SHARKSPAGE

Sharks battle back from 3 goal deficit to down Phoenix Coyotes 5-3, Patrick Marleau follows 1000 game celebration with game winning goal in 3rd

#19 JOE THORNTON MAKES DIVING PLAY ON PUCK AS HE HITS ICE IN 2ND

#12 PATRICK MARLEAU WAS HONORED FOR 1000 GAMES IN TEAL ON TUESDAY

#12 PAUL 'BIZNASTY' BISSONNETTE TALKS, DOESNT DROP WITH MAYERS IN 2ND

They can’t all be this difficult. The Sharks dug themselves a hole against the Phoenix Coyotes in the first of 32 critical post-ASG contests. Down 3-0 on three seperate kinds of mistakes, Antti Niemi was pulled and the Sharks were forced to battle back with young rookie goaltender Alex Stalock. Joe Pavelski scored twice, Kyle Wellwood tallied for the first time in San Jose, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton also added third period goals as the Sharks earned a 5-3 win in front of a sellout crowd at HP Pavilion.

The Sharks were not mistake-free in their 4-0-1 run before the All-Star break, but they were tightening the defensive zone and playing with a more complete and consistent effort. The same could be said of a brief 4-game winning streak prior to the Chritmas break. The Sharks then went on to lose 8 of the next 10 games, including a season high 6-game losing streak. Eyes were on the Sharks looking to gauge their response to the ASG break.

Early on, the results were inconclusive. After a pre-game ceremony to honor his 1000th game as a San Jose Shark, Patrick Marleau created a turnover by pressuring defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (heretofore to be named OEL on this blog) at center ice. Driving down the right wing, Marleau saucered a pass over a prone defenseman, but Thornton fired it wide of the net. Another scoring chance in front of the net presented itself for San Jose on a fluke bounce off the corner boards.

The Sharks were getting the puck deep early. Crisp line changes allowed the Mayers and Wellwood lines to get the puck deep and force Phoenix to skate the distance of the ice. When Shane Doan took a holding penalty at 12:39, it allowed San Jose an opportunity to start building a little seperation between the evenly matched teams. Instead, Phoenix killed off the bulk of the man advantage and Dany Heatley took a boarding call with a hard check against Ed Jovanovski.

On the ensuing power play, a Shane Doan point shot was deflected high and wide over the shoulder of Antti Niemi by Radim Vrbata. 2:44 later, a sloppy line change saw all 5 Sharks near the bench while 3 Coyotes were alone on the ice. Derek Morris fired a quick up pass to defenseman Keith Yandle. The NHL’s leading defensive scorer quickly entered the offensive zone and blasted an uncontested slapshot over the glove of Niemi.

Phoenix came into the game as the Western Conference’s leading road team (15-8-4), but they were also carrying a 6-game losing streak against the Sharks dating back to 2009. It looked like the wheels completely fell off for San Jose in the second period when noted Twitter philosopher Paul ‘Biznasty’ Bissonnette scored for the first time in 40 games. He notched only his 4th career NHL goal on a 1-timer after defenseman OLE was sprung with a screen along the half boards.

San Jose Sharks head coach quickly pulled Antti Niemi for rookie goaltender Alex Stalock to try to change momentum. Stalock was recently called up to San Jose with an injury to backup Antero Niittymaki. He would look on as Jamal Mayers and ‘Biznasty’ Bissonnette jabbered at each other prior to a center ice faceoff. After the puck dropped, Mayers flung off his gloves and grabbed on to Bissonnette for position. Bissonnette kept his gloves to his side, forcing Mayers to take a 10 minute misconduct. Mayers gave Bissonnette the death stare before going to the box.

San Jose slowly started clawing back into the game at the end of the second period. A late Eric Belanger tripping penalty gave the Sharks power play an opportunity, and they would not waste it. Dany Heatley drove deep down the left wing, and fired a hard angle pass with Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton 2-on-0 in front of the net. Pavelski picked the puck off the side of the net, and punched it around a helpless Ilya Bryzgalov.

On the second shift of the second period, the Sharks brought the game to within 1. The line of Clowe-Pavelski-Setoguchi was reunited, and began a quick rush up the right side. Clowe hit Setoguchi with a touch pass in traffic, and Pavelski buried the rebound of Setoguchi’s shot for his second goal in nearly a minute and a half. A somewhat stunned and silenced Sharks crowd for the first 40 minutes, was now building energy with each goal.

KHL returnee Kyle Wellwood and newly acquired Ben Eager would combine for the game tying goal 5:32 into the third. Eager carried the puck deep behind the Sharks net, and chopped a pass out in front. Wellwood initially batted the puck down on Bryzgalov for a shot on goal. After the rebound again bounced up in the air, Wellwood batted the puck a second time over Bryzgalov. Wellwood faced enormous scrutiny in Vancouver and Toronto before he left to play in the KHL to start this season. Now that he has returned to the NHL in San Jose, fans are interested in the playmaking creativity he will bring to the third line. There is more of a team than individual pressure on Wellwood now, and his game could blossom as a result.

After bringing his family out on the ice for a ceremony to celebrate his 1000th game as a San Jose Shark, and creating a turnover that nearly lead to the first goal of the game, Marleau would put the Sharks over the top in the third period shorthanded. One of the elements that has been absent at times this season has been Marleau’s blinding speed on the wing. It created space for linemates, and over the course of a 60 minute game it often forced defenses to play on their heels. This year the Sharks have occasionally been more sedentary. After scoring 9 shorthanded goal in the previous two seasons, Marleau had 1 prior to Tuesday night. Penalty kill linemate Joe Pavelski, who had 6 shorthanded points in the previous two seasons, had 0 shorthanded points prior to Tuesday night.

Pavelski’s anticipation on the penalty kill tripped up Keith Yandle inside the blueline. Before either Phoenix defenseman could react, Patrick Marleau had gathered the puck and was off to the races. Kyle Turris lost his stick trying to backcheck, but Marleau drove in on Bryzgalov alone and snapped a shot over the glove from in tight. It would turn out to be his 62nd game winning goal as a San Jose Shark (Marleau also leads the NHL in playoff game winning goals since 2001). It was a surreal moment as only a minute earlier the giagantic video screen showed a highlight of then 18-year old Patrick Marleau as he broke into the league.

With Ilya Bryzgalov pulled late in the third period, Joe Thornton skated in on the empty net for a lay-up, his 14th of the season assisted by Marleau. Alex Stalock stopped 9-of-9 shots in 29:47 of relief duty. Anti Niemi, named earlier in the day as the Sharks Player of the Month for January, stopped 24-of-27 shots against. The Sharks were 0-6 in previous three goal comeback attempts this season, Phoenix was 20-2-2 this seaosn with the lead after 2 periods. Logan Couture was a late scratch with the flu. Antero Niittymaki and Torrey Mitchell were also scratched for San Jose.

“If we leave here patting ourselves on the back, we’ve got huge problems,” San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan noted after the game. “I was really disappointed in our group tonight. Very disappointed in the lack of drive and lack of passion basically to come out and play. That’s the last thing I expected. I do give them credit they found a way to dig in and come back, but that is not going to happen 31 more times. We better find a way to bring it starting tomorrow. If we don’t, we will be digging our own grave.”

“It really shouldn’t come from me,” McLellan said about his second period speech to the team down 3-1. “There are people who can step up and express themselves and get the team going. I give them credit, they responded in the third period and it was points we desperately needed.”

A photo gallery from the game is available here.

[Update] Looking Back at a Wild, Strange Night – Mark Emmons for the Working the Corners blog.

[Update2] Video of Patrick Marleau’s 1000 game ceremony on Tuesday night is available via SJsharks.com. “He is one of the most respected men in this game, within that dressing room, within this city. All I can say Patrick is congratulation on this milestone, for your and your family, we are proud of you. Thank you,” San Jose Sharks EVP/GM Doug Wilson.

[Update3] Sta-Locks it Down; Rookie Goaltender Stymies ‘Yotes, Allows Sharks To Complete Comeback Victory – Five for Howling.

San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Arturs Irbe bronze plaque at HP Pavilion

SAN JOSE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ARTURS IRBE BRONZE PLAQUE AT HP PAVILION

Former San Jose Sharks goaltender and current Washington Capitals goaltending coach Arturs ‘Like Wall’ Irbe was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame last November. Along with the 2010 induction class of Bruce Jenner, Keri Sanchez, and wrestling greats Dave and Mark Schultz, Irbe’s commemorative bronze plaque has been installed in the main concourse at HP Pavilion.

The inscription on his plaque:

“A member of San Jose’s inaugural NHL team, Arturs Irbe set the standard for being a Sharks player, on-and-off the ice. In 1993-94, he led San Jose to the biggest turnaround in NHL history as they made the playoffs with 82 points — a 52 point increase from the previous year. That season, Irbe won 30 games and played a then-record 4,412 minutes. He became the first Sharks goalie to be selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game. In the 1994 playoffs, Irbe led the Sharks to an impressive first round upset of top-seeded Detroit. Irbe was one of the most popular players during the Sharks first decade, in large part due to his community work and selflessness. Irbe, who said he had to be ‘Like Wall’ during that memorable 1993-94 season, is the first ice hockey player to be inducted. Arturs Irbe was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.”

Second half Western Conference Playoff Push, 93 points or bust?

Current Western Conference standings:

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
(before games played Feb 1st, 2011)

1 – Vancouer Canucks* 50GP, 31-10-9, 71 points
2 – Detroit Red Wings* 49GP, 30-13-6, 66 points
3 – Dallas Stars* 50GP, 30-15-5, 65 points
4 – Nashville Predators 50GP, 27-17-6, 60 points
5 – Anaheim Ducks 52GP, 28-20-4, 60 points
6 – Phoenix Coyotes 51GP, 25-17-9, 59 points
7 – Chicago Blackhawks 50GP, 26-20-4, 56 points
8 – San Jose Sharks 50GP, 25-19-6, 56 points
9 – Minnesota Wild 49GP, 25-19-5, 55 points
10 – Colorado Avalanche 50GP, 25-19-6, 56 points
11 – Los Angeles Kings 50GP, 27-22-1, 55 points
12 – Calgary Flames 51GP, 24-21-6, 54 points
13 – St. Louis Blues 49GP, 22-20-7, 51 points
14 – Columbus Blue Jackets 49GP, 23-21-5, 51 points
15 – Edmonton Oilers 49GP, 15-26-8, 38 points

* division leader

Projected Western Conference standings:

PROJECTED WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
(after 82 games played)

1 – Vancouer Canucks* 82GP, 51-16-15, 117 points
2 – Detroit Red Wings* 82GP, 50-22-10, 110 points
3 – Dallas Stars* 82GP, 49-25-8, 106 points
4 – Nashville Predators 82GP, 44-28-10, 98 points
5 – Phoenix Coyotes 82GP, 40-27-15, 95 points
6 – Anaheim Ducks 82GP, 44-32-6, 94 points
7 – Minnesota Wild 82GP, 42-32-8, 92 points (0 PSOW)
8 – Chicago Blackhawks 82GP, 43-33-6, 92 points (5 PSOW)
9 – San Jose Sharks 82GP, 41-31-10, 92 points (5 PSOW)
10 – Colorado Avalanche 82GP, 41-31-10, 92 points (5 PSOW)
11 – Los Angeles Kings 82GP, 44-36-2, 90 points
12 – Calgary Flames 82GP, 38-34-10, 86 points
13 – St. Louis Blues 82GP, 37-33-12, 86 points
14 – Columbus Blue Jackets 82GP, 39-35-8, 86 points
15 – Edmonton Oilers 82GP, 25-44-13, 63 points

* projected division winner
PSOW – projected shootout wins

Drawing on James Mirtle’s past playoff push series of posts, listed above are the current Western Conference standings and Sharkspage’s projections for the 82-game finish. According to projections, Phoenix will leapfrog Anaheim for 5th place in the West and there will be a four team tie for the final pair of playoff spots. Based on number of wins, the Chicago Blackhawks (43 wins) and Minnesota Wild (42 wins) would advance, while the San Jose Sharks (41 wins) and Colorado Avalanche (41 wins) would miss the playoffs, but that does not take into account the new tiebreaking clause for 2010-11. “The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the shootout”. Chicago, San Jose and Colorado are all projected to finish with 5 OT shootout wins, Minnesota with 0. Three teams out of the playoff race will finish tied for 12th with 86 points.

Over the past few seasons, 90-95 points was the target for teams to make the playoffs. Last season was the first time a team qualified for the postseason with less than 91 points since the introduction of the shootout. The Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers both qualified with 88 points, and both advanced to the Conference Finals in the East. In the five seasons since the lockout, Western Conference teams that qualified for the 8th playoff spot needed to earn an average of 93.6 points (05-06 Edmonton – 95 points, 06-07 Calgary – 96 points, 07-08 Nashville – 91 points, 08-09 Anaheim – 91 points, 09-10 Colorado – 95 points). Increased desperation could bump up the cutoff in the West, no more so than in the Pacific Division. A number of intra-divisional Pacific matchups will finish the season. For the San Jose Sharks, all five April contests will be against Pacific Division foes (3 home, 2 away).

Given the current parity in the standings and on the ice, April could be a make or break month for the 3-time defending Pacific Division champs. Any dip or slide in the standings could force San Jose Shark EVP/GM Doug Wilson to become more aggressive at the February 28th NHL trade deadline. If the club can maintain its 4-0-1 pre-ASG pace, a minor tweak or remaining with the status quo could be more plausible.

Time for Hockey

The San Jose Sharks begin the two and a half month stretch run to earn a playoff spot tonight at 7PM against the Phoenix Coyotes. It is the first of 11 remaining divisional matchups on the season. Patrick Marleau scored the opening goal in a 4-2 win at Phoenix on January 17th, in the process he became the first player to reach the 1000-game milestone entirely with San Jose. The Sharks will hold a pre-game ceremony tonight to honor the achievement. With injuries to goaltender Antero Niittymaki and forward Torrey Mitchell, Alex Stalock, Benn Ferriero and John McCarthy have been called up from Worcester of the AHL. Scott Nichol is serving the final game of a 4-game suspension for a hit to the head of David Schlemko in Phoenix. He will be eligible to return to the lineup Wednesday night at Anaheim.

With a win the Coyotes would stretch their season high road win streak to 6 games, and snap a 6-game losing streak to San Jose that dates back to December 28th, 2009. Phoenix sits in sole possession of 6th place in the Western Conference, and with an extra game played they are 4 points ahead of 4th place San Jose in the Pacific. Tomorrow the Sharks will embark on the annual tennis road trip, this time for a season long 7-games as the SAP Open sets up the hard court at HP Pavilion.

To get in the mood for tonight’s game, possibly the best national anthem performed at HP Pavilion prior to game 3 of the 2007 WCQF by gifted tenor Chris Bengochea.

Nick Diaz and Jacare Souza cap main event slugfests with submission wins on stacked Strikeforce card in San Jose, Herschel Walker earns 2nd MMA win

NICK DIAZ ABSORBED RIGHT HOOK BY CYBORG SANTOS IN 1ST

'I LOVE MY WORK' JACARE SOUZA SAID AFTER 3RD ROUND SUBMISSION

#34 HERSCHEL WALKER ENTERED THE CAGE TO A STANDING OVATION

Strikeforce Welterweight title holder Nick Diaz and Middleweight title holder Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza defended their belts against agressive challengers in the San Jose based mixed martial arts promotion’s first championship series event of 2011. Stockton native Nick Diaz stalked his way through the mauling offensive attack of Chute Boxe Academy veteran Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos, earning his 9th straight win with an armbar in the waning seconds of round 2. Decorated Brazilian grappler Jacare Souza was wobbled by Robbie Lawler early in the first round. Lawler followed him to the ground in a tactical mistake and spent the majority of the second and third rounds fighting off submission attempts as a result. ‘Jacare’ earned his 4th straight win with a rear naked choke submission, successfully defending his title in the deep Middleweight division for the first time. Strong performances by Herschel Walker and Roger Gracie capped a stacked 13 fight card sprinkled with former headliners from top to bottom.

The tone of the Diaz-Cyborg main event was set early. In a departure from recent fights against K.J. Noons, Scott Smith and Frank Shamrock, there was no trash talking and both fighters got down to business in a very busy first round. The business for Cyborg was repeated heavy inside leg kicks, followed by wild winging combinations. The southpaw Diaz methodically pushed forward, making full use of his 2 inch reach and 2 and a half inch height advantage.

Cyborg continued working on the lead leg of Diaz. At one point he stopped Diaz as he came in, another time he nearly took out both legs with a powerful strike. In a head-to-head exchange halfway through the first, Cyborg gained the advantage landing 4 of 5 punches to the head of Diaz in a toe-to-toe flurry. Then came a turning point in the first. Cyborg slipped two Diaz punches, but a third landed cleanly to the head staggered him backwards. Head movement, footwork and positioning are constant necessities against a volume punching Diaz. Instead of 2-3 punch combinations, Diaz throws 7-8 punch combinations and he has the cardio to push the pace for 5 straight rounds.

Momentum swung completely to Diaz at the end of the first round. As the crowd chanted “Di-az, Di-az, Di-az,” the Stockton native piled up dozens of punches in succession to wear down his veteran opponent. At the end of the first, a weary Cyborg was telegraphing his punches like an archer pulling back to fire an arrow. The lead leg kicks were gone.

Diaz stood directly in front of Cyborg to start the second round, and the Brazilian answered with a series of short standing elbows. In Muaythai often the point of the elbow is intended to cut as much as inflict damage. Cyborg maximized the torque on each with a short downward blow. Cyborg then got a little out of his comfort zone with a spinning hook kick and a takedown attempt. It allowed the Cesar Gracie BJJ black belt to work his ground game. With less than 20 seconds left in the fight, a tired Cyborg tried to fight off an armbar submission but Diaz loosened him up with several strikes. The arm popped free with 10 seconds left and Diaz hyper-extended it at a gruesome angle to stop the fight. Cyborg pounded the mat in frustration, clearly emotional after only his second submission loss in 32 fights.

According to Compustrike, Cyborg landed more strikes (85-75), attempted more strikes (173-142), and landed more power punches (69-32) than Diaz. In the post-fight press conference, talk of future opponents for the welterweight champion was the focus of the assembled media. British striker Paul Daley, who lost a title elimination UFC fight with Josh Koschek, and rising undefeated welterweight Tyron Woodley (10-0) are options at 170 pounds. A catch weight grudge match with Nashville Brawl instigator Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller Could also be a possibility, although apparently an unpalatable one for Diaz. Palatable only if they paid him enough he noted.

Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza was again nearly tested to the limit in his first defense of the Strikeforce Middleweight title. After a difficult 5-round decision win over special forces member Tim Kennedy to win the vacant belt in August, Jacare was tested again by a focused and determined Robbie Lawler Saturday night in San Jose. Lawler, a former EliteXC and 2-time ICON Sport middleweight champion, was ticketed as a title favorite when EliteXC folded and Strikeforce absorbed a number of their contracts. Lawler struggled with setbacks against Jake Shields and Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral, but impressive first round KO’s over Melvin Manhoef and Matt Lindland made it clear he was a still a legitimate title contender.

Facing Jacare, who along with Roger Gracie and Marcelo Garcia are considered the ‘holy trinity’ of all-time great BJJ grapplers, Lawler would need patience and an intelligent gameplan. While Jacare’s striking is much improved, Lawler has a much more natural feel and the power to end the fight at any time with either hand. After a short feeling out process in the first round, Jacare scored a takedown and quickly worked for a deep kimura, and then transitioned for a guillotine choke. Lawler was patient, turning into danger then working to get back to his feet. Jacare landed a looping right hand, then connect with another wide left but Lawler answered with a short jumping knee that sent the 5-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion stumbling backwards. Backpeddaling, Jacare stepped backwards into the side of the cage.

Lawler pressed the action with a hard kick, and a pinpoint right handed that buckled and then dropped Jacare. The San Diego born, Illinois based Lawler then committed a crucial tactical mistake jumping into the guard of Souza. The Brazilian kept his opponent from posturing up, and used the time on his back to recover and listen to instructions from his corner. Referee Big John McCarthy stood up both fighters at the end of the round, and instantly Lawler scored a hard kick to the side.

The second round swung completely back to Jacare Souza. Scoring a takedown inside the first 40 seconds, Lawler was forced to defend repeated submission attempts over the next 3 minutes and 47 seconds. Tight to the body, Jacare loosened up Lawler with strikes, then expertly transitioned from an arm triangle, to side control to a leg lock. When Lawler stiffened up, Souza reach around and fired a backhand off his head forcing him to cover up. After spinning around to the front, Jacare went over the back to get control of the far arm. Lawler turned his body into the armbar and fought it off. 10 seconds later, Souza stepped over Lawler’s head to secure another armbar attempt. Lawler walked his legs back over the top of Souza and briefly was on top at the end of the second.

It was a phenomenal display of grappling over the first two rounds, but it took a heavy toll on Lawler. Jacare scored a single leg takedown, then kicked the legs out from under Lawler as he attempted to get back to his feet. The Brazilian got back control, quickly sunk both hooks in, and worked on a rear naked choke. After fighting it off for 20 seconds, Lawler tapped at 3:21. Jacare celebrated with an alligator crawl and alligator chomp in the center of the ring. The USA Today/SB Nation consensus #8 ranked Middleweight is actually top-5, and possibly top-3 material in the division.

Filling out the main event were two intriguing fights by Roger Gracie and Herchel Walker. Gracie, the grandson of Gracie Jiu Jitsu co-founder Carlson Gracie, entered the cage for only his 4th professional MMA fight against veteran Trevor Prangley. Considered one of the best grapplers of all-time, there was a strong Brazilian media contingent and several pockets of fans at HP Pavilion offering loud support for Gracie in Portuguese. Prangley, who fought Falaniko Vitale and Jorge Santiago on the same night for Strikeforce’s 4-man, single elimination Middleweight tournament in 2007, looked slightly intimidated by Gracie. Instead of holding him off with a stiff jab, Prangley allowed Gracie to lock in a standing arm triangle attempt. After clinch work by Gracie, he scored a trip takedown and forced Prangley’s back to the cage. The Brazilian quickly flattened him out and transitioned to back control. Prangley tried to back out, but a body lock by Gracie allowed him to maintain position and eventually lock in a RNC. Prangley fought off the RNC for 29 seconds but Gracie continued to improve his technical position, tightening his hands and squeezing a tight body triangle.

Prangley tapped at 4:19 of the first round. In a post-fight interview with Showtime announcer Mauro Ranallo, Gracie laid out his gameplan for the fight. “I knew he was heavy-handed, but I had the reach in my favor. I played with the jab. I knew he’d come in hard. The plan was to shoot in, and it happened exactly like that,” Gracie said. Roger Gracie also touched on the pressure of fighting for the family name. “I think that only those inside the family know what (the pressure is like). People say there is a lot of pressure. Yeah, the Gracie name is heavy, but when you fight with your family behind you, it’s another wave (of confidence) pushing you forward,” he said. The 4-0 mixed martial artist looked stiff and formal at the prefight weigh-in, almost treating Prangley as a hockey player would treat a Conference Final trophy, by remaining as far away as possible and not acknowleging its existence. After the win Gracie was animated, enthusiastically high fiving fans on his way back to the locker room.

The mainstream media buildup for the fight centered around the main event’s least experienced fighter. Former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker made a number of appearances in the national media. Local newspapers and local television also focused on the appearance of the 48-year old Walker, who would face 40-year old journeyman Scott Carson. After appearing somewhat stilted in his first fight against Greg Nagy in 2010, Walker looked fluid and effective in his second MMA fight. After being hit with a high kick early in the first round, Walker screamed ‘come on’ and came hard at Carson with a three punch combination. Carson slumped to the mat and Walker jumped in to take advantage. Working towards back control, Walker torqued Carson back down to the mat as he tried to regain his feet. The former USFL/NFL football star hammered his opponent with several heavy punches to the head. Twice he knocked out Carson’s mouthpiece, once sending it through the cage and onto the ring apron. After more uncontested punishment, the referee stopped the fight with a TKO (Strikes) at 3:13. A deferential Walker thanked his camp at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose and noted that his appearance was not a stunt or a gimmick, just one more step in his dream of becoming a mixed martial artist.

UNDERCARD NOTES: Strikeforce began as a regional kickboxing promotion 15 years ago, and a pair of prominent kickboxers were featured on the undercard. 45-0 as a kickboxer, Dutch native Germaine de Randamie earned a first round KO over Stephanie Webber. Trying to end the fight with a big left hand in the opening seconds, the ‘Iron lady’ scored a knockout with two heavy knees to the head in the corner. The flamboyant striker celebrated by jumping on top of the cage and screaming at the cameras. Local kickboxing standout Jenna Castillo has headlined recent muaythai cards from WCSC and Fairtex, but the Bay Area kickboxing fight of 2010 may have been Castillo vs. Tiffany Van Soest in August at the Playboy Fight Night to the Mansion. According to the undercard stream commentary by Sherdog analysts T.J. Desantis and Jordan Breen, she had only been grappling for a few weeks before her pro MMA debut. Against Newark native Charlene Gellner, Castillo wore her down with heavy knees in the first round, and short elbows and power hooks inside. She was forced to fight off triangle and armbar attempts at the end of the round. After a weak shot attempt in the second, Castillo unleashed a devestating series of flurries that ended with a pair of left and right knees to the head in quick succession. Cung Le USH Academy member James Terry earned his second win after a February setback to Tarec Saffiedine on a ShoMMA televised card. Terry stunned Stockon native Lucas Gamaza with a right hand in the first round, and a second right hand as he came in ended the fight. Gamaza’s recent step up in competition against Ky Hollenbeck and James Terry in 2 of his last 3 fights was unsucessful, but the Diaz stablemate did earn a RNC choke over Nick Christy on the Fight Militia Genesis card in Stockton last November. San Jose based Ron Keslar put on a grappling clinic against Concord’s Eric Lawson. After trying to lock in unusual front armbar and some sort of front triangle/omoplata combination, he locked in an armbar at 1:57. There was no clear replay of the submission, and with no announcement or graphic the high paced fight ended abruptly. Isaiah Hill earned triangle submission over the favored Bobby Stack. Stack had been featured prominently with multiple Comcast Sports Net features covering training for one of his previous fights. He was also interviewed by CSNCA prior to his fight with Hill. Isaiah “I don’t know whether to look at him or read him” Hill, winless in 8 of his last 9 fights, grazed Stack with a flying knee as he went for an early takedown. Hill then connected with a flying shin that wobbled Stack futhur. Stack was able to scramble into top position, but Hill locked in the triangle choke at 1:02. The main event fight on the undercard featured San Jose based Nate Moore vs former OSU wrestler Nathan Coy. Moore suffered a knockout loss to Tarec Saffiedine on a May ShoMMA challengers card, Coy was coming off a decision loss to Tyron Woodley on the same card. Moore earned Sharkspage knockout of the night. As Nathan Coy tried to slip under a punch, Moore connected with a right hand that flattened out and disabled his opponent. Attendace was announced at 9,059. In attendance was Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum, Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, Women’s Middleweight Champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’, UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez, Josh Thomson, Jon Fitch, Daniel Cormier, Matt Hughes, Renzo Gracie and M.C. Hammer among others.

A rough photo gallery from the event is available here. Undercard fights are available for viewing online via sherdog.com.

[Update] Official Results:

Strikeforce ‘Diaz vs. Cyborg’ MMA Championship Series
HP Pavilion – San Jose, CA
January 29th, 2011

MAIN CARD:

– Strikeforce Welterweight World Title (2nd defense)
Nick Diaz (24-7-1) def. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (18-14)
Submission (Armbar) – Round 2, 4:50

– Strikeforce Middleweight World Title (1st defense)
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (14-2-2) def. Robbie Lawler (18-7)
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 3, 2:00

– Herschel Walker (2-0) def. Scott Carson (4-2)
TKO (Strikes) – Round 1, 3:13

– Roger Gracie (4-0) def. Trevor Prangley (23-7-1)
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 1, 4:19

PRELIMINARY CARD:

-Nate Moore def. Nathan Coy
KO (Punches) – Round 2, 0:25

– Isaiah Hill def. Bobby Stack
Submission (Triangle Choke) – Round 1, 1:02

– Ron Keslar def. Eric Lawson
Submission (Armbar) – Round 1, 1:57

– Germaine de Randamie def. Stephanie Webber
TKO (Strikes) – Round 1, 4:25

– James Terry def. Lucas Gamaza
TKO (Strikes) – Round 1, 3:26

– Jenna Castillo def. Charlene Gellner
TKO (Strikes) – Round 2, 3:57

CAMO AMATEUR MMA BOUTS:

– Anthony Dariano def. Alan Perez
Unanimous Decision

– Ricky Jackson def. Niko Jackson
Unanimous Decision

– Armin Safiari def. Sam Bracamonte
Unanimous Decision

[Update2] Diaz Armbar Subs ‘Cyborg’ in Strikeforce – Sherdog.com.

[Update3] Strikeforce champ “Jacare” Souza ready for anyone, except “Mayhem” Miller – MMAjunkie.com.

Following the first successful defense of his 185-pound crown this past Saturday against Robbie Lawler (20-7 MMA, 2-3 SF), Souza scoffed at the prospect of again meeting Miller, who’s expected to face the man he beat to win the title, Tim Kennedy…

“You kidding me? I beat this guy two times, man,” Souza, who won his belt this past August, said. “No more.”

[Update4] Not really in a position to take photos at the event, but by request from a fan in Brazil here are two Roger Gracie photos from the weigh-in (one, two).

McGinn, WorSharks Send Bruins Into Hibernation, 3-2

The Worcester Sharks, in a game eerily similar to Friday night’s contest, got three goals in the first half of the game and then held on for dear life during the second half to defeat the Providence Bruins 3-2 Saturday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts in front of 7,273 fans.

The WorSharks would grab the first goal of the game at 14:41 of the opening period when Benn Ferriero sent a pass from the left wing half boards to Jamie McGinn in the slot. Providence goaltender Nolan Schaefer, San Jose’s fifth round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, made the glove save on the blast but fumbled the puck into his own net for McGinn’s first goal in the AHL since February 19, 2010. Nick Schaus had the second assist on the goal.

Worcester would connect again in the opening period, but not before causing the home town fans some consternation. With the WorSharks on the power play the Providence penalty killers kept Worcester from generating any sort of presence in the offensive zone and without a shot. As the penalty expired defenseman Sean Sullivan made one last rush up ice, dumping the puck along the right wing boards where Andrew Desjardins grabbed the loose puck behind the net and changed directions, throwing a centering fed to Cam MacIntyre all alone in the slot. MacIntyre’s one time blast beat Schaefer at 18:25.

McGinn, who has just one goal with San Jose in 49 NHL games this season, would have his second of the contest with a shorthanded tally set up by Ferriero. Defenseman Mike Moore would send Ferriero off through the neutral zone and down the right wing boards to the goal line, where the center would spy McGinn rushing to the net ahead of the Providence defenders. In a play that looked like it was right out of a video game Ferriero threw an easy pass into the slot where McGinn was able to one time it over Schaefer at 7:04 for the 3-0 lead.

Despite the shorthanded tally, like Friday night the second period belonged to the opponent as the Baby-Bs outshot Worcester 20-5. WorSharks netminder Alex Stalock was up to the task, making several great saves to keep Providence off the board. But that would change after Tommy Wingels was called for a very questionable holding call. After doing a good job of limiting Providence’s opportunities defenseman Jeff Penner would finally connect after a bouncing puck in the right wing corner found its way on to the stick of Jamie Arniel. Penner would blast Arniel’s feed past Stalock with 27 seconds remaining in the middle period.

Matt Bartkowski would get Providence within one with a blast over the glove of Stalock for a power play tally at 7:28, and the vibe in the building for Worcester fans was not good as the WorSharks issues in the third period have already cost the fans many sleepless nights. But Worcester clamped down after the Bartkowski goal, and actually had the best scoring chance after that when Desjardins was all alone in front and fired the puck just under the crossbar for what looked to be a sure insurance goal. But Schaefer was able to flash the glove out and snag it out of the air to keep Providence within one.

But that’s as close as the Baby-Bs would get as the WorSharks enter the AHL All Star break in third place in the Atlantic division.

GAME NOTES
The WorSharks went with the same line-up as Friday night.

Just before the Jeff Penner power play goal near the end of the second period Worcester showed great team work on the penalty kill when Jay Leach lost his stick in a collision in the slot. As soon as Jamie McGinn noticed Leach without a stick he passed his stick to the defenseman, and as play continued the forward picked up Leach’s dropped stick and used it to clear the puck out of the zone.

There was one fight in the contest, with Mike Moore (6’1″ 200#) taking on Lane MacDermid (6’3″ 211#) in front of the Worcester net in the second period. Several good shots give MacDermid the edge on this writer’s score card.

Kudos to Worcester Sharks Booster Club President Rich Lundin for predicting Jamie McGinn’s multiple goal performance. After watching the first period of Friday night’s game Lundin quipped that he couldn’t wait until Saturday night’s contest because McGinn always kills Providence. Counting Saturday night McGinn has 13 goals and 3 assists in 22 career games against Providence.

Some streaking WorSharks: Nick Schaus and Andrew Desjardins are both on three game points streaks. Steven Zalewski has been “even” or better in six straight games, and Schaus and Mike Moore have gone seven in a row without being “minus”.

The three stars of the game were
1. WOR – 44 Jamie McGinn (2g,+2)
2. WOR – 21 Benn Ferriero (2a,+2)
3. PRO – 3 Matt Bartkowski (g)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Cam MacIntyre.

Even Strength Lines
McGinn/Ferriero/Cheechoo
Mashinter/Wingels/McCarthy
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Zalewski/MacIntyre

Moore/Braun
Irwin/Schaus
Leach/Sullivan

Power Play Lines
Cheechoo/Ferriero/McGinn
MacIntyre/Wingels/Mashinter

Braun/Irwin
Sullivan/Schaus

Penalty Kill Lines
McCarthy/Desjardins
Ferriero/McGinn

Moore/Braun
Leach/Irwin

BOXSCORE
Providence 0 1 1 – 2
Worcester 2 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Worcester, McGinn 1 (Ferriero, Schaus), 14:41. 2, Worcester, MacIntyre 3 (Desjardins, Sullivan), 18:25. Penalties-Cohen Pro (hooking), 16:20.

2nd Period-3, Worcester, McGinn 2 (Ferriero, Moore), 7:04 (SH). 4, Providence, Penner 5 (Arniel, Colborne), 19:33 (PP). Penalties-Schaus Wor (roughing), 5:15; MacDermid Pro (fighting), 16:51; Moore Wor (fighting), 16:51; Wingels Wor (holding), 17:42.

3rd Period-5, Providence, Bartkowski 5 (Reich, Caron), 7:28 (PP). Penalties-McCarthy Wor (delay of game), 6:57.

Shots on Goal-Providence 5-20-6-31. Worcester 13-5-10-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 2/3; Worcester 0/1.
Goalies-Providence, Schaefer 9-13-1 (28 shots-25 saves). Worcester, Stalock 19-17-4 (31 shots-29 saves).
A-7,273
Referee-Jamie Koharski (84).Linesmen-Chris Millea (33), Bob Paquette (18).

Braun, WorSharks Silence Sound Tigers, 3-2

The Worcester Sharks got two goals from Justin Braun and a third period game winner from Dan DaSilva to defeat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 Friday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts in front of 3,468 fans.

The WorSharks would get on the board first after some hard work from the Crazed Rats in the far corner produced an open shot for Braun. With Worcester flying around the ice like a pack of, well, crazed rats, Bridgeport got caught with three defenders in the right wing corner. DaSilva and Kevin Henderson out muscled the Sound Tigers for the puck, and DaSilva skated out of the pack and threw an easy pass to the point. Braun wasted no time in blasting a shot on Sound Tigers netminder Kevin Poulin, who despite getting a piece of the puck couldn’t keep it out of the net for a 1-0 WorSharks lead at 2:22 of the first.

Braun would have the WorSharks second goal of the opening period while skating with a two man advantage. Although they didn’t get to do much skating five on three as it took just five seconds to light the lamp. After a clean face-off win by Benn Ferriero to Jonathan Cheechoo playing at the point, the former Rocket Richard winner sent the puck over to Braun at the right point. The defenseman teed it up and let it fly, beating Poulin cleanly at 13:58.

Worcester would go on to out shoot Bridgeport 24-6 in the opening 20 minutes, and were it not for several highlight reel saves by Poulin the WorSharks could have easily ended the period with five or six goals. In the span of about three minutes Poulin robbed sure goals away from John McCarthy, Frazer McLaren, Cam MacIntyre, and a hat trick bid from Braun. Tommy Wingles and Matt Irwin also got counted among the Worcester players skating away shaking their heads.

But the true highlight of the opening period came with about 90 seconds remaining in the stanza when Sean Sullivan threw the biggest hit seen in these part in quite some time. With Bridgeport on the penalty kill former WorShark turned Sound Tiger Jason Pitton was skating down the right wing side along the boards. Sullivan lined up his former teammate and threw a huge hip check at the onrushing forward, hitting Pitton mid thigh and sending him flying through the air where Pitton landed on his back. As play continued Pitton skated back to the bench on his own, but Sharkspage did not notice the forward on the ice again after the hit.

Despite everything going the way of Worcester in the first period the WorSharks are still a team that has issues playing for a full 60 minutes, and that rang true again Friday night. Bridgeport would take advantage of Worcester’s lackluster middle stanza play with two goals. Justin DiBenedetto would have the first when he took a pass from behind the Worcester net by Tony Romano that may have gone through the legs of WorSharks captain Jay Leach. No matter how it got to him DiBenedetto didn’t miss from between the circles at 4:32. Dylan Reese grabbed the game tying goal at 10:06 on an absolute laser from the high slot that beat a partially screened Alex Stalock high to the glove side and just inside the corner.

But unlike most nights Worcester’s collapse happened in the second period, giving themselves some time to wright the ship. After several more great saves by Poulin the WorSharks would finally get another past the netminder when DaSilva was just able to tip a Nick Schaus blast through the five hole of Poulin and barely over the goal line to light the lamp at 8:18 of the third period. A great keep in by Andrew Desjardins earned him the second assist on the goal.

Undisciplined play by Bridgeport kept them shorthanded for most of the rest of the third period, and despite getting Poulin off for an extra attacker–one that put the teams at five skaters a piece–the Sound Tigers were unable to generate any significant chance to equalize the game.

GAME NOTES
The Worcester shuttle was in full swing as the NHL reaches its All Star break, with Benn Ferriero, John McCarthy, Jamie McGinn, and Alex Stalock all being assigned to the WorSharks. There are rumblings that only Ferriero will be returning to the NHL roster next week. With the influx of players from San Jose and some returning from the injury list Worcester released defenseman Ryan Lannon and forward Ryan Del Monte from their PTOs. With Stalock being recalled to San Jose during the week Tyson Sexsmith was reassigned from Stockton to Worcester, and then was returned to the ECHL Friday.

Worcester’s scratches were Joe Loprieno (healthy), Tony Lucia (concussion), Cory Quirk (concussion), James Marcou (concussion), Nick Petrecki (back), and T.J. Trevelyan (groin/lower body). Carter Hutton was the back-up netminder.

Jamie McGinn became the first player to play in five different season for the WorSharks. He wore his usual #44, a number that was previously worn this season by Ryan Lannon, Erick Lizon, and Jim McKenzie who combined for 1 assist and 28 penalty minutes, along with a woeful minus-5, in 14 games in the jersey.

For the first time this season every Worcester skater had at least one shot on goal. The last time the WorSharks did that was January 16, 2010 in a 5-2 victory against the visiting Manchester Monarchs. In an oddity, the time before that was just 18 days earlier, also in a 5-2 victory in Worcester over Manchester. Their 24 shots in the first period sets a home record for the team, and ties the team record.

The three stars of the game were
1. WOR – 27 Justin Braun (2g)
2. BRI – 38 Kevin Poulin (45 saves)
3. WOR – 23 Dan DaSilva (g,a,+2)

Justin Braun was also the AHL’s number three star of the night.

The Sharkspage player of the game was Sean Sullivan.

Even Strength Lines
McGinn/Ferriero/Cheechoo
Mashinter/McCarthy/Wingels
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Zalewski/MacIntyre

Moore/Braun
Irwin/Schaus
Leach/Sullivan

Power Play Lines
Cheechoo/Ferriero/McGinn
MacIntyre/Wingles(McCarthy)/Mashinter
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva

Braun/Irwin(Ferriero)
Sullivan/Schaus

Penalty Kill Lines
McCarthy/Desjardins
Ferriero/McGinn

BOXSCORE
Bridgeport 0 2 0 – 2
Worcester 2 0 1 – 3

1st Period-1, Worcester, Braun 3 (DaSilva, Henderson), 2:22. 2, Worcester, Braun 4 (Ferriero, Cheechoo), 13:58 (PP). Penalties-Svendsen Bri (goaltender interference), 12:14; Haley Bri (delay of game), 13:53; Joensuu Bri (slashing), 16:56.

2nd Period-3, Bridgeport, DiBenedetto 9 (Romano, Kohn), 4:32. 4, Bridgeport, Reese 3 (Hisey, Joensuu), 10:06. Penalties-Joensuu Bri (holding), 1:43; Mashinter Wor (roughing), 8:04.

3rd Period-5, Worcester, DaSilva 10 (Schaus, Desjardins), 8:18. Penalties-Moore Wor (hooking), 9:00; Katic Bri (boarding), 10:18; Labelle Bri (slashing), 13:59; Klementyev Bri (holding), 17:08; Wishart Bri (cross-checking), 18:58.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 6-10-3-19. Worcester 24-6-18-48.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0/2; Worcester 1/8.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Poulin 10-5-0 (48 shots-45 saves). Worcester, Stalock 18-17-4 (19 shots-17 saves).
A-3,468
Referee-Chris Brown (86). Linesmen-Ed Boyle (81), Brian MacDonald (72).

Nick Diaz and Jacare Souza make weight for Saturday night Strikeforce title defenses in San Jose, Herschel Walker and Roger Gracie prepare for intriguing MMA fights

NICK DIAZ AND 'CYBORG' SANTOS FACE OFF FRIDAY AT WEIGH-INS

STRIKEFORCE MW CHAMPION JACARE SOUZA MAKES WEIGHT FOR SAT. FIGHT

FORMER HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER HERSCHEL WALKER PERPARES FOR 2ND MMA BOUT

STRIKEFORCE RING GIRLS AT WEIGH-INS FRIDAY IN SAN JOSE

Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz and Middleweight Champion ‘Jacare’ Souza were on weight Friday afternoon at HP Pavilion in San Jose. Diaz (23-7-1, 7subs, 12kos) is looking to continue his 8-fight, 33-month winning streak against veteran Brazilian Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos. The Stockton native dismantled rival K.J. Noons with a 5-round MMA striking clinic last October in San Jose. He is looking to make his second title defense against a veteran Cyborg who KO’d Dream Welterweight Champion Marius Zaromskis in a non-title fight last June. “I feel good and I’m ready to fight. Cyborg has a unique style and I know that he will give it his all and be as crazy as ever, but that’s good because I’m crazy, too,” Diaz said in a pre-fight press conference. He will face a 33-year old Cyborg making only his second appearance as a welterweight. Dropping down from middleweight could improve his cardio, but the veteran grinder will be facing a volume puncher who landed an incredible 193-of-442 (43.6%) strikes against talented former boxer/kickboxer Noons. Diaz is the USA Today/SB Nation #7th ranked welterweight. A win for Diaz could set the table for a much anticipated bout with Paul Daley.

Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields held on to his title for 8 months and a pair of defenses before he left for the UFC last summer. Still very popular in the Bay Area, Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez said that Shields had cleaned out his division before leaving. That is decidedly not the case. Current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (13-2-1, 10subs, 2kos) has a single loss in his last 15 fights. The loss came via a stunning upkick delivered by Gegard Mousasi in the 2008 Dream Middleweight Grand-Prix Final, a fight he was thoroughly controlling up until that point. One local trainer tagged ‘Jacare’ Souza and Demian Maia as the two athletes having the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu adapted for MMA. While Souza is a highly regarded BJJ black belt, a 5-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion and an Abu Dhabi Combat Club Absolute Division runner up, what is revelatory about his rise has been his positional wrestling and striking. Souza is the #8th ranked middleweight according to USA Today/SB Nation consensus rankings, but a win over the #11th ranked Robbie Lawler should vault him into the top-5 at a minimum.

‘Jacare’, Brazilian for alligator, does an alligator chomp not unlike the Shark chomp utilized by hockey fans on home power plays at HP Pavilion. “Some were surprised that I stood last time but Lawler is a different kind of fighter than I had in my last one,” Souza said in a pre-fight press conference. “If I have to stand, I will, of course, but I know it is important that I keep control.” Souza is coming off a ery difficult 5-round unanimous decision over Army Special Forces member Tim Kennedy, a fight worthy of a rematch down the line. Saturday night, Souza will be up against the heavy handed Robbie Lawler (20-6-1, 1sub, 17kos). Lawler has had a tumultuous recent history with setbacks against Scott Smith (NC, poke in the eye), Jake Shields (submission loss, guillotine choke) and Renato Sobral (unanimous decision loss) punctuated with KO’s over Scott Smith, Melvin Manhoef and Matt Lindland. Lawler needs patience and a gameplan. If the Gilbert, Arizona native can defend the takedown and remain on his feet, the odds will be slightly less overwhelming. “I don’t feel either of us think that we can afford to make a mistake,” Lawler said.

Filling out the main televised card are a pair of intriguing matchups in Roger Gracie vs. Trevor Prangley, and former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker vs. Scott Carson. Gracie (3-0, 3subs) is widely considered one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners on the planet. He has won the BJJ Mundials (World Jiu-Jitsu Championship) a record 10 times, and has won multiple ADCC submission grappling championships. His transition into MMA has been a slow and slightly forced one. In the last 4 years, he has averaged just over 20 months between fights. Saturday night he will meet San Jose-based veteran Trevor Prangley (23-6-1, 9subs, 4kos). Prangley has been far more busy in the MMA arena, fighting 7 times over the last 21 months for 5 different promotions. Prangley brings a striking and NCAA Division 1 wrestling background into the fight. According to current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum, seated next to Sharkspage at the weigh-ins, if the fight goes to the ground there is a 100% chance Gracie wins.

Former Heisman Trophy winner and USFL/NFL star Herschel Walker (1-0, 1ko) has been the most prominent fighter on the press tour in the leadup to this fight. Walker earned a 3rd round TKO against journeyman Greg Nagy in his January MMA debut during the NFL’s Pro Bowl weekend in Miami. He was forced to pull out of a December 4th fight against Scott Carson (4-1) in St. Louis, but he will enter the ring againt Carson Saturday night. Walker showed excellent technique and conditioning against Nagy in his MMA debut, but the mobility and footwork for the 48-year old was limited. Against a much larger opponent that may be less of an issue, but it is also something his trainers at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose have keyed on. “The Herschel of today would have beaten up the Herschel of a year ago. I was dumb and naïve when I first started. But I have learned a lot,” Walker said in a pre-fight press conference. Whatever the result, Herschel Walker will remain an ambassador for the sport and an inspiration to an older generation.

The main event card will be televised on Showtime live on the east coast at 10PM ET, and tape delayed on the west coast at 10PM PT. A stacked undercard will be aired online at sherdog.com beginning at 5:15PM PT. The undercard features a welterweight contender match between San Jose’s Nate Moore (6-2) and former Oregon wrestler Nathan Coy (8-3), popular local fighter Bobby Stack, flamboyant undefeated Dutch Muaythai kickboxer Germaine de Randamie (45-0 in Muaythai, 1-1 in MMA) in her Strikeforce debut, former ShoMMA headliner James Terry, and local Muaythai kickboxing headliner Jenna Castillo in her pro-MMA debut. 3 amateur MMA fight will be held under the new CAMO to begin the event. No word yet if they will utilize the new CAMO MMA-specific half points system, but according to ESPN’s Josh Gross the fights could be scored in conjunction with traditional scoring to be used for evaluation purposes.

A photo gallery from the weigh-ins is available here.

[Update] Official weigh-in results:

Strikeforce ‘Diaz vs. Cyborg’ Weigh-In Results:
HP Pavilion – San Jose, California
January 28, 2011
Showtime broadcast 10PM ET/PT

Strikeforce Welterweight World Title Fight
Nick Diaz 23-7, 1NC (169.5) vs. Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos 18-13 (169.5)
Strikeforce Middleweight World Title Fight
Jacare Souza 13-2, 2NC (184.25) vs. Robbie Lawler 18-6 (184)
Herschel Walker 1-0 (220.75) vs. Scott Carson 4-1 (214)
Roger Gracie 3-0 (206) vs. Trevor Prangley 23-6-1 (205.25)

Non-Televised Undercard:
SH – Select undercard fights will be streamed on Sherdog.com at 8:15PM (ET)

Nate Moore 6-2 (171) vs. Nathan Coy 8-3 (171.25*) – SH
Bobby Stack 8-1 (154.75) vs. Isaiah Hill 4-7 (155.5) – SH
Ron Keslar 5-3 (179.5) vs. Eric Lawson 9-3 (180) – SH
Germain de Randamie 1-1 (135.5) vs. Stephanie Webber 1-1 (135.75) – SH
James Terry 6-2 (170.5) vs. Lucas Gamaza 4-1 (171) – SH
Jenna Castillo pro debut (121.5*) vs. Charlene Geliner pro debut (118) – SH

CAMO Amateur MMA bouts:

Anthony Dariano 1-0 (149.5) vs. Alan Perez 4-2 (151)
Ricky Jackson 3-1 (166) vs. Niko Jackson 3-2 (164.5)
Sam Bracamonte 1-1 (168) vs. Armin Safiari pro debut (169.5)

* given additional time to make weight

Contest window running out on new look Mavericks Big Wave Surfing Contest, large swell caused near death injury to surfer last weekend

Mavericks continues to teach harsh history lessons. No stranger to harrowing occurances, a 25-30 foot set of rogue waves at Northern California’s largest break last weekend battered 30-year old surfer Jake Trette. After being caught out of position and sucked over the falls, subsequent heavy waves broke on top of Trette and rendered the southern Californian unconscious. Australian surf photographer Russell Ord engineered a rescue using a jet ski. “All I remember is being spun around, and then darkness. I’m a pretty tough guy. Usually, nothing can stop me,” Trette told the Orange County Register. “I must have gotten knocked out by the wave. I just blacked out. That’s all I remember.”

Trette was airlifted 30 minutes north to the Stanford Medical Center in critical condition. According to reports, he spent 2 days in a medically induced coma before recovering enough to be released on Wednesday. The incident has reinforced the dangers of the Mavericks big wave break, named in 2008 as one of the 10 most deadly waves on the planet by TransWorld Surf Magazine. It has also intensified the local debate over a ban on jet skis. Mavericks is included in one of the four limited jet ski zones, but only during a high surf warning. Last Sunday conditions were only a high surf advisory.

The problems Trette faced at Mavericks were not unique, even seasoned big wave surfers run into problems on the massive wave faces. In 2007, 3-time Mavericks champion Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko endured what many believe was one of the worst wipeouts at the break. On a day when the waves reached in excess of 70 feet Virostko was sucked over the falls on a gigantic wave 10-12 times overhead. Large, front page coverage of the fall in the San Francisco Chronicle stunned readers, and only increased the profile of the underground sport.

Exuberant fans mobbed Mavericks Big Wave Surfing contests in 2008 (won by Greg Long, San Clemente) and 2010 (won by Chris Bertish, South Africa), but had to learn the first rule of the ocean the hard way. Always keep your eyes on the horizon. A large wave surge at high tide knocked over dozens of onlookers onshore, injured 13, and partially toppled an awards platform in 2010. That lead to a number of changes for this year’s Contest. Former event organizer, Mavericks Surf Ventures, is out. The Mavericks contest is now controlled by the surfers themselves and has been renamed The Jay at Maverick’s Big Wave Invitational in honor of late big wave surfer Jay Moriarity. Also gone will be the tens of thousands of fans lining the cliffs and the beach. Spectators have been banned from the Mavericks contest this year. They are encouraged to watch the event online. The towering size of the waves actually prevent adequate viewing from shore, and at a half mile out to see the view from the cliffs is difficult at times as well. Fewer spectators will also result in less damage to the soft, crumbling sand cliffs.

Mavericks can learn from the inaugural San Jose Grand Prix in 2005. Large crowds turned up for the race, but sight lines were extraordinarily limited, and off-site viewing options were minimal. Fans on one side of the track did not know about shops and events scheduled on the other side, and many local businesses blocks from the track did not see a lot of walk up business. Mavericks is encouraging fans to view the contest online at thejayatmavericks.com, or at off-site screening locations. Contest organizers need to lock down more viewing locations, and create a map so they are easily accessible to the fans that still want to drive down. Include pre and post-contest activities that are open to the public, and include local businesses so the local economy benefits as well.

All of the The Jay at Maverick’s Big Wave Invitational preperations are contingent upon big waves, and this year they have been scarce. After a strong El Nino season last year with 23 large swells, this year there have only been four (5 after last weekend) according to the SF Examiner. The Mavericks contest window runs from November to February, and the La Nina weather pattern could result in the second contest cancellation in three years. “It has been a less-than-stellar year,” surf forecaster Mark told the Examiner. If Mavericks is anything, it is unpredictable. Hardcore surf fans are keeping their fingers crossed for one large swell before the end of February. Now given the enormous profile and popularity, the mainstream media and casual fans are keeping their fingers crossed as well.

[Update] Surfing’s tower of terror is making waves on land – Sacramento Bee.

[Update2] Previous Mavericks Big Wave Surfing Contest winners:

MAVERICKS BIG WAVE SURFING CONTEST WINNERS:

1999 – Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko, Santa Cruz
2000 – Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko, Santa Cruz
2004 – Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko, Santa Cruz
2005 – Anthony Tashnick, Santa Cruz
2006 – Grant Baker, South Africa
2008 – Greg Long, San Clemente
2010 – Chris Bertish, South Africa

Sharks set to debut third back-up goaltender in 3 games, Evgeni Nabokov saga continues as he is suspended by New York Islanders

EVGENI NABOKOV SUSPENDED BY NY ISLANDERS FOR NOT REPORTING TO TEAM

GOALIE J.P. ANDERSON CONGRATULATED ANTTI NIEMI AFTER WIN ON SATURDAY

The Sharks have experienced a spate of goaltending drama on both coasts in the last few days. With Antero Niittyamki injured, the teal, orange and black are scheduled to debut their third straight backup goaltender in 3 games tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. University of British Columbia goaltender Jordan White filled in as an emergency backup Thursday in Vancouver, Sharks OHL goaltending prospect J.P. Anderson backed up Antti Niemi Saturday night against Minnesota, and 2005 draft pick Alex Stalock will sit on the bench tonight in San Jose’s last game before the 5-day 2011 Allstar break. There was much more to come.

The goaltending drama began Thursday with an unspecified injury Antero Niittymaki suffered during a pre-game practice Thursday in Vancouver. Niittymaki, winless in his last 3 contests after winning the previous 4, stayed out on the ice to get extra work in after the practice ended. After suffering the injury, Niittymaki was quickly placed on IR and the Sharks looked to the local amateur ranks to find an emergency replacement. “Everything happened so quick,” 22-year old UBC Thunderbirds goaltender Jordan White told the Vancouver Sun. “I wouldn’t say I was nervous, more excited. I’d never looked forward to taking pucks in warmup as much as I did tonight.”

According to San Jose Sharks broadcaster Randy Hahn, White was forced to give a pre-game speech to fire up the locker room. “I didn’t think he was going to stop. He just said, ‘I’ve watched these guys a lot, they’re my favorite team, stay out of the box,’ stuff like that. It was pretty funny,” Logan Couture said of the motivational speech. White, who was a teammate of Devin Setoguchi with Prince George of the WHL in 2006-07, was the second University of British Columbia netminder to be called up for an NHL game. The Vancouver Canucks used Chris Levesque against the Pittsburgh Penguins after Dan Cloutier suffered an injury in 2003.

It was not the only Sharks-related goaltending drama on Thursday. The AHL Worcester Sharks invited UConn student and future Afghanistan-bound Marine Derek Ames to fill in as a goaltender at the DCU Center during practice. Flanked by assistant GM/goaltending coach Wayne Thomas and development coach Mike Ricci, the former St. John’s and UCONN alum filled in on only a few hours notice. According to his father, Derek began pre-deployment training this week in North Carolina and will be deployed to Afghanistan in August.

The other small San Jose related item on Thursday was announced midway through the Sharks-Vancouver game. It was reported that former Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov signed a 1-year, $570,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings (pro-rated approximately $250,000 for the remainder of the season). Nabokov would have to clear the waiver wire, a process that St. Louis had tried unsuccessfully twice this season. After signing contracts with the Blues, Marek Svatos and Kyle Wellwood were claimed off the waiver re-entry wire by the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks respectively. Nabokov was similarly claimed by the New York Islanders, struggling through a recent injury crisis of their own after trading backup/co-starter Dwayne Roloson.

Nabokov to the Detroit Red Wings was the worst case scenario for any Western Conference team looking to make the playoffs, but fortunately he would have to face a gauntlet of teams that could use the services of a goaltender that averaged 43.6 wins over the last 3 seasons. The New York Islanders claimed him after the Conference dwellars New Jersey and Edmonton passed. Late reports Saturday night claimed that Nabokov would not report to the Islanders, and that he had actually hung up on Islanders GM Garth Snow. Evgeni Nabokov cleared the air Sunday with ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.

“I think I’m going to stay home for now, I’m sticking with my decision,” Nabokov told LeBrun. “It’s nothing against the Islanders and their organization. It’s nothing to do with that. It’s just that I’m at the point in my career where I want to help a team win in the playoffs. I don’t see how I could help the Islanders or what I could do for them. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. And I hope they understand that.”

Many in the national media slammed the 35-year goaltender for his decision. LeBrun’s ESPN colleague Scott Burnside wrote that Nabokov’s market value was dropping, and incorrectly noted that he could not find work last offseason. Not being able to find work, and exiting the NHL free agent frenzy early to sign a 4-year, $24 million contract with the KHL are two seperate things. Nabokov expressed a desire to play in the playoffs, something the Islanders will not achieve this season. The Hockey News senior writer Adam Proteau slammed Nabokov on a January 21st podcast with XM host Jim Gordon. “He was a train wreck in the playoffs at times, and almost single handedly sunk them at times. That was the reason why they cut bait,” Proteau said of the Sharks moving off of Nabokov last year. “Just because (Niemi and Niittymaki) aren’t doing it, doesn’t mean he was still a good fit for them. (Nabokov’s) time was done.”

If one thing was certain about the Sharks past playoff failures, they were earned as a team and not by any lone individual. That does not change the lack of appeal of backstopping a lottery team in New York. 60% of the current Islanders blueliners have been in the league 3 years or less. Defenseman Mark Eaton (hip surgery) is out for the season, and defenseman Milan Jurcina (upper-body) could miss a month. Reports have noted that puck moving blueliner Mark Streit has started skating, but the 6 month time frame from October shoulder surgery would place his return just before the end of the season. After struggling with a porous defense in the KHL, how would struggling with a non-NHL calibre defense improve his market value for next season?

Nabokov declined to report to the New York Islanders. He failed to appear on two scheduled flights Sunday and Monday out of Oakland, and was suspended by the Islanders on Tuesday. According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Islanders can sit Nabokov for the remainder of the season, or try to “toll” the contract and petition the NHL to make it applicable for next season. The Islanders can not trade Nabokov outright. Any initial waiver claims would be fulfilled first, and he would have to clear a second 29-team waiver re-entry wire as well.

The Sharks, or at least the fan base, looked on in silence. San Jose EVP/GM Doug Wilson would not confirm or deny whether or not the Sharks put in a waiver claim for Nabokov, but given the depth in the organization they would not have to. Rookie tournament standout J.P. Anderson was brought in to back up Antti Niemi against the Minnesota Wild in San Jose on Saturday night. With a 22-5-1 record, 2.29GAA and .915SV% for the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, the 18-year old Anderson is having an excellent season in the OHL. “Right now I just want to come in here and learn as much as I can and take the experience in,” a wide eyed Anderson told the Mercury News. He was sent back to the OHL after one game, but he was given a clear target to aim for down the line.

The Sharks did not call-up Tyson Sexsmith or Alex Stalock initially, the tandem that helped the Worcester Sharks make a playoff run last season. Sexsmith was assigned to the Sharks ECHL affiliate in Stockton this season, and he had been out with an injured hand after a goalie fight with Josh Tordjman of Bakersfield in November. There were unconfirmed reports that Alex Stalock was also trying to recover from a nagging injury, but he was called up by San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson on Tuesday. He will back up Antti Niemi in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

At the time of his first NHL callup, the 23-year old netminder had registered a 17-17-4 record, 2.65GAA and a .907SV% in 38 games played. The 180-pound Minnesota native was well enough to play back-to-back games last weekend, registering a loss and a shootout loss with 48 saves on 57 shots against. He has also started 9 of the Worcester Sharks 13 games in 2011, with a 3-4-2 record. Asked by San Jose Mercury News beat writer David Pollak about his impressions practicing with the NHL club, Stalock was excited, but not overwhelmed. “I played with a handful of these guys last year and it’s good to come up here and see them again,” Stalock said. “This team has some of the greatest players in the world so this is fun.” The Worcester Sharks replaced Stalock on the roster by calling up Stockton Thunder goaltender Tyson Sexsmith.

The ongoing goalie rotation will probably not faze starting goaltender Antti Niemi, who in 2011 has quietly put up a solid 5-4 record, 2.01GAA and .935SV% despite a dramatic lack of offensive support. Niemi has allowed two or fewer goals in 7 of 9 starts during January, and received more than two goals of offensive support only 4 times. It is expected that Antero Niittymaki’s injury will be reevaluated during the 5-day ASG break. He is eligible to come off of IR on Thursday. Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe may return to the lineup tonight after missing 4 games. Clowe was cut in the back of the leg by the skate of Dustin Penner on January 13th.

[Update] For emergency backup goalies, big thrills but little ice time – New York Times.

Tonight’s 2011 ECHL Allstar Game in Bakersfield marred by Anti-Semitism lawsuit levied against Bakersfield Condors by former player

2011 ECHL ALLSTAR GAME IN BAKERFIELD MARRED BY DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT

The fourth ECHL Allstar Game to be hosted in California in the last 6 years was marred by the recent filing of a discrimination suit against the Anaheim Ducks by former draft pick and Bakersfield Condors player Jason Bailey. According to a lawsuit filed at the Orange County Superior Court one day before the ECHL Allstar Game tonight in Bakersfield, Jason Bailey alleged mistreatment regarding his Jewish background by Condors head coach Martin Raymond and former assistant coach Mark Pederson. In the complaint, Bailey alleges he was subject to “a barrage of anti-Semitic, offensive and degrading verbal attacks regarding his Jewish faith” from Raymond and Pederson according to a report by CNN.

The 23-year old right wing played 35 games for the Bakersfield Condors in the 2008-09 season, registering only 2 assists. He was called up to Anaheim’s AHL affiliate in Iowa for 2 games. According to the complaint, Bailey believed his ice time and the resources available to him in Bakersfield and Iowa were negatively affected because of his Jewish background. Bailey also alleges attempts to address the situation within the Anaheim Ducks organization were unsuccessful, and that letters of apology written by Raymond and Pederson were not sincere.

According to Bakersfield Now, Martin Raymond was suspended by the team for one week in 2009, and Mark Pederson for two. Martin Raymond was an assistant coach with Bakersfield, before becoming head coach for the next 7 seasons from 2003 to 2010. He remains head coach of the team. Mark Pederson played parts of 7 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings, before becoming an assistant coach with Bakersfield. He left the ECHL to coach the Tilburg Trappers in the Netherlands last season.

The Bakersfield Condors, 120+ miles from Anaheim’s home rink in Southern California, became the Ducks ECHL affiliate in 2008-09 and 2009-10. That affiliation ceased this season. The Ducks attempted to send Bailey to the Central Hockey League after his lone season in Bakersfield, before eventually trading him to the Binghamton Senators, an AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators franchise.

According to TMZ.com, Jason Bailey alleges the the Ducks were “happy to be rid of him” when he was traded after the 2008-09 season.

The filing of the lawsuit comes at the worst possible time for the Bakersfield Condors and the ECHL. The 2011 ECHL Allstar Classic and Skills Competition is scheduled to begin tonight at 6:30PM (PT). The event is designed as a showcase for the best players in the ECHL, the ‘AA’ league for professional hockey in North America. Formerly known as the “East Coast Hockey League”, the ECHL’s Pacific Division hosts three California based teams (Stockton Thunder, Ontario Reign, Bakersfield Condors), each known for strong attendance, their involvement in the community, and for the affordable entertainment they bring on and off the ice.

As someone who has interacted with the Anaheim Ducks and their prospects (on a peripheral level) at numerous rookie tournaments and rookie exhibition games and practices, the allegations come as a shock. The drafted and developed prospects within the organization, and the young tryouts just looking to make an impression, were never treated anything but professionally in front of this blog’s purview. With long road trips and small pay checks, minor league hockey often embraces its road warrior culture and aesthetic. That being said, many of the young players and coach’s plying their trade in California still exhibit the respect and values of small town Canada. This lawsuit, and the allegations and comments contained within, could not be more of an anomaly.

[Update] Report: Jason Bailey suing Ducks for coaches’ alleged anti-Semitism – Yahoo Puck Daddy.

According to (Bakersfield Condors team president Matt) Riley, in this case, the suspension was the right thing. “It’s probably unheard of, or extremely rare that coaches are suspended during a season by their own organization and so we took a lot of risk doing that,” Riley said of the disciplinary action. “But we felt it was the right thing to do and regardless of the consequences you need to do the right thing.”

[Update2] Condors will be seeing stars tonight – Bakersfield Californian.

[Update3] All-Stars, TV Stars, Local Stars, and Cereal Bowls – the All-Star Classic is here! – BakersfieldCondors.com.

The ECHL All-Star Classic is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm., doors will be open at 5:30 p.m. The first 2,000 kids age 12 and under wil l receive All-Star Cereal Bowls. All fans in attendance will also get Condors All-Star Posters, and everyone also receives a free All-Star Game Program.

The Skills Competition is presented by CCM and Mercy and Memorial Hospitals. Players will take the ice at 6:05 p.m, and the Skills Competition will begin at 6:15 p.m. During pregame, the players will take part in the Fastest Skater, Accuracy Shooting, and King of the Shootout. The Hardest Shot competition will be held during the first intermission.

DOH Podcast #132: Current 4-game win streak, Vancouver and Minnesota, additions Kyle Wellwood and Ben Eager, Evgeni Nabokov saga

[audio:http://dudesonhockey.com/podcast/doh_2011_0125.mp3]

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana discuss the Sharks response to a 6-game losing streak with a current 4-game win streak, take a look back at recent wins over Vancouver and Minnesota, weigh the Canucks offensive weapons vs what the Sharks bring to the table, discuss the recent acquisitions of Kyle Wellwood and Ben Eager, the Sharks rotating goaltending adjustments from Jordan White to J.P. Anderson to Alex Stalock, all necessitated by the groin injury suffered by Antero Niittymaki in Vancouver, evaluate the FA saga of former Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, and take a look at the upcoming NHL Allstar Game on the 132nd episode of the Dudes on Hockey podcast.

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

WorSharks Rally, Then Fall To Portland 5-4

The Worcester Sharks finally turned the tables on an opponent in the third period by making a miracle multi-goal comeback, only to stumble at the very end to lose their lead and then the game 5-4 in a shootout to the Portland Pirates Sunday afternoon at the DCU center in Worcester, Massachusetts in front of 3,407 fans.

After giving up the final five goals in Saturday night’s contest it was important for the WorSharks to get off to a good start, but from the opening face-off the period was all Portland as the Pirates would out shoot Worcester 12-5 and grab the first two goals of the game. Mark Mancari, who seems to be making a career in scoring points against Worcester, gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead when he beat Matt Irwin to the far post and tipped a Dennis McCauley feed from the left wing boards past WorSharks goaltender Alex Stalock at 3:07. Dennis Persson would make it 2-0 with a power play blast from high between the circles at 7:36.

The period would see one lone highlight for Worcester when Brandon Mashinter took on Portland defenseman Tim Conboy late in the first period. On Friday night in Portland Conboy threw a check to the head of Cory Quirk which knocked the forward out with a concussion, and as the AHL had not announced a possible suspension–word is one may be coming Monday–he was eligible to play. After Conboy skated away from Frazer McLaren earlier in the period Mashinter didn’t give him a choice, grabbing the defenseman and throwing bombs behind the Portland net after a whistle.

Worcester picked up the pace in the second period but still couldn’t solve Portland goaltender Jhonas Enroth, and it looked bad for the WorSharks when Mancari converted a turnover into an unassisted shorthanded goal at 15:31. Down 3-0 Worcester fans were probably figuring a comeback in the third period was unlikely but stuck around to see if Worcester would extract more revenge on Conboy. Those that stayed saw both.

With two seconds left in the second period and the face-off deep in the Worcester zone captain Jay Leach lined up next to Conboy and never took his eyes off the defenseman as the puck dropped. As the players all paired off around the scrum Conboy held his own in the battle, pulling the jersey over Leach’s head in the crease. Stalock, who had seen enough, grabbed Conbow preventing him from throwing any punches, drawing the ire of the Portland players including Pirates back-up netminder David Leggio who was sitting outside the visitors player gate. Stalock challenged the netminder to come on to the ice, but cooler heads prevailed as the players were sent off to their dressing rooms.

Matt Irwin would get Worcester on the board on an end to end to end play more reminiscent of basketball than hockey. After Worcester crashed the net in the Portland zone the Pirates gained control of the puck and broke into the WorSharks zone three on one against Joe Loprieno. With Stalock yelling he had the shooter Loprieno played to stop the cross ice pass as the netminder made a blocker save to deflect the puck off the end boards. The puck was shot so hard that the rebound went beyond the onrushing Portland forwards to newly signed winger Chris Blight, who sent Worcester off on a three on one of its own. Irwin’s blast beat Enroth over the shoulder at 6:31.

Nick Schaus would convert on a power play goal to make it 3-2 at 9:50 after the WorSharks had some time on a rare four on three power play. With Worcester’s Ryan Del Monte and Portland’s Maxime Legault were already in the box for matching minors Luke Adam would be called for hooking setting up the odd power play. The WorSharks didn’t generate much offense during that stretch, but once Del Monte and Legault returned to the ice they showed plenyt of offense as they dropped the gloves and went at it on center ice in a spirited bout. Schaus’ blue line blast through traffic, assisted by T.J. Trevelyan and Tommy Wingles, took place soon after the dust had settled.

After Dan DaSilva and Corey Tropp were called for matching roughing minors Leach would get a “right place, right time” goal to get Worcester even. After a turnover by Portland deep in the Worcester zone Leach broke out of the WorSharks zone on another odd man rush, where Leach would make a pass over to Schaus that was too deep for the defenseman to handle cleanly. Schaus gathered the puck and wheeled the net, throwing a pass out front to Leach standing at the near post. Leach banged the puck home at 12:17 to knot the score 3-3.

Andrew Desjardins would give Worcester a 4-3 lead when he and Kevin Henderson converted on another odd man rush for the WorSharks at 13:10. Blight send the two into the Portland zone, and Desjardins blasted a one-timer past Enroth to light the lamp.

But as is well know, the third period has not been kind to Worcester and Sunday was no exception. Despite Worcester carrying the play Portland was able to gain control in the Worcester zone with an extra attacker where–who else?–Mancari was able to grab a loose puck and bang it home to knot the game with just 28 seconds remaining.

Both teams would have great chances in the over time period but timely saves would move the game on to the shootout where Worcester went scoreless. Tropp and Adam scored for Portland to give them the extra point.

GAME NOTES
Prior to the game the WorSharks signed forward Chris Blight to a PTO, and he took defenseman Ryan Lannon’s spot in the line-up for the only change from Saturday night. Worcester’s injury list remains unchanged.

The three stars of the game were
1. POR – 25 Mark Mancari (hat trick)
2. WOR – 6 Nick Schaus (g,a)
3. POR – 39 Luke Adam (a)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Chris Blight.
Even strength lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Wingles/Del Monte
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Zalewski/Blight

Irwin/Braun
Leach/Schaus
Loprieno/Pederson

Penalty kill lines
Desjardins/Henderson
Del Monte/McLaren

Leach/Braun
Loprieno/Schaus

Power play lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles

Irwin/Braun
Pederson/Schaus

BOXSCORE
Portland 2 1 1 0 – 5
Worcester 0 0 4 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Portland, Mancari 24 (McCauley, Schiestel), 3:07. 2, Portland, Persson 5 (Tropp, Bowers), 7:36 (PP). Penalties-Henderson Wor (interference), 6:05; Conboy Por (fighting), 18:16; Mashinter Wor (fighting), 18:16.

2nd Period-3, Portland, Mancari 25   15:31 (SH). Penalties-Trevelyan Wor (delay of game), 2:45; Schiestel Por (interference), 13:42; Whitmore Por (hooking), 17:25; Conboy Por (fighting), 20:00; Cheechoo Wor (roughing), 20:00; Leach Wor (fighting), 20:00.

3rd Period-4, Worcester, Irwin 9 (Blight, Stalock), 6:31. 5, Worcester, Schaus 2 (Trevelyan, Wingels), 9:50 (PP). 6, Worcester, Leach 1 (Schaus), 12:17. 7, Worcester, Desjardins 7 (Henderson, Blight), 13:10. 8, Portland, Mancari 26 (Stuart, Adam), 19:32. Penalties-Irwin Wor (interference), 3:01; Legault Por (slashing), 7:23; Del Monte Wor (cross-checking), 7:23; Adam Por (hooking), 8:08; Legault Por (fighting), 9:35; Del Monte Wor (fighting), 9:35; Tropp Por (roughing), 10:22; DaSilva Wor (roughing), 10:22.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Portland 2 (Tropp G, Gongalsky NG, Mancari NG, Adam G), Worcester 0 (Cheechoo NG, Trevelyan NG, MacIntyre NG, Wingels NG).
Shots on Goal-Portland 12-6-8-2-1-29. Worcester 5-14-14-3-0-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Portland 1/4; Worcester 1/3.
Goalies-Portland, Enroth 15-12-1 (36 shots-32 saves). Worcester, Stalock 17-17-4 (28 shots-24 saves).
A-3,407
Referee-Jeff Smith (49). Linesmen-Todd Whittemore (70), Chris Aughe (74).

Same Old Song And Dance For WorSharks In 6-3 Loss

The Worcester Sharks added another game to the already long list of third period collapses after turning a two goal lead into a three goal deficit and dropping a 6-3 contest to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts in front of a record crowd announced at 9,803. The night was celebration of the hockey history in Worcester, with an induction ceremony for the inaugural class of the Worcester Hockey Hall of Fame during the second intermission and the WorSharks wearing IceCats throwback jerseys. It’s too bad there weren’t actual IceCats players in those jerseys because that may have given Worcester a victory.

Despite Worcester carrying the play throughout the opening period, including a huge open ice hip check thrown by Nick Schaus on Olivier Labelle that drew the overflow crowd to its feet, it was the Sound Tigers that would strike first when former WorShark Jason Pitton threw a backhand pass from behind the goal line to Dustin Kohn at the blue line that the defenseman one timed past Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock at 14:16.

The WorSharks would get themselves even as time wound down on the open period when Ryan Lannon threw an pass over to his defensive partner Justin Braun. The rookie blue liner held the puck for a second looking for a clear shooting lane, but when none could be found fired a low easy shot into a screen of players. Tommy Wingles was able to bat the loose puck past Bridgeport netminder Joel Martin with 25.1 seconds remaining to make it 1-1.

Matt Irwin would give Worcester the lead with a power play tally at 4:37 of the second period after blasting a Jonathan Cheechoo pass through traffic and past Martin to light the lamp. Cam MacIntyre had the second assist on the play. Braun and Dan DaSilva combined to give the WorSharks a two goal lead when the defenseman rushed up ice through traffic and found DaSilva along the right wing boards. Braun continued on to the net as DaSilva held the puck, and then the winger fired a laser on net that just snuck inside the far corner at 7:02. It looked from this writer’s position that the puck hit Braun’s stick on the way by into the net, but no matter who it hit it counts the same.

Jesse Joensuu would begin the comeback for Bridgeport on a goal that is officially listed as unassisted but unofficially should include an assist to WorSharks captain Jay Leach. After a Wingles forecheck found him with no way to advance the puck he passed it back to his defensive pairing at the Worcester blue line. But while the pass was heading toward the WorSharks zone Leach fell down preventing Joe Loprieno from fielding the puck cleanly, and Joensuu was able to scoop up the loose puck and break in on Stalock. His low wrist shot beat the netminder to the low stick side to make it 3-2 at 11:08.

It looked to everyone in the building that Worcester regained their two goal lead at 17:32 as the WorSharks put the puck in the net, but referee Terry Koharski made what might be the single worst call in recent memory by whistling T.J. Trevelyan for goaltender interference after he was tripped into the net preventing Martin from making a save on the shot from the blue line. How bad was the call? After the whistle the visiting penalty box attendant opened the door and Bridgeport was starting to put their penalty killers on the ice. Of course the bad call would come back to bite Worcester in the backside when Rob Hisey converted on a rebound opportunity at 19:17 to even the score.

So again Worcester found themselves in the familiar position of entering the third period tied and outshooting their opponent, needed just a solid twenty minutes to give themselves a great chance to grab two points against a division rival. And like too many times before, the WorSharks failed.

Joensuu would give the Sound Tigers the lead at 10:07 of the period on the softest goal Stalock has ever given up in a Worcester jersey after the winger drove down the left wing side and fired a bad angle shot on net. Stalock attempted to make a stick save on the shot but had drifted off the near post so when the puck rebounded off his stick it took a bad bounce over the netminder and off the post and in. Justin DiBenedetto would make it 5-3 with a power play tally 11:27 to make any chance of a comeback look bleak, and Kohn’s 200 foot empty netter put the nail in the coffin.

The three tallies by Bridgeport in the third period runs the WorSharks total to 60 goals against in the final 20 minutes of a game, and their goal differential drops to minus 25 in the stanza. The loss dropped Worcester’s record to 2-8-1-2 when tied after two periods. All three stats are the worst in the AHL, and the minus 25 is also the worst goal differential in any period by any team in the league.

GAME NOTES
Tony Lucia, James Marcou, Mike Moore, Nick Petrecki, Cory Quirk, and Sean Sullivan were all injury scratches. Carter Hutton was the back-up goaltender.

Prior to the star of the game AHL President Dave Andrews recognized Roy Sommer’s 1,000th game as an AHL head coach. The ceremonial puck drop was conducted by “”Mr. IceCat” Terry Virtue. He, along with Kelly O’Leary, Scott Young, Larz Anderson, and Marvin Degon are the inaugural class of the Worcester Hockey Hall of Fame. Courtesy of the Worcester Sharks, here’s a brief bio of each inductee

Larz Anderson – the late Larz Anderson built the first ever hockey rink in Worcester at Webster Square providing the first enclosed skating rink in central Massachusetts. He was the owner of the Worcester Warriors (EHL) in the mid 1950’s which paved the way to bring professional hockey to Worcester.
 
Eddie Bates – a coach in youth sports for 48 years, the late Eddie Bates was nicknamed the Father of Youth Hockey in the United States after he started the first Youth Hockey program in Worcester and it spread throughout the country. He organized North High School’s first hockey team in 1917, and was the former coach of North High School, Worcester Academy, and Holy Cross.
 
Marvin Degon Sr. – the all-time leading scorer at Worcester State and one of the all-time leading scorers in NCAA Division 3 hockey, Marvin was known for his legendary hard slap shot. He is the father of Marvin Degon Jr. who is currently playing professional hockey in the DEL.
 
Kelly O’Leary – born in Auburn, MA, Kelly played at Providence College and won four silver medals in the women’s World Ice Hockey Championships (1990,92,94, and 97). Kelly was the final cut from the gold medal winning team for the 1998 Winter Olympics women’s hockey team.
 
Terry Virtue – The former Worcester IceCats captain and all-time leader in games played with 455, Virtue was a fixture in Worcester for six hockey seasons accumulating 210 points and 1083 penalty minutes. With over 1,100 professional games played, he suited up in five games in the NHL (4 with Boston, 1 with New York Rangers) and is currently the assistant coach with Owen Sound in the OHL.
 
Scott Young – born in Clinton, MA, Young played 1181 games in the NHL scoring 342 goals and winning the Stanley Cup in 1991 (Pittsburgh) and 1996 (Colorado). The three-time U.S. Olympian played his prep school hockey at St. Mark’s School in Southborough and skated with the BU Terriers before turning pro in 1998. He is currently the head coach at St. Mark’s.

A quick couple of stories about why Terry Virtue is still a fan favorite in these parts. Virtue was never the most talented player on any team he played on, but there was no player with more heart. Once in late 2002 after the IceCats had jumped out to a pretty large lead but saw Portland starting to creep back into it because the ‘Cats stopped playing head coach Don Granato threw Virtue out on a shift at forward and told him to “make something happen”. Virtue threw two huge hits and started a line brawl. It got the job done. The second story is a game that is ingrained in every IceCats fan’s memory. On 3/30/2003 the Manchester Monarchs had a 6-1 lead after 40 minutes, but after two quick goals by Worcester made the score 6-3 Virtue, who has assisted on Johnny Pohl’s goal at 6:11 of the period skated by the Monarchs bench and laughingly asked “You guys getting worried yet?”, and continued to chirp at the Manchester bench. Two Monarchs attempted to go after Virtue as the game progressed and Worcester was able to get back to even as the Monarchs seemed to be more interested in going after Virtue than winning the game. Worcester went on to win 7-6 in overtime.

Allow this writer a moment to vent some frustration. This is Jay Leach’s comment to WorSharks beat writer Bill Ballou of the Telegram & Gazette about his fall to the ice that allowed Bridgeport to score a goal. ““My skate hit a rut or something and I bailed. And I think the puck bounced over Joe’s stick. I think we’d both like to have it back, but it was one of those weird plays that happens.” How about manning up and take some responsibility and not blame “a rut”? Leach’s play has been nothing short of pathetic for much of the season, so there must be a lot of “ruts” in the ice.

The three stars of the game were
1. BRI – 6 Jesse Joensuu (2g,a)
2. WOR – 27 Justin Braun (2a)
3. BRI – 26 Rob Hisey (g,a)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Ryan Lannon.

Even strength lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Del Monte/(everyone)

Irwin/Braun
Leach/Schaus
Loprieno/Pederson
Lannon

Penalty kill lines
Desjardins/Henderson
Del Monte/McLaren

Leach/Braun
Loprieno/Schaus

Power play lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles

Irwin/Braun
Pederson/Schaus

BOXSCORE
Bridgeport 1 2 3 – 6
Worcester 1 2 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Kohn 1 (Pitton, Svendsen), 14:16. 2, Worcester, Wingels 8 (Lannon, Braun), 19:34. Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-3, Worcester, Irwin 8 (Cheechoo, MacIntyre), 4:37 (PP). 4, Worcester, DaSilva 9 (Braun), 7:02. 5, Bridgeport, Joensuu 5   11:08. 6, Bridgeport, Hisey 5 (Joensuu, Kohn), 19:17 (PP). Penalties-Katic Bri (cross-checking), 3:43; Haley Bri (fighting), 7:04; MacIntyre Wor (fighting), 7:04; Svendsen Bri (tripping), 8:45; DaSilva Wor (tripping), 14:29; Trevelyan Wor (goaltender interference), 17:32; Marcinko Bri (tripping), 19:37.

3rd Period-7, Bridgeport, Joensuu 6 (Hisey, Pitton), 10:07. 8, Bridgeport, DiBenedetto 5 (Katic, Wishart), 11:27 (PP). 9, Bridgeport, Kohn 2   18:15 (EN). Penalties-Hisey Bri (roughing), 4:28; Lannon Wor (roughing, roughing), 4:28; Cheechoo Wor (hooking), 11:03; Labelle Bri (holding), 12:33.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 7-11-12-30. Worcester 15-13-14-42.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 2/4; Worcester 1/4.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Martin 1-1-0 (42 shots-39 saves). Worcester, Stalock 17-17-3 (29 shots-24 saves).
A-9,803
Referee-Terry Koharski (10). Linesmen-Jack Millea (23), Bob Paquette (18).

Devin Setoguchi scored twice in 4-3 win over Minnesota Wild, four game Sharks win streak carries them back into playoff position

#31 ANTTI NIEMI IS 5-4 W/2.01GAA, .935SV%, 1SO IN 2011

#16 DEVIN SETOGUCHI TRIED TO STUFF PUCK AROUND #32 BACKSTROM IN 2ND

#10 JAMAL MAYERS VERSION OF NATIONAL ANTHEM GETS MIXED REVIEWS

The San Jose Sharks built on one of their best performances of the season Thursday in Vancouver with a 4-3 win over the surging Minnesota Wild Saturday night at HP Pavilion. Devin Setoguchi scored two goals to snap a 9-game point drought, Logan Couture added his team leading 22nd goal of the season, and Benn Ferriero added his 5th of the year as the Sharks played with a lead for most of the night. Minnesota, forced out of its defense-first comfort zone, scored twice with 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 power play goals by captain Mikko Koivu. Offensive defenseman Brent Burns added his 14th of the season, but goaltender Antti Niemi continued his strong new year with 23 saves on 26 shots for his fourth straight win.

More notes will be posted soon. A photo gallery from the game is available here.

Next generation of hockey fans out in large numbers at San Jose Sharks-Minnesota Wild game

YOUNG FAUXHAWKED SHARKS FAN POINTS AT SJ SHARKIE ON ICE AFTER WIN

YOUNG FANS TRYING TO GAIN ATTENTION OF #16 DEVIN SETOGUCHI

EACH SJ 3-STAR OF GAME GIVES YOUNG FAN A SIGNED HOCKEY STICK

#60 JASON DEMERS GREETS GROUP OF YOUNG FANS AS HE TAKES ICE

Near the end of the first period of Saturday night’s Sharks-Wild game a fluttering puck deflected over the glass. An alert fan caught the puck with a one-handed grab before it traveled a few more feet into my head. In the second period Joe Pavelski attempted a dump into the offensive zone. The puck ticked off the inside edge of the photo hole and dropped near the blueline. Two periods, two near misses. Waiting for the other shoe to drop in the third, nothing happened until the waning seconds of the Sharks 4-3 win. Several small Shark fans appeared over each shoulder with their faces glued to the glass.

The Sharks have a tradition of giving away signed sticks to young fans after each home contest. Each San Jose player named as one of the 3 stars of the game sign a stick, then skate out on the ice and hand it over the glass to a young fan. It is a small part of the organic movement to develop the next generation of hockey fans in Northern California, and one that should be a model for non-traditional NHL franchises. From the large San Jose Jr Sharks program to develop a growing amateur hockey community, to the management of several local hockey rinks, to the support of street hockey and roller hockey, to the development of literacy programs and fantasy camps, there are a number of avenues off the ice for young fans to find their way to the game.

The end result, along with success on the ice, is that San Jose may have transitioned into a bonafide hockey market. “I am excited about the ice centers and how many are playing hockey in this non-traditional hockey market,” Greg Jamison said as he stepped down as Sharks CEO last year. “I think (San Jose) has become a pretty strong traditional market.” On-ice success and a co-mingling of fans of other Bay Area professional sports teams have buoyed Northern California’s NHL franchise, and Comcast’s growing televised hockey coverage and related sports programming have stabilized a horrific media climate. Ratings have endured a slow but steady climb, and interest appears to be transitioning from seasonal to year-round. The 4-rink Sharks Ice in San Jose, the largest ice hockey/skating facility on the West Coast, and the 3-rink Rolling Ice facility, the largest roller hockey facility on the West Coast, are creating rink rats that would not look out of place in the Northeast or in Canada.

The players themselves have been an integral part of that development. They routinely volunteer and donate to a long list of charity programs, mostly off of the media radar. Saturday night it was Jamie McGinn and Devin Setoguchi who were the San Jose players named as 3-stars of the game. Jamie McGinn registered an assist and 6 hits, 2 of the freight train variety. Devin Setoguchi scored 2 goals, and tried to set up his linemates late instead of going for the hat trick. A group of young fans gestured wildly at Devin as he skated over looking to give away the autographed stick. One young girl beemed with excitement as she lifted the stick over the glass, holding it high over her head as she walked back to the parking lot with her parents.

The next generation of Sharks fans at the tank went home happy.

WorSharks Fail Again In Third Period, Lose 5-2 To Pirates

The Worcester Sharks couldn’t hold on to a couple of one goal leads and then had their usual terrible third period where they gave up three goals on their way to a 5-2 loss to the Portland Pirates Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine in front of a crowd of 3,639 fans. And to add injury to insult Worcester may have lost center Cory Quirk for an extended period of time after the diminutive forward was checked in the head in the third period.

Worcester would grab the first goal of the game when T.J. Trevelyan skated down the right wing side and fired a hard wrist shot from the low circle that beat Pirates goaltender David Leggio to the glove side at 4:38 of the opening period for his second goal in as many games. After going pointless in his first stint with Worcester defenseman Jody Pederson would notch his third point in two games since being re-signed with the lone assist on the tally.

Derek Whitmore tied the game for Portland at 8:28 when he chipped a loose puck in the slot past WorSharks netminder Carter Hutton while four Worcester players stood there apparently forgetting they were supposed to play some sort of defense. Luckily for Worcester their fourth line remembered they were playing hockey and grabbed the lead back just 28 seconds later when Frazer McLaren connected from with a laser from the left wing circle about 20 feet out and over Leggio. Quirk and Jay Leach would have the assists on McLaren’s first goal since last season on March 27. That goal for McLaren was a game winner. Unfortunately for Worcester this goal wasn’t.

The WorSharks would cough up their second lead of the game at 15:56 of the middle period when former Worcester enforcer and current Pirates first line left winger Dennis McCauley tipped a centering pass by WorSharks killer Mark Mancari past Hutton. But despite being outshot 24-14 and not playing particularly well the WorSharks still found themselves even after two and with a chance to grab the two points with solid play in the third period. That didn’t happen.

Brian Roloff gave Portland a lead they would not relinquish at 2:55 of the period when he was standing all alone at the far post and tipped a feed from Maxime Legault past Hutton. In the five minute power play the resulted from Conboy’s hit on Quirk Worcester would get just six shoots on Leggio, with the goaltender hardly needing to strain himself on the save attempts. After the major Worcester would not have another shot on goal in the contest.

Igor Gongalsky would ice it for the Pirates at 15:21 off a rebound, and Mancari would bang home an empty netter with a minute remaining for the 5-2 final. The two teams play again Sunday afternoon.

GAME NOTES
The WorSharks went with the same line-up as Wednesday, with the lone exception being Carter Hutton was the staring netminder.

Worcester has surrendered 57 third period goals and has a goal differential in the period of minus 22, both are the worst in the AHL.

The three stars of the game were
1. POR – 25 Mark Mancari (g,2a)
2. POR – 21 Derek Whitmore (g,a)
3. POR – 44 Drew Schiestel (a,+3)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Frazer McLaren.

Even strength lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Quirk/Del Monte

Irwin/Braun
Leach/Schaus
Loprieno/Pederson

Penalty kill lines
Desjardins/Henderson(DaSilva)
Quirk/McLaren

Irwin/Braun
Leach/Schaus

Power play lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles

Irwin/Braun
Pederson/Schaus

BOXSCORE
Worcester 2 0 0 – 2
Portland 1 1 3 – 5

1st Period-1, Worcester, Trevelyan 10 (Pederson), 4:38. 2, Portland, Whitmore 16 (Adam, Mancari), 8:28. 3, Worcester, McLaren 1 (Quirk, Leach), 8:56. Penalties-Crawford Por (hooking), 18:00.

2nd Period-4, Portland, McCauley 8 (Mancari, Schiestel), 15:26. Penalties-Gongalsky Por (interference), 4:42; Cheechoo Wor (holding), 16:03.

3rd Period-5, Portland, Roloff 2 (Legault, Whitmore), 2:55. 6, Portland, Gongalsky 3 (Legault, Biega), 15:21. 7, Portland, Mancari 20 (Stuart, Byron), 19:00 (EN). Penalties-McLaren Wor (fighting), 6:56; Conboy Por (fighting, major – checking to the head, game misconduct – checking to the head), 6:56; Leach Wor (hooking), 12:22.

Shots on Goal-Worcester 7-7-8-22. Portland 10-14-11-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 0/3; Portland 0/2.
Goalies-Worcester, Hutton 3-3-2 (34 shots-30 saves). Portland, Leggio 12-4-0 (22 shots-20 saves).
A-3,639
Referee-Terry Koharski (10). Linesmen-Joe Andrews (32), Jeremy Lovett (78).

Old And New Lift WorSharks Over Portland, 5-3

The Worcester Sharks got three players back from the NHL after San Jose made a couple of roster additions, and along with all three of those players scoring goals the WorSharks got multiple point nights from defensemen Nick Schaus and Jody Pederson and forward Tommy Wingles in a 5-3 victory over the Portland Pirates Wednesday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The night didn’t look like it would start off great for Worcester, who found themselves killing a two man advantage just five minutes into the contest. But sound penalty killing limited the Pirates to just a single shot during their 89 seconds of two man advantage and without a shot in another power play just a minute later. The WorSharks would make the most of their first chance with the man advantage when Pederson blasted a one timer from the blue line off a feed from Schaus. Pirates netminder Jhonas Enroth had a good look at the shot and was in great position to make the save, but then had no chance when Brandon Mashinter at the top of the crease tipped the puck over Enroth to light the lamp at 16:28.

The WorSharks would continue to pepper shots on Enroth throughout the remainder of the opening period and into the middle stanza, and the netminder would make several great saves to keep Portland within a goal. With about 6:30 remaining the second period Worcester would have its best effort, but Andrew Desjardins’ blast rang off the far post and bounced away from the net. He would not miss on his second attempt a few seconds later. As Worcester continued to press in the offensive zone Schaus collected a clearing attempt and fired the puck deeper into the zone. Dan DaSilva picked the pass out of the air and settled the puck, and fired a pass right to the stick of Desjardins, who buried the puck in the net at 13:41.

A lucky bounce would get the third returning player a goal just 27 seconds later. With Worcester again hemming the Pirates in their own zone Justin Braun ended up with the puck at the right point. With all his passing lanes blocked the rookie defenseman attempted to fire the puck into the far corner, but the puck hit Portland defenseman Tim Conboy and banked into the net to make it 3-0. Wingles and Joe Loprieno had the assists on the goal.

But the bane of Worcester has been the third period, and that held true again Wednesday. After outshooting Portland 32-9 over the first two periods Worcester couldn’t get out of their own way in the last 20 minutes, and it turned what should have been a laugher into a nail biter. After leaving WorSharks captain Jay Leach standing still in the left wing corner Igor Gongalsky stuffed a Dennis McCauley pass from behind the goal line past WorSharks goaltender Alex Stalock at 2:44 to get Portland on the board.

Wingles would get Worcester’s three goal lead back on a goal that looked a lot like the WorSharks opening goal. This time it was Steven Zalewski that fed Pederson, and Wingles would get a stick on the shot and deflect it through Enroth’s five hole just as a Portland penalty was expiring at 5:23.

Despite fighting a three goal deficit again Portland never stopped playing hard, and after Leach was called for a crosschecking minor Derek Whitmore would connect off a rebound of a Colin Stuart shot at 12:49. WorSharks killer Mark Mancari would get Portland within one at 17:19 when Stalock misplayed a shot and the rebound landed right on the winger’s stick.

After seeing their lead drop to a single goal Worcester woke up from its slumber and started to carry the play again, keeping Enroth in his net with solid forechecking. Portland was finally able to pull their goaltender for an extra attacker, but after a dump in to the WorSharks zone Stalock collected the puck behind the net and fired it along the glass where Ryan Del Monte gathered the puck and passed it ahead to T.J. Trevelyan, who buried the puck into the open net with 3.7 seconds remaining.

GAME NOTES
Wednesday’s game was originally scheduled for December 26th, but a blizzard postponed the game until January 18. An ice storm on Tuesday postponed the game again to Wednesday. With the additional delay Andrew Desjardins, Brandon Mashinter, and Justin Braun were all available to play after being assigned to Worcester Tuesday afternoon. The scratches for Worcester were Tony Lucia, James Marcou, Sean Sullivan, Mike Moore, Ryan Lannon, and Nick Petrecki. Prior to the start of the game Worcester released Chris Lawrence from his PTO and returned him to Stockton (ECHL).

There was one fight in the contest, with Cam MacIntyre (6’1″ 220#) and former WorSharks enforcer Dennis McCauley (6’3″ 225#) going at it for the second time this season. Like their first bout, McCauley landed the quantity of shots, but MacIntyre had the clear edge in quality to earn his second win over McCauley.

Alex Stalock’s assist on the empty net goal was his second of the season, and it moves him to first all-time in points by a WorSharks goaltender with five.

The three stars of the game were
1. WOR – 6 Nick Schaus (2a)
2. WOR – 17 Tommy Wingels (g,a)
3. WOR – 25 Jody Pederson (2a)

Nick Schaus was also the #3 star in the AHL Wednesday night.

The Sharkspage player of the game was Justin Braun.

Even strength lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles
Henderson/Desjardins/DaSilva
McLaren/Quirk/Del Monte

Irwin/Braun
Leach/Schaus
Loprieno/Pederson

Penalty kill lines
Desjardins/Henderson(DaSilva)
Quirk/McLaren

Irwin/Braun
Leach/Schaus

Power play lines
Cheechoo/Trevelyan/MacIntyre
Mashinter/Zalewski/Wingles

Irwin/Braun
Pederson/Schaus

BOXSCORE
Portland 0 0 3 – 3
Worcester 1 2 2 – 5

1st Period-1, Worcester, Mashinter 8 (Pederson, Schaus), 16:28 (PP). Penalties-McLaren Wor (interference), 4:44; DaSilva Wor (holding), 5:05; Wingels Wor (hooking), 8:10; Crawford Por (high-sticking), 14:52.

2nd Period-2, Worcester, Desjardins 6 (DaSilva, Schaus), 13:41. 3, Worcester, Braun 2 (Wingels, Loprieno), 14:08. Penalties-Stuart Por (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:58; MacIntyre Wor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:58; McCauley Por (fighting), 15:16; MacIntyre Wor (fighting), 15:16.

3rd Period-4, Portland, Gongalsky 2 (McCauley), 2:44. 5, Worcester, Wingels 7 (Pederson, Zalewski), 5:23. 6, Portland, Whitmore 15 (Stuart, Byron), 12:49 (PP). 7, Portland, Mancari 19 (Ellis, Crawford), 17:19. 8, Worcester, Trevelyan 9 (Del Monte, Stalock), 19:56 (EN). Penalties-Gongalsky Por (hooking), 3:23; Leach Wor (cross-checking), 11:01.

Shots on Goal-Portland 6-3-20-29. Worcester 18-14-5-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Portland 1/4; Worcester 1/2.
Goalies-Portland, Enroth 13-12-1 (36 shots-32 saves). Worcester, Stalock 17-16-3 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-2,439
Referees-Mark Lemelin (84). Linesmen-Brian MacDonald (72), Todd Whittemore (70).

DOH Podcast #131: Additions of Kyle Wellwood, Ben Eager, future trade speculation

[audio:http://dudesonhockey.com/podcast/doh_2011_0118.mp3]

Mike Peattie and Doug Santana discuss the Tuesday additions of Kyle Wellwood and Ben Eager, the re-entry waiver wire callup and demotion process, how Eager is actually an upgrade over Jody Shelley/Brandon Mashinter/Frazer McLaren for the fourth line role, discuss the 4-game suspension of Scott Nichol, how the struggles of the Sharks big three line are directly related to the team’s losing and winning streaks, and what the future could hold on the trade market and on the playoff push for San Jose on the 131st episode of the Dudes on Hockey podcast.

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

Flurry of roster moves on Tuesday — Sharks acquire LW Ben Eager from ATL for 5th, claim center Kyle Wellwood off waivers from STL, ractivate McCarthy, send 3 to minors, Nichol supended 4 games

C KYLE WELLWOOD CLAIMED SJ TUESDAY VIA WAIVER WIRE

#55 LW BEN EAGER FACED SAN JOSE WITH CHICAGO IN LAST YEAR'S WCF

Even veteran Sharks fans will need to realign their internal line geometry after a flurry of roster moves made on Tuesday. In a span of just under an hour, San Jose Sharks EVP/GM Doug Wilson announced the acquisition of rugged checking winger Ben Eager from the Atlanta Thrashers for a 2011 5th round draft pick, claimed former Canucks/Maple Leafs center Kyle Wellwood off the waiver wire from St. Louis, re-assigned Andrew Desjardins, Brandon Mashinter and defenseman Justin Braun to Worcester of the AHL, and re-activated John McCarthy off of injured reserve. A few hours later the NHL announced a 4-game suspension to center Scott Nichol for a third period hit he delivered to David Schlemko in Phoenix on Monday.

The 7-player roster turnover notwithstanding, the changes are only slight tweaks to the San Jose lineup and Doug Wilson may not be finished making adjustments. In chronological order, the Sharks announced the addition of Ben Eager at 9:01AM on Tuesday. The 26-year old left wing registered 7 goals and 16 points with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. This year Eager had 3 goals and 7 assists in 34 games for the Atlanta Thrashers. Along with goaltender Antti Niemi, Eager was part of the 10+ player exodus out of Chicago as the defending Stanley Cup Champions hemmoraged depth to make difficult salary cap decisions. Eager played a limited but critical role on the fourth line for Chicago. He exacted a physical toll on opponents, and kept his legs churning while on the ice a la Scott Nichol.

GM Doug Wilson made a similar comparison. “The best compliment I can give him is he is like a big Scott Nichol,” Wilson said of the 6-foot-2, 230-pound winger. “He can play the game. He’s got speed and other teams are uncomfortable when he is out there.” Eager knew his role against San Jose, and through the 4-game Western Conference Final series against San Jose he was able to execute that role without drawing a penalty. “I just come and compete every night,” Eager said to SJsharks.com describing his style of play. “I try to get in on the forecheck hard and try to make the other teams’ defensemen turn and go back for the puck and try to score some goals.”

At 9:18AM on Tuesday, the Sharks announced the claim of center Kyle Wellwood off the waiver wire. The former Maple Leaf and Canuck center played 25 games for Mytishchi Atlant of the KHL, registering 8 points before being released. Wellwood signed a 1-year contract with St. Louis earlier this week, but like unsigned former KHL goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, Wellwood would have to clear re-entry waivers before joining any team in the NHL. St. Louis previously tried to bring KHL returnee Marek Svatos into the fold, signing him to a contract on December 28th. Furthur down the Western Conference food chain at the time, Svatos was claimed off re-entry waivers by the Nashville Predators.

“Kyle (Wellwood) is a talented player,” Doug Wilson said via press release. “It gives you depth and players that can bring different things for the players to utilize.” The additions of Wellwood and Eager should firm up the Sharks third and fourth lines, which have been cycling through younger players this year looking for consistency and production. “He has quick hands, good with the puck in tight spaces,” former Maple Leaf teammate and current St Louis Blues center Alex Steen noted to the Post-Dispatch. Short term the 5-foot-10, 181-pound center will add much needed forward depth with injuries to Ryane Clowe, Torrey Mitchell and Benn Ferriero. Long term, if established scoring lines Marleau-Thornton-Heatley and Clowe-Couture-Ferriero reunite, Wellwood could add a playmaking touch to a third line with Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi.

“He’s played all year, he played in the KHL, so this is not a player who has been on the sidelines,” GM Doug Wilson said of Wellwood. “People come in and are given opportunities and we’ve seen that when players are given that opportunity, they will go the extra mile. There is no risk to us in this situation. It should be an exciting opportunity for him to showcase what he can do.” Third line production is a role Jamie McGinn (1G, 4A, 46GP), Torrey Mitchell (4G, 4A, 39GP), and John McCarthy (2G, 2A, 24GP) have not filled this season. At the very least, it creates much needed competition. If things click it could add much needed secondary scoring.

Losing a pair of players to the waiver wire this season, Blues GM Doug Armstrong is frustrated but acknowledges that it is a process. Asked by the CBC if it was a faux pas for San Jose and Nashville to claim players St Louis signed off re-entry waivers, Armstrong bristled, “I think you’re probably better to ask other GMs that right now than me. It’s somewhat frustrating — these other teams have had an opportunity to go do the work and they deemed it not necessary to go out. They’ve taken advantage of the situation that’s given them.” The CBC noted that Armstrong received a call from Nashville before the waiver claim of Svatos, but did not receive a call from San Jose before the claim of Wellwood. Wilson was blunt, noting that he respected Armstrong but that his team had holes to fill due to a recent streak of injuries.

The addition of a new face was not a completely unexpected one. San Jose Mercury News beat writer David Pollak hinted Monday that a veteran addition could be made, but names were not named. After the trade of former NJ Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner to Dallas, and the movement of defenseman James Wisniewski and Joni Pitkanen, GM’s around the NHL were not waiting until the trade deadline on February 28th to add key pieces to their lineups. Pollak noted that the Sharks may still be in the market for defenseman, but he also implied that Worcester Sharks leading scorer Jonathan Cheechoo (14G, 23A, 38GP) might get a look. San Jose utilized its remaining cap space, fitting the pro-rated portions of Ben Eager’s $965,000 one-way contract and Kyle Wellwood’s $635,000 two-way contract under the $59.4M NHL salary cap. With roughly $212K in remaining cap space according to capgeek.com, any additional moves will require payroll and personnel moving in the other direction.

The “Rock Line” of Scott Nichol, Jamal Mayers and Ben Eager will have to wait for its debut. At 12:18PM on Tuesday the NHL announced a 4-game suspension to Scott Nichol for a third period elbow to the head of David Schlemko Monday in Phoenix. Nichol was not given a penatly on the play, but after futhur video review he had about a 15 foot leadup to the high hit in the corner. It is the second suspension the Sharks have been given this year after captain Joe Thornton earned 2 games for a Rule 48 hit on David Perron. Nichol will forfeit $16,344 in salary to NHLPA emergency assistance fund, and he will be eligible to return February 2nd against Anaheim.

The Sharks also assigned three players to Worcester of the AHL on Tuesday morning. Andrew Desjardins (3GP, 0PTS), Brandon Mashinter (10GP, 0PTS) and defenseman Justin Braun (15GP, 1G, 8A) were sent down and should help buoy the 9th place team in the AHL’s Eastern Conference. John McCarthy missed 17 games with an undisclosed upper body injury. He last played December 13th in a 3-2 overtime loss against Dallas.

The bevy of moves Tuesday will not solve all of the Sharks problems. With the number of offseason changes, expecting a blistering start to the season may have been too much to hope for. A more reasoned look would have been all of the pieces settling into place and trending toward a playoff spot in April. Instead the Sharks lost 6 straight games in January with problems on both sides of the ice. The addition of Eager and Wellwood is not without risk. Eager is coming off his own 4-game suspension for a punch to the head of Colby Armstrong, and Wellwood had much publicized conditioning issues in Vancouver and saw limited ice time for stretches in the KHL.

The steps taken Tuesday could stabilize short term injury issues, but it could also result in more established roles down the stretch with three scoring lines and a solid checking line. That would not address the Sharks most critical need, another puck moving defenseman. For a franchise that has lost Matt Carle, Christian Ehrhoff and Rob Blake in three consecutive seasons, at times there has been a disconnect in the Sharks transition game from defense to the offense. “When we jump up it’s a tough thing to defend,” Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa told the Vancouver Province earlier this month. “When we play San Jose, you’ve got to be aware of Dan Boyle. Teams have to be aware of all six of our defence because we all jump up.”

Three tenents of head coach Todd McLellan’s philosophy are net front presence, shots from the point, and good puck management out of your own zone. San Jose has two quality young offensive defenseman in Jason Demers and Justin Braun, but relying on both at this stage in their careers is not realistic. GM Doug Wilson has said that there is a shortage of available defenseman, and too many teams in need leading up to the February 28th NHL trade deadline. Three points out of a playoff spot with 35 games remaining, the pressure is only going to build for San Jose.

[Update] Wellwood happy to swim with Sharks – Vancouver Sun.

[Update2] Scott Nichol gets four-game suspension — plus Ben Eager’s thoughts on his trade to San Jose – David Pollak’s Working the Corners blog.

[Update3] Sharks tinker with forward lines, add Kyle Wellwood and Ben Eager – FeartheFin.com.

[Update4] Rumor Roundup: Sharks, Jackets look for ‘D’ – Lyle Richardson for The Hockey News.

The Ottawa Sun reported Wilson has been in the market for an experienced defenseman, listing Ottawa’s Chris Phillips and Toronto’s Francois Beauchemin and Tomas Kaberle as possibilities. Phillips has a no-movement clause, Kaberle a no-trade (which Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said he wouldn’t ask him to waive) and Beauchemin a partial no-trade clause.

Of the three, Beauchemin might be the best fit for the Sharks. He’s played in California before, winning a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, so Wilson and the Sharks know him well from his days with the Ducks. Unlike Phillips and Kaberle, Beauchemin is not a pending unrestricted free agent and his $3.8-million salary for next season could be absorbed by the Sharks.