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Hockey Odyssey -
Carolina
Trip ends with a thud
3/25/07 - By Jess Knaster
The Sharks lost last night, but they looked like a playoff team (at
least in my eyes) while doing so. Sure, they went down 3-0 early, and that
early deficit ended up costing them, but unlike the coast jobs (read =
lazy,
passionless play) that the Sharks have pulled a few times this year, the
Sharks
continued to fight, a frame of mind that will help them come playoff time.
After going down 3-0 following just one period of play, Bill Guerin [35] took a
slapper off a pass from Captain Patrick Marleau on the powerplay (Marleau,
Matt
Carle). Eric Staal made it 4-1 shortly thereafter, but the Sharks kept
fighting. The Sharks fought back and struck back on the scoreboard just
2:42
into the 3rd when Jonathan Cheechoo [31] collected a rebound and pushed it
past
Carolina goalie Cam Ward (Craig Rivet, Joe Thornton). The Sharks brought
themselves within one goal when Steve Bernier [14] cut across the crease
and
collected a pass from the aforementioned Grier (Grier).
With momentum in hand, things looked good until Guerin's stick accidentally
climbed up the stick of Niclas Wallin and popped him in what appeared to be
the
mouth, earning Guerin a 4 minute double-minor for drawing blood with a high
stick with just under 5 minutes remaining in the 3rd. Andrew Ladd then
scored
his second goal of the game to give the Hurricanes a 5-3 lead with 2:40
left.
But, like all the other times, the Sharks kept fighting.
Cheechoo stormed towards the net with the puck, but was held by defenseman Mike
Commodore, drawing a penalty on the Ogie Oglethorpe look-alike. The Sharks
promptly took advantage of the powerplay when, just six seconds in, Joe
Thornton [21] ripped a one-timer past Ward to bring the Sharks back within
one
(Marleau, Rivet), but that was as close as the Sharks would get. Cory
Stillman
sealed the deal with an empty netter with just 4 seconds left to play. Both
tenders made 7 saves, Evgeni Nabokov faced 10 shots in the 1st, and Vesa
Toskala faced 9 shots in the latter 40 minutes.
This year, as you know, I have been attending each Sharks game, this one was
road game #40 on the season, but, unlike the previous 39, this one was a
bit
different. Upon entering the RBC Center (a very nice building), I was
approached by the producer of the Sharks TV, who was interested in putting
me
on TV. Being an amateur journalist and not even being able to dream of
being on
a live broadcast this year, I of course said yes and what happened at the
intermission, of course, is history (including insulting a Sharks sponsor
on
live TV).
The RBC Center is a beautiful building located in the heart of a very large
parking lot in rural Raleigh, North Carolina, right adjacent to Carter
Finley
Stadium, home of the NC State Wolfpack. The aforementioned parking lot is
home
to many a tailgater all the way up to game time, and plenty of tailgaters
following the game as well. Cars and trucks are decorated with Hurricane
car
flags and stickers (not to mention big actual hurricane warning flags),
people
are decorated with Hurricane jerseys and sweatshirts and t-shirts and hats
and
every other piece of Carolina gear available.
Inside the arena is very nice. The lower concourse is super wide, allowing for
easy maneuvering. Plenty of food stands and a good mix of available eats,
with
a couple mini stores around the concourse. The seating area is very nice as
well. It is a pretty symmetrical bowl with bright red seats to match the
rest
of the attire in the stands.
Without a good place to mention it, the Canes also have a wicked loud goal
horn, loud crowd when they score, a pig as a mascot ("ice hog", I've been
told), Ric Flair the wrestler screaming "WOOOOOO", cheerleaders (ugh), and
a
sound system that, when they score, sounds like a rumblin earthquake type
thing
(I'm a Californian, apparently I know these things).
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed my hockey experience in Raleigh, and would suggest
a game to anyone who wants to believe that hockey in NC doesn't have a fan
base.
On a bit of a side note, I had the opportunity to ride in a cab Sunday morning
with a big man. I shared a cab with a big guy, who had an Oilers duffle
bag. I
shared a cab with a guy who graciously paid for the cab for me. I shared a
cab
with Dave Semenko. So, in the span of 10 hours, I was in the presence of
both
Marty McSorely and Dave Semenko. And I wasn't even trying to get near Wayne
Gretzky, either.
The Sharks return to California, where they will play their final 6 games of
the regular season (only one on the road). The 3 game homestand begins
Tuesday,
with the third visit of the year by the Los Angeles Kings (7:30 pacific).
The
Sharks lead the season series with the Kings 4-2, winning 3 of 4 games
played
at the Staples Center while splitting the 2 games played in SJ. The Sharks
currently sit tied with Dallas for second in the Pacific, 4 points back of
the
division leading Ducks, and, with a Vancouver win and a win of their own,
will
clinch a playoff spot tonight. A couple times this year, the Sharks have
slacked a bit in the first home game after a long roadie, but they seem to
be
in playoff mode, so hopefully that'll be different tonight. Here's to
celebrating a playoff spot at the end of the night.
Go Sharks (BEAT LA)
-Jess
Sharks Magic Number Counter - 3 points
Next Avalanche game - 3/27 vs Vancouver 6:00 pacific
Contact Jess at sharkshockeyodyssey@yahoo.com
Catch his
blog Sharks Hockey Odyssey
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