4/7 vancouver 4, SHARKS 3 OT

Ok, so it wasn't a win to finish the season, but it was a solid hockey game from the teal clad hockey team (8th in a row, by my count), and a game that leaves fans ready for a deep run in the playoffs. The Vancouver Canucks, a very strong team, showed their strength, and the Sharks showed theirs. Ultimately, it was the Canucks who prevailed, but in a very tight game, it was still fun to watch. Joe Thornton led the way with 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and also led the Sharks in hits (4). Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek each recorded a goal as well, and Evgeni Nabokov, making his 7th consecutive start, made 26 saves and earned his 4th overtime loss, 20th loss overall.

The game got off to a quick start, as the Canucks scored twice in the first 5 minutes of the game, carrying that through the first 20 minutes of play. Just 48 seconds into the 2nd, Michalek tipped a Thornton shot [26] that found its way past Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo (powerplay) (Thornton, Cheechoo). Towards the end of the 2nd, the Sharks had a 5-on-3 with several good chances. A Patrick Marleau shot was not one of those, but the rebound on to the stick of Thornton and subsequent goal was [22] (powerplay) (Marleau, Joe Pavelski). Kevin Bieksa gave the Canucks a 3-2 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining in the 3rd, a score that looked to remain for the rest of the contest, however the Sharks, that wasn't good enough. With just 33 seconds left in regulation and the extra attacker on, the Sharks were the recipients of luck, good bounces, and Cheechoo's stick at just the right place at just the right time, all three huge factors in the game tying goal [37] (Michalek, Thornton).

With this being the last regular season game of the year, and therefore the final regular season game of the Odyssey, closure is in order, however, to avoid angering the hockey gods, seeing as the season is not over yet, I will not provide such written closure until the end of the year. So all you prodders, with your prodding of me to provide such closure, wait for the end of the season, all the closure you could ever want. Until then, I will provide a completed list of my rink reports. I fly to Nashville tomorrow, so expect them by late tomorrow night.

Speaking of Nashville, welcome to round 1 of the playoffs. A rematch from last year, the Predators should be a bit angry and hungry at the same time. Keep in mind the Sharks victory over the Predators prompted the Preds to make the changes to their roster that they did make this off-season. The series begins Wednesday in Nasvhille at 5:00 pm Pacific time. Full schedule below. Rest your heart now, cause it'll only get crazier from here.

Go Sharks (Y'all ready for this, y'all?)
-Jess


Game 1: 4/11 @ Nashville 5:00 Pacific FSNBA TSN VS
Game 2: 4/13 @ Nashville 5:00 Pacific FSNBA TSN VS
Game 3: 4/16 @ San Jose 7:00 Pacific FSNBA TSN VS
Game 4: 4/18 @ San Jose 7:00 Pacific TSN VS
*Game 5: 4/20 @ Nashville 6:00 Pacific FSNBA TSN VS
*Game 6: 4/22 @ San Jose 7:00 Pacific FSNBA TSN VS
*Game 7: 4/24 @ Nashville TBD FSNBA TSN VS






Myself with the always popular Drew Remenda.