CPF Hockey

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 18 Recap: Rangers 3, Sharks 2 (11/14/24)

The Sharks had solid first and third periods, but an awful second period cost them in their 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

San Jose gets things going early in the first period on Timothy Liljegren’s first goal in teal, which was shot from the point and deflected off of a Ranger stick into the net, and Igor Shesterkin had no idea where the puck went on that goal with all the traffic in front of him. Assists on Liljegren’s first goal in teal were credited to Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm.

The Rangers gained the lead in the second period on goals from Mika Zibanejad and Jimmy Vesey. The Sharks had a sloppy sequence in place that led to the first Rangers goal by Zibanejad, while the Sharks also had a 3-on-1 opportunity in which they failed to register a shot on net. The Rangers added one more goal in the second period, but it was challenged by the Sharks and overturned due to goalie interference, but then got their two-goal lead back late in the second period via Vincent Trocheck. In addition, Nico Sturm’s last shift of the game was at 9:08 of the second period, as he exited the game and didn’t return due to an upper-body injury.

A last-minute power play opportunity for Team Teal allowed Fabian Zetterlund to score his seventh goal of the season to get the Sharks within one, with assists from William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli. The Sharks had another great effort to climb back in this one, but it was certainly not enough.

Mackenzie Blackwood was back in net for Team Teal against the Rangers, recording 32 saves on 35 shots against. On a more positive note, it was cool and wholesome that the Sharks allowed a 65-year-old rec-league goalie to participate in one of their most recent practices prior to this game.

The Sharks make one final stop on their current road trip in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on Saturday at 4 pm PT.

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X

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Monday, November 11, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 17 Recap: Flyers 4, Sharks 3 (SO) (11/11/24)

The Sharks came back from down 3-0 in the second period to score three unanswered goals to force bonus hockey and earn a point in the standings, but weren’t able to finish things off in the shootout as the Philadelphia Flyers held on to win 4-3.

The Flyers score on just the first shot of the game nearly two minutes into the first period via Erik Johnson, who then drops the gloves with Givani Smith on the center ice faceoff immediately following the first goal. Late in the first period, Travis Konecny scored on the Philadelphia power play to extend the Flyers' lead to two.

Philly further extended its lead to three early in the middle frame on a breakaway goal by Matvei Michkov. Later in the period, the Sharks got back in this game beginning with Jack Thompson’s second NHL goal, which was deflected in by Thompson’s skate on a pass from William Eklund. Mikael Granlund was credited with the secondary assist on Thompson’s second NHL goal. This was followed up by Mikael Granlund’s seventh goal of the season on a brilliant behind-the-back pass from behind the net, with the secondary assist going to Fabian Zetterlund. This comeback effort by the Sharks was also sparked and contributed by the second fight in this game after the Flyers’ third goal of the game, which occurred between Barclay Goodrow and Nick Seeler.

Macklin Celebrini’s best chance to score came in the third period when he pulled off a spin-o-rama but shot it wide left of the net. If Celebrini scored on that play, it would’ve been a candidate for goal of the year. The Sharks tied things up with just under 2:30 to go in regulation on Barclay Goodrow’s second goal of the season, with assists from Cody Ceci and Henry Thrun. This goal would force overtime, in which the Sharks began on a 4-on-3 power play after Matvei Michkov was called for roughing against Macklin Celebrini with time expiring in regulation.

Neither team could score during the five-minute OT period, so this one needed to be decided in a shootout. All the Flyers needed to earn the second point and take this one were two successful attempts from Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny.

Vitek Vanecek completed his night with 40 saves on 43 shots against in the skills competition defeat.

A great comeback effort by the Sharks made this game quite entertaining, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback victory. Can’t really complain about this one too much. The next stop on the Sharks’ current Metro Division road trip is in New York at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers on Thursday at 4 pm PT.

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 16 Recap: Sharks 1, Devils 0 (11/10/24)

San Jose maintained control for the entire game as they start their East Coast road trip with a bang on a 1-0 shutout victory over the New Jersey Devils.

The Sharks struck first in an unusual and fluky way, as Nico Sturm backhanded the puck from behind the Devils' net, goes off of Jake Allen, and former Shark Timo Meier knocks it in his own net for Sturm's third goal of the year. Carl Grundstrom and Henry Thrun were credited with the assists on the Sharks' opening goal in Newark Sunday evening. Fabian Zetterlund nearly made it 2-0 in the second period, however it was reviewed and determined by the officials that Zetterlund pushed Jake Allen's pad into the net when scoring and the goal was disallowed. In reality, other camera angles suggest that Zetterlund had lifted the puck up into the net and scored before pushing the pad of Jake Allen into the net. The officials saw something else, Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky couldn't challenge the ruling, and it should've counted as a good goal for the Sharks.

The biggest factor in this road trip-opening victory for Team Teal is Mackenzie Blackwood, who stopped all 44 shots he faced in only his second game against his former club to earn his first shutout of the season. This is also Blackwood's 11th shutout of his NHL career and the most saves recorded in a 1-0 shutout win in Sharks franchise history. Many of Blackwood's saves down the stretch were absolutely clutch and massive, leading to his best performance of the season. In addition, Will Smith was a healthy scratch against the Devils in New Jersey due to load management.

Overall, this is a huge win for this Sharks team, who clicked during the entirety of this game, and all they needed to seal the victory in this one was an unorthodox goal and Mackenzie Blackwood being a brick wall. Lastly, Blackwood's 44-save shutout victory was crucial in propelling my fantasy team to its second win of the season. Next up, the Sharks travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers in the second game of a back-to-back set tomorrow at 4 pm PT.

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 15 Recap: Wild 5, Sharks 2 (11/7/24)

Despite two goals from Macklin Celebrini, the Minnesota Wild were too much for the Sharks to handle, as the Sharks close out their current homestand with a 5-2 loss.

The Wild got on the board first via Zach Bogosian early in the opening period to set the tone to begin this one. Minnesota made it 2-0 early in the second period via Joel Eriksson Ek, only for Ryan Warsofsky to use his first-ever NHL coach’s challenge for the goal to be overturned due to offsides. Still early in the middle frame, Macklin Celebrini scored his second NHL goal in only his third NHL game to even things up at one, with assists going to Mikael Granlund and Henry Thrun, only for Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy to score later in the period to put the Wild up by two through the end of two.

Minnesota extended its lead to three early in the third period via Jonas Brodin to make it 4-1, sinking the Sharks’ chances of coming back in this one. However, the Sharks were able to get one back late in the final frame on Macklin Celebrini’s third NHL goal and second goal of the game, with Granlund and Thrun each getting their second helpers of the night, only for Matt Boldy to put this one away for good soon after on an empty-netter for his second goal of the night.

Vitek Vanecek followed up his record 49-save win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday with 26 saves on 30 shots in the defeat versus the Wild. On aside note, Jake Walman did not play for a second consecutive game, this time due to injury-related reasons and is currently day-to-day.

It’s always great to see Macklin Celebrini add to his goal total in the NHL and Mikael Granlund remain consistently productive for Team Teal, but this Sharks team simply got out-matched and outclassed by one of the hottest-performing teams in the league at the moment. San Jose hits the road for their next four games against Metropolitan Division opponents, starting Sunday in Newark facing the New Jersey Devils at 4 pm PT.

Sources: NHL App, ESPN, Curtis Pashelka via X

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 14 Recap: Sharks 2, Blue Jackets 1 (OT) (10/5/24)

The Sharks are back in the win column and have won four of their past five, edging the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 2-1 overtime victory.

Team Teal struck first late in the second period on Jack Thompson's first NHL goal, with assists from Will Smith and Fabian Zetterlund. It initially seemed as if it would be Carl Grundstrom's first goal of the season early in the second period to put the Sharks on the board first, but Columbus challenged it for offsides and that initial first goal was overturned. Luckily the Sharks made up for it later in the second period with Thompson's first goal in the big league. Towards the midway point of the third period, Kirill Marchenko evened things up at one for the Blue Jackets to eventually force bonus hockey. At roughly three minutes into OT, Alexander Wennberg scores a beauty of a goal for his third and second OT winner of the season to secure the victory for San Jose, with assists going to Fabian Zetterlund and Vitek Vanecek.

Speaking of Vanecek, he had a career performance and was the primary factor in the Sharks' OT victory over Columbus, recording a whopping 49 saves on 50 shots against and an assist on the Wennberg OT GWG. He also improved his save percentage from a .879 to a .902 with last night's incredible performance. In addition, it was announced yesterday that Macklin Celebrini would make his long-awaited return from injury to the Sharks lineup last night against the Blue Jackets to play in only his second NHL game. This is a massive boost to this Sharks team, who could use every ounce of his talent and impact on any given night to perform their best. Ty Dellandrea has also returned from the IR, while Danil Gushchin and Ethan Cardwell were re-assigned to the Barracuda in the AHL, and Jake Walman was a healthy scratch.

Overall, there wasn't as much offense in this one from both teams, but the Sharks came through on both sides of the pick when it mattered most. Not only did Vanecek shine in net, but Will Smith took steps forward in his game against Columbus as well. The Sharks' current homestand concludes on Thursday, when the Sharks host the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 pm PT.

Sources: NHL App, Locked on Sharks Podcast, ESPN

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 13 Recap: Canucks 3, Sharks 2 (11/2/24)

This game went down to the wire for most of it, but a late go-ahead goal by the Canucks puts Vancouver on top 3-2, snapping the Sharks three-game win streak.

The first period was scoreless, but it featured an instance where Jake Walman was hit hard by Brock Boeser and Walman had to exit the game for a bit in a near-injury scare, but luckily he returned in the second period. Team Teal struck first early in the second period on Nico Sturm's second goal of the year, while Luke Kunin was credited with the lone assist on the first goal of this contest. Later in the period, the Canucks responded with Pius Suter tallying his first goal of the game to even it up at one through the end of the second period.

Late in the third period, Jake DeBrusk scored to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead, while a few minutes after, Mikael Granlund tied it at two with his sixth goal of the year on a familiar hesitation move he has made in recent games that has led to some incredible clutch goals. Tyler Toffoli and William Eklund assisted on Granlund's equalizer late in the third. However, in the final seconds of regulation, Pius Suter scored his second goal of the game to put the Canucks back ahead 3-2 in what would stand as the game-winner. The Sharks had a prime opportunity to tie this game at three and force overtime, but Fabian Zetterlund whiffed on a shot right in front of the net in the final seconds of the game, ending the Sharks' win streak.

Mackenzie Blackwood finished his night with 24 saves on 27 shots against. Not only Timothy Liljegren make his Sharks debut, another aspect worth noting about this game is that Team Teal hosted its Bay Area Unite Night with the San Francisco Giants, a collaboration between the two sports teams I love the most. They gave out Sharks-Giants mashup shirseys to everyone in attendance, which would have been very cool to own, and legendary relief pitcher Sergio Romo took part in the ceremonial puck drop ahead of the start of this game, which was certainly great to see.

Overall, both teams performed well and it could have gone either way, but it ended up being Vancouver with the difference-maker in the last seconds of regulation to earn the upper hand in this contest. The Sharks' current homestand resumes on Tuesday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 pm PT.

Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App

Friday, November 1, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 12 Recap: Sharks 3, Blackhawks 2 (10/31/24)

Will Smith’s first two NHL goals propel the Sharks to their third consecutive win in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Sharks opened this one with Will Smith’s first NHL goal, assisted by Luke Kunin and Cody Ceci. Chicago responded with two goals of their own within the span of just over a minute via Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi to go ahead 2-1 through one period of play.

Early in the second period, the Sharks evened the game up at two on Alexander Wennberg’s second goal of the year, with assists from Fabian Zetterlund and Jake Walman. Later in the period, Will Smith scored his second NHL goal to put the Sharks back on top 3-2. With this breakout performance, Smith became the youngest U.S.-born skater to score a goal with the Sharks and the youngest Sharks player since Patrick Marleau in 1999 to score multiple goals in a game.

Mackenzie Blackwood earned his second consecutive victory in net for Team Teal, registering 26 saves on 28 shots against. In other news, Macklin Celebrini is taking further positive steps in his recovery from his hip injury, as he resumed regular team activities today while his status remains week-to-week.

It was just a matter of time before Will Smith would have the first breakout performance of his NHL career, and it finally happened in the midst of the Sharks’ first win streak of the season. Both of Smith’s goals tonight looked fantastic and were the main contributing factor to San Jose’s third win of the season. In addition, this is only a glimpse and the beginning of what The Fresh Prince of San Jose is truly capable of as a star forward and one of the future faces of the Sharks franchise. Team Teal’s current homestand continues on Saturday when they host the Vancouver Canucks at 7 pm PT.

Sources: NHL App, NHL PR, Bay Area News Group