January 31st, 2008
With the Lethbridge Hurricanes on the road this week, I also took the time to head out. I went to Calgary this week for the Flames game against San Jose. This was a working trip, however, no time for touristy fun like going to the Calgary Tower or visiting the Calgary Zoo
For What it’s Worth: $46.78-The San Jose Sharks are going to continue to disappoint come NHL playoff.
As an objective journalist (are there any left?) I wouldn’t mind seeing the Sharks make a long playoff run. The club features a pair of good ol’ Southern Albertan boys (thanks Don!), Taber’s Devin Setoguchi and Coaldale’s Kyle McLaren. They have one of the league’s most dynamic players in Joe Thornton. There’s plenty of speed and skill, and the Sharks have to be the biggest team in the NHL (the club weighs in at 5992 pounds, 214 per man. Even their goalies, Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas (I Never See the Ice) Greiss are 200 lbs!).
Yet, for me, there’s something missing. I think it comes down to Thornton and Sharks captain Patrick Marleau. Looking at their playoff statistics, the duo average well under a point per game (Thornton 57 playoff games-38 points, Marleau 73 playoff games-51pts). But the pair’s style is not really conducive to the post-season. When things get physical, both can disappear.
Marleau is tremendously fast with a great touch (until this year, 9 goals in 51 games???). The Aneroid, Saskatchewan native, most famously in these parts, was completely neutralized in the 1997 WHL Finals by a fierce Lethbridge Hurricanes side. Heading into the best of 7, Marleau had 22 points in 11 games as his Seattle Thunderbirds waltzed through the Western Conference bracket. But against the ‘Bridge, Marleau had just one assist as his Thunderbirds were swept by the Hurricanes.
As for Thornton, his ability to win in the post-season was the biggest reason he was traded from Boston to San Jose. And with the Sharks, he’s yet to lead the club out of the second round.
Perhaps moving Marleau for a grittier forward can give the club the boost it needs. The Sharks could probably use another top four blue-liner as well. Still, there’s a lot to like from this team and perhaps it gets over the hump to play for the Stanley Cup in June. Maybe, Marleau and Thornton dig deep and become as well known for their playoff performance as their regular season production.
Spare Change
In other Sharks news, Setoguchi made quite the impression on the Flames. The former Saskatoon Blade and Prince George Cougar took a run at Calgary Captain Jarome Iginla in the first period. Iggy was none too pleased, asking Seto for a spot of fisticuffs. Devin politely declined. Setoguchi was then in another spat with Dion Phaneuf, with the Flames defenceman picking up an extra roughing minor. The Taber product was playing in front of 100 family and friends, and even though Setoguchi was held off the score sheet, he made his mark.
Setoguchi’s made the trip from San Jose to Worchester, Massachusetts (the Sharks AHL affiliate) a few times this campaign. He says it’s a learning experience and it’s not the team that sends a player to the minors, but the player’s performance, or lack thereof, that does. Devin is settling in well in Silicon Valley, rooming with teammate Torrey Mitchell. The only drawback is neither can cook very well, so they’re eating out a lot.
Talking with San Jose assistant coach Rob Zettler, he says the rookie is going through the typical ups and downs. After a strong training camp, Setoguchi was hurt to start the NHL season. After getting healthy, he made his debut in the big show, scoring twice, the only Shark to ever accomplish the feat. Then a four game goal streak in November was followed by a dry spell, and a trip to the minors. Since Seto’s recall in the middle of this month, Zettler believes the winger is using his speed well, playing a responsible brand, and helping the Sharks defensively.
As for McLaren, he’s trying to come back from a knee injury. I played basketball against his brother Dean in high school (well my team played his, CCH versus Kate Anrdrews, I watched a lot from the bench). Kyle was a bit introspective after I called him a veteran player. In the NHL at the age of 18, the former Tacoma Rocket, has 12 big-league seasons under his belt. It seems he’s truly appreciative of getting paid (handsomely) to play the game he loves.
So if the Flames can’t make another long Stanley Cup run, maybe I’ll get on the Sharks bandwagon, after all, Jeremy Roenick always keeps things interesting.
Super Bowl XLII
I’ll keep it brief since there’s enough Super Bowl coverage to keep a person entertained, or nauseous, or both.
I earlier wrote New England was somewhat flawed, but since my pick, Indianapolis decided to tank in the AFC semifinals, I can’t see the Patriots losing. As game as the New York Giants are, the Pats have to finish this dream season off, perfect don’t they? The G-men’s secondary is highly suspect, and New England QB Tom Brady should be able to exploit it.
The recipe for New York: no turnovers, get huge pressure on Brady from the defensive line, and run the ball well to control the clock. I’ll put the odds at 10-1 for New York to win. Not bad, but look for the best team in NFL history talk to include the 2007 New England Patriots in the years and decades to come.
And if you need a place to watch the game, come down to Scores. I’m hosting their Super Bowl party. I promise pretentious antics, crazy hijinx, and perhaps a zany pratfall. There are tons of great prizes (42” LCD TV, Playstation 3, and more)!
Kick-off is 4:18, get to Scores early for a good seat with your friends!
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