CPF Hockey

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Sharks 2024-25 Game 41 Recap: Sharks 2, Lightning 1 (1/2/25)

The Sharks ring in the new year by snapping their eight-game winless skid, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1.

Team Teal struck first late in the first period on a beautiful goal by Tyler Toffoli for his 15th of the season, assisted by Marc-Eduoard Vlasic in his season debut and Jan Rutta. The Sharks picked up where they left off late in the second period, extending their lead to two on Mario Ferraro’s third goal of the season. Mikael Granlund assisted on what would be the game-winning goal by Ferraro for San Jose, breaking his longest scoring drought of the season so far. About five minutes after, Anthony Cirelli got the Bolts on the board with his 15th goal of the season to cut the Sharks’ lead back down to one.

Yaroslav Askarov had an outstanding performance in net for the Sharks, recording 24 saves on 25 shots he faced. He wasn’t tested too much tonight, but his best effort came with just under 16 minutes remaining in the third period, when he made a spectacular diving stop to rob Nick Paul of a sure goal. It is also worth noting that Mario Ferraro dropped the gloves with Mitchell Chaffee, his former teammate at UMass Amherst, in the first period after a hit on Nikolai Kovalenko. This put Super Mario two-thirds of the way towards a Gordie Howe hat trick. Earlier today, Carl Grundstrom was placed on IR, while Marc-Eduoard Vlasic was moved to the active roster and made his season debut tonight against the Lightning after a lengthy absence due to injury.

Overall, this was a sweet revenge win for Team Teal after they were blown out by the Lightning 8-1 in Tampa during their first meeting early last month, and boy did they need this one badly. Askarov’s brilliance in net and great performances from their two longest-tenured defensemen were the biggest factors in fueling the Sharks finally ending their eight-game losing streak. Next up, the Sharks host the New Jersey Devils in an afternoon matinee on Saturday at 1 pm PT. Keep in mind that this next game recap will be more of a personal experience post and released later than expected since I will be in attendance for the Sharks’ next game on Saturday, so definitely be on the lookout for that soon.

Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X

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Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 40 Recap: Flyers 4, Sharks 0 (12/31/24)

The Sharks close out the 2024 calendar year by getting shut out 4-0 by the Philadelphia Flyers, their eighth consecutive defeat.

The Flyers struck first early in the opening period via Nick Seeler. Later in the period, Morgan Frost extended the Flyers’ lead to two, but it was challenged by the Sharks for offsides and was successfully overturned. Philadelphia picked up where it left off later in the second period with two goals from Ryan Poehling and Travis Konecny in a span of 90 seconds, followed up by one more early in the third period via Egor Zamula to cap off a completely one-sided affair.

Alexandar Georgiev registered 30 saves on 34 shots on the wrong end of a shutout. Although the rest of the Sharks offense disappeared, Macklin Celebrini was still efficient in the faceoff circle and generated roughly six or seven solid scoring chances. As for the Flyers, this was a combined shutout by Samuel Ersson and Alexei Kolosov, with Ersson playing the first two periods, getting injured, and Kolosov taking over and finishing the job in the third period. Earlier today, the Sharks placed William Eklund on IR with an upper-body injury and recalled Collin Graf from the Barracuda.

Overall, out of all losses in the Sharks’ current eight-game skid, this shutout defeat to the Flyers was certainly the most disheartening, especially since this group of Sharks players had no energy and nothing to show for tonight. In addition, this Sharks team clearly misses both William Eklund and Jake Walman, both of whom remain out of the lineup due to injury, and Barclay Goodrow and Luke Kunin shouldn’t be playing as many first-line minutes as they have been recently. On top of that, the Sharks concluded the month of December with an 0-6-0 record at home, marking the third time in franchise history that the Sharks were held winless at home in a calendar month. Something needs to change for this Sharks team in order for them to not only get back in the win column, but regain their confidence as well. Team Teal kicks off the 2025 calendar year by hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at 7:30 pm PT.

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

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 39 Recap: Flames 3, Sharks 1 (12/28/24)

Macklin Celebrini further displays his brilliance, but the Sharks’ losing skid has reached seven as they drop the second of back-to-back home games to the Calgary Flames 3-1.

The Flames get on the board first in the opening period via Jonathan Huberdeau. Also in the first period, Carl Grundstrom was taken out of this game early after he was hit hard by Brayden Pachal and his helmet went flying onto the ice.

Onto the second period, and Macklin Celebrini tees one up for his 12th goal of the season to tie the game at one and now lead all NHL rookies in goals. Assists on the equalizer went to Alex Wennberg and Tyler Toffoli. However, the Flames would regain their lead a few minutes later on a power play goal from Mikael Backlund. Calgary wasn’t done yet, as they added one more goal in the final second of regulation for extra insurance on an empty-netter from Jonathan Huberdeau for his second of the game.

Yaroslav Askarov was the starting goalie for Team Teal in the second of back-to-back home games and was a big factor keeping the Sharks in this contest, stopping 30 of 32 shots he faced.

It’s great to see Macklin Celebrini take over the NHL rookie lead in goals and Yaroslav Askarov have another quality start in net. Besides that, the Sharks still being without their top defenseman this season in Jake Walman and their top scoring winger in William Eklund certainly isn’t helping their offense. Next up, the Sharks host the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game of the 2024 calendar year on New Year’s Eve at 5 pm PT.

Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X

Sharks 2024-25 Game 38 Recap: Golden Knights 6, Sharks 3 (12/27/24)

A third-period lead by the Sharks has been blown once more, as the Vegas Golden Knights rally for four unanswered goals in the final frame to win 6-3 in Tomas Hertl’s return to SAP Center as a Golden Knight.

The Golden Knights struck first in the opening period via Noah Hanifin to get this one going, while the Sharks responded about eight minutes later on Shakir Mukhamadullin’s first NHL goal, assisted by Fabian Zetterlund and Will Smith, to even the game at one. Early in the second period, Mark Stone scored to briefly put Knights ahead. A few minutes later, a great effort by Macklin Celebrini set up Will Smith to score his sixth goal of the season to tie it at two, with Fabian Zetterlund also registering his second assist of the night. The Sharks added one more goal later in the second period via Tyler Toffoli’s 14th of the season, assisted by Mikael Granlund and Barclay Goodrow.

It was all Vegas in the third period, as the Golden Knights scored four consecutive goals from Brayden McNabb, Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Brett Howden to run away with this contest.

Alexandar Georgiev received the start in net for Team Teal in their first game back from the holiday break, recording 30 saves on 35 shots against. In addition, William Eklund did not play in this game and is currently day-to-day due to lingering aftereffects from Tyler Myers laying a big hit on him during the Sharks' previous game against the Canucks, while Jake Walman was out for a second consecutive game. On top of that, Vitek Vanecek was placed on IR, while Klim Kostin was activated from IR but didn't play in this game either.

Overall, the Sharks had their bright moments in this game, such as Shakir Mukhamadullin’s first NHL goal and stellar performances from Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Tyler Toffoli to name a few, but they ultimately and unsurprisingly find a new way to lose. San Jose hosts the second of back-to-back home games tomorrow against the Calgary Flames at 7 pm PT.

Sources: Curtis Pashelka via X, NHL App, Sharks Audio Network

Monday, December 23, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 37 Recap: Canucks 4, Sharks 3 (12/23/24)

San Jose made it close at the end, but a one-sided second period in favor of the Canucks was the difference-maker, as the Sharks lose 4-3 to extend their skid to five games.

The Sharks get on the board first in the opening frame on a beautiful slapshot by William Eklund for his seventh goal of the season, which occurred on a Sharks two-man advantage and was assisted by Mikael Granlund and Macklin Celebrini, the latter playing in his first game in his hometown of Vancouver. A few minutes later, the Canucks responded via Brock Boeser to even the game at one. Following that equalizer, Barclay Goodrow dropped the gloves with the much-taller Tyler Myers as a result of Myers’ hit on William Eklund prior to these goals. As for Eklund, he was supposedly shaken up enough after that hard hit that he exited the game after the first period and didn’t return the rest of the night.

There was plenty of confrontations between the Sharks and Canucks in the second period, the most significant one being between Ty Dellandrea and Danton Heinen following Dellandrea’s big hit to Teddy Blueger. The resulting penalties were an interference minor and fighting major for Dellandrea and an instigating minor, fighting major, and game misconduct for Heinen. Things began to unravel from there, as Vancouver scored three goals via Kiefer Sherwood and two from Elias Pettersson to close out the second period with a 4-1 lead. Pettersson’s second goal of the game was challenged by the Sharks for goalie interference, and there was a solid case to be made on that play, but the NHL situation r allowed the goal to stand, putting the Sharks back on the penalty kill for delay of game.

The Sharks climbed back in this game in the third period, starting at around the four-and-a-half-minute mark on Cody Cecil’s second goal of the season, which trickles into the net after Thatcher Demko made the initial save. Fabian Zetterlund recorded the lone assist on Cecil’s second goal of the year. Lastly, with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Luke Kunin scored his tenth goal of the season to get the Sharks within one, but the Sharks’ fate had already been determined well before that last goal was scored. Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli assisted on Kunin’s tenth goal of the year.

Yaroslav Askarov made his second consecutive start in net for Team Teal, recording 20 saves on 24 shots against. In addition, Jake Walman was out and is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while Ty Dellandrea made his return to the Sharks lineup after missing the last three games.

The second period implosion and inconsistent officiating made this game rather frustrating. With the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators each winning tonight, the Sharks find themselves in 31st place in the entire NHL heading into the Christmas break. Team Teal returns to action on Friday at 7:30 pm PT to host the Vegas Golden Knights to begin a six-game homestand.

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

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 36 Recap: Oilers 3, Sharks 2 (OT) (12/21/24)

The Sharks played well for most of regulation, but another blown third-period lead haunts them as they fall 3-2 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Sharks struck first early in the opening period on Luke Kunin’s ninth goal of the season, assisted by Alexander Wennberg and Timothy Liljegren. Soon after, the Oilers tied it up at one via Zach Hyman, followed by Jan Rutta’s first goal of the season to regain the lead for Team Teal. Jake Walman recorded the lone assist on the go-ahead goal by Rutta.

With 17.3 seconds left in regulation, the Oilers tied the game at two via Mattias Ekholm to force OT. It took only 18 seconds into the bonus period for Leon Draisaitl to score the game-winning goal to get the job done for Edmonton.

Yaroslav Askarov was back in net for Team Teal and had a solid performance against the Oilers, stopping 40 of 43 shots against. In addition, Klim Kostin didn’t play in this one, while Shakir Mukhamadullin was a late scratch, with Henry Thrun taking his place on the Sharks blue line in Edmonton.

San Jose was in it and performed well until the very end, but due to the lack of a killer instinct and way they haven’t been able to hold leads in the third period lately, the end result of this contest doesn’t surprise me one bit. Next up, the Sharks travel to Vancouver to face the Canucks for their final game before the Christmas break on Monday at 6 pm PT.

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

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Sharks 2024-25 Game 35 Recap: Avalanche 4, Sharks 2 (12/19/24)

The Sharks had a great second period but coughed up another third-period lead as they lose 4-2 to the Colorado Avalanche for their third consecutive defeat.

The Avs get on the board early in the first period on a power play goal from Valeri Nichushkin. The Sharks responded in the second period, starting with Carl Grundstrom’s first goal of the year and in teal, with assists from Jan Rutta and Luke Kunin, followed by William Eklund’s sixth goal of the season, assisted by Cody Ceci and Luke Kunin, to take the lead 2-1. The go-ahead goal by Eklund was challenged by the Avalanche for a possible missed stoppage or high touch, but luckily there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn it, resulting in a Sharks power play for delay of game.

It was all Avalanche in the third period, starting with a questionable holding call on Barclay Goodrow that put the Avs on a power play that set up Mikko Rantanen to score to tie the game at two. Later in the third period, Colorado finished this one off with two goals from Joel Kiviranta to win 4-2 in San Jose.

Both starting goalies in this game faced their former teams tonight: Alexandar Georgiev for the Sharks against the Avalanche, and vice versa for Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood came out on top of this one, recording 32 saves on 34 shots in his return to San Jose as a member of the Avs. On the other hand, Alex Georgiev recorded 27 saves on 31 shots against in his first game against his former Avs as a member of the Sharks. On a side note, Vitek Vanecek is week-to-week with an upper-body injury after he was hit by a flying puck while sitting on the bench in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. As a result, Yaroslav Askarov was recalled from the Barracuda yesterday.

Not only was this their third straight loss, the Sharks had coughed up a third-period lead in all three of their most recent losses, all of which were at home, becoming the first team in NHL history to accomplish this infamous feat. Besides that, this was a rather entertaining game between the Sharks and Avalanche. Hopefully the Sharks can find ways to hold leads in the third period better than they have been lately, since this is an essential component of winning games, and this issue plaguing the Sharks can be resolved sooner than later. Next up, the Sharks hit the road to Western Canada for their last two games before the Christmas break, starting in Edmonton against the Oilers on Saturday at 1 pm PT.

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