San Jose drops football score on Nashville in 8-5 win, Joe Pavelski spin-o-rama game winner caps 6 goal third period

More notes from the San Jose Sharks 8-5 win over the Nashville Predators will be posted soon. Pavelski's spin-o-rama game winning goal comes 9:03 into the highlights, his post-game interview and CSNCA's highlights are available here.

DOH Podcast #90: Western Conference bubble picture, San Jose power play

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana discuss come-from-behind wins over the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets, the San Jose Sharks power play, the recent improved play of center Torrey Mitchell, weigh the Anaheim Ducks playoff chances, examine the bubble picture in the Western Conference, pick one Doug Wilson trade they would reverse, and answer reader email on the 90th episode of Dudes on Hockey.

This Sharks podcast is posted here with permission. Visit dudesonhockey.com for more coverage of the team, or download the podcast MP3 file directly here.

Darryl Hunt: Trevelyan, WorSharks Triumph Over Wolf Pack 6-4

The Worcester Sharks overcame several early miscues by goaltender Frank Doyle and used two third period goals by T.J. Trevelyan to defeat the Hartford Wolf Pack 6-4 Wednesday night at the DCU center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Hartford came into the DCU Center on a four game winning streak against the WorSharks having won all of their previous meetings this season, and it looked like Worcester's bad luck against the Wolf Pack would continue when defenseman Corey Potter intercepted a clearing attempt at the blue line and flipped an easy arcing shot on Doyle that somehow found its way into the back of the net for a 1-0 Hartford lead at 5:54.

The WorSharks would answer at 9:08 with their first of three power play goals on the night. Derek Joslin began the play by breaking in down the right wing side, and firing a shot on Hartford goaltender Matt Zaba that was easily saved. Steven Zalewski was able to grab the rebound and jammed at it twice before the puck got past Zaba to knot the game.

The Wolf Pack would regain the lead as referee Mark Lemelin was waiting to call a delayed minor on Worcester. Just before Zaba could make it to the bench Potter would again light the lamp from the blue line, this time beating an unscreened Doyle with a slapshot over the netminder's glove at 14:16. Doyle would again have an issues with the puck, being called for playing the puck in the restricted area just 13 seconds after Potter's second goal.

Hartford would make it 3-1 halfway through the second period after a turnover deep in the WorSharks zone. Brodie Dupont was able to deflect a pass from Corey Locke under Doyle and just over the goal line at 10:21.

Worcester would get back within one at 14:32 with their second power play goal of the contest. The play began with Worcester skating five on three and not having much luck getting a scoring chance, but as Wolf Pack defense Ilkka Heikkinen jumped out of the box and into the play Worcester was able to get a lucky bounce. After several attempts in close that were turned away captain Ryan Vesce's shot deflected off defenseman Anders Eriksson leg and into the net to make it 3-2. Benn Ferriero and Danny Groulx had the helpers on the play.

Andrew Desjardins would tie the game for Worcester at 7:26 of the third period as the WorSharks third line swarmed around the net. John McCarthy's original shot went wide of Zaba, but Dan DaSilva grabbed the loose puck and found Desjardins in the slot. Desjardins' blast to the stick side just glanced off Zaba's blocker and into the net.

Trevelyan would give Worcester its first lead of the evening after converting on a two on one break. After a rebound of a Doyle kick save that Kevin Henderson grabbed, he and Trevelyan would skate into the Wolf Pack zone against Eriksson. Henderson threw the perfect pass to Trevelyan as Locke dove in from behind to try and block the play, and Trevelyan's blast hit off Zaba and in at 9:30 for the 4-3 Worcester lead.

The Wolf Pack would get back to even at 13:03 of the third when Potter's fluttering blast from the point was deflected by Dale Weise and past Doyle to make it a 4-4 game.

Trevelyan's second of the game at 18:15 would give Worcester the lead for good when he deflected Logan Couture's hard centering pass past a surprised Zaba. Brett Westgarth, in his first home game in Worcester since being traded back to the WorSharks last week, had the other assist on the goal.

With a minute to go in the contest Hartford tried to get Zaba off the ice for an extra attacker, and were called for a too many men on the ice minor. Despite being shorthanded Hartford pulled Zaba as their first opportunity to get the skaters back to even, but they were unable to get a single shot on goal. Groulx iced the game by stick handling out of the Worcester zone as time ticked down, and threw a lazy shot in the empty net that made it over the goal line as time expired. Even though the green light was on Referee Lemelin ruled the goal good for the 6-4 final.

GAME NOTES
Worcester's scratches were Joe Callahan, Matt Jones, Joe Loprieno, Tyson Sexsmith, Dennis McCauley, Cory Quirk, and Michael Wilson. Alex Stalock was the back-up goaltender. Nick Petrecki did not play in the third period, but did not appear injured.

The Worcester Sharks Booster Club announced their players of the month for December and January, with Benn Ferriero winning the award for December and Danny Groulx being the winner for January. Groulx's empty net goal at 19:59.9 kept alive a streak of winners scoring goals in games where the awards were given out that extends back into last season.

Wednesday was the deadline for teams to submit their Clear Day Rosters to the AHL. The AHL rules say that only players on the list, along with college and junior players signed after their seasons are over, are eligible to play from now until the end of the Calder Cup playoffs. In reality, it is very simple for teams to literally play anyone they want. Worcester's list was fairly predictable with the notable exception of Jamie McGinn. McGinn can still play for the WorSharks should he be reassigned to the AHL at any point as long as he is replacing an injured or recalled player on the WorSharks list. Headaches and the sniffles are considered "injures" by the AHL.

Worcester's list contains forwards John McCarthy, Logan Couture, Dwight Helminen, Cory Quirk, Frazer McLaren, Steven Zalewski, Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero, Andrew Desjardins, Dan DaSilva, T.J. Trevelyan, and Brandon Mashinter; defensemen Danny Groulx, Jason Demers, Mike Moore, Michael Wilson, Derek Joslin, Joe Callahan, Nick Petrecki, and Brett Westgarth; and goaltenders Frank Doyle and Alex Stalock.

The three stars of the game were
1. Trevelyan (2g)
2. Potter (2g,a,+3)
3. Vesce (g,a)

Trevelyan was also the AHL's second star of the night

The Sharkspage player of the game was Danny Groulx.

Even strength lines
Trevelyan/Couture/Vesce
Mashinter/Helminen/Ferriero
Zalewski/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Henderson/McCarthy

Demers/Moore
Groulx/Joslin
Petrecki/Westgarth

Power play lines
Couture/Vesce/Trevelyan
Mashinter/Zalewski/Ferriero

Demers/Groulx
Moore/Joslin

Penalty kill lines
Desjardins/McCarthy
Helminen/Ferriero
Henderson/McLaren

Moore/Demers
Groulx/Joslin(Westgarth)

BOXSCORE

Hartford 2 1 1 - 4
Worcester 1 1 4 - 6

1st Period-1, Hartford, Potter 3 5:54. 2, Worcester, Zalewski 21 (Joslin), 9:08 (pp). 3, Hartford, Potter 4 (Dupont, Locke), 14:16. Penalties-Brashear Hfd (hooking), 7:46; Doyle Wor (delay of game - restricted area), 14:29; served by Brashear Hfd (bench minor - too many men), 17:05.

2nd Period-4, Hartford, Dupont 13 (Locke, Parenteau), 10:21. 5, Worcester, Vesce 12 (Ferriero, Groulx), 14:32 (pp). Penalties-Soryal Hfd (fighting), 4:31; Petrecki Wor (fighting), 4:31; Nightingale Hfd (fighting), 6:21; Henderson Wor (kneeing, fighting), 6:21; Westgarth Wor (interference), 10:45; Heikkinen Hfd (hooking), 12:26; Potter Hfd (cross-checking), 13:56.

3rd Period-6, Worcester, Desjardins 14 (McCarthy, DaSilva), 7:26. 7, Worcester, Trevelyan 20 (Doyle, Henderson), 9:30. 8, Hartford, Weise 21 (Potter, Newbury), 13:03. 9, Worcester, Trevelyan 21 (Westgarth, Couture), 18:15. 10, Worcester, Groulx 9 (Demers, Vesce), 19:59 (pp en). Penalties-Joslin Wor (boarding), 0:19; Garlock Hfd (hooking), 3:56; served by Soryal Hfd (bench minor - too many men), 19:00.

Shots on Goal
Hartford 10-18-10-38
Worcester 11-8-7-26.

Power Play Opportunities
Hartford 0 of 4
Worcester 3 of 6.

Goalies
Hartford, Zaba 6-11-2 (25 shots-20 saves)
Worcester, Doyle 2-1-0 (38 shots-34 saves).

A-2,306. Referee-Mark Lemelin (84). Linesmen-Mark Messier (12), Bob Paquette (18).

Tim McKenzie and Jenna Castillo shine at WOTH 5 Muaythai Kickboxing and MMA Championships in Santa Clara

WOTH 5 - TIM MCKENZIE (13-6) POSED WITH TEAM AFTER WIN IN MAIN EVENT

WOTH 5 - TEAM BLACK'S QUINCEY SHAMON LANDS A KICK VS MATT LUCAS

WOTH 5 - CARRESA KIBLER PERFORMED THE RAM MUAY PREFIGHT RITUAL

The fifth edition of the War of the Heroes Muaythai Kickboxing/MMA Championships presented by USMF/Xfight officially brought a standing room only crowd of nearly 1600 fans to the Santa Clara Convention Center on Saturday night. Unofficially, estimates on seating capacity and the Virtual Box Office information show that as many as 1800 fans may have been in attendance and possibly more. The Santa Clara fire department shut down the box office because it was over capacity.

In the two main event professional MMA bouts, UFC/WEC veteran Tim "the Wrecking Machine" McKenzie (13-6) blitzed Mike Arellano, and Fairtex Mountain View's Chris Moore showcased a slick wrestling and submission game as both ended their fights with early first round submissions. Four U.S. Muaythai Federation title contests headlined 15 amateur fights, and the lone professional muaythai bout witnessed Strikeforce kickboxing veteran Ryan "T2" Roy batter and bloody a game Nathan Bagby.

Flanked by cheerleading and MLM marketing exhibitions, Conference Room B was packed wall-to-wall with fight team members, vocal supporters and a growing underground kickboxing fan base for 4+ hours of marathon kickboxing/mma hybrid action. Stockton-based and SF-trained under Ganyao "Dr. Knee" Fairtex, Tim McKenzie has been in the cage with several grizzled MMA veterans and up-and-comers including Emanuel Newton, Akihiro Gono, Scott Smith and Chael Sonnen. With 3 losses in his last 5 fights, McKenzie was looking to rebound against Gladiator Challenge and Tachi Palace veteran Mike "Showtime" Arellano.

After a short feeling out process, McKenzie went airborne to keep his balance against a solid double leg takedown attempt from Arellano. Folding the Corona, CA native back on himself, McKenzie ended up in the dominant mount position after a short scramble. Instead of going for a ground and pound finish, "the Wrecking Machine" flattened out his opponent while controlling the head. As Arellano bucked his hips and reversed position, McKenzie kept control of the wrists and slipped fluidly into a textbook armbar. The Ronin Jiu-Jitsu instructor finished the fight in 43 seconds with an armbar submission.

In his professional MMA debut, Fairtex Mountain View's Chris Moore looked impressive en route to a first round submission over Sacramento native Tramail Smith. Moore plowed through a hard side kick to score an early takedown, but he could not gain a good enough posture to advance his position. After Smith showed several agressive upkicks and inside kicks off his back, he tried to press the action standing with a flurry of kicks and punches. Moore quickly used a hip throw into the mount position, sinking in a deep keylock submission moments later. Tramail Smith tapped at 1:53.

Burgeoning Muaythai and San Shou star Jenna Castillo (25-1) has seen her profile rise quickly among Bay Area fans and media. A member of Fairtex SF also under Ganyao Fairtex, she has sparred with 2-time female boxing champion Ana Julaton and UFC/WEC/Strikeforce veteran, Scott Smith. Castillo also recently defended her WCSC Batamweight title as the headliner on a San Francisco Female Fury card in convincing fashion. Facing her would be 29-year old Melanie Kohler Edwards (8-4) of Utah. Edwards, a K-1 USA Superfight winner in 2003, came out to a solid walk-in track by Gangstar, but the flow of the fight would be directed by Castillo from the outset.

Castillo piled up damage until the decisive third round. Quick two-punch, inside leg kick combinations found their mark for Jenna. Along with a piercing right hand, left high kick combination, Edwards was on the defensive, covering up and on her heels. Castillo pressed the action and forced a standing 8-count. Cornered again later in the round, Castillo's right hand found its mark repeatedly until referee Dan Stell stepped in and stopped the fight.

In the lone professional Muaythai bout of the evening, Strikeforce and WCSC veteran kickboxer and a member of Fairtex Mountain View, Ryan "T2" Roy put his stamp on Fort Worth, Texas native Nathan Bagby. Bagby started the fight with more effective strikes from the outside, but Roy's power changed the gameplan early. Heavy kicks to the body echoed off the walls of the conference room, and looping right hands were thrown with knockout intentions. Bagby threw a solid, technical high kick at the end of the first. Roy blocked it with both hands and tossed him unceremoniously to the canvas.

In the second round, Bagby followed his corner's instructions and landed several quick pinpoint kicks to the legs and body. An imposing T2 started leveling heavy kicks to the midsection, like chopping wood. After scoring a knockdown, Roy sent Bagby sprawling to the mat seconds later by kicking his leg out from under him. Ryan Roy began finding the zone in the third round, backing up Bagby into a corner and landing knockout quality punches. Bagby was bloodied, but he remained on his feet. An elbow, right hand combination cut a gash over the right eye of Nathan, but after a quick consult the doctor said he could continue. The onslaught resumed until the doctor was called a second time, and the fight was stopped. It was the 7th win for Ryan Roy, and argueably one of the most impressive of his career. His animated in-ring celebration drew a slight chuckle from veteran Thai referee Dej Sri-Ampai, who is as stone faced and professional as any referee in California.

IFMA World Championship Gold Medalist (Nov 27-Dec 5th - Bangkok, Thailand) and AKA fighter Eric Luna earned a unanimous decision win over a flamboyant, spinning kick weilding Mario Martinez, and Combast Sports Academy's Amber Pope looked impressive with unanimous decision wins in USMF Muaythai title fights. American Kickboxing Academy's Gabe Carrasco (11-0) scored the knockout of the night with a high kick through the guard of American Top Team's Eric Shellard. The Winter Springs, Florida native Shellard was out cold for several seconds, and had to be restrained briefly by the ref as he came to after the fight was stopped.

Team Black's Quincey Shamon upset Matt Lucas with a 4th round TKO. The technically sound Shamon picked apart the powerful striker Lucas, and after one knockdown in the corner in the 4th he pressed and stopped the fight. Fairtex Mountain View's Lawerence Ward beat Unlimited Kickboxing's Robert Connejo with a solid performance, 30-27 on all three cards, and San Francisco's Andrew Moy came from behind to win with a stunning 3rd round TKO of Ray Hov. Team Black's Soni Tuungasasi stalked Elite MMA's Matt King for 3 rounds, but the heavy hitting heavyweight could not knock him out. Instead the enormous Tongan earned a decision win, 29-27, 29-27, 28-89, and the well earned respect for any future opponent he will face in the ring. Christie Cheekets, Brooks Hurd, Podar Duarte and Amber Goodwin were all successful in a blistering start to WOTH 5, which created a good atmosphere in the crowd and built up anticipation for the main event fights.

It was announced that there will be 5 War of the Heroes events in 2010, WOTH FC 6 is scheduled for May 22nd at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, WOTH FC 7 is scheduled for July 24th at the Fairtex Thepasit Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand, and WOTH FC 8 & 9 will return to the Santa Clara County Convention Center at the end of the year. Fairtex USA and USMF President Anthony Lin also noted that the USMF is looking to expand its muaythai reach to Texas, Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Muaythai Federation had its most successful run at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships to date, earning 2 Gold medals, 1 Silver Medal, and 4 Bronze Medals in Bangkok, Thailand (Nov 27-Dec 5th). The USMF is dedicated to the promotion of Muaythai kickboxing in the U.S., and looking to furthur the competition of muaythai as an Olympic sport. The USMF will scout American talent to represent the U.S. at the upcoming PAMU Championships in Brazil (April), SportAccord in China (August), and IFMA World Championships in Thailand (November-December).

Strikeforce/UFC/former WEC Champion Scott Smith, Strikeforce Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, K-1 former champion Carter Williams, and WBC Muaythai/WBC Asia/ABCO General Secretary General Kiate Sirigul were on hand to award USMF belts inside the ring. Former Strikeforce title holder Cung Le was in the corner for several USH team fighters. Other notable players within the MMA/Muaythai community in attendance were promoter Scott Coker of ISKA/Strikeforce, Mike Kogan of FEG/K-1, promoter Mick Maynard of Long Star Beat Down, promoter Andy K of Muaythai Lao, Trevor of Pure Pankration, and several others. A post-fight afterparty was held at the Fahrenheit Lounge in San Jose.

A rough photo gallery from the event is available here. Video of the two professional MMA bouts are available online: Tim McKenzie vs Mike Arellano, and Chris Moore vs Tramail Smith.

Official Results:

War of the Heroes 5
Muaythai/MMA Championships
March 6th, 2010
Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara

PRO Mixed Martial Arts bout
Tim McKenzie (13-6) Submitted Mike Arellano (6-4)
Armbar Submission, 1st Round - 0:43.

PRO Mixed Martial Arts bout
Chris Moore (1-0) Submitted Tramail Smith (3-2)
Keylock Submission, 1st Round - 1:53.

PRO Muaythai Kickboxing Fight
Ryan Roy (7-2) tko Nathan Bagby (3-2)
Doctor stoppage, 3rd Round.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Jenna Castillo TKO Melanie Kohler Edwards
3rd Round.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Eric Luna Defeated Mario Martinez
Unanimous Decision.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Gabe Carrasco KO Eric Shelland
KO, 1st Round - 0:40.

USMF Muaythai Title Fight
Amber Pope Defeated Carresa Kibler
Unanimous Decision.

(Amateur Muaythai Undercard)
Tony Lawrence def. Diego Cuenca, UD
Chrisente Joaquin def. Ivan Guerrero, UD
Quincey Shamon TKO Matt Lucas (4th - 0:33)
Laurence Ward def. Robert Cornejo, UD
Andrew Moy TKO Ray Hov (3rd - 0:24)
Jeremy Leslie def. Vincent Urruty, UD
Soni Tuungasasi def. Matt King, SD
Amber Goodwin def. Liezel Warford, UD
Podar Duarte def. Daniel Marchbanks, UD
Brooks Hurd def. Philip Jucaban, UD
Christie Cheekets def. Jennifer Faust, UD

[Note] Official results were updated via the CSAC, and information from Fairtex was included in the recap. This article was republished on USMF.tv and may be featured in an upcoming issue of Muaythai Times magazine.

Hockey for Haiti-Chile game featuring San Jose Jr Sharks coaches vs Santa Clara Blackhawks coaches raised over $15,000 for charity

The Hockey for Haiti/Chile game on Friday, March 5th at Sharks Ice in San Jose raised over $15,000 for charity. The San Jose Jr Sharks coaches defeated the Santa Clara Blackhawks coaches 10-8, despite a late penalty shot awarded to SC. There was a round of penalty shots and a speed skating competition at the first intermission, a raffle for prizes including one ticket package for next season with a visit to the broadcasting booth and locker room at the second intermission, and a party at Stanley's Bar & Grill (with windows overlooking the rinks) after the game.

Thanks to the fans for showing their support, former SJSU captain Ray Kellam for organizing the game, Randy Hahn and Jamie Baker for mc'ing the event and participating respectively, and the Jr Sharks and Blackhawks coaches for supporting youth hockey in the South Bay.

San Jose Jr Sharks coaches roster:

John Beaulieu (Fin Coach)- Bantam AAA
Tony Zaswoski - Director of Coaches M18 AAA
Mike Richardson - M16/M 18
Sean Castagna M 16 AA
Tyler Shaffar - M 16 AA / Bantam AA
Yumi Haraguchi - Girls 8U
Tanya Silva - Girls 12U
Martin Dennis - Bantam AAA
Brad Dudschus - Bantam A1
Todd Cleaver - Bantam A1
Robert Savoie - Girls 10U
Gary Bortolotto - PeeWee AA
Martin Moody - Goalie Coach

Santa Clara Blackhawks coaches roster:

Hal Nunn (Talon Coach) M16
Harri Makkarainen - Mites
Ian Fazzi - M16
Ian MacDonald - PeeWee B
Jamie Baker - Bantam A
Ken Moore - PeeWee B
Kevin Powell - PeeWee A
Mike McKinney - PeeWee B
Ray Kellam - M16
Devin Di Nardo - Squirt A
Eric Pane - Mites
Eric Semmelmeyer - Bantam B
Pierre-Paul Allard - Bantam B

A donation can be made online to help support Haiti and Chile relief efforts via the Red Cross at this secure paypal link, and more information can also be found at the Hockey for Haiti facebook page.

To tag your hockey coach in the above video, please keep them positive, use this link.

Darryl Hunt: WorSharks Split Canada

The Worcester Sharks finished their four game Canadian swing splitting both two game series against the Manitoba Moose and Abbotsford Heat.

The WorSharks first game ever in Canada was Tuesday, and Worcester jumped out early on the Moose with T.J. Trevelyan's power play goal at 5:19 of the first. Unfortunately that would be the only puck the WorSharks could get past former Boston College standout Cory Schneider, who stopped 34 of 35 Worcester shots. Second period goals by Sergei Shirokov and Pierre-Cedric Labrie gave the Moose the lead, and Matt Pope's third period tally made for the 3-1 final. Alex Stalock was the third star of the game.

Wednesday's rematch saw the WorSharks get off on the wrong foot with Manitoba center Marty Murray putting the Moose up 1-0 just 29 seconds into the contest. But unlike Tuesday against Schneider Worcester would have much better luck against Moose netminder Daren Machesney, scoring the next five goals in the game. Second period tallies by Dwight Helminen and Matt Jones, along with third period scores by Trevelyan, Ryan Vesce, and Dan DaSilva would propel the WorSharks to a 5-2 win over the Moose. The three stars of the game were all from Worcester; Vesce, DaSilva, and Trevelyan.

Friday night in Abbotsford looked like a carbon copy of the Heat's visit to Worcester last weekend, with the WorSharks getting ahead early only to fall behind after giving up multiple goals in a row. Trevelyan would score four minutes into the contest on the power play, but by the end of the second period Worcester found itself down 4-1. Michael Wilson would stop the bleeding for a short while in the middle of the third period, but another Abbotsford tally proved costly as Worcester was able to get two more late goals, by Brandon Mashinter and Logan Couture, to make the 5-4 final.

Saturday saw the WorSharks go with newly acquired back-up goaltender Frank Doyle, and Doyle evened his record at 1-1 after a 2-1 win over the Heat. Helminen put Worcester ahead with just 14 seconds left in the second period, and after Abbotsford tied it DaSilva put Worcester ahead to stay as the WorSharks skated on a four minute power play after John McCarthy was cut by a Heat errant stick. Despite winning the contest the WorSharks had just one of the three stars of the game, with Doyle being named as the number two star.

TRIP NOTES
During the trip up north the WorSharks made a trade with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, re-acquiring defenseman Brett Westgarth for future considerations. It didn't take Westgarth long to get back into the swing of things for Worcester, getting into a fight just 15 minutes into his first game back with Worcester on Wednesday and getting into another first period altercation Friday night in Abbotsford.

Ryan Vesce started the trip with Worcester, but was recalled Saturday under emergency conditions as Scott Nichol was injured Thursday night after a late hit by Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre. Lapierre, who was not penalized on the play, was suspended four games by the NHL. Joe Callahan and Tyson Sexsmith didn't make the trip out west due to their injuries.

The season series with both of Worcester's Canadian opponents have concluded, with the WorSharks going 3-1 against Manitoba and 1-2-0-1 against Abbotsford. The next chance for Worcester to face either of them again would be a possible match-up in the Calder Cup finals.

The Sharkspage player of the game for the trip were Alex Stalock in Tuesday's game in Manitoba, Logan Couture in both Wednesday's win against the Moose and Friday's game in Abbotsford, and Steven Zalewski for Saturday's win over the Heat.

Scott Nichol injured in 3-2 win over Montreal Canadiens, Maxime Lapierre suspended 4 games for 'careless' hit on Nichol

MONTREAL CENTER MAXIM LAPIERRE CHECKS SCOTT NICHOL FROM BEHIND IN 3RD - CSNCA

NICHOL INJURED ON PLAY, COULD MISS 7-10 DAYS - CSNCA

NICHOL MOTIONLESS ON THE ICE AFTER THE HIT, NO PENALTY CALLED ON LAPIERRE - TSN

Thursday night down 2-1 to the Montreal Canadiens, Maxim Lapierre shoved center Scott Nichol dangerously into the boards. Nichol was forced to leave the game with an upper body injury and may miss 7-10 days. An angered San Jose squad stormed back with goals by Dany Heatley (PP) and Manny Malhotra to earn a 3-2 win, but the emotional response may stick with the club for some time.

Last season the Sharks battled a crush of injuries down the stretch, exceeding a 4-year average of 204 man games lost to injury per season by 132. This season only defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was out with an injury (after Manny Malhotra's post-Olympic return). Tweaking a knee January 28th against Chicago, Vlasic was expected to start skating soon and possibly play in 10-15 games before the postseason.

TSN color commentator Ray Ferraro called the hit on Nichol a "garbage, gutless" play by Lapierre. "I don't want to talk about it any more because I am starting to lose my temper." Nichol is an agitating third/fourth line player who can raise animosity among opponents in a heartbeat, but save for the occasional goalie collision most of his edgy play occurs face to face. "When you get a play like that, where a guy hits you 3 feet behind the goal line, that is a dangerous situation," an animated Bret Hedican said on CSN California. After questions were raised why the Sharks did not drop the gloves in response, Hedican noted that they were down a goal late in the game. "If you lose the game, then you can second guess," he said.

Now the Sharks will have to adapt to the short term loss of Scott Nichol, but the game was almost tied on the play. Down 2-1, Torrey Mitchell lasered a backhand pass to Scott Nichol as he drove the net less than 2 minutes into the third period. Nichol wristed a shot off the near post, and raised his stick to take a whack at the fluttering rebound. Monteal center Maxim Lapierre shoved Nichol from behind, forcing him into the end boards awkwardly at almost full speed. Crumpled on the ice, Nichol got up and went ballistic when he noticed a penalty was not called on the play. He held his injured arm and verbally chastised referee Chris Lee before heading to the locker room for treatment.

"I think it was a missed call, I think it was a real dangerous play," San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said after the game. "I wouldn't want to see one of their players go into (the boards) like that, and I certainly don't want to see one of ours."

Nearly two years ago, Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster collided with rookie center Torrey Mitchell in a battle for icing. Foster suffered a season ending leg injury on a play. Six years ago almost to the day, former Shark Marco Sturm also suffered a gruesome season ending injury after being ridden into the boards by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote. Mitchell and Foote were each penalized in-game for their actions, but not suspended after. Maxim Lapierre was not penalized for the hit Thursday night, but Friday he was suspended by the NHL 4 games for his actions.

"I think (the refs) did a good job tonight," San Jose Sharks captain Rob Blake said after the game. "On Scotty Nichol's play, that is a tough play, those are plays we do not like to see. He is in a very vunerable position. It was a tough call, and the refs were very open about it. I thought they did a good job, they let the guys play a little bit. You could see there was some contact, and some atmosphere in that game."

Asked about how the Sharks responded after the Nichol hit by CSNCA's Brodie Brazil in a post-game rinkside interview, "There is no better way to stick it to them than to get the win," game winning goal scorer Manny Malhotra said.

Thanks to Greg Wyshynski and Paul Kukla, for links, info and reactions.

[Update] San Jose Sharks get back on track, rallying by Montreal Canadiens - SJ Mercury News.

[Update2] Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski called this a "reputation-based" 4 game suspension, noting the punishment was about double what would fit the crime in his opinion. Sharks radio color analyst Jamie Baker was semi-apoplectic after the play. "It hurts your eyes... you can break your neck... a brutal, brutal play by Lapierre," the former youth hockey coach and NHL forward said on the radio broadcast. On the CSNCA post-game television show, Baker was full apoplectic. "That is the lowest thing you can do as a hockey player... it makes you cringe to watch something like that," he said. "That is a 5-10 game suspension in my mind, automatic, you could paralyze a guy. I give the Sharks credit, they were frustrated by the play of Carey Price, they were frustrated by the amount of blocked shots... they used their frustration to draw a penalty and score a couple of goals... payback is great, but let the NHL take care of that."

Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir said it was a cheap shot, but not suspendable. "On the one hand, Lapierre's doing his job by clearing out a player who was in position to pick up a rebound off his breakaway attempt. And Nichol must have been skating on Bambi's legs to go down that easily on what looked like a pretty lightweight crosscheck." Actually it was more of a shove. Lapierre placed his gloves on the back of Nichol, already at the side of the net behind the play, and shoved him into the end boards.

[Update3] Official press release from the NHL:

MONTREAL’S LAPIERRE SUSPENDED FOR FOUR GAMES

TORONTO (March 5, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre has been suspended for four games, without pay, for a late hit on San Jose Sharks forward Scott Nichol during NHL game #949, last night, the National Hockey league announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Lapierre will forfeit $14,248.72. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

At 1:50 of the third period, Lapierre knocked Nichols into the end boards with a late, careless hit. Nichol was injured on the play and did not return to the game. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Lapierre will miss games on March 6 at Los Angeles, March 7 at Anaheim, March 9 against Tampa and March 11 against Edmonton. He will be eligible to return March 13 against Boston.

[Update4] A brief video history of this season's NHL suspensions - The Daily Hab-it.

DOH Podcast #89: NHL trade deadline, USA vs Canada gold medal game

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana talked about winners and losers at the March 3rd NHL trade deadline, recent "Worcester Shuttle" roster transactions, react to Team Canada's overtime win over Team USA for the Winter Olympic gold medal, the impact of recently acquired defenseman Niclas Wallin, and discuss the stretch run on the 89th episode of Dudes on Hockey.

This Sharks podcast is posted here with permission. Visit dudesonhockey.com for more coverage of the team, or download the podcast MP3 file directly here.

Mistakes costly in 4-3 loss to New Jersey Devils

The Sharks re-entry to the second half of the NHL regular season took an unexpected trajectory en route to a 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. After Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur combined to stop 18 total shots in the first period, several of them coming on quality scoring chances and odd man rushes, the Devils started capitalizing on costly mistakes in the second period.

Defenseman Dan Boyle flubbed a point shot on goal, and Colin White quickly moved the puck to recent trade acquisition Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk powered into the Sharks zone, cut high in the slot above Boyle and Kent Huskins, and executed a slick back pass to a trailing Dainius Zubrus. Nabokov made the initial save, but Zubrus and Patrick Elias were first to the rebound. 35 seconds later, defenseman Mark Fraser added to the total with a booming slapshot that beat Nabokov gloveside. The shot may have deflected off of the stick of Jason Demers in front.

"We used up a lot of energy in the first period and needed to get the lead. When 1 turned into 2 real quick, it is tough to come back against a real defensive team, yet we finally found a spark," San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said after the game. "It was too little too late."

The Devils did not let up, and needed all of 6 seconds to capitalize on a Manny Malhotra hooking penalty at the end of the second period. A faceoff loss by Joe Pavelski to fellow Team USA member Zach Parise gave Kovalchuk another opportunity with the puck on his stick on the point. Kovalchuk slid to the center of the ice and released a quick wrist shot that caught Nabokov off guard. 3-0 Devils after 20 minutes, and Joe Thornton took an ill advised interference penalty trying to drive around Jamie Langenbunner.

The Sharks were able to kill the New Jersey power play, but the Devils kept the pressure on. A mistake by Patrick Marleau set up Ilya Kovalchuk for the eventual game winning goal. As Zach Parise carried the puck through the neutral zone, both Marleau and defenseman Douglas Murray moved to challenge him. An unchecked Travis Zajac on the right wing got a step on the defense, and Zajac ripped a shot across the grain for a 4-0 lead.

"I think we had 8 guys that didn't have a shot on goal. It can't be fun playing a game like that. You put 60 minutes in and you have no chance of scoring," Todd McLellan said as the Sharks were outshot 25-20. "Even halfway through the third we didn't have many except for that final flurry."

Right wing Devin Setoguchi, moved up to the top line with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley, gave the Sharks desperately needed life at 8:46. With San Jose registering only 14 shots on goal, 0 to that point in the period, Heatley initiated a 3-on-3 rush into the Devils zone. After a quick dish to Marleau up top, Heatley drove to the front of the net. It was the Devils this time who left a player unmarked in the slot, and Setoguchi quickly pivoted around a puck in the slot. He torqued a heavy shot on goal, almost like a tennis player running around a forehand, and Brodeur had no time for reaction on the play.

Almost like a light switch, the Sharks were exploding up ice and creating a crush of scoring opportunities. With Dean McAmmond in the box for the lone New Jersey minor penalty of the game, Setoguchi tee'd up the rebound of a Rob Blake shot and buried it from 15 feet out. Joe Pavelski would add his 17th of the season at 11:32. The Sharks scored 3 goals on 3 shots in a span of 2:46.

Brodeur, widely considered the best goaltender to ever play the game, was under duress but the fourth and final goal of the Sharks comeback proved to be an insurmountable task. Brodeur held off a late Sharks flurry with Evgeni Nabokov pulled, and picked up his 35th win of the season.

"I think (Marleau-Thornton-Heatley) are still on a little bit of a high, they had some energy in their legs but I don't think they were real polished on plays. Jumbo didn't get a shot on goal. Dan Boyle didn't have a shot on goal. They weren't real dangerous all the time, yet they tried to give us what they had energy wise," Todd McLellan said. "Once we get them to where they need to be, fatigue wise and mentally rested, we will expect more polish from them."

[Update] NJ Devils hang on for 4-3 victory over San Jose Sharks in return from Olympic break - New Jersey Star Ledger.

After flirting with a shutout, Brodeur had to weather a three-goal, third-period outburst from the San Jose Sharks as the Devils barely held onto a 4-3 victory Tuesday night at HP Pavilion in their first game after the Olympic break.

“What happened? We won. It was a good game, a great game,” Devils coach Jacques Lemaire said. “This is great. A week from now we’ll say we just won in San Jose. We won’t say that they were coming back. We got two points.

"It’s like the Olympics. We (Canada) won. They won’t say a year from now it went into overtime. We won it. That’s it. Thank you.”

Sharks Gold and Silver medal post-Olympic press conference

Gold medal winning Team Canada members Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley and Dan Boyle joined Silver medal winning Team USA member Joe Pavelski to answer questions from the media at a post-Olympic press conference this morning in San Jose.

[Q] Can you describe the feeling of having a gold medal around your neck?

[Joe Thornton] You haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face in 48 hours, and I think the rest of these guys are about the same. I am not sure about Pavs. He did a great job though. We still love him. We are just so excited, and really, really, really happy.

[Q] Dan, you have a Stanley Cup and a gold medal, so you are good to go now?

[Dan Boyle] It is pretty awesome. It has been a great career for me, especially where I have come from. I need one more Cup though. We are all aware of what we need to do here. It is a great accomplishment.

[Q] Can you talk about the week after you lost to USA?

[Dan Boyle] We were obviously disappointed losing to USA. It was a big deal. In our meetings, and talking the night before games, we knew even the Switzerland game, we had to play an extra game. It wasn't a bad thing. We needed that. We didn't get it right right away, as much as the Americans did. We needed extra games. I think the Russia game was huge for us. That really got us going. We never really panicked. We had the right guys above us. Stevie Y was in the building and in the meetings, helping us out and keeping us calm. The veteran guys helped out too.

[Q] You have been playing in the U.S. for awhile, what does winning this medal for your home country mean?

[Patrick Marleau] It was complete pandamonium after the game. I think there were streets shut down in Toronto, let alone Vancouver. In Vancouver, it took 3 green lights to get through a light in a car. Everybody was excited, hanging out of windows hooping and hollering. It was something spectacular to see.

[Q] Did it remind you that you are Canadian?

[Patrick Marleau] Yes. Those are the moments you cherish your nationality and where you come from. It brought the country together. It was unbelievable.

[Q] What was the pressure like after you lost that first game to the United States? [Dany Heatley] It was the same as Boiler said, we are confident in the group we had in the room to do the job. Most of us have been through short tournaments like that, you realize that it is 1 game, and you have to play through that. I thought we played well in the first American game, they played well as well. The Germany game, that extra game helped us kind of get used to each other, get used to the system for most of the guys. It helped us through the Quarters.

[Q] What were the thoughts after Team USA tied the game in the third period with less than a minute left?

[Dany Heatley] I think you realize, in a tournament like that with those stakes, anything can happen. You have to be prepared for it. I am not going to say we weren't a little disappointed and a little nervous when that went in, but I think the break in between the third and overtime was good for us just to regroup. We are a pretty confident group. We came out and played well in overtime.

[Q] What were your thoughts after the goal to tie the game?

[Joe Pavelski] I think right from the start of the tournament the group in our room, we felt we had something there. We almost felt like we were going to win before we won. We didn't win, we came a goal shy. Even when we went down 2-0, it was a feeling in that room that it didn't really matter, we were going to break through. It was just a matter of time.

We were able to tie it up late. Going into overtime, we never felt like we had anything to lose. We had to keep playing, and keep pressure on them. They are a good team. That is what we tried to do.

[Q] As Shark teammates, do any of you feel bad for Joe?

[Combined] No.

[Q] Do you look back on how important a game this was now?

[Joe Pavelski] It isn't bad, but it isn't great either. It is one of those things, the excitement of the game that was played, it was in Canada and it meant so much just to the hockey world, just to be a part of it was awesome. We came up short, one goal shy. Down the road it will feel good, but we still didn't win. That is one of the things you look back on. It was a tremendous experience.

[Q] Can you talk about how the experience will have an application for San Jose?

[Dan Boyle] Hopefully, the other guys to, we learned, especially that last game, the ups and downs and the roller coaster of a playoff, the highs and the lows, and just kind of dealing with it. I thought, our locker room especially, I gained from past experience, the Cup in 04. Game 6 in Calgary, going into double overtime, we were calm in Tampa. Fast forward to a couple of nights ago, I just felt it was a pretty calm locker room. With the pressure we had all tournament, going into overtime, I felt it was a pretty calm locker room. I think that is what the 5 of us will bring to the playoffs this year, a little bit more calmness that we saw maybe last year.

[Q] What was it like facing off against each other, when the two Joe's went at it in the faceoff circle?

[Joe Pavelski] It is something that is stressed here, it is one of those things you are kind of looking forward to just get in there and see who would win the draw. I think you can sense that everyone back here was waiting for one of those moments too.

[Joe Thornton] We practice a lot against each other in faceoffs. I think we probably went 50/50, it was pretty even, 60/40 maybe?

[Q] Canada won one game, USA won one game, should they play one more time?

[Joe Pavelski] Hopefully in 4 more years.

[Q] Should NHL players play in Sochi in 2014?

[Dany Heatley] I think so. You see that game, the tv numbers were unbelievable. Everybody I have talked to here, they were watching it in every bar and every home. I think the best players in the world should be at the Olympics.

[Q] You talked about scoring against Nabokov?

[Dan Boyle] My response was it was weirder jumping into Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf's arms. What was I thinking? That was the weirdest part for me, there was a big picture and I was in Ryan Getzlaf's arms.

[Update] The Story Behind the Medals' Design - SJsharks.com.