INSIDE HOCKEY

The last time these two teams met, it was the Sharks who had the score of zero beside their name at the games end. This time around however, All-Star goaltender Evgeni Nabokov made sure there would be a different final result. The Sharks beat the Ducks 2-0 on Thursday night and Evgeni "Nabby" Nabokov made 31 saves earning him his first shutout of the season and the 41st shutout of his career.

The highly physical game left the Ducks gasping for air by the end of the third period. Shark forward & team Enforcer Jody Shelley, would set the tone for the Sharks early in the game with his constant requests to Ducks Forward George Parros to start scrapping. After Shelley's repeated attempts to fight with Parros, the Ducks forward finally submitted when Shelley stuck hiim in the face with his hockey stick. A good and even fight ended with Shelleys jersey seemingly taking the brunt of the damage. The larger statement was however made, that these Sharks would not be pushed around in this game and that they would setting the tone and that sentiment continued throughout the night.

The game had 57 PIMs and the Sharks & Ducks reminded everyone of the intense rivalry between these two California teams. Several fights, scuffles and major penalties occured throughout the game. Veteran Sharks defensemen Rob Blake was sent off towards the end of the third for spearing Ducks forward Corey Perry. Fellow veteran defensemen Scott Niedermayer of the Ducks was slapped with a game misconduct penalty.

The Sharks had another high-quality leadership performance by their Captain Patrick Marleau. His final tally on the night gave him one goal and one assist. While young Sharks forward Devin Setoguchi continued to light up the opposition scoring his team leading 14th goal of the season.

The entire Sharks team contributed to the winning effort. Although this years Sharks are well known for the high amount of shots they regularly put on the oppositions net, usually in the high 30's and 40's. Last night the Sharks put up a modest 27 shots on goal. The team had been criticized as of late for not taking advantage of the large amount of opportunities they afford themselves with their trigger happy offense. Last night they seemed to take advantage of their chances.

Last years Sharks were heavily criticized for taking their feet off the pedal and coasting during the game when they had a lead. This years Sharks are familiarizing themselves with the concept of the 60-minute effort and last night was no different. The Sharks managed to get 11 shots on goal in the third & they kept the pressure on the Ducks up until the final whistle.

Anaheim struggled with their puck possession and were not able to generate any type of a fluid offense for most of the game. Late in the 3rd and down by two goals the Ducks slowly began to feel the desperation of their situation and launched several successful attacks into the Sharks defensive zone. The Ducks had a respectable 14 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes. The Sharks defense however would not buckle to Anaheims pressure and San Jose steady stalwart defense men, Rob Blake and Marc-Edouard "pickles" Vlasic played a beautiful defensive game to minimize the damage the Ducks tried to inflict.

In the end though, all of the Ducks chances were thwarted by the Sharks last line of defense, goalie Evgeni Nabokov. One of his most thrilling saves was in the final minute on Ducks forward Corey Perry.

All in all, it was another great match between these two residents of the tough Pacific Division. All eyes move ahead to the next time these two West Coast titans will meet on March 15, 2009.

Game Notes

Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller made 25 saves... Sharks goalie Evgeni Naboov earned his 16th win of the season... Sharks forward Marcel Goc and Ducks forward Corey Perry both ended up with a game-high six shots on goal... Ducks defensemen Chris Pronger had a game high 27:52 of ice time... Sharks defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic led his team with 25:09 of ice time... Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo is still not playing due to an undisclosed upper body injury.

David Towers photographed the game for Inside Hockey.

Assistant Captain Mike Grier scored twice for the first time in over two years to lead the San Jose Sharks to victory over the New York Islanders, 5-3, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

After leading 4-1 late in the third, the Sharks allowed two quick goals in the final minutes of the third period before an empty net goal by Patrick Marleau put the game on ice. Jonathan Cheechoo had three assists in the contest, and was second star of the game.

With this victory, the Sharks reclaimed the top spot in the NHL with 63 points in 38 games. The Sharks have not lost in regulation in all 21 home games this season.

The Islanders have the worst record in the NHL and this loss marked the their 12th straight loss on the road.

Ben Shyman photographed the game for Inside Hockey.