Gritty Kings Tie Up Series
“We can be upset tonight but tomorrow is a new day.”---Ryane Clowe

By Barbara Mason 4/16/2011
Bay Area Sports Drive

The San Jose Sharks had to go the distance to beat the Los Angeles Kings last Thursday night in overtime 4-3.  The predicted battle between these two teams became reality and San Jose would have to ramp it up for game two Saturday night in order to take a 2-0 series lead into Los Angeles. 

With the Ian White hit dealt with, the Sharks have put that behind them focusing their energy on what it will take to get past the Kings, a team that they have matched up well with throughout the season. 

The first King power play turned out to be the first score of the evening.  It was #3 Jack Johnson who scored his first goal of the playoffs for the early lead 1-0.  Not long after that score San Jose was back in the penalty box when Ryane Clowe was called for elbowing.   It was yet another power play goal for Los Angeles as Shark penalties proved to be disastrous in the first period; the team now trailing 2-0.    This time it was #8 Drew Doughty turning in his first goal of the playoffs.  A cross-checking penalty for Ryane Clowe sent him back to the penalty box as Los Angeles was looking to add yet another goal.  San Jose was able to get out of the period without giving up any more ground to the Kings needing to battle back into this game in the second period.   

San Jose started that period with yet another penalty for delay of game and the Kings were on their fourth power play in a little over a period.  Killing that penalty, the Sharks needed to get on track with a score but momentum was clearly on the Kings side as San Jose continued to struggle.  When the Kings were called for hooking the Sharks now had the opportunity to get a little momentum of their own going.  Despite pelting King Goalie Quick, San Jose was unable to get one past him.  Play had picked up for the Sharks although that was halted by another penalty for slashing that did prevent goal number three for LA.  The Kings incurred a penalty shortly thereafter and a 4 on 4 got underway.   As both teams went back on full strength, the Kings shot goal number three scored by #8 Drew Doughty for his second goal of the night.  This game was turning into a very lop-sided affair, a miserable showing for San Jose. 

The third period proved to be more of the same with the Kings scoring their fourth goal of the evening off the stick of #13 Kyle Clifford for his first goal of the playoffs as the looming shut out remained.  With 5:23 left in the game, fans began filing out of HP as the loss appeared to be imminent.   Well the Kings got their shut-out and now take a 1-1 tie in the series back home.

 “We can be upset tonight but tomorrow is a new day,” said Ryane Clowe after the game.  “Obviously we were in this position last year and we are going on the road and hey we’re good on the road.  It’s up to us now to come back,” he said. 

Devon  Setogucchi tried to make sense of the way the team played tonight.  “It was a combination of intensity, work ethic and execution; it just wasn’t there tonight.  We were killing four penalties in the first period and it’s just something that takes away the momentum of the game,” he said. 

“I think there were dumb penalties, we saw them all.  Saw the replay on all of them and they were all pretty stupid.  Whether it’s being too pumped up or not, either way you’ve got to have control of emotion,” said Dan Boyle referring to the multitude of penalties drawn tonight.  “We got way to many shots blocked and that’s one thing that sticks out in my mind,” he said. 

Coach Todd McLellan felt the team started well but lost momentum after the first seven or eight minutes.  “Very undisciplined as far as penalties go, and you can’t do that.  You have to understand where we are at this time of year.  Liberties and trying to get away with things doesn’t happen now and it can really come back to cost you,” he said. 

While the loss on home ice is not the end all, be all, it does put the pressure on San Jose to go into King Territory and take one back in game three or four, or even better sweep.  The Sharks will play game three Tuesday night at Staples Pavilion.  The puck drops at 7:30.

Visit BASD Sharks vs. Kings photo gallery