Sharks Post-Game Post-Mortem

by Mike Chen on Apr 16, 2009 11:20 PM PDT

Random thoughts after driving back from HP Pavilion:

-It's hard to slag a team that outshoots its opponent 2-1. Still, the Ducks were very effective in clogging up the neutral zone and preventing entry. At the same time, dumping when the outside wingers don't have speed is going to lead to a turnover every team. I hope Todd McLellan is going to utilize his secret plan in Game 2 to break this.

-Defensively, the Sharks were pretty strong except for a few miscues. Anytime you keep a team down under 20 shots, you're doing something right.

-I thought the Cheechoo/Goc/Moen combination was the strongest for the Sharks. The top line failed to really generate many scoring chances and they really lacked speed. Was it because of the sound Anaheim positioning or just a collective brain cramp?

-I didn't have with benefit of instant replay but could anyone figure out what was and what wasn't a call for either team? The only thing consistent about the officiating was that it was confusing.

-While some people, like the woman who sits behind me, are on suicide watch (the woman left after the first goal, convinced that the Sharks were going to go scoreless in four games), I'm going to try and keep a level head about this. A few inches here or there and it could have been a 4-2 Sharks win. However, to say that the shot total was indicative of the play is foolhardy. Too much of the Sharks zone time was spent out of position or failing to hold the boards, and the power play emulated the Ron Wilson days by being overly static.

-Speed, speed, speed through the neutral zone. That's so critical to the Sharks attack and they just forgot how to use it.

-Grade: B-. They played decently enough to win had they had a few bounces go there way but by no means did they play a stellar game. Let's all remember that the Carolina Hurricanes lost their first two games at home before winning the Stanley Cup.

-And finally, I believe I'll be switching my jersey for Game 2 to switch up the mojo.

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Let’s all remember that the Carolina Hurricanes lost their first two games at home before winning the Stanley Cup.

Yeah, you might want to drop game two just to be safe.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Apr 16, 2009 11:30 PM PDT reply actions

i second that……

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 16, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I might try burning my Dan Boyle jersey first. I should have known it carried the jersey curse after they got destroyed at home right after I got it.

by Mike Chen on Apr 16, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I constantly change up shirts / jerseys when the Ducks lose. I think they need to “recharge” for awhile to be lucky again.

I did not wear my Pronger jersey the whole year in 07 after the Ducks lost when I wore it the very first time.

I can relate.

by Mike in OC on Apr 17, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t second that

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?

by ang6666 on Apr 17, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

By the way Sleek, does Hiller’s performance warrant a Heil Hiller or is that too wrong to revisit? My wife thinks that’s hilarious and totally, totally wrong.

by Mike Chen on Apr 16, 2009 11:37 PM PDT reply actions

yes mike your going to hell…..

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 16, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey, Sleek made it up a while ago. He’s the one going to hell, I’m just getting a smiting for laughing at his joke. ;)

I think that’s probably why he does the whole church choir thing, as karmic balance for Heil Hiller.

by Mike Chen on Apr 16, 2009 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions

To be clear, I’m actually going to hell for State Rape. But once that got settled, stuff like Heil Hiller comes easy.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Apr 16, 2009 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions

well if we win this series….i expect some “upgrade” to that cartoon..which in turn will deliver you to lucifers buttocks

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 16, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I’m with your wife. Here’s my rule of thumb — when sober, you should probably call him Killer or Thriller. When drinking, that’s the time to break it out.

But he definitely deserves a solid “Heil Hiller” tonight.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Apr 16, 2009 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions

yea give him sme love..he handled the playoff pressure welll..he didnt run out to the blue line or anything

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 16, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

So, um, who do we have to bribe to get Jiggy in net?

by Mike Chen on Apr 16, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions

just remember your the sharks and won the presidents trophy

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 16, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

If Carlyle reads his BoC, Jiggy should play all the overtimes.

My dad — who has no interest to speak of about hockey — actually e-mailed me during the game tonight. The exchange:

Daddy Sleek: Quack quack. With almost no shots on goal, it’s a replay of Jiggy a few years ago.

Earl Sleek: Blasphemous. Until Hiller makes 20 saves in an OT period, Giguere’s still got the edge.

Still, the guy was watching — that’s saying something.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Apr 16, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

hiller seems better in “scrums” or “screen shots” jiggy…always seems to come out on the bad end of those….you get that feeling sleek?

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 16, 2009 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Not sure, it probably depends on which year of Giguere we are talking about. I’m not really a goaltending expert, but it seems when Giguere went sour, he just had too many holes. Clean shots, traffic shots, side-to-side — he was suffering all over.

But an 03 or 07 Giguere (which — I should point out — I could have said “contract year” Giguere), that guy excelled in traffic. We shall see. I will be surprised if Giguere doesn’t get some playing time before these playoffs is over.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Apr 17, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions

i was pleasntly surprised…by hiller…this reminds me of your earlier…comment…sign allarie now

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 17, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

As big as he is in that net, I’d say Giguere is pretty good in traffic. Saves in traffic are dependant on 1) Getting peeks at the puck, which is a skill thing, 2) Proper positioning to cover as much net as possible even if you can’t see it, which is a skill thing, and 3) Being a big big dude to help you cover as much as you can, which is a luck thing. Giguere is a decent size guy, and damn if he isn’t positionally sound. From there, its pretty much about getting peeks of the puck through a screen, and just plain old puck luck.

http://redwingsvbluejackets.blogspot.com/

by IAmJoe on Apr 17, 2009 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

When on, Giguere’s only weakness was glove, and that it was avarage.

Hiller scares the hell out of me with the rebounds, and the puck control 20 feet from his net.

by Mike in OC on Apr 17, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

average

by Mike in OC on Apr 17, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

FUCK.

Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Apr 17, 2009 12:32 AM PDT reply actions

Thought seconded

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Apr 17, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Squirrels

Where are the posts about squirrels? I want more squirrels.

by ThrashersRecaps on Apr 17, 2009 6:55 AM PDT reply actions

Headline of the Day

goes to the OC Register Sports Section, which proudly displays across its front page two giant words:

“JONAS SMOTHERS”

Hilarious.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Apr 17, 2009 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

Its my fault

I’ve been to three games this year. In 9 periods, I have seen 1 Sharks regulation goal, which came in the last minute of the Vancouver game they won 2-1 in OT. I went to the Colorado game that was 0-0, and now this. My bad, Sharks fans.

by ruben398 on Apr 17, 2009 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

so it was you!!!!

D@mn you! LOL

by sfxc13 on Apr 17, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions

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