The Sharks Meltdown

Last night at Rogers Centre, the San Jose Sharks got of to a great start in Game Two of their Western Conference Semi - Final. An early penalty to Vancouver's Aaron Rome led to a Logan Couture PPG and within three minutes the Sharks were up a goal. A back and forth period saw the ice flooded with matching 2's appearing on the scoreboard and then it all went south. The Canucks controlled the second period, and eventually took the lead on a Kevin Bieksa goal. Realizing that his team needed to regain the momentum headed into the final stanza, the usually mild mannered Patrick Marleau dropped the gloves with Bieksa in what was a fairly one sided fight. Regardless of the outcome, the message on the Sharks bench and in the room should have been lets build on this...look at what Marleau is willing to do to win. Saying that I expected to see a different Sharks team in the third, and they were. The only problem was rather than try to get back into the game, they showed a complete lack of disciplne.

Ben Eager was embarrasing throughout the third taking three penalites leading to two Canuck Power Play goals. What could go worse for Eager..he scored a goal in the dying minutes and then proceeds to trash tall Roberto Luongo despite being down four goals. If Ben Eager is in the line up for Game Three, I would be mighty surprised. I realize that McLellan was trying to send a mesage, but he failed. Eager simply made the Sharks look like a bush league Senior Team who only wanted to fight with little regard for scoring goals.

As someone who wants nothing more than to see the Canucks ousted from the Play - off's, last night was frustrating. The Sharks can play with this team but last night they just looked awful. Unless something significant changes when this series shifts to northern California, my worst nightmare will come true..the Canucks playing for all the marbles.


On the other side of the ledger, the Lightning and Bruins get back at it in Florida tonight. I expect Tampa to continue with the momentum they built in the third period of Game Two and come away with the W.


Later....