puck while trying to pass it to Scott Hannan. It was easily intercepted by Alexandre Burrows and in the confusion of all and scrambling to get the puck back Sharks defensemen fell on top of each other, allowing Chris Higgins to face Antti Niemi all alone and put the puck into the net, giving Canucks 3-2 lead going into the first intermission.

Second period did not start any better for San Jose, as Canucks doubled their lead on a goal by Zack Kassian on a redirect from Kevin Bieksa shooting all the way from the blue line. The goal made it 4-2 and forced Sharks to switch their goaltenders as Antti Niemi headed to the bench and got replaced by Alex Stalock after allowing four goals on 12 shots.

Stalock’s presence improved Sharks focus and their play on defense. Having only put 11 shot on goal in the first two periods, it wasn’t until the third that San Jose picked up their game offensively. They held the puck more, and started winning the battles in the tight areas. As their play improved, so did the play of Roberto Luongo who was on time to the puck and poisoning himself well each time.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Todd McLellan pulled the goaltender for extra skater in the zone. That helped generate chances, but none of them were realized by the Sharks, and they lost yet again.

After three home games in a row, the Sharks will travel to Canada where they will face the Jets, Flames, Canucks and Oilers with the last stop in Chicago before returning to SAP Center for five game home stand in the second half of November. It may be a good time to get on the road again where coaches can spend more time with the players, address some of the bad habits that are starting to creep into the team’s play, and simplify their game, as they do when playing away from their home crowd.

Sharks lose again

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment
Image
Buffalo Sabres’ Cody Hodgson (19) scores the game-winning goal past San Jose Sharks’ Antti Niemi, of Finland, during the shootout of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. Buffalo won 5-4. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Ivan Makarov

What on paper looked like one of the easiest games of the early season for the San Jose Sharks, turned out to be one of the wildest and disappointing games so far. Playing at home against the last team in the league Buffalo Sabres, Sharks had to come back from behind multiple times to force the overtime, but in the end, they still lost the game 4-3 in the shootout.

“This was a fear of mine that we would be complacent and that we would turn it up when we thought we had to,” said disappointed Sharks head coach Todd McLellan after the game. “And that’s exactly what we got. I thought we were outworked for the large part of the game, and out detailed, certainly.”

Sharks outshot the Sabres 51-36 during the game, but did not look like the better team, chasing the puck, being sloppy on defense and not capitalizing on many rebounds given up by Ryan Miller.

Marty Havlat opened the scoring in the game as he picked up on the rebound from Patrick Marle shot inside the zone following a long possession in the offensive zone and the score remained 1-0 in the first period. But it was in the second period that Sharks lost the lead by allowing Buffalo to score two goals – first one by Drew Stafford who capitalized on the Sharks turnover by Tyler Kennedy inside their own zone, and the second one by Cody McCormick who scored by picking up the puck off the face-off won by his own team inside the Sharks zone, making it 2-1 in favor of the visiting team.

Sharks fell even farther behind at the start of the third period when they were unable to kill a penalty on Dan Boyle’s hooking call. Tyler Ennis scored just 15 second into the power play on a pass from Cody Hodgson as the two of them were standing all alone in front of Antti Niemi.

Sharks climbed back into the game two minutes later when Tyler Kennedy and Tomas Hertl scored two goals within 70 seconds to tie the game at 3-3. But the score did not remain tied for long, as Henrick Tallinder picked up a puck Sharks could not control inside their zone and put it past Antti Niemi, who wasn’t at his best on that play and should have made the save.

Sharks finally tied the game on the first power play goal of the night with less than four minutes remaining in the regulation. With the mad scramble in front of Miller, Tommy Wingels was the first to reach the puck with a dive as it was bouncing in the crease. But that was all the offense the Sharks could produce, and Antti Niemi allowed Matt Moulson and Cody Hodgson to score against him in the shootout, while Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Tomas Hertl were unable to do the same against Ryan Miller.

Sharks are now winless in their last three after starting the season with 10 wins in the first 12 games. They take on Vancouver Canucks next at the SAP Center on Thursday.

Quakes top Rapids to stay alive in MLS playoffs race

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment
c03t3827 (1)
San Jose Earthquakes Jordan Stewart celebrates on top of his teammates as Chris Wondolowski (in the center) scored against Colorado Rapids at Buck Shaw Stadium. Photo by Michael Bonocore Photography

By Ivan Makarov

SANTA CLARA, CA — A couple of months ago the odds of San Jose Earthquakes making MLS playoffs didn’t look good, as the team kept losing points while unable to produce offense. They even parted ways with their head coach Frank Yallop who led the team to 2012 Supporters Shield award only a year ago. But after tightening its defense with the signing of Clarence Goodson, and focusing on offense in training, the things finally started to come together for the Quakes and its interim head coach Mike Watson.

That improvement calumniated in a key victory against the divisional opponent Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. The race for the five playoffs spots in the West is staying very close this year between seven teams, and to stay alive Quakes needed a victory against Colorado, one of the two teams right in front of them. With the big goal by its captain Chris Wondowski, the Quakes earned 1-0 win and kept themselves alive in this close race to the finish.

“That was probably a must-win game for us tonight,” said Mike Watson after the game. “We needed the three points. I don’t think one would have been enough. I don’t think you go into a game with that as your main thought, but you know the result you need to come away with. I thought our guys were excellent tonight. We were on top of the game from the start. We were sharp, moved the ball well and had a bunch of great chances.”

The key moment of the game happened on the 69th minute from two set pieces inside the Rapids territory. It all  started with a cross from a free kick taken by Rafael Baka from 40 or so yards out which found Wondolowski’s head inside the penalty box. Wondo put a shot on target, but Colorado’s goalkeeper Clinton Irwin made a great save, putting the ball above the goal, resulting in the Quakes’ corner kick.

Shea Salinas took that corner and sent the ball back to the Quakes top goalscorer Wondolowski. He once again beat his coverage, and put another header on goal, which went in this time. This was Wondo’s 10th goal of the season, and his league-leading seventh game winning goal. It’s also worth noting that it was a well deserved assist for Salinas, who was brilliant all night, orchestrating most of the attacks with his speed and creativity.

“Shea [Salinas’] service has been excellent,” said Mike Watson. “He’s somebody who thrives off running past defenders. He wants those one-on-one match-ups. He’s quick and has good control and his service is usually very good when he gets in dangerous spots. Tonight, I thought his service was great.”

Quakes had the chance to score other goals in the game, creating multiple chances from crosses inside the zone, where Rapids defense seemed to struggle. Alan Gordon had at least two great scoring chances from headers, as did Wondolowski who had a chance to score from a breakaway at the start of the second half. Quakes outshot the Rapids 8-0 with shots on target. At the same time, Quakes were excellent on their own back end, with Colorado earning only a couple of chances to score – mostly early  in the game. Jon Busch earned his eighth shutout of the season.

“As the season draws to an end, it feels like each game gets more emotional,” said Chris Wondolowski. “The guys were loose before the game and it helped ease the nerves because this match was a must-win situation here at home. We were so excited to play tonight; I was fired up all game and it’s always great to play in front of our home fans here at Buck Shaw [Stadium]. Now we are a point back of where we want to be and know that if we take care of business we will be rewarded.”

The game turned out to be a close to a complete performance by the home team in front of the sold out crowd of 10,525. The win improved the Quakes to 4-0-1 in their last five games. With two games remaining in the season, San Jose needs to continue winning, as they finish the season against LA and Dallas. But they’re keeping their hopes up and such performance should add to their confidence going into those final games.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Hertl scores four in Sharks big victory

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment
New_York_Rangers_vs._San_Jose_Sharks_-_Photos_-_October_08__2013_-_ESPN
SAN JOSE, CA – OCTOBER 8: Tomas Hertl #48, Matt Irwin #52 and Jason Demers #10 of the San Jose Sharks celebrate Hertl’s goal against the New York Rangers during an NHL game on October 8, 2013 at SAP Center in San Jose, California. (Photo by Don Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Ivan Makarov

With the strong preseason and a three points in two games to start his rookie campaign in the NHL, Tomas Hertl was no longer a mystery around the NHL coming into the game against New York Rangers. But the show that he put on Tuesday night will be remembered for a long time in San Jose and beyond.

Four goals scored by the Sharks forward was the most ever scored by the rookie in teal as Sharks went on to win the game 9-2. The crowd gave Hertl a standing ovation and he couldn’t stop smiling while sitting on the bench.

“This is crazy. This is like a dream, ” said Herlt after the game. “Four goals! Never even in a Czech league have I had three goals. NHL.. It’s crazy!”

The most beautiful goal scored by Hertl was the one that will be replaying on TV networks and online for a while, as he put it between his legs and backhanded with a great move top shelf while on the breakaway.

“[That move] is something I don’t have in my bag,” said Joe Thornton, laughing, while talking about the goal. “It was awful pretty.”

San Jose played a great game from start to finish, and with the help of good bounces, things went their way and the score showed it.

The most telling goal about how it all went came about in the second period. It was 3-1, the Sharks were outhitting, out skating and out playing the Rangers by that point. Not that they really needed it this time, but the luck went their way once again as Sharks rookie Tomas Hertl picked up a puck that was stopped on the ice by opponents’ broken stick. With speed, Hertl broke through and with a nice move put it behind New York’s goaltender Henrick Lundquist to make it 4-1 and chase Lundquist out of the game only half way through.

All of 15 Sharks ended the game with points, including Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi. Five Sharks had multi-point games.  Hertl was not the only rookie who had a memorable night, as Matt Nieto scored a goal and recorded two assists on the third line.

Rangers’ Brad Richards opened the score  when his team was on 5-on-3 power play early in the game as Brad Stuart got penalized for elbowing and Sharks sent another player into the box for having too many men on the ice during that penalty. Richards was an open player at the top of the face-off circle and he beat Antti Niemi on the glove side.

Sharks were still killing a penalty when a counter attack chance turned into a goal when Marc Eduard Vlasic scored on a shot from high inside the zone, which seemed to have surprised Rangers all star goaltender Henrick Lundquist. Vlasic’s goal was his first of the season and tied the game at 1-1.

Three minutes later, Dan Boyle made it 2-1 as he slap shot the puck from the blue line right after the face-off win by Joe Pavelski inside the Rangers zone. Boyle was helped by Tommy Wingels who was screening Lundquist in front as he was skating by.

But it was in the second period when Sharks energy really picked up and they took over the game completely, scoring three goals in three minutes, making it 5-1 in their favor. Such outcome completely deflated the Rangers who were playing on the second night in a row after a game in Los Angeles against the Kings on Monday night.

A memorable performance by the Sharks rookie helped get the Sharks get to 3-0 on the season before they get on the road, as they play in Vancouver on Thursday night.

Game Notes

  • Tomas Hertl became the youngest NHL player to score four goals in a game since March 30, 1988 (Jimmy Carson, Los Angeles Kings). In total, he is the 4th youngest player in NHL history to score 4 or more goals [Credit: Elias Sports].
  • Tomas Hertl becomes the only player to score a total of six goals in his first three games as a Shark. Rob Gaudreau (1992-93) and Jan Caloun (1995-96) had four goals in their first three games as a Shark, the highest totals before tonight.
  • Tomas Hertl’s four goals ties a Sharks franchise record for most goals in a game by a Shark (Owen Nolan, 12/19/95 @ Anaheim).
  • Tomas Hertl logged 11:12 of ice time during tonight’s game. He becomes the fourth player since 1987-88 to log less than 11:30 of ice time and score four goals in a single game.
  • Players who now have three game point streaks: Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Patrick Marleau, Tomas Hertl, and Logan Couture.
  • Marc-Edouard Vlasic became the 12th Sharks defenseman to score a shorthanded goal (Last: Scott Hannan, 03/16/07 vs. Columbus) [Credit: Darin Stephens].
  • Matt Nieto scored his first NHL point with an assist on a Dan Boyle goal, and followed that up with his first NHL goal at the 8:16 mark of the second period. Nieto finished the game with three points (1-2=3), a +2 rating, and the game-winning goal.
  • Jason Demers set a career high in points as well as assists (0-3=3).

Sharks dominate in season opener

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment

by Ivan Makarov

San Jose Sharks' Tommy Wingels (57) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Jose Sharks’ Tommy Wingels (57) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

SAN JOSE, CA – It’s a new beginning for the Sharks as they opened their season against Vancouver Canucks. With several new players in the lineup, they started with a bang and the 4-1 victory at home, winning 10th straight against the Canucks.

Brent Burns, Justin Braun, Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels scored for the Sharks while Antti Niemi made 21 saves to earn  his first victory in the net this season.

The Sharks didn’t get the big goal advantage until late in the third period, but they played well all throughout the game, and their victory was not surprising.

“I thought the effort was good,” said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan after the game. “Some of the things that we worked on in training camp showed throughout the game, so it’s a good sign. I thought there was some cohesion with the lines, which was good as well. … Everybody found a way to contribute.”

Jason Garrison opened the score in the game half way through the first period as Cancucks went on the power play after Brent Burns was sent to the penalty box after a slashing call against him. Canucks scored quickly after Garrison got a pass from behind the net from Daniel Sedin as he was open in a high slot. He fired the puck on a one-time attempt and put it into the net.

After a slow start in the second period, Sharks woke up 6 minutes into it. Thomas Hertl had the puck in the central circle and some speed. He had Brent Burns on his right and passed the puck to him right as Burns skated past the blue line into the Canucks zone. Burns kept accelerating and as he got to the right point, he fired the puck high and above Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo shoulder into the net, tying the game at 1-1. This was Thomas Hertl’s first NHL point.

“Tommy made a great play as I was coming wide with speed,” said Brent Burns after the game. “I’ve been taking a lot of heat from the coaches for not shooting, so I didn’t know if anybody else was out there and I was just shooting.”

Sharks got another break four minutes later as they went on 5-on-3 power play for two minutes, with two Canucks getting called into the penalty box. They moved the puck well, but not enough to have any scoring chances, putting just three shots on goal during those two minutes.

After more power play frustration throughout the period, Sharks put another goal on board as Justin Braun shot the puck from the blue line, with a group of players in front of him. With Logan Couture screening Luongo, the puck flew into the net, giving Sharks 2-1 lead.

But it was in the third period when things finally started to click for the Sharks, at least on event strength, as Sharks would end the night with 0/8 on the power play. First it was Patrick Marleau at 14:39 who scored from the left circle after Logan Couture stole the puck from one of the Canucks players and set him up to give the Sharks two goal lead. Tommy Wingels sealed the victory for the Sharks little over a minute later as he tipped in a pass from Andrew Desjardins as two were on a breakaway, which made it 4-1 for the Sharks with just four minutes remaining in the game.

It was a great way to open the season for the Sharks against a divisional rival. They’re back in action on Saturday as they host Phoenix Coyotes.

Wondo a late game hero for the Quakes

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment

By Ivan Makarov

At this point in the MLS season, and given their position in the standings, San Jose Earthquakes could not afford to lose any points in the remaining four games to still have a chance to make playoffs.

Sunday night game in Los Angeles against Chivas USA proved to be a thriller, as  it took the Quakes 87 minutes to break through and keep their playoffs chance  alive going into the final stretch of the season. They won the match 1-0, thanks to the late game heroics from their top goalscorer Chris Wondolowski.

After largely uneventful first half, with the only memorable moment being a yellow card to Stephen Lenhart, as he injured Steve Purdy in an airial challenge, things started to pick up in the second. Lenhart was in the middle of the action again after a corner kick taken by Shea Salinas. Lenhart ran into the box toward the cross, and put the header into the net. However, a quick whistle from the referee negated an apparent goal, as he indicated that Lenhart fouled on the play. A video replay did not show any point of contact or where the foul was committed, but the score remained 0-0.

Quakes continued to push the ball forward, and looking like a better team, but could not find that final touch they needed to put the ball into the net.

The earlier booking on Lenhart proved to be pricy later on the 81st minute as the Quakes forward went to challenge the high ball against Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, and instead of reaching the ball, he ran into the keeper. Referee showed no hesitation in booking Lenhart again with the second yellow, followed by the red card. That left the Quakes with one man down for the rest of the game. But it didn’t stop them from pushing forward, with their season on the line.

With only six minutes remaining in the regulation, the fortune finally turned to the Quakes. Alan Gordon had the ball just outside the Chivas box, and took a long shot. It wasn’t the strongest of kicks, but it dipped down, bounced off the grass and went up when it reached Dan Kennedy. Up to this point, Kennedy was nothing short of spectacular for his team, but he made a mistake this time, as the ball rebounded off his chest and back into the field. Quakes’ most dangerous man Chris Wondolowski was the first to the rebound, and he flicked the ball above Kennedy and into the net, breathing life into Quakes playoffs chances this season.

Quakes went on to defend their lead in the remaining minutes in the game, and improved their standing to 44 points with three games remaining and just one point outside the playoffs spot in the West. Their chances for post season keep improving, but the task is still hard, as they likely need at least two more victories in the remaining three games to qualify for playoffs.

The Quakes next host Colorado Rapids at home at Buck Shaw Stadium on Wednesday, October 9.

Sharks thump on the Canucks at home

Published on by Ivan MakarovLeave a comment

by Ivan Makarov

SAN JOSE, CA — A lot of things went right for the Sharks in their preseason game against Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center on Tuesday night.

They got plenty of scoring chances which resulted in a lot of goals. They limited the Canucks scoring chances to close to nothing, which helped Antti Niemi earn a shutout. They avoided the penalty box all night. Their lines seems to gel well together. And they won their game 5-0.

“Once we established [the pace of the game], we were on puck, we were hard,” said happy Sharks head coach Todd McLellan after the game. “The special teams were great tonight.”

Of course, it was just a preseason game with very little on the line. But even then, the coaches are watching and are experimenting with player combinations, tactics and special teams, building the foundation for a long season ahead.

Sharks rookie Tomas Heart opened the score early in the game at 10:37 of the first period. Deep inside the Canucks zone, Scott Hannan shot the puck from a sharp angle just outside the center circle, allowing Hertl, who stood right in front of the net, and puck went off him into the net. This was Hertl’s second goal of the preseason, as he’s getting great looks playing on the top line alongside Joe Thornton and Brent Burns.

Dan Boyle increased the Sharks lead to 2-0 three minutes as he scored on a wrist shot from a pass from Tyler Kennedy as he joined the attack. Kennedy did all the work on that goal, hitting the goalpost earlier, and keeping the puck inside the zone after it rebounded off Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack and then finding Boyle wide open.

Once it started to rain, it began to pour.

Joe Thornton added third goal for the Sharks half way through the second period after he scored on a one timer after a pass by Patrick Marleau on the Sharks power play.

Logan Couture added to the scoreboard on yet another Sharks power play with less then a minute remaining in the second period. Standing right between the face-off circles, he got a quick pass form Joe Pavelski, and fired it on goal and into the net with his signature wrist shot. That made it 4-0 for the Sharks.

This marked two power play goals for the Sharks top power play unit, which McLellan mentioned will stay intact. The second unit had its chances, but McLellan indicated he’ll continue to change who’s playing there.

Thomas Hertl made another case that he belongs in the NHL and on the Sharks top line when he never gave up on the play in the Canucks zone at the start of the third period, and kept on fighting for the puck, eventually putting it in with a wrester, scoring his second of the night, and Sharks’ fifth goal that made it 5-0 for the home team.

“He’s good around the net,” said Sharks captain Joe Thornton when asked about his thoughts on Hertl’s play so far in the preseason. “He scored around the net in the last game too. He’s very competitive. He just goes to the net and is not afraid of that area.”

As for the Canucks, they looked disorganized, undisciplined, and almost as if they didn’t want to play in that game. They did not look like a team that will be competing for a playoff spot next season.