A Grudging Congratulations

Well, we are now four games into the season, and Grier was right and I was wrong. Torrey Mitchell was a bold call to make the club, and he has. He's played well in all four games so far this season, and the list of players behind him on the depth chart is growing. I'd have to say that Rissmiller, Brown, and JR are definitely behind him now. He was helped a bit by Setoguchi's injury, but congratulations are in order.

I just hope that Mitchell's youth and enthusiasm will help to keep him skating hard and trying hard. It's a looooong season. A letdown of some sort is inevitable. But the difference between good players and great players is the ability to bounce back from a bad game or stretch.

Unbeknownst to me, the idea of Oz making the opening day roster was a loser from the start. Apparently the substance abuse program denied him the ability to play until last night. And he didn't. He's still not signed, which means he's not taking up a roster spot, leaving a chance of making the club. The only thing Davison and Murray are contributing right now is the willingness to drop the gloves.

To Grier's and my relief, the Sharks managed to put forth a decent effort to get a win against Chicago last night. Remember, I picked Oprahtown to finish third in the Central, and they beat Detroit last Saturday at home. They are not the hapless Hawks that we've seen the past few years. Toews had his first goal in his first game on his first shot (as Randy Hahn was fond of saying last night during the telecast). Kane is playing well, and they have good young D in Keith and Seabrook. The Sharks didn't convert on many scoring changes they should have, but they converted on a late power play. Michalek managed to chip one in past the Bulin Wall, who has a few cracks in his once-pristine facade.

Can't wait for the home game on Saturday. The house will be rocking, and I will be enjoying free food courtesy of my winning bet with Grier. Come by section 124 if you're in the neighborhood. Just scream out "McLovin" at the top of your lungs, we'll find you.

The Sky is Falling. The Sky is...Wait - We Won?

As predicted, the Sharks won in Chicago. They played much better than the 2-1 score would indicate to those who didn't watch the game. We dominated the play against a much improved Blackhawks team. Chicago hung in there but took a fatal penalty late in the third penalty. I said to Mike, "This is when championship teams step up and put the dagger in." And they did. The Sharks showed their mental toughness and beat a pesky team that played with a lot of emotion. Chicago will not make the playoffs this year (sorry Mike) but they have a future atleast. I love Duncan Keith and Toews/Kane are going to be fun to watch for many years. Too bad Havlat is made of glass.

2-1-1 road trip. Good start.

We could be 4-1-1 before we know it.

Boston is hurting on their West coast road trip. We are their last game of a five game trip and they will be ready to go home. What is the story there anyways? They make the deal for Manny Fernandez and then, after he loses in the opener, he rides pine? Way to give your netminder a confidence boost, Claude Julien. Bruins will get housed at the Tank on Saturday. Vancouver is really struggling, having given up 14 goals in three games. We should go in there and win again.

Rob Davison played solid last night. He will probably get the call again Saturday. I think Wilson will ride the hot hand back there with Murray/Davison, until they sign Ozolinsh or make a deal for someone else. The new lines were jumping. Even with some players clearly not in regular season form (hello Cheechoo???), Michalek came to life with Marleau at his side and Torrey Mitchell is really fun to watch. Even the fourth line of Goc-Roencik-Brown had some moments.

Here is a question for you....if Setoguchi is ready to go on Saturday night, whose place does he take? What line does he skate on?

Looking foward to Saturday!!