About a month after the season opener, I have returned to the Shark Tank for my second game there this season. It was a Halloween afternoon matinee against the Ottawa Senators and Los Tiburones Day at the Tank, featuring a themed sugar skull as the all-arena giveaway item. As for my routine visit to the team store at every game at the Tank, I bought a t-shirt with a cool design on it, specifically a guy holding a hockey stick and riding a shark in the middle of the ocean with the words "Safety Third" above this graphic.
Prior to the start of this game, it was confirmed that the only significant lineup change for the Sharks at home against the Senators was Zack Ostapchuk replacing Adam Gaudette on the fourth line. The Senators scored the first goal of the game via Dylan Cozens late in the first period. The Sharks followed that up with Michael Misa’s third goal of the season to even things up at one a few minutes later, assisted by Jacob Trouba and Kiefer Sherwood. Ottawa then scored three unanswered goals in the second period from Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle, and Ridley Grieg to take a 4-1 lead. The second of these three unanswered Ottawa goals was generated from a big, ugly hit on Michael Misa, while the third of these goals was scored shorthanded. Tensions flared between these two teams at times as well. The Senators finished this one off with an empty-netter from Shane Pinto with two and a half minutes left in this contest. Alex Nedeljkovic returned to the crease for the Sharks Saturday afternoon against the Senators, recording 30 saves on 34 shots against.
Despite the Sharks underperforming at home against the Senators and letting this one get away from them, I was thankful to have experienced this game at the Tank on Halloween. Most importantly, it was great to see Michael Misa get the Sharks on the board late in the first period, and the Ottawa Senators became the 19th NHL team that I have seen play in person in my quest to see all 32 NHL teams play in person. In addition, with it being Halloween, it came as no surprise to see a decent amount of fans in attendance dressed in costumes, and S.J. Sharkie also looked the part for Los Tiburones Day and Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Lastly, the Sharks now fall to 8-7-5 when I am at their games. Regular game recaps resume on Monday, when the Sharks host the Calgary Flames at 6 pm PT in the last of four consecutive home games for San Jose. Be on the lookout for my thoughts on the Sharks’ upcoming new Hometown Remix jersey as well.
You can further support my blog by checking out my merch here: CPF Store
