Feature Articles: Pacific Report

Posts: 4543 · Posted: Nov 29, 2006 3:43 pm

Feature Articles: Pacific Report

For the most part, this has been one of the better divisions in hockey for the...

Posts: 1710 · Posted: Nov 30, 2006 2:23 am

As our very own Justin Cholewa would report, I missed someone on the Sharks this week. San Jose's rookie center, Joe Pavelski, is making the best of his first chance to play at the NHL level. Though he fell into the Sharks' lap in the seventh round a few years ago, much of it probably has to do with the fact that he's a bit small for an ideal NHL center (5'11, 190). He dominated for a few years at Wisconsin, finishing his college career with 39 goals and 62 assists in just 84 games.

Whether he sticks beyond this trial period (Cheechoo and Michalek aren't supposed to be out long) remains to be seen, but it certainly seems like he's earned a bit more time in the show.

Posts: 1710 · Posted: Nov 30, 2006 11:39 pm

Some bad news for the Kings to go along with the report:

Goaltender Mathieu Garon injured his groin in practice Wednesday, and it's unknown when he'll be back in game shape. The Kings recalled Barry Brust from Manchester to back Dan Cloutier up in tonight's game with the Phoenix Coyotes. Sadly (again) he was necessary. Cloutier was pulled for the second time in as many starts and third time in seven games after allowing three goals on just five shots in the first ten minutes.

Brust has been better, but that's not saying he's been very strong himself. He's allowed four goals on just 28 shots to this point, as the Kings trail 7-4 late in the third period.

Remember... this is against one of the five worst offenses in the league!

The Kings reportedly went with Brust for a couple of reasons:

1) They're unsure of how long Garon would be out, and don't want to call up a long-term solution if the groin injury doesn't linger.

2) Jason LaBarbera (who backed Garon up last season) would have to clear reverse waivers for the Kings to place him on the roster. There's a little concern he might not clear them.

Either way, it looks like things may start going downhill in a hurry for the Kings if Garon is out for a considerable length of time. Cloutier has been arguably the biggest sieve in the league.

Posts: 6919 · Posted: Dec 01, 2006 12:09 am

That's too bad - Garon was a decent game away from potentially nabbing a starting role rather than split time. Cloutier has been terrible, and the only reason he's still starting so many games is because of the money the team has invested in him. I hope it doesn't linger, if so he should call Hasek for advice.

This also just ruined my shopping of goalies. I put Garon and Holmqvist out on the market but my team couldn't stand losing both.

Posts: 6919 · Posted: Dec 02, 2006 9:38 pm

Pavelski just netted the game-winner with 5.9 seconds left in Detroit. His 4th goal in 5 games and more importantly gave the Sharks the win, in Detroit. The Sharks never win in Detroit - seriously I think this is their 3rd win there in the history of the franchise.

Posts: 1710 · Posted: Dec 02, 2006 10:29 pm

quiksilver wrote:

Pavelski just netted the game-winner with 5.9 seconds left in Detroit. His 4th goal in 5 games and more importantly gave the Sharks the win, in Detroit. The Sharks never win in Detroit - seriously I think this is their 3rd win there in the history of the franchise.

Well.... except for 1993-94, when the Sharks pulled the massive upset as the number eight seed and knocked off the Wings. I hate remembering that year (has nothing to do with the Red Wings' loss to the Sharks).

Pavelski is on fire. He's definitely worth a look as short-term help, as he's not showing any signs of slowing down.