Category: NHL

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

photo credit: San Jose Mercury News San Jose goaltender Martin Jones

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Forgive the Canadian press for blowing the San Jose Sharks February 27^th acquisition of James Reimer from the Toronto Maple Leafs as a sign that the team wanted to run with a 1A-1B goalie system. They after all witnessed him single-handedly force a 7-game series against the Boston Bruins in 2013 and push Leafs trade acquisition Jonathan Bernier for the starter’s role in the 3 seasons they both have worn the leafed crest. Current Sharks netminder Martin Jones has made one thing perfectly clear with his recent play; the San Jose net belongs to him and him alone.

Jones turned aside 28 of 30 Vancouver shots in a 3-2 victory Thursday night over the Vancouver Canucks, his second win just outside of his hometown of North Vancouver in five days. The 26 –year-old netminder was especially terrific in the final two minutes of the game with the Canucks net vacant and an extra attacker on the ice.

“He was outstanding tonight,” said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer. “He made 2 or 3 huge saves in the 3rd period. That’s game changing. He’s given us that kind of goaltending most of the year.”

Since acquiring Reimer, all the 6-foot-4 keeper has done is go 3-0 with a 1.67 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. Jones doesn’t believe recent events have any correlation with his stellar surge between the pipes.

“I play to win every game,” said Jones when asked if Reimer’s addition gave him any added incentive. “I play the same way every game”

Jones has now played in the last 10 Sharks games, going 7-2-1 during that stretch while allowing just 21 goals. Twice during that run he has played in consecutive nights, allowing 6 goals total in the second half of those back-to-back match-ups. This season, he has appeared in consecutive games 5 times, with the Sharks going 2-3 as a team in those contests. The addition of Reimer gives the Sharks the opportunity to rest Jones, who has appeared in more games this season (54) than he has in his first two seasons in the league combined (34).

“It’s not tough enough,” said DeBoer when asked how hard it will be to sit Jones for the new goalie in town. “I know we can’t wear this guy out. He’s played a lot of hockey for us this year.”

While the sudden increase in workload could make a keeper weary, Jones sees it as an advantage.

“I feel good,” said Jones after the Sharks win Thursday. “Any time you play lots of games, you get a better feel for the game.”

When the deal was completed and Reimer and Jeremy Morin came to San Jose for Ben Smith, backup goalie Alex Stalock and a conditional draft pick, the Sharks were looking forward to hockey yet to be played. They recognized the uncertainty of how Jones would hold up for a postseason run amidst a career-high workload. The Sharks are battling for the Pacific Division’s 2^nd place playoff spot and were just 4 points back of the Los Angeles Kings for the division lead entering play Thursday. Reimer and his 2.49 goals against average gives the Sharks the type of insurance the team didn’t feel they had with Stalock (3-5, 2.98 GAA this season).

“Everything we do now is to prepare for the playoffs the best we can,” said Jones. “We want to make sure our game is in good shape coming down the stretch here. We want to clinch that playoff spot. Everything we do now is preparing for the end of the season and getting ready for the playoffs.”

If (or more likely when) San Jose does make the playoffs, game 1 will be the first postseason start for Jones. Simply getting the Sharks to that point after missing out last season will be both a justification for the offseason deal that brought him over from Boston Bruins and the deadline deal that nabbed the Sharks Reimer. One thing is for certain, Jones will be the one manning the crease and he’ll be on the ice looking to win.

By: Joe Lami

AP photo: San Jose Sharks Michael Haley left and the Vancouver Canucks Derek Dorsett mix it up in the second period during Thursday game at Rogers Center

VANCOUVER, B.C.—For the second time this week, the San Jose Sharks were able to turn a first period deficit into two points at Rogers Arena. Great goaltending was once again the answer for the Sharks, as Vancouver native, Martin Jones saved 28 shots in Thursday night’s 3-2 win. “It’s huge, very huge. He’s been doing it all year for us and especially in his hometown here to do it again. It’s nice knowing he’s back there having our back,” added Marleau

The Canucks jumped on the Sharks early in the first period, trying to avenge Sunday afternoon’s loss, by going up 2-0. Jake Virtanen was feeling it for Vancouver lighting the lamp 7:14 into the contest. Dan Hamhuis, who wasn’t traded at the deadline despite speculation, picked up his seventh assist of the year on the wrap-around goal. His defensive partner, Chris Tanev picked up the other helper.

Vancouver was able to add to the lead, thanks again to the Virtanen line. Sven Baertschi scored his 13th goal of the season on a tip out in front with help coming from Hamhuis and Virtanen picking up their second points of the contest.

Despite just seeing five shifts in the first period, Virtanen was critical to the Canucks success, creating three separate scoring chances with two of them finding their way past Martin Jones, helping him earn the second star of the contest.

The Sharks were dominated in the first by Vancouver, being outshot 15-7, but it was Jones that kept them in the contest. However, they came out strong in the second, putting up eight shots in the first 100-seconds of the period. The hard work would finally pay-off half way through the period when Thomas Hertl got a stick on a Brent Burns wrist shot to make it 2-1 Canucks. “We knew after that first, it wasn’t where it needed to be, and we needed to win a period and did that in the second,” said captain, Joe Pavelski.

The goal marked his 16th of the season, a new season for the young Czech forward who will represent his country at the World Cup of Hockey later this year.

With five minutes remaining in the second frame, the 18,422 fans at Rogers enjoyed a heavy-weight bout between Derek Dorsett and recently recalled Shark, Micheal Haley. Both men through punches back and forth in a spirited brawl. Haley caught the worse of the two and went in for repairs, needing stitches under his left eye.

With .57 seconds remaining in the second period, Daniel Sedin went off for high-sticking Logan Couture behind the Sharks net. The first power play unit went to work but was unable to find the net before the horn sounded.  However, the power play was able to carry their momentum into the third, scoring .43 seconds into the period.

Brent Burns ripped a shot from the point with Pavelski screening Ryan Miller in front. The puck was able to make it was through the jumping Pavelski and past Miller to tie the game up at two.

San Jose had all of the mojo and was able to take the lead just five minutes later. Patrick Marleau found the net on the rush after a beautiful feed from Joonas Donskoi for his 19th goal of the season. This would be the eventual game winner and the 92nd of his career, tying him for 12th all-time.

The Sharks and Canucks continue their crazy schedule as both teams head back to Silicon Valley on Saturday night. There is a possibility that recently acquired goaltender, James Reimer sees his first start as a Shark, “I know we can’t wear [Jones] out either, he’s played a lot of hockey for us and was outstanding tonight,” said head coach Peter Deboer.

On the NHL podcast with Joe Lami the San Jose Sharks after taking a three goal 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday and the taking a 6-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Monday things were rolling for San Jose. In the game on Thursday in Vancouver the Canucks came out to a 2-0 lead after a period with goals from Jake Virtanen and Sven Baertschi but the Sharks got a goal from Tomas Hertl his 16th of the season to cut the lead within a goal, this Sharks team never gives up.

World Cup Hockey in Toronto has the Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin excited to represent Russia. The Dallas Stars defenceman John Klingberg didn’t make the Sweedish roster because there simply wasn’t enough room on the roster for him. Czech Republic general manager Martin Rucinsky is hoping 44 year old Jaromir Jagr will play in the eight team International Tournament in Toronto in September.

There’s much more NHL headlines listen to the podcast with Joe Lami below right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo credit: Canadian Press–The Vancouver Canucks Jake Virtanen who had a first period goal against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday scored this winning goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thu Feb 25th

 

 

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh the Sharks face Vancouver three times this week they handed the Canucks a three goal loss on Sunday 4-1 and then beat the Montreal Candiens 6-2 at SAP Center the next night 6-2. The Sharks are back in Vancouver on Thursday night and then head to San Jose for Saturday night. Believe it not the Sharks see the Canucks again in Vancouver at the end of this one more time on Tuesday 29th.

The Sharks have been getting lots of help from team captain Joe Pavelski who has scored three times in two nights. On Sunday he scored once on the Canucks and then on Monday twice against Montreal. Pavelski has been the key guy for the Sharks and has taken the Captaincy and the offense places.

Mary Lisa Walsh covers the San Jose Sharks as a beat writer and does the Sharks podcast each week right here on http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to the podcast below

 

by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: San Jose Sharks Joe Pavelski beats Montreal Canadiens goalie Mike Condon for a goal in the first period on Monday night at SAP Center

SAN JOSE–The Sharks played a great game Monday night against the fading Montreal Canadiens, beating them 6-2. Rest assure, fans, the Canadiens are not the team that dominated the NHL for years. This franchise was known as the New York Yankees of Hockey but they have not won a Stanley Cup since 1993. Many of the old-timers remember the great players such as Maurice Richard, Henri Richard, Jacques Lemaire, Boom-Boom Geoffreon, Jean Beliveau but that was long ago and faraway. These Canadiens are nowhere near thoise teams. The Canadiens signed former Shark Mike Brown just one day after being waived by the Sharks. That move showed how desparate they are for player. Brown played for Montreal and got a nice hand from the Sharks fans.

The Sharks played a terrific first period against the struggling Montreal Canadiens. They drew first blood with just 3:11 played in the first period. Joe Thornton scored his fifteenth goal of the year to give the Sharks an early 1-0. Tomas Hertl started the play as he passed the puck from behind the Montreal net to Justin Braun. Brown fed the puck to Joe Pavelski, who found Thornton open on the left side of the net. Joe put it past Montreal goalie Mike Condon for the tally. Pavelski and Braun earned assists on the play. The lead didn’t last long. The Canadiens Thomas Plekanec beat Martin Jones with 5:26 played to tie the game. P.K.Subban and Max Pacioretty assisted. The Sharks continued to play well and had several chances but could not light the lamp. Joe Pavelski scored with 15:55 played to put the Sharks in the lead 2-1. Joe Thornton and Brent Burnt assisted. For Burns, it was his 400th career point in the NHL. The Sharks led shots-on-goal 13-7.

The Sharks played well in the second period. They took a 3-1 lead with 3:11 played. Brent Burns notched his 21st goal of the year as he beat Condon from the right side of the net. Joe Thornton assisted on the play. So far in the game, Thornton has three points on a goal and two assists. The Canadiens refused to give up. they cut the deficit to one when former Shark, Torrey Mitchell, squeezed his way in between two defenders and, somehow, got a shot off that seemed to befuddle Sharks’ goalie Martin Jones. Paul Byron and Phillip Danault assisted. Danault was acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with the Blackhawks just before the trade deadline. The Canadiens led the Sharks in shots-on-goal in the period 10-9. Sharks lead 3-2 after forty minutes of action.

The Sharks poured in on in the third period, much to the delight of the 16,205 fans in attendance. They scored three times to ice the game as they won going away 6-2. Melker Karlsson scored with just 2:14 played. It was Karlsson’s eighth goal of the year..Chris Tierney and Dainius Zubrus assisted. the next goal came 83 seconds later. Recently acquired Nick Spaling scored his second goal as a member of the Sharks and his third goal of the season. Logan Couture and Paul Martin picked up points as they assisted on the play. Joe Pavelski scored the third goal of the period and the sixth and final goal of the game. It was the second goal of the night and twenty-ninth of the year for Pavelski. Chris Tierney  picked up his second point of the night on the assist and Brent Burns was credited with his second assist. Burns had three points in the game on a goal and two assists. Sharks win 6-2.

Game notes- with the win , the Sharks improve to 34-22-6 good for 74 points and improve their home record to 12-13-3. Brent Burns was awarded the third star of the night. The second star went to Joe Pavelski, who also had three points in the game. The first star went Joe Thornton.

The Sharks meet the Vancouver Canucks again Thursday night in Vancouver then return home to face the Canucks here in San Jose.

 

By Matthew T.F. Harrington and Joe Lami

AP photo: Lineman Brad Lazaowich left collides with the Vancouver Canucks Dan Hamhuis (2) as Linden Vey (7) digs for the puck against the San Jose Sharks Chris Tierney (50) and Roman Polak (56) Sunday in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia —  The San Jose Sharks offense ran into some trouble at crossing the border, but cleared customs with just enough time to pull off the comeback victory 4-1 against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena Sunday.

Joe Pavelski scored his first goal in six games to tie the game with just over 15 minutes left in regulation to tie the game, then Tomas Hertl tipped in the game-winner a handful of seconds later. Patrick Marleau netted a 5-on-3 goal late in the 3^rd and Justin Braun scored an empty-netter to ice the contest and set the tone with San Jose playing two of the next three games against Vancouver (24-25-12).

Braun’s defensive partner Marc-Eduoard Vlasic set a new career-high season points total with 37 after picking up a pair of assists.

“Things are going well,” said Vlasic. “When it goes well as a team, it goes well individually. When you’re playing well with your partner as well creating offense, good things happen.

After 40 minutes of play, the Sharks (33-22-6) were facing what appeared to be an insurmountable challenge. They had fallen behind 1-0 in the 2^nd period and mustered only 4 shots on Canucks goalie Ryan Miller in the period for a game total of 14. A determined effort by Joe Pavelski 4:21 into the third sparked a San Jose outburst.

“We hadn’t really played a good game up to that point,” said Pavelski. “Jones gave us a chance.”

Vlasic, looking to get off the ice for fresh legs, dumped a backhand into the Canucks zone on what looked like a harmless dump-and-change. Pavelski took advantage of a slouching Vancouver defense to pry the puck loose as it rattled along the boards behind the net and past the faceoff dot. From there, the Sharks captain peeled off the half-wall and ripped a back-hander past Miller to tie the game 4:21 into the 3rd.

“Through the forecheck,” said Pavelski. “That’s where we have to score goals. A lot of goals come from the forecheck when we get up and make the D make a play. Hopefully get there face up against the glass.”

The rest of the team followed the captain’s example and played a fired-up final fifteen minutes starting first with Pavelski’s linemate Hertl. The Czech winger drove to the net, tipping a Justin Braun point shot past Miller for his 15^th strike of the season 2:28 later.

“When you play on the inside,” said Vlasic. “When you go to the net, normally you create scrums. Penalties happen when you play inside. Good things happen, usually a goal or a penalty.”

San Jose failed to convert on the first two power plays of the night, but converted on a golden opportunity after Vancouver’s Markus Granlund and Dan Hamhuis took slashing minors 27 seconds apart with just under 7 minutes to play. On the two-man advantage Patrick Marleau took a Joe Thornton pass in the slot and ripped it past Miller for his 18^th of the season with 5:51 to go to make it 3-1. Pavelski also assisted on the power play strike.

“The big guys took over in the 3^rd,” said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer. “Pavelski, Thornton, Marleau, Couture, those guys found a way to crank it up in the 3^rd and win us the game.”

While the Sharks scored most, the Canucks jumped on the board first on Daniel Sedin’s 23^rd goal of the season 3:03 into the 2^nd period. The Swedish winger crashed the San Jose net, jamming a Martin Jones rebound through the San Jose keeper’s five-hole for a 1-0 lead.

The North Vancouver, B.C. native Jones was stellar aside from the lone goal, turning aside 23 of 24 shots in his first contest at the NHL level in his home town.

“Today was more important than me coming home,” said Jones. “It was a big game for us with a team that’s chasing us. We had a good opportunity to put them at a pretty good distance.”

10 points separated San Jose from Vancouver for third place in the Pacific Division entering play Sunday afternoon. With San Jose facing Vancouver three times in the span of a week, it was important for the Sharks to set the tone in the first meeting.

“We didn’t want to give them any life in the standings,” said DeBoer. “We’re playing them another 4 times after this. It was an important 20 minutes for us.”

While the Sharks will look to add another strong 60 minutes against Vancouver Thursday, they’ll have to avoid focusing to match on the rematch. They head back to San Jose to face the Montreal Canadiens at the SAP center.

On the podcast Joe Lami and Matt Harrington review the latest NHL trades and acquisitions from Rogers Arena in Vancouver BC on their road trip coverage with the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. The Florida Panthers picked up Jakub Kindl from the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings get a last round pick for Kindl.

The Panthers kept busy getting Tedd Purcell from the Edmonton Oilers while the Oilers get a third round draft pick. The Panthers get an unrestricted free agent Jiri Hudler. The Panthers send their second round selection for 2016 and their 2018 fourth round draft pick to the Calgary Flames in the deal.

On Saturday the San Jose Sharks picked up goaltender James Reimer from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sharks also got Jeremy Morin who be assigned to the Sharks AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Morin has had a great year in the Leafs AHL affiliate going 28 points in 41 games.

The St Louis Blues needed a back up goalie due to an to upper body injury to Brian Elliott. Elliott was in a jumble pile defending in front of the net and went down to block a shot in the February 22nd game and is now on the shelf. The Blues picked up Andres Nilson from the Edmonton Oilers. Matt and Joe go over the needs of the Vancouver Canucks who are not likely going to the post season and are mailing it in as they are already talking off season draft. The Sharks in the meantime are shoring up with Reimer as their the back up goaltender the Sharks have Aaron Dell working back up to starter Martin Jones.

Joe and Matt return with remotes podcasts from Bridges Restaurant on Monday night  and the Sand Bar Restaurant on Tuesday night from Vancouver on the SJ Sharks road trip listen to all the latest on the NHL right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo credit: hngn.com–incoming Sharks back up goaltender James Reimer who was traded to the team on Saturday from Toronto