San Jose-Calgary: Game Two Recap

If you weren't aware of the capabilities in the crease for both teams, tonight was your wake up call.

Some thoughts:

-> Nabokov and Kiprusoff were monsters. I can't wait to see them in game three.
-> Our powerplay looked terrible (1 for 8 tonight). If it continues to be this bad, there is no reason why Calgary won't start taking liberties with some of our players, guys like Cheechoo (where has he been? More on that later), Michalek etc. If our powerplay can't put pucks in the net, why wouldn't they go after some guys and take the penalty?
-> Work the puck down low on the powerplay. We have one of the best passers in the game (Joe Thornton for all of you unaware) camped out in the left circle, feeding centering passes that never seem to hit the mark. Get it down low behind the net.
-> Enough shots from the point. Besides Ryan Clowe, we don't have a solid presence in front of the net that is going to set screens, and clean up the garbage. Yeah we have outshot the Flames in the last two games, but I feel the total is a little inflated. Kipper eats up every single shot from the blueline.
-> McClaren is as slow as ever.
-> The official getting on top of the net halfway through the second was awesome.
-> Great play by Matt Carle to pinch and take the hit for our second goal. Quality.
-> Nabokov's save on Owen Nolan was one of the best I have ever seen in my life. I watched the Sharks broadcast (I found a Slingbox user! WHOOT WHOOT) and Randy Hahn called it a goal before correcting himself; same thing on the highlights on nhl.com (CBC feed below- I'm pissed they don't show another angle, but whatevs).

-> Cheechoo is non-existent. He's getting thrown around like a stripper at a Duke Lacrosse party, and has yet to establish himself physically.
-> Patty Marleau has been everywhere this series. I couldn't be happier with his play.
-> JR's shot that he missed was a fluke. If we lose this game it's a big deal, but a win helps you put a little perspective on it. He's due for a goal- watch him come up big on Sunday.
-> McClaren is so slow he's still reading the sentence where I said he's slow.
-> Torrey Mitchell is an absolute treat to watch. He hustles more than anyone on the team.

I'm not sure if I'm completely confident about our defense just yet. We limit shots on net, but it seems as if we always give up 4-5 excellent scoring chances through the course of the game (most of them 2 on 1's). We also need to pick up the physical play more in our own zone, and that starts with Murray. I have a feeling that he has the potential to become one of those guys who makes opposing forwards cringe when they're retrieving dump-ins. That being said, we're solid at the blueline. I'm nitpicking.

All in all, a good win.

Ed. Note: We may have a new member on We Bleed Teal, my friend Alfred (details are still being worked out). He's a huge Sharks fan, and has a lot of knowledge on minute details that my teal-biased eyes can't see. I'll update all five of you readers out there on Saturday.