The bite may be weak, but for one game at least the San Jose Sharks took a small bite out of the Dallas Stars, staving off being swept from the Western Semi final with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night.
Once again, Patrick Marleau provided a short handed goal to bring the Sharks even with the Stars at 1-1 in the middle of the second period, picking up the puck after a turnover from the embattled Sergei Zubov who has not had one of the better times on the ice of late. Zubov, who has just returned from over three months of inactivity due to injury, still is suffering the effects of that layover and has yet to regain his more reliable form of previous years.
The Sharks and Stars traded off chances until San Jose finally converted one of their power play opportunities for the go ahead and eventual winning goal, as Milan Michalek finally gained a goal on the man advantage for the Sharks. One of the problems with San Jose in this playoff round has been an atrocious power play, which not only has had problems scoring goals but even in directing quality chances towards Marty Turco.
Turco has once again been the story of the series, he held off a ferocious San Jose attack to start off the game as the Sharks finally began to show some of the intensity that is required when you are struggling and facing elimination.
With the win they send the series back to the shark tank for Friday night, where they will try to continue to chip away at Dallas’ 3 game to 1 lead, losing at home on Friday and once again finding elimination as a constant factor of their archived playoff experience will not be well received by the teal clad faithful of the Bay area.
Expect much of the same intensity for the first period on Friday as there was last night, San Jose’s roster which has performed below expectations for most of the last two decades doesn’t have much room for error, one loss and they’re gone, from the playoffs and for some no doubt from the franchise.
Once again, Patrick Marleau provided a short handed goal to bring the Sharks even with the Stars at 1-1 in the middle of the second period, picking up the puck after a turnover from the embattled Sergei Zubov who has not had one of the better times on the ice of late. Zubov, who has just returned from over three months of inactivity due to injury, still is suffering the effects of that layover and has yet to regain his more reliable form of previous years.
The Sharks and Stars traded off chances until San Jose finally converted one of their power play opportunities for the go ahead and eventual winning goal, as Milan Michalek finally gained a goal on the man advantage for the Sharks. One of the problems with San Jose in this playoff round has been an atrocious power play, which not only has had problems scoring goals but even in directing quality chances towards Marty Turco.
Turco has once again been the story of the series, he held off a ferocious San Jose attack to start off the game as the Sharks finally began to show some of the intensity that is required when you are struggling and facing elimination.
With the win they send the series back to the shark tank for Friday night, where they will try to continue to chip away at Dallas’ 3 game to 1 lead, losing at home on Friday and once again finding elimination as a constant factor of their archived playoff experience will not be well received by the teal clad faithful of the Bay area.
Expect much of the same intensity for the first period on Friday as there was last night, San Jose’s roster which has performed below expectations for most of the last two decades doesn’t have much room for error, one loss and they’re gone, from the playoffs and for some no doubt from the franchise.
Globe and Mail-- Sharks stave off elimination
CBC Sports-- Back to back games taxing on Shars, Stars
National Post-- Michalek's goal keeps Sharks alive
San Francisco Chronicle-- Odds are against it, but series goes on
San Francisco Chronicle-- Desperate Sharks turn on the power
San Jose Mercury News-- Desperation serves Sharks well on this night
San Jose Mercury News-- Sharks finally grab a victory; Series heads back to San Jose
Dallas Morning News-- We're headed back to San Jose
Dallas Morning News-- Immediate observations
Dallas Morning News-- Dallas Stars yield another short-handed goal
Dallas Morning News-- Dallas Stars let Sharks resurface with 2-1 loss
Dallas Morning News-- Dallas Stars can't counter desperate team
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NHL.com-- Stats Pack
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