9/29 SHARKS 2, calgary 1

As this game was a few days ago, and I was delayed in posting this update, I'll make it brief.

Sharks ended their preseason on Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Flames, finishing the preseason with a record of 5-0-2. Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau had the Sharks goals, while Craig Conroy tallied the only marker for the Flames. Evgeni Nabokov made his third start of the preseason, and made 21 saves for the win. Youngster Curtis McElhinney stopped 23 saves in the losing effort.

Last year, the Sharks played many games in which they would jump out to a lead, only to coast and subsequently see their lead vanish late. Sometimes they were able to recover and win anyway, but seemingly more often than not, they would see their 40 minutes of hard work turn into a 60 minute loss, as they would be heavily outworked in the third period.

Unfortunately, Saturday's game was one of those coast jobs. However, as it was the preseason, and the lineup was not entirely what it will be for opening night (Thursday), the effort cannot fully be judged. Unfortunately, as someone who reads way too much into stuff, it's definitely something that's a tad bothersome.

Despite the NHL opening in London, England over the weekend, tomorrow will really be regarded as the start of the NHL season, with four matchups on the schedule. Sharks fans have to wait but just one extra day, as the Teal begin their quest towards that ever elusive silver on Thursday night in not quite yet frozen Edmonton, Alberta.

Unlike last year, I will not be following the team to every contest, going through all the joys that is traveling from city to city, hotel to hotel, arena to arena. No, this year is back to the less insanely fortunate grind of gathering on the couch or at the bar, and watching the game on tv. It will definitely take some getting used to, but when I'm not trapsing through the Northeast in February, I'm sure I won't mind too much.

GO SHARKS (THURSDAY @ 6PM WOOOOOO)
-Jess