TheSupafly

Wings would be up 2-0 if it wasn't for the refs. This is not a different sharks team.

This is a very different Sharks team.  At the beginning of the season there were 9 different names on the roster, and the number has only gone up since then.  As a result the team got thinner on D, deeper at forward, better in the faceoff circle (do NOT make the mistake of underestimating the importance of this), and tougher/grittier in general.  

As a fellow fan of a puck possession team, I know you MUST understand how significant the acquisitions of Malhotra and Nichol were.  The importance of getting the puck on the draw vs the wings is magnified by how good you guys are with the puck.  Keeping the puck off the Wings' sticks is paramount to the success of the Sharks.  

The Sharks are not as fast as they have been, but they sure are tougher along the boards and in front of the net...areas that they were weak in the past.  

Would the wings be up 2-0 if not for the refs?  Hard to say.  You need to convert on the chances you get/earn.  If you asked your team why it was down 2-0, do you think they'd blame the reffing?  Do you think they'd even be thinking that?  I'd guess they'd be more concerned with trying to not take those penalties or do anything close to even give the refs that option.  They'd probably point to their lack of execution on special teams in game 1.  They'd point to their lack of success in the faceoff circle in game 2.  I believe Babcock said as much in his postgame interview.  

It's not time to panic yet for the Wings.  You have an immensely talented team.  Both games were very close.  The series shifts to the Joe now...I think we both know the history these two teams have in that building.  If I were a Wings fan, I would be confident that my team can come home and win two games.  As a Sharks fan, I'm confident that my team can earn at least a split in Detroit and come back to SJ still in control of the series.  As a hockey fan, I'm excited to watch another close game between two great teams.  

Looking forward to Tuesday.

funny, but I bet this was you

I remember the first time I saw that.  Painful to watch.  Pathetic really.  Everyone could pick out an embarrassing fan of their own team...unfortunately ours ended up broadcasting his very mature gesticulations to the internet, and we all know how that usually turns out.  

funny, but I bet this was you

I remember the first time I saw that.  Painful to watch.  Pathetic really.  Everyone could pick out an embarrassing fan of their own team...unfortunately ours ended up broadcasting his very mature gesticulations to the internet, and we all know how that usually turns out.  


Sorry for that double post...didn't realize it tacked a 2nd reply on like that.  Nice feature!

Anyone that's experienced at making youtube videos want to put a montage together of all the dives the sharks have taken in this series so far?

Honestly, any of the nontroll sharks fans here want to try to defend those calls? How the hell are you not embarrassed of your team? If the Wings were diving like that I would no longer be a fan. Howard tried it tonight and I'm already disappointed by that, but wow... Your team didn't deserve to win tonight, San Jose. You can tell me "look at the stats" but I'll just tell you there's no way in hell your team would have the energy or those stats after being on the pk for that damn long.

But what will be done about it? Nothing? How many fans does the NHL have to lose before they do something about it?

Hey all.  Just got back from the game and haven't had a chance to read through anything except the last 3 posts.  Unfortunately for me the lamp on my TV blew out this morning so I don't have the luxury of watching the TV replays of all the calls and other stuff.  All I can offer is my view from section 212.

I can understand the frustration with the officiating.  If the Sharks were shorthanded 6 more times than the wings, I'm sure I'd feel similarly.  I was way too far away from the play where they called interference on Bert against Gooch, so I have no clue how much that was embellishing or diving, or if it was at all.  Glad you acknowledged Howard's little attempt there...that one was pretty transparent, and I don't blame or fault him at all for trying.  The slash that broke a stick and the 3rd period trip were pretty straight forward from my vantage point.  The goalie interference call on Heatley seemed pretty weak, but in fairness I thought you guys deserved a call anyway.  

I wouldn't get too down just yet.  Both of these games could have gone your way with a call here or there, or a bounce here or there.  I know I don't have to tell you guys that most playoff games between two very good teams end up like that.  You guys have had the luxury and privilege to watch your team in FAR more playoff games than I've got to watch mine in.  As a Sharks fan I've suffered through a lot of watching the bounces go the other way, so please forgive me for enjoying it some when they go my way for a change.  I hope it continues, but I fully expect the wings to bring it at the Joe and make it extremely tough for the Sharks.  Here's to a great game 3.

You didn't rough up any Wings fans at the rink, did ya?  

I'm guessing no since you sound reasonable... but it seems that we're not welcome in other teams barns lately...

Thankfully I have an IQ above 14, so I don't feel the need to resort to violence when something doesn't go my way.  

Honestly I was surprised at how few wings fans were in the arena in general.  Usually they come in droves, but today I only noticed one area on the other side of the tank from me that had a concentration of red.  I expect more of you guys at game 2 on Sunday.

Yeah, they scored 2 PP goals and we scored 0.  It's pretty tough to win playoff games when your PK fails AND your PP fails.

Even strength goals

Wings 3 - Sharks 2

Special Teams Goals

Sharks 2 - Wings 0

Special teams will win and lose games that would have gone the other way otherwise.  They were big tonight.

Just got home from the game.  This one was pretty tense for the last 20 minutes.  The Sharks did not play a full 60 minutes at all.  It was a big barrage at the beginning, followed by holding on mostly at the end.  The Wings capitalized on a lot of their chances...it seemed each mistake or gaff that the Sharks made led to a quality chance or goal from the Wings.  If they weren't so tired from having game 7 so recently, I think this one might have gone the other way.  I was really impressed with how fast the Wings move the puck in the offensive zone.  So many one touch passes...it's truly a beautiful thing to watch, no matter what team is doing it.  Very happy my guys were able to pull this one out, but I know they'll have to bring a better game if they want to win game 2.  The Wings will be fresher and come harder, and certainly wont spot the Sharks a 3 goal advantage early.  

As for all the discussion about the officiating, I really can't say.  Since I was there live, you only get one look at things unless they show a replay on the video board, and even that isn't nearly what you'd get watching the TV broadcast, so I'll have to watch the recording tomorrow to see for myself.  I will say that the most frustrating thing for any team or fan is INCONSISTENCY. Well that and complete incompetence.     Looking forward to Sunday.

This is the series lots of us were looking forward to having last season...but my boys pulled the usual and took off early for the putting greens.  I'm pumped at the chance to exercise the demons of seasons past...and there's no better way than by playing the wings.  To be the best, you have to beat the best.  No team has been on top for longer than you guys.  It should be a freakin' awesome series.  If Thornton, Patty, and Heater get it going I love what this team is capable of.  If they remain missing in the postseason, I don't like our chances.  

Very very ready for this.  Good luck.

Wings look great out in Phoenix tonight.  Really taking it to the Coyotes.  Bryz is tough though.  I don't remember the wings being this fast...they look very dangerous.

You remain a very nice human being.  Thanks!  

Appreciate it...hope you still feel that way after you guys win tonight and we meet in round 2.  

Doing my part.  Good luck tonight!

Wings will win in phoenix, will play the Sharks, game 1 Friday night.

Bad news, that's not possible.  HP Pavilion is occupied by The Eagles that night and the next.  Game 1 will be Thursday or Sunday. Good news, it could still be the wings visiting.  I'm pulling for you guys.  If my team is going to chase away playoff demons, best to dethrone the top dogs doing it, and that would be the wings for sure.  Good luck, I'll be glued to my TV for the game for sure.

Please beat the Yotes tonight.  I'm sick of hearing about how great their run is, blah blah bankrupt blah blah NHL ownership blah blah blah...plus that ridiculous howl they play all the time in that arena...ugh.

Stopping in to wish you guys luck.  Phoenix has a tough squad but I think the Wings should be able to take them out.  Hopefully our teams can meet somewhere down the line.  Enjoy the playoffs, there's nothing like it.