3/30 SHARKS 4, phoenix 2

The 2006/07 San Jose Sharks earned their 99th and 100th point last night, boldly going where no Sharks team has gone before (well, once before, in 2003/04 when they earned 104 points, but still, they got to 100 points, big fancy round number).

The Teal pleased the 17,496 present last night, with the unsung heroes getting some time to shine. Patrick Rissmiller had a pair of points (1g, 1a), Mike Grier had two points as well (0g, 2a), and defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Scott Hannan each recorded a goal as well. On the defensive side, the Sharks PK unit was big, killing 16 minutes of penalties, including a 6-on-3 (goaltender pulled for Phoenix) situation in the last 63 seconds of the game. Evgeni Nabokov looked good again, making 25 saves and earning his 22nd victory of the year.

The 1st period took a while to get moving, as through 7 minutes of play there was only one shot on goal, but the rest of the opening frame was pretty entertaining, despite being goalless. Rissmiller got the Sharks on the board a few minutes into the 2nd [6], finding himself with the puck and a whole lot of space right in front of Phoenix tender Curtis Joseph, and ripped a wrister right past (Grier, Curtis Brown). Ehrhoff made it 2-0 [10] with his trademark cannon slapshot from the point (powerplay) (Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Mark Bell). The Coyotes made it 2-1 before the end of the 2nd, but the Sharks took control in the 3rd with goals from Scott Hannan [4] (Grier) and Jonathan Cheechoo [32] (Joe Thornton, Rissmiller).

This was the second game since I was on the air, and yet again, I was graciously congratulated and complemented on my appearance on FSNBA, and again, I must thank all of you who have come up to me and said such nice things, as nice words are never out of style.

The Sharks conclude this roadstand on Sunday with an NBC regional matinee vs the Los Angeles Kings (3:00 pacific). The Kings were just here on Tuesday, and their presence was very welcome, as the Sharks officially clinched a playoff spot with a 3-1 victory over them just 5 days ago. The Kings come back to town with their highly touted defensive prospect Jack Johnson (not the musician). Look for JJ to sport #33, and hopefully get the warm welcome that only the Tank can deliver.

Go Sharks (BEAT LA AGAIN!)
-Jess