GDT: #1 - Sharks @ Calgary - Good News, Everyone! - 1/20/13 - 3:00pm - CSNCA KFOX

[209]

I guess it's one game, but Handzus didn't look bad. I think he's okay so far this year.



McLaren is a 4th line forward. He has the least TOI among forwards playing tonight.

He's just fodder for when Gomez is signed...

 

[WTFetus]

Vlasic: A = Steady Eddy as usual.
Marleau: A = Two goals, hard to get on his case

I didn't think Marleau and Vlasic were the best forward and defenseman in the game today. I'd give that to Couture and Stuart. Vlasic had a couple of brainfarts and basically caused 2 breakaways. Marleau, along with Pavelski and Thornton, had some crucial giveaways that gave Calgary great scoring chances in the first. Couture, despite only getting one assist, seemed to have a good overall game today. Helps that he stopped a goal too.

Overall a good game though. As I said early, after the first, I was pleasantly surprised by everyone except for Clowe, Murray, and Wingels.

 

[Stickmata]

Murray looks like he's 300lbs and towing a ship. So the less time he gets the better.

I was gonna say the same about Clowe. Looked like his skates were made out of cement.

Anyone else think the Flames should be called the Calgary Condiments with those god awful colors?

 

[ChompChomp]

I don't know where this goes and I don't know if I should start a thread for it, but has there been any sighting of Nem's kickass wallpapers that have Sharks schedule on them? His work is brilliant and I love em so just wondering. He's probably busy and stuff, but I thought I would float it out there.

 

[Alwalys]

I'm still trying to find an updated downloadable schedule I can import into my google calendar.

 

[Hatrick Marleau]

My Takes: (first game expectations)

Niemi: A+ = holy crap, is this Antti or his alternate dimension evil twin?
JT: B = Not his angry self, but still pretty good.
Stuart: B = Nothing spectacular but he looked solid and comfortable
Vlasic: A = Steady Eddy as usual.
Havlat: B+ = Looked just a little bit out of sync, but thats excuseable
Marleau: A = Two goals, hard to get on his case
Boyle: B = Again, looked a bit out of sorts, but not for lack of effort.
Pavelski: B- = Looked a little invisible tonight
Clowe: C+ = Better than last year, but still not right.
Couture: B+ = His line's success was mostly his doing
Burish: C = I really didnt notice him much.
Wingels: C = Every good shift seemed to be followed by a major mistake.
McLaren: C = Big improvement over his previous worthlessness, but still fairly worthless, bring on Gomez.
Galiardi: C+ = Lots of good work, no finish, hope that clears up soon.
Desjardins: B = Doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing out there.
Murray: C- = Sadly it looks like Murray is still behind the 8 ball.
Irwin: A = Kid looked like he belonged. It was pretty great to see a guy skating with Boyle that can actually keep up with him.
Braun: C+ = barely noticed him tonight. My bet is his hand is still a big problem. Plus Murray.

Honestly, couldn't ask for a much better first game of the season though.

This is a good post. Only thing I'd change would be Murray's grade to D-. He was pretty bad.

 

[do0glas]

This is a good post. Only thing I'd change would be Murray's grade to D-. He was pretty bad.

I was in a bar watching and talking to people, can anyone tell why wingels didn't do so well, thought he was average out there, good on the forecheck etc

 

[WTFetus]

I was in a bar watching and talking to people, can anyone tell why wingels didn't do so well, thought he was average out there, good on the forecheck etc

I remember Galiardi being the better forechecker on that line. Wingels just didn't have a great game. Poor boardwork, lousy giveaways, no puck control.

 

[do0glas]

I remember Galiardi being the better forechecker on that line. Wingels just didn't have a great game. Poor boardwork, lousy giveaways, no puck control.

Ahh ok. Hope he turns it around.

 

[NWShark*]

Wingles was fine as were most of the guys. Wingles drew at least one penalty and had a lot of energy. It's the first game and there is a certain amount of settling that will occur in the first few games as far as them getting comfortable. Stuart was the best D, Murray always looks like he's skating in cement but he had much better jump than he did last year when he was injured. If we get this Niemi for the whole season and playoffs the sharks are a serious contender. Again though, first game so we'll see. Zeus did exactly what was needed. THought his skating looked much better than last season. Again injuries... If this lineup adds Burns, demers and Gomez and the sky is the limit.

 

[Led Zappa]

I'm still trying to find an updated downloadable schedule I can import into my google calendar.

Will this work?

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=81102

 

[rangerssharks414]

Just got done watching on the DVR...

Niemi was outstanding. He saved the Sharks' bacon so many times in the first period when they were just awful. Irwin looked pretty good out there. Murray was pretty bad. I hope it's just one game, or he'll be sitting in the press box once the defense gets healthy. I wanted to laugh once the Sharks allowed that power play goal in the first, but I didn't. The power play was meh. I expect them to score on a two-man advantage with all of the weapons they have. Overall, a pretty decent final 30 minutes, and a solid win to start the year.

 

[hockeyball]

I didn't think Marleau and Vlasic were the best forward and defenseman in the game today. I'd give that to Couture and Stuart. Vlasic had a couple of brainfarts and basically caused 2 breakaways. Marleau, along with Pavelski and Thornton, had some crucial giveaways that gave Calgary great scoring chances in the first. Couture, despite only getting one assist, seemed to have a good overall game today. Helps that he stopped a goal too.

Overall a good game though. As I said early, after the first, I was pleasantly surprised by everyone except for Clowe, Murray, and Wingels.

The grades were meant simply against what was expected of them as individuals. Irwin vastly exceeded expectations, as did Marleau, etc. If I had to pick a best forward and best defensemen though it would be Couture or Marleau (tough call) and Vlasic.

 

[NWShark*]

The sharks are even deeper on D than I initially thought based on how well Irwin played. I'l be shocked if they don't trade someone once Demers and Burns are healthy. If Petrecki can play too that's just icing on the cake.

 

[FeedingFrenzy]

Had to dvr the game..My take on tonight: 1st period ugly, Nemo on his game. 2nd period on Sharks looked good. Package Clowe and Murray, their better days are gone imo. Clowe was useless and Irwin looked like he belonged. Handzus was meh. PK looked like one. Agree with another poster who commented on Irwin being paired with Boyle. Solid.

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

My Takes: (first game expectations)

Niemi: A+ = holy crap, is this Antti or his alternate dimension evil twin?
JT: B = Not his angry self, but still pretty good.
Stuart: B = Nothing spectacular but he looked solid and comfortable
Vlasic: A = Steady Eddy as usual.
Havlat: B+ = Looked just a little bit out of sync, but thats excuseable
Marleau: A = Two goals, hard to get on his case
Boyle: B = Again, looked a bit out of sorts, but not for lack of effort.
Pavelski: B- = Looked a little invisible tonight
Clowe: C+ = Better than last year, but still not right.
Couture: B+ = His line's success was mostly his doing
Burish: C = I really didnt notice him much.
Wingels: C = Every good shift seemed to be followed by a major mistake.
McLaren: C = Big improvement over his previous worthlessness, but still fairly worthless, bring on Gomez.
Galiardi: C+ = Lots of good work, no finish, hope that clears up soon.
Desjardins: B = Doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing out there.
Murray: C- = Sadly it looks like Murray is still behind the 8 ball.
Irwin: A = Kid looked like he belonged. It was pretty great to see a guy skating with Boyle that can actually keep up with him.
Braun: C+ = barely noticed him tonight. My bet is his hand is still a big problem. Plus Murray.

Honestly, couldn't ask for a much better first game of the season though.

So I guess you're trying to forget that Handzus is on the team?

 

[WildisLaw]

Nice turnaround after that bad start.

 

[NWShark*]

One thing that bothered me... the puck was bouncing like crazy. Usually a sign of bad ice or the pucks not being frozen. Since when does Calgary have bad ice?

 

[Alwalys]

Will this work?

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=81102

Please note, the schedules below were updated in June 2012 and do not contain TV and Radio information. The schedules below will be updated after that information is made available. All dates, times and other information contained in the schedules below are subject to change according to the NHL Schedule.

This is why I'm looking for it...

 

[Oberursel]

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm


http://sharks.nhl.com/club/calendar.htm

EDIT: oops, sorry, no local TV info there... Anybody have a better one?

 

[hockeyball]

So I guess you're trying to forget that Handzus is on the team?

Who?

 

[richo]

Only saw the 2nd and 3rd periods. Things looked good overall. I have but one complaint and it's one I've had the past couple seasons. On a two man advantage Couture was positioned either behind the goal line very close to the net or just off to the side of the net - neither spot being effective to help at all. Yes they scored but it was a great shot by Boyle. Why are the Sharks the only team that doesn't seem to understand you should either spread it out or clog up the front?

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Only saw the 2nd and 3rd periods. Things looked good overall. I have but one complaint and it's one I've had the past couple seasons. On a two man advantage Couture was positioned either behind the goal line very close to the net or just off to the side of the net - neither spot being effective to help at all. Yes they scored but it was a great shot by Boyle. Why are the Sharks the only team that doesn't seem to understand you should either spread it out or clog up the front?

The reason why they position themselves off to the side in that situation is to have an outlet down low for the point guy to go to. Clogging the net isn't always the best solution if you want to get the puck through and spreading it out gives the defense time as well when you move the puck. And they aren't the only team that does that.

 

[Barrie22]

Only saw the 2nd and 3rd periods. Things looked good overall. I have but one complaint and it's one I've had the past couple seasons. On a two man advantage Couture was positioned either behind the goal line very close to the net or just off to the side of the net - neither spot being effective to help at all. Yes they scored but it was a great shot by Boyle. Why are the Sharks the only team that doesn't seem to understand you should either spread it out or clog up the front?

i think other teams should maybe i don't know start following what the sharks do on the power play, considering the sharks have been a top team on the power play for the past 6 years.

the sharks last season had 7 opportunities on 5-3's, scored on 3 of them for 42% rate of conversion.
2010-11 the sharks had 17 opportunities on 5-3, scored on 7 of them for 41% rate of coversion.
2009-10 the sharks had 10 opportunities on 5-3, scored on 1 of them for a 10% rate of conversion.
2008-09 the sharks had 23 opportunities on 5-3, scored on 8 of them for a 34% rate of conversion.
2007-08 and lower we have no information on 5-3's.

 

[pappaf2]

My Takes: (first game expectations)

Niemi: A+ = holy crap, is this Antti or his alternate dimension evil twin?

Only one way to tell, did he have a goatee?