Dallas Takes Game One At HP

We had quite a few opportunities to go ahead.”--Captain Patrick Marleau

By Barbara Mason 4/27/08
Bay Area Sports/Raiderdrive.com

The San Jose Sharks have now put what may turn out to be their toughest opponent in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs behind them.  Every game in the first round against the Calgary Flames was beyond physical and the truth be known; that series could have gone either way.  It all came down to who wanted it more.   Playing in one of their best games this year, the Sharks (in game seven) made it loud and clear who wanted it more and it is now on to a showdown with division rivals and bad boys, the Dallas Stars.

Everyone is looking for some big plays by, shall we say, those who have not shown up completely as of yet.  The first game of this series promises a lot more ice and as in game seven a rocking house courtesy of the incredible fan base that fills this pavilion game after game.  San Jose will have to play a disciplined game to match the Stars disciplined style of play and keeping the penalties down will also be key since one of Dallas’ strengths is their power play.  “Dallas plays a more disciplined kind of game, more organized on their forecheck and neutral zone play,” said head coach Ron Wilson before the game.   

Despite a scoreless first period, it was all Sharks controlling the puck for most of the period.  Constantly knocking on the door with 10 shots on goal to the Stars 2, San Jose was unable to get one past Turco who held strong for Dallas.

San Jose continued to threaten and broke through at 4:50 in the second period when #9 Milan Michalek assisted by #19 Joe Thornton and #51 Brian Campbell scored to take a 1-0 lead.  A critical San Jose penalty occurred immediately after the Sharks score and the successful power play of the Stars tied up the game at 1-1 when #9 Mike Modano scored.   It was that one score by Dallas that seemed to spur the Stars on, scoring for a second time in the period taking the lead 2-1 and controlling play for the rest of the period. This time it was #10 Brenden Morrow who found the net.  Dallas not only took the Sharks out of the game but the crowd as well as things became quiet indeed in HP Pavilion.  San Jose ended the period mid-way through a power play.

With 3:02 left in the third period, #14 Jonathan Cheechoo tied up the game at 2-2 amid thunderous ovation that was followed by jeers when the goal was reviewed.  The goal was good and San Jose was back in business.  Once again, San Jose committed a penalty following that goal, a scenario all too familiar.  The Sharks were faced with a critical power kill that succeeded, aided by a late penalty by Dallas that leveled the playing field. The third period ended 2-2 sending the game into overtime.

With 15:21 left in overtime the lights went out at HP when #10 Brenden Morrow scored for the second time in the game giving Dallas the win in game 1, 3-2.  

For the second time in these playoffs, the Sharks dropped game one at home.  “It was a pretty good effort.  We stuck with it and came back.  We had quite a few opportunities to go ahead,” said Patrick Marleau after the game.  “You’ve got to be pretty tough on those guys.  They worked the puck pretty good down low so we have to do some different things to fight against that,” said Marleau of Dallas’ effort.  “We had some good chances.  We got a forecheck going and worked it down low pretty good but we need to get some better results,” he said.

“We’ve got to be a little more determined with regards to getting traffic in front of Marty Turco.  When we did, we scored.  If he sees the puck he’ll make the save,” said Coach Ron Wilson.  “I thought we played a good game but I thought we could play a lot better.  I don’t know why we weren’t moving the puck quicker than we were,” he said.  He felt that from a defensive point of view, the team played pretty good.

The Sharks will be back on the ice this Sunday in an effort to level the series much as they did in the first round.  Dallas will be coming back strong hoping to take a 2-0 lead back home for game 3.  Dropping the first game and then roaring back seems to suit the Sharks these days.  Drama does seem to follow them around pretty closely and you can bet that Sunday’s game will be another nail biter.  This team will come back strong because it’s just what they do time after time.  This Sunday will be no different.  My pick is for a San Jose win to even the series.