If hockey geeking isn't your thing, you probably shouldn't read this. :)
The Sharks played a great game last night against the Avalanche, their last game of the pre-season. The roster looks like it's pretty well set, and I'm pretty certain that almost everyone who was dressed last night will end up starting the season with the team. Oh, and yay, Todd Harvey didn't get taken with the waiver draft.
From everything I've read, the Avs have been dressing their season lineup for every game so far, so it was no big surprise to see the Kariya-Sakic-Selanne line out ther to take the opening face-off.
The first half of the first period was pretty much a defensive game, and the Sharks looked nothing like they did last season. They were very strong on the blue line, didn't let the Avs get the puck into their zone without a lot of effort most often, and...it was just really impressive.
McCauley got the first goal, scored off a rebound--he's really starting to settle in well, it looks like. The Sharks still haven't named a captain, but he was wearing an A last night (along with Ricci and Hannan), so it'll be interesting to see how that pans out.
I can also totally see why people say that penalty shots are the most exciting part of hockey. Korolyuk (so glad he's back!) had a neat little breakaway, didn't get a shot off, but someone tripped him, so he was awarded the penalty shot. It was awesome--Aebischer played it very aggressively, but Korolyuk made him commit, then shot the prettiest backhander I've seen in awhile. The place went NUTS, and even though it wasn't a sell-out, it got pretty damn loud.
Davison got himself into a fight with someone, but it was pretty boring--neither of them really got to throw a punch.
The Kariya-Sakic-Selanne line had some difficulties for at least part of the game--it's interesting to note that the same problems Teemu had with the puck last season seem to have followed him to Colorado. He had an open half of the net on Nabokov, but couldn't put the puck in. Eventually, Sakic did score (the Avs' second goal), on a play created by a Sharks turnover at the blue line.
Primeau very nearly scored at one point, but the shot went off the post--in the replay, the PANG as the puck hit was pretty audible. Have to wonder how much force he put on that one for it to make a noise like that.
The last Sharks goal was scored by Milan Michalek (mi-HAL-ek), who was their first draft pick of the season. He's going to be awesome, this kid. He pulled an amazing deke on Vancouver two nights before, and this time, he and Scott Parker (new goon, traded from the Avs, and we like him, too!) got the turnover. Michalek went down the right side, nearly passed the puck to Parker, but found a hole instead. Nice play.
Minor annoyances: Oh my god, I hope the girls that sat behind us are not season ticket holders. I mean, is it a hockey game, or is it a 5:00 social? The two of them just would not shut up. Ever. Both of them had those voices that make you just want to reach around behind you and bitchslap them. Arg. Shut up. No, I don't care about whatshisname and his extra bedrooms and does he want to fuck you. OH, and you know what? If you 'never watch this shit,' why are you at a game in the first place? Grr.
The people next to us started talking in the third, but at least they weren't cheering for the Avs. I don't know what it is, but the seats immediately to my right almost always seem to be filled by opposing team fans.
Also. Dear (Some) Sharks Fans: What the fuck is up with booing Teemu Selanne every time he touches the puck? He had a player option for this season and he didn't take it. He went somewhere so that he could a) play on a line with Kariya again and b) have a decent shot of winning the Cup. Though he might have had that with the Sharks at some point, I don't think that this season will be the one. I hope I'm wrong, but, that's beside the point. So he didn't exercise his player option. So what? Once again, the man proves that it's not about money--he wanted to split the money Colorado was offering with Kariya, but Kariya wouldn't let him. Even so, he's still making less there than he was here. He wants a Cup. More power to him. Why does that make him a traitor? Are you going to pull the same shit when Adam Graves comes to town? Grow up, asshats.
Posted by Liz at October 5, 2003 08:36 AM