One NY Team Down, One to Go
October 19th, 2009, 9:11 am
So again the Sharks come out flat against the Islanders, but again they rebound, and come back to win. It’s not a strategy that will work against the Rangers, who are currently 7-1. I hope the excitement of playing in the Big Apple will help everyone avoid the early sludge that has become a Sharks hallmark. Malhotra and Ortmeyer used to play there, and they know what it will be like in that building. Certainly the players that have played on the East Coast for a time like Joe and Heater know what that’s like. I hope they can get the younger guys up for it, because this isn’t Tom Renney hockey. It’s John Tortorella hockey now- vigorous puck pursuit, and lots of body contact. If they come out like they did against the Isles, it won’t be 0-1, it’ll be 0-4 in a heartbeat.
Also, an interesting discussion here with Doug Wilson for something called the Positive Coaching Alliance. Not really anything Sharks-specific, but a general discussion about how you instill values in youth players, and what kind of characteristics you look for (and work towards) as an elite player in any sport. I think it’d be particularly interesting to those who have young kids playing (or looking to play) hockey.
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To quote Doug…
“WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO”
That’s probably wrong, but you know the quote I’m speaking of.
Well, I guess that strategy works even against good teams when you got this kind of firepower. Even Lundqvuist didn’t change the onslaught in the 3rd.
This team has to be the scariest team to play against right now. Not the toughest, but scariest. You never know when (if) the afterburners are going to kick in and have 3 goals scored against you in a 5 minute span. Every team has to be watching the Phoenix game to see how the Yotes kept the Sharks beast of an offense asleep for a full game.
Ruben the answer to that is simple. A well played trap can be a lullaby for even the biggest of Sharks, their fans, and the sport of hockey in general.
Just what the city of Phoenix needs to generate new fans… a well-played trap game.
Great game yesterday. For the first time the boys looked focused and dangerous. I think we also need to thank their goalie for not standing on his head, like most opposing goaltenders seem to be able to do against us.
Dudes,
I’ve been chewing on this all week and would like to get your thoughts/analysis on this…
I’d really like to hear what you think of Ryan Vesce. I realize it’s way early… but he is sitting on two goals in two games and looking great with Joe and Heater. what do you think are the realisitc chances of him staying there?
Also, this causes a domino effect in the lineup that seems really positive to me.
First off, I really like Seto playing with Marleau. This gives the team a speed/scoring combo that they haven’t had in a while. If Vesce pans out, and I realize that is a big if, that gives us what feels like two really balanced top lines.
But the problem, if you can call it that, is that what happens when Pavs get back. At 3.65m per, would you put Clowe on the third line if he isn’t scoring? That seems to recreate the whole issue with Cheechoo, (third line play at top six money)…
All in all, it seems yet again that the depth of this team is making Mcllelan’s job really tough.
Nice problem to have, no?
Tom, Doug and I have been discussing Vesce, and we will continue that discussion on the podcast, which we are recording tomorrow night. You have good questions, and we will address those as well. Thanks!
I know it wasn’t solicited, but I like providing my opinion anyway…
Vesce can really only be a top 6 kind of guy. He’s too small to play on the 3rd or 4th line and that was the problem last year when he was almost exclusively on the 4th. Granted it’s a lot easier with Jumbo and Heater setting you up. Both goals came from them creating the opportunity and Vesce knowing to skate his ass off to be there to capitalize on it. I don’t think he can create enough on his own in the NHL.
I think the craziest solution would be to put Pavs on the 3rd line and leave the top two the way they are.
Hear me out…
Heatley – Thornton – Vesce
Clowe – Marleau – Setoguchi
Mitchell – Pavelski – Malhotra
Ortmeyer – Nichol – IDontReallyCareButItsProbablyShelley
That’s a pretty good 3rd line and even the 4th can chip in occasionally.
Also, I saw somebody else somewhere point out that Ortmeyer looks suspiciously like a Marleau without the eyebrows… could Marleau’s eyebrows be the source of his game? Kind of like Samson’s hair is the source of his power?
Ferriero will probably crack any lineup, even at the expense of Shelly.
If Clowe starts contributing, then maybe have him on the 2nd line if Vesce stays up and when everyone is healthy. But I think Pavs is too good of a player 5v5 to stick on the 3rd line. Put Clowe on the 3rd line and make him learn to love diggin in the corners on a line with Mitchell and Malhotra. A Ferriero-Nichol-Ortemeyer 4th line is very good.
Man, I hate the trap. Turns hockey into a soccer match.