 |
|
Bombardier Owen Nolan dethroned the LA Kings with a hat trick, the second this season.
The game with Kings on the 26th was a bloody grudge match for the Sharks, who had been overtaken by the Kings for 3rd rank in the Pacific division. San Jose Arena was filled with fans determined to see the Kings torpedoed.
Before the match, games between the Sharks and Kings were tied at 2 wins and 2 losses. Yesterday's game was therefore not simply a fight for third rank in the division but rather a battle between Southern California and Northern California - between the rising new power and the old guard.
The first period was just a seesaw. In a sharp attack, Shark defender Harvey drilled a King's net 3 minutes and 1 second before the period ended, getting a head start in the game.
The Sharks and Kings then each scored 1 point apiece, making the score 1:2. Then today's hero, Bombardier of San Jose Owen Nolan, fished a point using a single-handed dribble. Soon after this, his stick flashed and his name glittered again on the scoreboard. One minute before the end of the second period, he made his second hat trick of the season. Hats thrown from San Jose's spectators subsequently filled the white rink.
However, this hat trick was not enough to assure fans familiar with the Sharks' game pattern this season: leading-tie-reversed loss in the final period.
But the Sharks have a guardian angel, "Shield". True to his name, Shield martyred himself by blocking more than 34 shots from LA with his whole body.
Damphouse scored the Sharks' fifth point. Even though the Kings lifted their goalie for the offensive and executed a "madcap strike", Shark defender Stern took the Kings' crown by finally ripping an empty Kings net. The arena vibrated with the roar of victory.
By winning this game, the Sharks have now recorded 26 wins, 30 losses, 8 draws and 67 win points to secure a bridgehead to the playoffs.
The next game will be held at home on 29th with the Sharks' favorite prey, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. One anticipates that the Sharks will again play with enthusiasm.