Category: NHL

San Jose Sharks 50th Anniversary Tribute: California Golden Seals are honored by Sharks as Bay Area’s first NHL team

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sfgate.com photo: The San Jose Sharks will honor the first Bay Area NHL team the California Golden Seals on Saturday night at SAP Center in San Jose for the 50th Anniversary tribute

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE–In preparation for the upcoming game against the Detroit Red Wings, the San Jose Sharks held a meet and greet at Solar4America Ice for media members to socialize with alumni of the defunct California Golden Seals team.

During their tenure in the Bay Area, the Seals played under a couple of nicknames — California Seals (1967-68), Oakland Seals (1968-70), California Golden Seals (1970-76) and even the Bay Area Seals for two months in the 1970-71 season — but the NHL persuaded late Seals and Oakland Athletics owner Charles Finley to revert to the Golden Seals.

I found one goaltender that stood out the most. His name was Gary Simmons and he played his first two seasons with the Seals. The former goaltender went 10-21 in 34 games in the 1974-75 season and 15-19 in 40 games in 1975-76.

Simmons shined in an unusual way when he recorded a shutout in his first NHL game.

Unlike most hockey players, he made his professional debut at the age of 30.

“So I’ve been around in the minors for many years and I think it was different for me,” Simmons said. “I was glad to finally get to the NHL. I think I ended up with 23 or 24 shots in the game. There are only 25 or 26 goalies that have done that.”

However, Simmons is more than just a netminder.

It’s worth noting he was given the nickname “Cobra” because of his mask with a design of a large cobra. The reasoning behind the nickname was something worth mentioning.

Fascination filled my eyes when I spoke to Simmons about his nickname.

He told me that in his first game in Phoenix against the Roadrunners, one reporter told him: “You move just like a snake out there, moving around the ice and stopping the puck…you’re just like a Cobra.”

The newspapers dubbed him as the “Cobra” the following day and he has been known as the Cobra ever since.

Dennis Maruk was another name to keep an eye on.

Maruk was a former Seals forward who centered the 3M line with Al MacAdam and Bob Murdoch. This line alone could create a good trivia question for the general public.

“We had a great line,” Maruk said. “It was a lot fun playing with those guys (MacAdam and Murdoch).

The line was significant for a few reasons. The trio were put together in training camp and they worked out so they just stuck together during their tenure with the Seals.

At first, Maruk was perplexed at the fan chants of “Maruuuuk” aimed towards him. Maruk thought the fans were booing him so he pushed himself to work a little harder, but then found out what was going on.

Overall, Maruk enjoyed playing for the Seals.

“I owe a lot to the California Golden Seals because they drafted me,” Maruk said. “They drafted me and I got to come to the NHL to show what I could do as a player…It was a special time for me.”

The defunct Seals obviously don’t play anymore, but the memories remain and the players reminisce about the past. The Sharks will honor them Saturday night at 7:30 pm PST. You can watch the game on CSCA and FDT+ or listen to the radio broadcast on 98.5 KFOX.

Sharks Collapse in 3rd Period, Fall to Wild 5-4; Wild Man Koivu gets the gamer

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Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu celebrates after scoring San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Minnesota won 5-4. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE–For two periods, the San Jose Sharks were getting the better of the team with the second-most points in the Western Conference, but a momentary lapse of urgency proved their undoing. Despite leading 4-2 into the third period at the SAP Center Wednesday night against the Minnesota Wild, the Sharks found themselves 5-4 losers. Minnesota scored 3 unanswered goals to storm back and stun San Jose.

Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal had two goals each for the Wild while Joonas Donskoi, Joe Pavelski, Joel Ward and Patrick Marleau all scored for the Sharks. Vezina front-runner Devan Dubnyk made 30 saves while Martin Jones made 21 for the home team.

The two teams battled to standstill in the opening 20 minutes before San Jose broke the game open 8:22 into the second. Kevin Labanc and Brenden Dillon rushed the puck up ice down the left wing, opening the right side for Joonas Donskoi. Labanc fed the Finn for the one timer, with Donskoi beating Dubnyk glove-side high for a 1-0 lead.

Joe Pavelski netted his 13th of the year on a goalmouth tip just 3 minutes later. Pavelski tipped a shot from Brent Burns, with Logan Couture picking up the secondary assist on the strike.

The Wild responded in the waning moments of the period, scoring the game’s only power play goal with 1:06 left till the second intermission. Zach Parise picked up his first of three points by dropping the pass off to Staal as he entered the offensive zone. Staal ripped a shot that beat Jones low to the left to make it 2-1 in favor of San Jose.

Parise would add another goal 2:08 into the third after the Sharks failed to clear the puck out of their own end on a dump in. The original shot from Nino Niederreiter bounced off Jones’ pads to Parise for the rebound goal. Staal also picked up an assist, joining Parise with a three-point night.

Joel Ward put San Jose ahead 1:41 later, scoring just outside of the crease on a failing rebound chance. The struggling Ward scored his first goal since November 23rd and third of the season, with Burns again being the creator of offense with a point shot.

Patrick assisted on Ward’s goal, then etched his name further into history by scoring his 492nd NHL goal 32 seconds later. With his 11th strike of the year, Marleau now sits in 46th place all-time in goals, passing Jean Ratelle.

Neither Ward nor Marleau wound up with the game winner though, with Staal starting the wild comeback 45 seconds after Marleau’s marker. Parise stripped Justin Braun of the puck then fed Staal for his 13th goal of the year and second of the game.

The final two goals would come on the same shift for Minnesota. Mikko Koivu beat Jones on a rebound of an up-ice rush at the 8:23 mark, then netted the game winner 9:42 left in the game. Linemates Mikael Grandlund and Jason Zucker assisted on both goals.

The Sharks next take the ice Saturday night, facing the Detroit Red Wings at the SAP center.

Categories NHL

Sharks Fall in OT, Lose 2nd Straight to LA 2-1

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Los Angeles Kings’ Jeff Carter (77) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan 3, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. The Kings won, 2-1 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE–Tanner Pearson scored 58 seconds into overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-1 victory in San Jose Tuesday night. Logan Couture scored his 12th goal of the season for the Sharks, but Jeff Carter’s 21st goal of the season tied the contest up in the third period. Martin Jones made 33 saves on 35 shots in the loss.

Jones had to be his best early in the game, turning aside 16 first period shots. He turned away 8 second period shots to help the Sharks take the lead on Couture’s strike with 8:04 left in the period. Couture’s shot trickled in past Peter Budaj, giving Kevin Labanc and Paul Martin assists.

The Kings dominated most of play in the first and second periods and appeared to tie the game up, but a review proved the puck was batted into the net by Marian Gaborik’s hand on the stick. They would however score on the power play 3:03 into the third after Carter’s redirect of a Jake Muzzin shot beat Jones.

Carter would also assist on the game-winner, taking a puck rebounding off Labanc’s skate the other way before feeding Pearson on the 2-on-1. The goal gave the Kings two wins in a home-and-home set against the Sharks.

Up next for San Jose is a match-up with the red-hot Minnesota Wild followed by a third-straight home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: NHL succeeds with another outdoor series; Vlasic day to day for Sharks

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, right, is helped off the ice by right wing Joel Ward (42) and a trainer during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. The Sharks won 2-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The outdoor game in St Louis was pretty good there was threatening weather they almost had to cancel the game but the St Louis Blues won 4-1 over the Chicago Blackhawks it was a great game. Blues goalie Jake Allen did a great job, Vladimir Tarasenko had those two quick goals for St Louis and that put St Louis ahead to stay in the outdoor game in St Louis.

The San Jose Sharks Marc Edouard Vlasic is day to day with an injury to the face after getting hit with a deflected puck from last Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers in San Jose. Also the Sharks David Schlemko is day to day he was also injured in that same game and they have called Mirco Mueller from the AHL affiliate Barracuda so they should have a pretty young defense facing the Kings tonight.

Len Shapiro does the San Jose Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL report with Daniel Dullum: NHL provides not one, but two enjoyable outdoor games

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January 01, 2017: Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (39) falls down on Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen (31) during the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic between The Toronto Maple Leafs and The Detroit Red Wings at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat The Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory credit: Kostas Lymperopoulos/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

NHL COMMENTARY
By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Monday, January 2, 2017

Hockey fans received a bonus this season – two outdoor games over the New Year’s weekend. Having Jan. 1 fall on a Sunday made it an easy decision for the NHL.

Because Sunday’s game between the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings ran opposite pro football, it’s hard to say how ratings went for that one. I’ll say this: those who blew off that game to watch football missed a good game.

Then on Monday, that threat of rain in the St. Louis area held off enough to allow the Blues and Chicago Black Hawks to play a close game that didn’t get out of hand until midway through the third period.

There was legitimate concern about a heavy rain holding up the Blues-Black Hawks game at Busch Stadium, but aside from a few sprinkles, the NHL avoided what could have been an embarrassing situation.

This matters because the outdoor games have provided the NHL with their strongest ratings for regular season contests. With the addition of the Stadium Series, there is a danger of having too much of a good thing, but after the league hosted a successful outdoor contest last year at Dodger Stadium, that opens the door for warm weather venues to possibly host one of these games.

For example, could the Arizona Coyotes host a Winter Classic? They could, as long as it’s a night game held in December or January. Then there’s the X-factor – the visiting opponent. It would have to be from a fan base that travels well, like Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, etc. Then it could be at Chase Field, or Sun Devil Stadium. Anyone else, and they could play it at a spring training park.

So, for now, the NHL makes sure the venues are in hockey-friendly markets. Makes sense for attendance in a gate-driven league, and it provides a better image for television.

As for this year’s games, one went into overtime, and the other came close. On Sunday in the Centennial Classic at BMO Field in Toronto (home of the CFL Argonauts), the Maple Leafs had what seemed like a safe 4-1 lead until the Red Wings stormed back to tie it up and head for 3-on-3 overtime.

In the OT, 19-year-old Auston Matthews, who scored the fourth Toronto goal, one-timed a rebound for the game-winner.

Weather affected the game, but it was the lack of cloud cover – sun glare off the ice forced the NHL to move the start time 30 minutes. Other than that, the Leafs and Wings had a good surface to play on with pleasant conditions.

In St. Louis, Vladimir Tarasenko scored two of the Blues’ four goals late in the third period of their defeat of Chicago. As NBC’s Doc Emrick pointed out, the fog was so thick you couldn’t see the nearby Gateway Arch. The threat of rain didn’t deter over 46,000 fans from showing up.

A nice moment from the first intermission – NBC’s Bob Costas, during a feature on Blues history, pointed out that Dan Kelly – the Blues’ play-by-play voice in their early days “was the Doc Emrick of his day.” Kelly would been in his element with the Winter Classic.

What gets lost amongst the hoopla and hype that surrounds these games is that they count and the two points matter. Chicago still leads the Central Division. But by winning, the Blues pulled to within four points of Minnesota for second place.

Ten years in, the novelty of playing a regular-season game outside in a baseball or football stadium should have worn off by now, but it hasn’t. Aside from playoff games, the annual Winter Classic has become the one game most players want to experience. It takes them back to their younger days of playing pond hockey or park league games outside in the elements.

And for an afternoon, players on both sides get to experience a special element of nostalgia inherent to hockey that can’t be duplicated in any of the other major sports. The players dig it, fans love it, and it’s something the NHL gets right.

Categories NHL

San Jose Sharks Friday game wrap: Dell stops them all in 2-0 shutout; Marleau moves into ninth on all time game winning goals

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SAN JOSE, CA – DECEMBER 30: San Jose Sharks goalie Aaron Dell (30) makes a save with Philadelphia Flyers right wing Dale Weise (22) looking for a rebound during the first period of the regular season game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the San Jose Sharks held December 30, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose. Final score: Sharks- 2, Flyers- 0. (Photo by Allan Hamilton/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

By London Marq

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Sharks hosted the Philadelphia Flyers in a matchup that had the Sharks dominating early on offense. The Sharks had 12 shots on goal in the first period, which ended with them having a one goal lead. Philadelphia had trouble bottling up the Sharks, who played a very efficient game on both sides of the ice in the Sharks 2-o victory.

Philadelphia had their opportunities to take hold of this game as it progressed, but could not capitalize against Aaron Dell or the Sharks superior passing. The Sharks scored twice on a total of 34 shots on goal. The first goal was supplied from Patrick Marleau, on a power play, at then end of the period one. Justin Braun scored the second late in the third to put the Flyers chances of a comeback on ice.

Aaron Dell, goalie, starred for the Sharks with a stunning 21 save shutout. San Jose’s goalie play continues to impress, showing us that they should be dangerous late into the playoffs. Marleau scored his 95th game winning goal. He now ranks ninth all-time in game winning scores.  With Dell in goal against one of the most aggressive and successful offensive teams in the NHL Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer was impressed by the job Dell did as the team’s back up goaltender. It reminded DeBoer of the game in Anaheim on Tuesday when starting goalie Martin Jones kept the Ducks close as well in a 3-2 victory, “I thought it was a real solid game for us, probably one of our most complete games all year and nice after the Anaheim game,” DeBoer said. “I think we felt like we got away with one and Jones bailed us out.”

Dell took the shutout over the mighty Flyers in stride saying that he didn’t over work himself or his skills and thought that Saturday night’s win was one of the best games of the season for San Jose, “I think I had a pretty easy night tonight.Didn’t really give up a lot. I think that was probably the best all-around game we’ve played all year.” said Dell

The Sharks get right back into tonight in Los Angeles at the Staples Center for a 7:30 PM face off Eric He has the complete game coverage at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

 

NHL Podcast with Daniel Dullum: Columbus and Minnesota game marks first time two NHL teams with the longest streaks face off

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WINNIPEG, MB – DECEMBER 29: Blue Jackets Nick Foligno (71) attempts to deflect the puck during the NHL game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 29, 2016 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg MB. (Photo by Terrence Lee/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

It’s the tale of two cities the Columbus Blue Jackets are red hot winning their 14rh straight franchise record game over the Winnipeg Jets at Winnipeg 5-2 a tough task by any measure. The Minnesota Wild got a win over the New York Islanders for Minnesota’s 12th straight win. Both the Wild and CBJs will meet on New Years eve making it the first time in NHL history that two teams will meet with long streaks of this kind.

The New York Rangers Matt Purempel got two of his three power play goals late in the third period to help the Rangers down the Arizona Coyotes 5-3 in Glendale. Meanwhile a pair of great teams will face off against each other Friday night at SAP Center the Philadelphia Flyers (30-13-4) and the San Jose Sharks (22-12-1) in what is expected to be one of the top head to head games in he NHL.

Daniel Dullum does the NHL podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

San Jose Barracuda Wednesday post game wrap: Barracuda win third straight in Bakersfield 4-1

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 sjbarracuda.com photo: San Jose Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick stopped a lot of key goals in the Cuda’s three goal win over the Bakerfield Condors in Bakersfield

by Ana Kieu

The San Jose Barracuda thrashed the Bakersfield Condors with a 4-1 win at the Rabobank Arena on Wednesday night.

The Barracuda carried a two-game winning streak into Wednesday’s tilt against the Condors, and were on the road for the first time since Dec. 4.

The score should’ve been close — but Troy Grosenick made some notable saves to keep the Barracuda in the game — including a last-minute glove save to rob the Condors of a potential goal.

The Barracuda grabbed a 1-0 lead at 15:52 of the first period when Nikolay Goldobin waltzed in and beat Nick Ellis on the short side for his sixth goal of the season.

Jere Sallinen went to the box for hooking at 9:26. The Barracuda capitalized on the power play as Barlay Goodrow scored his 11th goal of the season to make it a 2-0 game just 77 seconds later.

The Barracuda were outshot 11-7, but led 2-0 after 20 minutes.

The Condors had an answer for the speed of the Barracuda in the second period.

Danny O’Regan took a pass from Jon Martin and put it past Ellis for his eighth goal of the season to extend the Barracuda lead to 3-0 at 13:10.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Bullies coming to San Jose Friday two evenly matched teams; Sharks and Ducks in another even Steven match up Tues

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 19: Philadelphia Flyers Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (17) body checks Nashville Predators Winger Colton Sissons (10) during a National Hockey League game between the Nashville Predators and the Philadelphia Flyers on December 19, 2016, at Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA, Predators won in a shoot out 2-1.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

With the Philadelphia Flyers the Broad Street Bullies coming into San Jose to face the Sharks this Friday night at SAP Center you couldn’t ask for two more entertaining teams. The Flyers coming in rank eighth overall and the Sharks are ninth overall in the NHL. The Flyers are 7-2-1 in their last ten games and the Sharks are 7-3 in their last ten games. So these two teams are really on a good pace right now your going to see the Flyers top line of Wayne Simmonds, Jacob Voracek, Roman Lyubimov, and Dale Weise.

Flyers center Claude Giroux is doing very well and the Sharks have a little light coming out back there with right winger Kevin LaBanc who scored twice last Friday at SAP against the Edmonton Oilers he can be a plus in the Sharks line up on Friday. Right now the flyers are playing the west and they have a nice winning record and they have started having a little bit of a problem but you can count on the Flyers to come up with a big game against the Sharks.

Len Sharpiro does the Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Labanc, Sharks scrape out 3-2 overtime win against Oilers

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San Jose Sharks’ Kevin Labanc (62) celebrates his goal with teammate Logan Couture (39) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, in San Jose, Calif. San Jose won 3-2. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Ben Leonard

SAN JOSE — Even after he watched his former team make it to the Stanley Cup Final this year, former San Jose Sharks’ and current Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan is on the best terms with the Sharks organization, “friends” with current head coach Peter DeBoer, as CSN Bay Area’s Kevin Kurz reports.

But that didn’t stop the two squads from getting chippy at the SAP Center Friday night.

The Sharks and Oilers fought three times and combined for 40 penalty minutes and 41 hits before Sharks right wing Kevin Labanc scored his second goal of the game in overtime to take down Edmonton 3-2. With their sixth victory in their last seven contests, San Jose (21-12-1) took sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division before their four-day Christmas break, moving one point ahead of resurgent Edmonton (18-12-6). At this time last season, the Oilers were 27th in the NHL standings.

“Both teams understood what was at stake, first place going into the break,” Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillion said. “It was a typical Western Conference matchup… Obviously, with four more times against each other it’s just going to get bigger and bigger… Guys were finishing their checks and guys are going hard to the net, you get a couple of penalties, going back at each other. It’s something where everyone top to bottom is chipping in and sticking up for one another.”

That hard-nosed style came back to bite McLellan and his revamped Oilers near the close of first period, when left wing Matt Hendricks earned a five minute major penalty for fighting Dillon, the first fight of the game. The Sharks answered on the ensuing power play when Joe Pavelski netted his 12th goal of the season just 31 seconds into the second period, slapping a laser into the top right corner of the net past goalkeeper Cam Talbot to give the Sharks a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked the 300th assist of defenseman Brent Burns’

The Sharks answered on the ensuing power play when Joe Pavelski netted his 12th goal of the season just 31 seconds into the second period, slapping a laser into the top right corner of the net past goalkeeper Cam Talbot to give the Sharks a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked the 300th assist of defenseman Brent Burns’ career, and was the 700th in Joe Thornton’s time in San Jose.

“I finished my check, and he kind of looked at me,” Dillon said of Hendricks. “I didn’t know if we were fighting or not, I asked and Hendricks came over. It was fortunate for us to get the power play advantage and to be able cash in there.”

The Sharks had struggled on the power play all season long, ranking 20th in the NHL, and those woes continued after that first goal, finishing the night 1 for 4 on power plays.

The Sharks had the 31-18 edge in shots taken, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Oilers at bay for the entire game. Although San Jose held that 1-0 lead and outshot Edmonton 22 to 9 through the first two periods, physical play from Edmonton kept them close despite failing to light up the lamp.

San Jose largely held down the Oilers’ potent offense, led by the NHL’s points leader in second-year center Connor McDavid, until the third period by shutting out Edmonton on their six power play attempts and forcing 11 takeaways.

“We could have been up by a couple with the way we played through the first two periods,” DeBoer said. “Their goalie gave them a chance to hang around, or we could have been up by a couple more and it would have been a different game. They got good goaltending, which helped them hang around, and they don’t need many looks to score.”

After being moved to the second line with center Leon Draisaitl, second on the Oilers in points, McDavid scored in a flash for Edmonton in the third period, knotting up the score at 1-1 with 12 minutes left to play. Arguably the best player in the NHL, McDavid also picked up an assist later in the period, his 29th of the season.

But from there on out, it became the Labanc show. Labanc answered McDavid’s goal just two minutes, lighting up the lamp in the third period to give San Jose the 2-1 lead. When Edmonton forced overtime, Labanc stepped up once again.

The rookie forward from Brooklyn, N.Y. beat Talbot from just in front of him, giving him the fifth goal of his young career and sending the crowd at the SAP Center into a frenzy.

“Christmas will be nice, but being in first place in the division feels better,” Labanc said.