Welcome to the Game Day Fire Drill, for this, Calgary’s 71st game of the season on March 19, 2010.
In the last 24 hours we’ve learned a lot about revenge games.
The Bruins were allegedly out for blood against the Penguins after Matt Cooke knocked Marc Savard’s brain into another dimension, and they ended up getting the buhjesus beaten out of them in every way except the one Cooke/Shawn Thornton fight two minutes into the game. They looked like garbage. Total garbage.
And now the media types are all like "YEAH LET’S GET REVENGE" and I’m all like "Yeah how bout let’s try for a freakin win instead you idiots."
I get why there’s a need to manufacture hype around a game like this, where the Flames straight-up got it handed to them NINE TO ONE the last time these teams met. But cripes, doesn’t it seem like this game would have enough gravity around it without everyone acting like there’s some psychological need to wash away the stench of that loss in mid-January.
Was it embarrassing? Sure it was. No one could argue otherwise. Does it happen? Yup. More than you’d think. Hell, the Sharks just lost 8-2 to the Stars the other night. So basically what I guess I’m saying is who cares about revenge it’s stupid and accomplishes nothing.
Do you want revenge or two points? Probably can’t have both. Jeez that’s a real tough question.
Who
The Calgary Flames (35-26-9 for 79 points. Ninth in the West, third in the Northwest) and the San Jose Sharks (43-17-10 for 96 points. Tied for first in the West, first in the Pacific).
When
7 p.m. Mountain time and 9 p.m. Eastern time. All other time zones should pay attention when driving.
Where
Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta.
Calgary is 17-16-3 at home this year, and lost to San Jose 9-1 in their last meeting. The Sharks are 21-11-2 at home, but have lost four straight by a combined score of 18-8.
What (to hate about the Sharks)
Evgeni Nabokov — But only if you’re a Sharks fan. Dude’s in total meltdown mode or, as everyone else on the planet calls it, "Sharks Playoff Push Mode." The stats: 3-5 in his last eight, with 25 goals against (a 3.39 GAA) on 225 shots, good for a whopping .889 save percentage.
Joe Thornton — Ay yo, Big Joe Thornton, what’s the scoop here buddy? You’re on a line with Patrick Marleau, and the guy’s got 41 freakin goals and then on the other wing is Dany Heatley and he’s got 36 and you’re in the middle goin "Eh I only have like 63 assists." How’s that work, Joe? You should have way more. Me and my third-place fantasy team think so anyway.
Dany Heatley — The All-Star. (language nsfw)
Why
Because Staios has us back on track! Enjoy the game and ride Steve Staios to victory in the comments section.
Sharks definitely reeling right now. Is it possible the percentages are snapping back on them?
Let's hope so.
I really think you're taking the context out of the whole "revenge" storyline idea.
The "revenge" storyline in the Bruins game is a response to a violent play on one of their teammates therefor the proper storyline "revenge" is reciprocial violence. However the revenge that the Flames would be looking for is over a hugely embarrassing lopsided game… therefor the proper "revenge" scenario would be to outplay the shit outta the Sharks to the extent that they hang their heads in shame. That's the kinda revenge I can get behind.
Good luck, gents. It seems as though whomever came up with my work schedule didn't take into account the Flames schedule for the past 15 or so games. Looking forward to Jean/Kent's postgame…
GO FLAMES!
It'll be me tonight. no doubt my post-game will be both politically riling and relentlessly pessimistic.
Steinberg says Backlund will center the 4th line tonight.
Nice feed by Stajan on the Iginla goal
Solid start to this one. Flames are handily outchancing the Sharks so far.
Great snipe by Langkow
The Flames look like hungry dogs who haven't had meat in a while. Just my $0.02.
True. Im really underwhelmed by SJS so far too.
Hopefully the second PK goes as well as the first.
Solid period overall. Outchanced SJS 7-6, with the Sharks having the extra PP.
Hard to believe the Sharks had 12 shots on net.
Corsi through one. Im surprised the numbers favor SJS so much.
Langkow's line the only one in the black.
They got their #1 line out against our 4th unit. Mis-match.
Sharks are shooting from everywhere.
I remain a Nigel Dawes fan. Dude should have been dressed all along.
Wow. Backlund having himself a night. Great play to set up the Nystrom goal.
Nice tussle from Jarome.
Corsi through 2. Flames still underwater, but the Sharks shots are coming from the outside mostly.
Chances were 6-3 in favor of the Flames in that one.
Good shut-down hockey by Calgary in the 3rd so far.
Glad to see a win tonight, only caught the last 10 minutes or so, but we won, so I'm stoked. And our pals up north beat the Wings, unbelievable! I guess that was our favor for taking Staios off of their hands.