This season, the San Jose Sharks are the definition of inconsistency. They show glimpses of greatness and give their fans hope but then drop the ball (or lose the puck) when it really matters, leaving fans to question their abilities and even question the heart and soul of the team. To put this roller-coaster season in a nutshell: The Sharks are consistently inconsistent.
The Los Angeles Kings have had a less-than-stellar season themselves, but after two Stanley Cups in three seasons, no one can blame them. It is hard to remain in the top spot. Plus, they’ve already proved they are a championship team. But still, once you taste victory, it is always a goal to experience victory again and that will ultimately always be their goal, and any team’s goal.
The longtime Pacific Division rivals are both vying for playoff positions. Currently, Los Angeles is third in the Pacific, while San Jose sits outside the wildcard position, currently in fifth place. Not long ago, maybe 3 or 4 games ago, the Sharks were in a playoff position with the Kings looking in from about the same position the Sharks are in now. It’s funny how the tables have turned – from here on out, every game counts and anything can happen.
Outdoor Hockey in California
The two clubs met last Saturday, February 21, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara (home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers) for the wildly anticipated 2015 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series. It turned out to be the largest crowd ever to watch a hockey game west of the Mississippi River. Over 70,000 Sharks and Kings fans alike showed up and took over the newly built stadium. For a bit of perspective, the Sharks’ rink at SAP Center is filled to capacity at 17,496, so 70,000 is quite a jump from 17,000.
Another topic worthy of note regarding this outdoor game is the state of hockey in the state of California. The Sharks recently made the announcement of relocating their affiliate team, currently in Worcester, Massachusetts, to San Jose starting next season. This will for sure grow the AHL fan base in California because fans will get a first look at future San Jose Sharks as the homegrown prospects move up in the ranks. And we all are familiar with the popularity of hockey in Southern California as well with the other Pacific Division rival, the Anaheim Ducks, who currently sit in the coveted first spot in the Pacific. The Ducks and Kings met in their own Stadium Series last year (where the Ducks wiped out the Kings 3-0). So, it’s safe to say that hockey has made its home in California, and selling out a football stadium for an outdoor game, the first-ever in Northern California and second in all of California, is proof that hockey is alive and well in sunny California.
Setting the Scene
This was my first time at an outdoor hockey game, and as a longtime Sharks fan, I knew I had to be a part of this historical experience, win or lose. As the sun set in the clear skies behind the western mountains and the temperature was a cool 58 degrees, the game began with so much pent up anticipation. Popularly known around the NHL as the loudest fans, Sharks fans made their presence known at an even bigger capacity with their “Let’s go Shaaaarks!” and “Beat LA!” chants to SJ Sharkie’s drum beat. (For Sharkie, it was a whole other kind of experience as well; it was more like a Where’s Waldo? puzzle to find him!) My section had a large portion of Kings fans, (I would say overall in the entire stadium there were about 70% Sharks fans and 30% Kings fans) and as the chant “Let’s go Shaaaarks” echoed around the stadium, so did the Kings’ popular chant of “Go Kings Go!” The back-and-forth yelling and cheering made for some healthy competition, and even made me smile and laugh. We are all here for one thing, outdoor hockey, and it was a great feeling of solidarity among fans, even among those rooting for the opposing team.
The Game
The first goal was by Los Angeles’ Kyle Clifford just about three minutes into play. Sharks fans were silenced until Brent Burns tied it up late in the first, revitalizing their cheers once again. The teams went into first intermission with an even scoreboard while John Fogerty graced the stage for a mini-concert with some classic CCR tunes. No scoring happened in the second, although the Sharks seemed to have a bit of life in their play and were able to get 15 shots on goal for the period, over double the amount the Kings had in that period. Melissa Etheridge graced the stage during second intermission, complete with fireworks. With the third period underway, Sharks fans and Kings fans each clung to the hope of their team prevailing. But only a few minutes in, a turnover by Sharks’ scorer Burns in the neutral zone gave Marian Gaborik the chance to net the go-ahead goal, leaving San Jose, once again, down by one. A power play midway into the third for the Sharks further heightened their sense of hope to tie this one up, but out of all three of their power plays, they were unable to capitalize. In fact, it is interesting to note that there were only 5 power plays total (the Kings had 2). With rivals such as these two teams, you might expect more physicality and even fighting, and thus more trips to the box, but you have to wonder if the experience itself of playing outdoors under those bright lights in the open air with different ice, affected the play for both teams. In the end, though, the Kings prevailed, with a score of 2-1.
Hope and the Future
I have to mention “hope” because I think, as fans of any sport, we cling to hope. As a Sharks fan, I had a ton of hope going into this game. I was pumped up for months; I bought my tickets and even bought a Stadium Series t-shirt. I was excited that the Kings would be in town to make the game that much more important, to the Sharks as division rivals, and to the fans, for the NorCal vs. SoCal aspect. And of course, most of all, I was eager to experience an outdoor hockey game in the Bay Area, my home. With this one in the books, I can definitely take away an amazing experience that I won’t soon forget.
Although it was not the outcome so many of us Sharks fans had hoped for, we have to continue to have hope that the Sharks can pull through and make it to the playoffs. Anything can happen. That is the funny thing about sports. They can make us happy, surprise us, or devastate us, all in a matter of one game. And even though the outcome of a game does not directly affect our personal lives, we still let it affect us. Like many Sharks fans, this one definitely hurt, but there is still hope.
For more pictures of the NHL Stadium Series, visit Dinur Blum’s Game Gallery here.
The Minnesota Wild were struggling earlier in their season, which was shown especially in January, when they lost seven of their games in just that month. They appear to have turned their season around, because in February 22’s game, they beat the Dallas Stars, pushing them up to a seventh place spot in the Western Conference; with a total of 69 points. This win that pushed them up to seventh place marked the first time that they have held a playoff spot since November 24th.
The game versus the Dallas Stars was one of the best of the season for the Minnesota Wild, as they dominated the game, with a final score of 6-2. It looked as if the Wild may lose for a good portion of the game, as they were losing 1-0 up until the beginning of the third period. Jason Spezza scored the first goal of the game in the second period, establishing his fourteenth goal of the season. He also had the Stars’ second goal of the game, but it was late in the third period; too late to come back from the Wild’s rally.
When the third period started, the Minnesota Wild looked for just one goal to tie the game. Zach Parise netted a goal right away in the period, igniting the Wild’s rally. Next, Mikko Koivu scored off of a wrist shot, which was then followed by Stephane Veilleux’s first goal of the season to make it 3-1.
Matt Dumba and Mikael Granlund scored two big goals back to back, making the game 5-1. Parise then scored his second goal of the game to make it 6-1. These six goals marked a record for the Minnesota Wild, as that is the first time in franchise history that they scored that many goals in a single period.
The game was a great one for the Wild, and their confidence is boosted even more after this big win.
Thunder Goes Pink has been a tradition in Stockton for the last eight seasons and this year’s event marked the last for the Stockton Thunder, as the ECHL team heads to Glens Falls for next season and the Calgary Flames send their AHL affiliate to the California Central Valley city. The breast cancer awareness weekend will certainly continue, just with a new team name. The annual event proceeds go to St. Josephs Foundation- Breast Health Services which helps women in the immediate area who are impacted by the disease. The last eight seasons have seen the Thunder raise over $276,242 through ticket sales, silent auction, live jersey auctions and raffles.
The Pink weekend had some special significance for me as well. I have an intimate connection with breast cancer as my mom passed away when I was just fifteen from the complications of the disease. This year’s event happened to coincide with the personal as it marked the anniversary of my mom’s final battle and last hospital visit so many years ago.
Going to a hockey game is really the best medicine there is and planning an outfit that pays tribute to the event and to your mother is something special. I had two outfits planned: one for Friday and then for Sunday, however I have only posted Friday’s ensemble because thrown into the weekend was the Sharks-Kings Stadium Series Game and by the time Sunday came I sadly had no motivation for a picture (sorry!)
A weekend series such as this, I usually stay at the hotel next to the arena as it is a good two and a half hour drive on a Friday from my house. This Friday night seemed to be plagued by one wardrobe malfunction after another. You get what you pay for and this was especially true for my skirt tonite. I mean who could pass up a cute $15.00 skirt but alas, it had issues which were revealed once I slipped it on with not much time to spare. Two holes in the seam looked pretty tacky so luckily for me my friend had a sewing kit, which I guess should be added to the list of must-haves in your media bag. I sewed up my skirt in five minutes and was out the door and on my way.
No sooner had I walked in the security entrance when my brand new sheer black stockings caught who knows what and I had a run, luckily under the skirt. A few posts back our PP writer Chelena Goldman suggested keeping the clear polish in your media bag for these kinds of emergencies along with a sewing kit. Well, media gals, case in point, I needed it but it wasn’t there! My friend came through yet again with clear nail polish delivered to me in game. Whew, it was about 20 minutes of being ever so careful to not make the run worse, but that clear polish is staying in my bag, because you just never know!
Press Level Fashion Pink in the Rink
Blouse:Forever 21 (classic and a bit on the conservative side for me but I like the business look to it.) Tank: Forever 21 (how many times have I said you need one of these in every color) Skirt: Forever 21 (the big offender of the evening with 2 holes but the asymmetrical styling made me want it) Boots: Mossimo Target (I love the side zipper on these shoes, it gives them a bit more of an edge and for a rather inexpensive pair of booties they are fairly comfortable.) Jacket:Top Shop (the new go-to jacket)
Jewelry: strand of pearls (very classic and they were my mothers and yes there was a bit of a tangle with my media pass but I survived)
charm bracelet (I’ve been making a habit of wearing it and have the intention of adding some stuff to it. It was my mother’s when she was in high school and college)
Their eight-game homestand, with one game left, has included a flurry of embarrassing feats.
Bruised by the Bruins
Take, for example, Sunday’s snap of a six-game Boston Bruins losing streak Sunday with a 6-2 loss at the United Center
While they were only outshot 30-28 by the Bruins, the team in black and gold won 11 more faceoffs and scored on two of four power plays. Chicago was outshot 16-7 in the second period, when the Bruins scored four of their six goals.
Downed by an Avalanche
Chicago fell 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche Friday night, allowing four takeaways and two power play goals. While the Avs only led the Hawks 30-28 in shots on goal, they also blocked 26 shots while the Blackhawks suppressed seven.
Colorado went two-for-three on the power play and Chicago was zero-for-two.
Half-full, Half-empty, or just Half-hearted?
At third in the Central Division, Chicago has 75 points–just four points above the Winnipeg Jets and six above the Minnesota Wild.
The Blackhawks are 10-10-3 for January and February. They lost nine games straight this time in 2012. This time last season, they were 7-5-7. After their “most games with a point streak” in 2013, the Blackhawks lost five out of nine games in March. They have 22 regular season games left. Snow is still falling, so the sky isn’t. Yet.
The Blackhawks can’t strike early and often enough in games and they can’t hold back their opponents.
“Since the beginning of the season, the shot suppression metrics were not favoring Chicago, but many thought that once the defense got sorted out things would improve. The defense has not been completely sorted out at this point of the season with just over 20 games left to play.”
The adage that “the best defense is a good offense” simply isn’t true. Teams rely on their blue-liners. While Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Niklas Hjalmarsson are impressive, they can’t play all 60 minutes every game, especially with the way they throw their bodies into it.
While Hjalmarsson somehow survived a point-range Zdeno Chara shot to the abdomen, another d-man wasn’t so lucky Sunday.
Johnny Oduya suffered an upper body injury after a hit early in the Bruins game Sunday and is expected to be sidelined for “a couple weeks,” leaving the Blackhawks short an additional defenseman. Rookie defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk has been out since Nov. 16, when he suffered a broken patella in a game against the Dallas Stars. He’s only recently started skating with the team again.
And not every veteran has been dependable. For example, Michal Rozsival was a -3 against the Bruins. He was also in the box on a bad penalty for another Bruins goal.
“We’ve still got seven ‘D’ here so we’ll sort it out,” Coach Joel Quenneville told media after Monday’s practice at Johnny’s IceHouse West. “Some guys might get a little more opportunity. We don’t want to work the top guys extra over this period. Everybody will probably get a little more across the board.”
Tim Erixon and David Rundblad (who is a plus-16 with 12 points in 37 games) will likely be contributing more to the tired and injured defense.
A hockey question for the hockey lover in us all. When was the longest NHL game ever played and the teams who played in it? I know you are racking your mind like I did. Need a hint or two? (just like me) The Montreal team were called Maroons, not Canadiens! (I wasn’t even born yet!)
The answer to this is: the longest game played in the NHL happened in 1936 at the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Detroit Red Wings won the cup over the Montreal Maroons, 1-0. The game lasted 176 minutes and 30 seconds.
Push forward to the 21st century and into Edmonton Alberta. Once home of the ‘Great One.’ It is also known for its beautiful cold weather. Every couple of years lots of people get together and play hockey for long periods of time. This can include older NHL’ers and city folks. Why? Its for a good cause. But along the way this year a record was broken. This year they official won the title from the Guinness Book of World Records, ‘the Longest Hockey Game’ (unofficial NHL game)
A little background is needed here. Every couple of years Edmonton hosts an event for the Cancer Foundation. All the money raised helps to buy new equipment, this year the game raised over $1 million dollars. The money will help buy a new PET/MRI scanner worth over $2.5 million. This Guinness winner game was played for 250 hours straight in Sherwood Park, a community right beside Edmonton. It was played outdoors with 40 players and former NHL’er Janne Niinimaa.
Edmonton outside right now in February. Holy skating rinks! It is a frozen tundra. Huge cold winds blow from the northwest and stay that way until spring. Uncovered parts of human bodies are frozen when hit by winds. I have seen grown men cry with shovels in their hands praying for no more snow on their driveways. I looked at the weather station today and well, I froze just by looking. Even the Prime Minister of Canada took notice. Mr. Steven Harper congratulated the players and teams for their playing and charity work.
Every couple of years Edmonton does host the ‘worlds longest hockey game’. The first one was held in 2003 and it raised $150,000 for cancer. There were games in 2005, 2008 and one in 2011. The next game will be in two years. Will you be ready?
There’s no snowy weather and the rink takes a little extra work to keep frozen. But that hasn’t stopped the NHL from putting an outdoor game on in super sunny Northern California.
While the rest of the country is like “holy cow, it’s freaking cold!” crews have been hard at work to keep this rink from turning into a swimming pool before the Sharks and Kings do battle in the Bay Area’s first dose of pondy.
Being that this is no ordinary outdoor game, you can bet that my ensemble was not your ordinary, well, outdoor game outfit. I mean, when I got to Levi’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon, it was definitely 70-degrees with little puffy clouds overhead. It felt like I was out covering a baseball game! (Well if the MLB had a less-strict dress code and allowed me to wear half of the things I get away with wearing to Sharks games.) So without further ado, here’s how a California kid dresses for the Stadium Series game:
I wanted something a little dressy and was pretty sure I had exhausted all of my black-and-white outfits. I went with a deep wine-red shift dress from Forever 21: A neutral color–not teal or purple or anything that could be mistaken as matching the players’ sweaters–but a punch above basic black. Like all my H&M dresses, this little number is light-weight and is easy to layer a jacket and scarf over. (Not that I needed a jacket until well into the evening, but you get the idea.) Paired that with striped black tight and ballet flats, and ka-boom!–perfect for covering your warmer-than-average outdoor game.
Topped off with an extra festive manicure and sparkly jewelry–and yes, the tie necklace.
Jeez, the Tank is going to seem so cold after this!
It seems to be too common of a thing for the Arizona Coyotes; a goal by the visitor in the second to break up the home team’s lead, another towards the end of the second to clinch the game followed by an insurance goal in the third.
Most teams have an impeccable home record and struggle on the road, but it seems to be the opposite situation for Arizona. Though they had a late bout of momentum against the Tampa Bay Lightning and a goal to lessen the deficit, the Coyotes still couldn’t churn out a win. The final score was 4-2, and you could say that a soft offside call on Shane Doan (which after post-game review turned out to be the wrong call) changed the whole outcome of the game after the ‘Yotes showed potential for a comeback. So yet again, they leave for a four game road trip to face the Eastern Conference after a loss at home.
Changes are coming
With the impending trade deadline on March 2nd fast approaching, it isn’t a secret that the Coyotes dynamic is going to be changed by their next home game on March 3rd.
“Lots of talking, lots of teaching going on. That won’t change in the next week.”
– said head coach Dave Tippet about the pending team changes.
Trade possibilities looming over the team reflected throughout the locker room. Veteran players were under obvious stress about the decisions being made and the thought that they might not have another game in that home locker room.
Arco-believe it
Excuse the Pitch Perfect quote, but that’s the only thing that seemed appropriate to describe Mark Arcobello’s play in Arizona.
Since the Coyotes’ acquisition of the fast-paced forward on February 11th from Pittsburgh, he has notched three goals in four games. The Coyotes offense has always been iffy, but exceptionally so this season.
Adding Arcobello to the lineup has added so much depth to the line that he has been playing on. The Arcobello-Gagner–Moss line has not only produced, but they are getting chances and playing physically.
Due to the recent losses and downfall of the team, when Arcobello was asked about it, the new team addition said they need to keep competing and stay in it.
When coach Tippett was asked about Arcobello, he simply quipped that he was “opportunistic”.
Losses taking a toll on veterans
“The Veteran guys, you can tell it’s wearing on them… With the younger players, there’s a great deal of teaching,” said Tippett. “There’s constant evaluation of the younger players, but what we’re going through is tough on the veteran players.”
Coach Tippett didn’t sugar coat the moral of the team. It would take a toll on anyone to have to endure the large sum of losses the team has had just this season. The Coyotes are now at their eighth home loss in a row — one game short of tying the club-worst nine game home loss streak — and their fifth loss in a row.
There is no easy way in a situation like this. Goaltending woes and unproductive offense (and a bipolar defense) have been the major themes for the club this season, and no matter the changes they make, it never seems to improve.
Frustrations from the veteran players and the leaders in the room have been evident all season, but it’s finally been formulated into words just how tough of a season that they have had.
You don’t want to sit around while your team is imploding. No one goes into a season ready to not even make playoffs. The Coyotes don’t have a spotlighted picture of Lord Stanley’s Cup across from the Captains locker for no reason at all. The ultimate goal for all hockey players is to kiss the Cup after your team’s triumph. This seems like nothing more than a mere fantasy for the club if they have seasons of disastrous calibers such as this current one.
Motivation in tough times
Any athlete, professional or not, knows that you win some and you lose some. Staying motivated during consistent strains of losses is even tougher when you have media and fans pin-pointing every wrong move you make as a team and as an individual.
“It’s been a challenging season, but it’s one of those things… You get to play in the NHL. I don’t think you need more motivation than that and you’ve got to find a way. You’re in the NHL, you’re in the greatest league in the world, and you get to play against the best players in the world… You better be motivated.”
– Shane Doan on staying motivated in the tough times.
Michael Stone, who scored one of the team’s two goals, also weighed in on what an honor it is to play in a league such as the NHL. Stone has four points in his last five games now.
Things to know
Zbynek Michalek is doubtful to play in the first couple games of the road trip, but there is a possibility he could see ice time coming the tail end.
The Coyotes’ next home game is on March 3rd against the Anaheim Ducks
The first game on the Coyotes roadie is against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center
The Minnesota Wild are in a battle to make the playoffs, as they have 67 points on the season, which is only one point out of eighth place. In January, they hurt their chances of making the playoffs when they lost eight out of their thirteen games played. Since acquiring Devan Dubnyk from the Arizona Coyotes, they have improved their record, and have only lost four of their last fifteen games.
With the NHL trade deadline coming up on March 2, many teams are looking to move players around in order to better their shot at winning the Stanley Cup. Though many people think that the Minnesota Wild are just too young to win the Stanley Cup, they could still at least make a good playoff run — if they fill in the spots they are missing.
There is still much debate on whether or not the Wild should look for another goaltender, or stick with their current goalie, Devan Dubnyk. Dubnyk has played extremely well for the Wild every time he has suited up for them, but some think he still is not number one goaltender material, and is just on a hot-streak. It is hard to predict how a goaltender will perform in the future, and many are concerned about Dubnyk’s past, because he hasn’t played exceptionally well with the Arizona Coyotes, Nashville Predators, or the Edmonton Oilers. Others argue that he is in fact number one goaltender material, and with the other teams, he was not the problem.
Either way, at the deadline, there is one notable goalie in trade talks, Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes. It has been reported that the Wild have shown interest in him, and could trade for him at the deadline. This seems to be a questionable idea for the Wild, since Cam Ward has a cap hit of $6.3 million, and Dubnyk has had a better record at a salary of $800,000. It would most likely be more beneficial for the Wild if they let Dubnyk finish off the season, and judge whether a new goaltender is needed at that point, depending on how well he plays the rest of the year.
The Wild also appear to need a defenseman. A lot of the Minnesota Wild team is young, and this is definitely the case for their top defensemen. Even though they have performed well, the Wild could still use a top veteran defenseman to play alongside Ryan Suter. Among the top veteran defensemen who are in trade talks are Dion Phaneuf, Keith Yandle, Andrej Sekera, Zbynek Michalek and Mike Green. Though the Wild are not likely to go for an expensive defenseman, it is a possibility, and the trade could be beneficial for them — depending on what they have to give up.
It will be interesting to see if the Minnesota Wild are quiet at the trade deadline, or if they make a large trade. The Wild could definitely improve themselves at this trade deadline; it probably would not be wise to give up a lot of their young players, though. When March 2nd comes along, it will be interesting if the Wild attempt to better themselves, or just keep things the way they are for the remainder of the season.
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