Petshark: Talking Stick
Entries with the tag: michal handzus
Happy day, through a glass darkly
by petshark on 02/27/13 at 05:10 AM ET
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Tuesday afternoon, I heard Walking on Sunshine on the radio and it stuck in my head. I heard a whole lot of songs after that, but I couldn't wash it out. I also felt unaccountably cheerful, sort of the way the Sharks looked at the morning skate. Part of me thought them looking jolly was an ill omen, the way it was the last time I noticed that, before the Ducks beat them some time last season.
Of course, there is no good reason to not be cheerful when you're thinking about a hockey game. Win or lose, it's still a hockey game and the whole point of the thing is to have fun and make people happy. Maybe the sun shining and the fluffy merry nature of sport and entertainment would not be suppressed.
It was still derned uncomfortable, being all bouncy happy for no good reason.
Filed in: hockey, , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: joe+pavelski,
joe+thornton,
michal+handzus,
patrick+marleau,
scott+gomez,
stream+of+consciousness,
t.j.+galiardi
It looks like the Ducks, it sounds like the Pond…
by petshark on 02/05/13 at 01:30 PM ET
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I'd really have to see them walk to be sure. These don't seem like the Ducks we all knew, didn't like, and that the Sharks could usually beat back in the day. Last season was one thing. The Ducks beating the Sharks so often seemed like one of many very strange happenings in a very bad season. But this season? What do the Ducks know that the Sharks don't?
The Ducks blocked 24 shots to the Sharks 15. Maybe this game was about slowing the future Ducks down since they obviously have San Jose's number. Hitting them with a lot of shots is one way to do that. Another stat that was kind of interesting was that the Ducks out-hit the Sharks 23-19, and out-shot them 32-26. Doesn't the team without the puck usually hit the most? So the Sharks had the puck, and didn't shoot it? I guess if you count the blocked shots in there it isn't so bad.
Couture scored the only Sharks goal. That wasn't so unusual, but to have the assists go to Andrew Desjardins from fourth line, and Tommy Wingels from the third, that was kind of cool and unlikely. I guess that's what happens to the lines when Clowe gets sent away for nearly a third of the game.
Filed in: hockey, , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: anaheim+ducks,
andrew+desjardins,
douglas+murray,
jason+demers,
logan+couture,
martin+havlat,
michal+handzus,
penalty+kill,
ryane+clowe,
tommy+wingels
Unassisted
by petshark on 02/01/13 at 04:29 PM ET
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It's fairly unusual to have no assists given when a team scores four times in a game, especially when they are the only goals that team scored. It almost makes you think of the dread hazard: "playing like individuals instead of a team." In the case of the Sharks last night, I don't think that was the situation at all, though all of their goals were unassisted or shootout goals.
Yet none of those goals only belonged to the guys who got credit for them. Even the shootout goals were the result of the team making it through overtime. Couture's goal was beholden to Scott Gomez, who successfully got the puck away from Whitney at the perfect time for Couture to take it. Joe Pavelski's goal... well, yes, he did race up the ice, take the puck away from two players and put it in the net. But he had help getting that opportunity too: Boyle and Clowe closed on Yakupov at the same time. Boyle got the puck off the stick, and Clowe was in the way so the talented Edmonton forward couldn't get right after Pavelski. "Unassisted" sounds so solitary, it makes you think a whole bunch of players are going uncredited.
Filed in: hockey, , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: bret+hedican,
commentary,
dan+boyle,
edmonton+oilers,
fear+the+fin,
jamie+baker,
joe+pavelski,
michal+handzus,
ryane+clowe
Sharks here and there
by petshark on 01/20/13 at 12:00 PM ET
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Where are the Sharks? Of course they are in Calgary, about to play a game.
But where do they stand now, with camp all wrapped up? It might have something to do with where they have been. I asked several players over the course of the week about the pros and cons of playing overseas during the lockout. There seems to be a consensus from observers, myself included, that those who did play are in a better position to start, even if those who did not play might be better off in a couple of months. Fitness wasn't exactly what I was asking about, and I got several interesting answers that addressed the mental aspect of playing overseas.
Earlier in the week, I had asked Jason Demers and Justin Braun about how they made the transition to the Finnish game, a somewhat different question from making the adjustment back. Here's what I asked other players later in the week, and what they told me.
Filed in: hockey, , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: antti+niemi,
douglas+murray,
joe+pavelski,
michal+handzus
Broad strokes: Sharks overseas
by petshark on 11/29/12 at 07:00 PM ET
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Over the past few days, I discovered an impatience I haven't felt for a while, the "hold on, no games today? Or tomorrow? Or... I'm supposed to wait how long for a game?" feeling. It was irritating, but not bad. It reminded me of a normal hockey season. It feels like being all adapted to the new hockey universe.
This impatience drove me to start hunting for European and KHL games online. This is not only difficult because feeds tend to move around, but also because an audio feed will not do. I don't speak most of the languages these games are broadcast in. I did manage to dig up a Dinamo Minsk game going on yesterday morning. A video feed was not available to me (which only took me about an hour to figure out) but following the scoreboard was better than nothing. So that was fun, except that Minsk blew a lead and fell 6-3. At least Pavelski got a goal.
There are several Sharks abroad. I found the following information online, but I can't be sure how complete it is. I started with Eurohockey.com because they have an easy search that found most of the Sharks quickly. From there I sort of wandered:
Filed in: hockey, , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: antti+niemi,
bundesliga,
del,
douglas+murray,
jason+demers,
joe+pavelski,
joe+thornton,
justin+braun,
khl,
logan+couture,
michal+handzus,
nla,
sm-liiga,
t.j.+galiardi,
thomas+greiss,
tommy+wingels
Off the radar: Sharks are very quiet
by petshark on 08/01/12 at 06:00 PM ET
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Help us, Doug Wilson. Sharks fans need some relief, something to distract the gossip gremlins as they scamper unchecked through our village. Matters are getting desperate. David Pollak felt obliged to address a Joe Thornton trade rumor, and I found myself watching a tape-delayed bicycle race the other day. Desperate I say.
Unfounded Boyle trade rumors caused speculation and some scoffs. The Thornton trade rumor caused a moment of laughter. Shane Doan could… no won’t .. wait.. will… probably not come to San Jose. Not sure Sharks fans care much about that, maybe no one ever believed he would join the team. Now the gremlins are spitting dating rumors on the storefronts. Do something, Mr. Wilson. Put up a plaque at The Tank and have an unveiling ceremony. Something.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: doug+wilson,
douglas+murray,
gossip,
gremlins,
michal+handzus,
rumor,
shane+doan,
silence,
tommy+wingels
The drawing board
by petshark on 04/19/12 at 03:59 PM ET
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As others have pointed out, Winchester and Handzus may play today instead of Galiardi and Moore. Seems like the Sharks roster is back where it started before moving McGinn…except for not having McGinn anymore. I hope they aren’t taking everything back to the drawing board. I know I wanted them to throw their keys in the river but I didn’t mean parachute into Antarctica to do it and hope to find your way back by puck drop.
Mark Purdy wrote a piece about Thornton returning to the penalty kill, saying that Moore has been a disappointment after being acquired for that. He didn’t mention that it’s hardly ideal to rely on someone who’s wearing a cage anyway. I know a player can play with a cage but I still wouldn’t call him exactly a “healthy scratch” if he has to wear one.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: brad+winchester,
daniel+winnik,
dominic+moore,
joe+thornton,
michal+handzus,
tj+galiardi
Game 82, Kings @ Sharks
by petshark on 04/07/12 at 08:00 PM ET
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The Sharks will once again wear black for the playoffs. Of course this disappoints me and I cannot understand why the team can’t get teal jerseys that they like as much as the black ones. I can see how the design could require more fabric or a heavier one, but figure it out already! It doesn’t matter if you like the style of the teal ones, if you’re not going to wear them. You can’t be Team Teal in black. It is ridiculous.
So new teal jerseys as comfy as the black ones, these are on my off-season wish list.
David Pollak @PollakOnSharks: Handzus in for ailing #sjshark Mitchell in finale tonite vs. LAK.
That word “ailing"alarmed me. For some reason it makes me think of a worsening condition instead of a regular injury. I’m sure that isn’t what he meant, but the situation is still disturbing. Douglas Murray stayed out with the last players to leave the ice, so I would guess he’ll be out tonight too.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: darryl+sutter,
douglas+murray,
jonathan+quick,
la+kings,
michal+handzus,
todd+mclellan
Anaheim @ San Jose, morning skate
by petshark on 03/19/12 at 06:29 PM ET
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It was 1977 on KFOG’s Ten at Ten. That was more exciting in theory than reality for me, because I had guessed the year from the clues. Those clues were a very young Carrie Fisher saying: “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi,” followed by a clip of “Three is Company too…” The songs that started the set didn’t really resonate with me.
It’s bright and clear in the Bay Area but darn it was cold this morning. Of course I forgot to pack gloves. Of course.
All the Sharks but Galiardi were on the ice this morning. For the second game day in a row I saw Couture, Vlasic & Braun stay out a little late with White and Vandermeer, tipping shots in front of Niemi. They didn’t stay as long as the scratches but they were out longer than everyone else who expects to play.
Good thing to do, giving your goalie a little extra attention like that.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: antti+niemi,
jonas+hiller,
michal+handzus,
tommy+wingels,
toni+lydman
A grudging ode to three
by petshark on 01/03/12 at 08:30 PM ET
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Three games against the Canucks, three ending 3-2. In fact, the Sharks’ last three games against anyone ended 3-2. Last night, the Sharks avoided losing three games in a row, or three to the Canucks. Thornton was guilty of three turnovers. The game produced three points, one for the Canucks, two for the Sharks. The Sharks practiced three times between games against the Canucks. I haven’t counted how many times Nemo taps the posts with his stick between shootout rounds, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s three.
All right, Sharks. FINE, you really like your threes, I get it. I’ll try not to say things to belittle or mock your faith. I still think it would be better if…. Oh, never mind. Bleeding cultists.
I don’t mind being wrong when it means the team wins. I take absolutely no joy in being right when it means the team loses. I wasn’t sure the Sharks would lose to the Canucks last night, but I was really very certain it would not end 3-2. Whatev.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: andrew+desjardins,
antero+niittymaki,
colin+white,
dan+boyle,
logan+couture,
michal+handzus,
penalty+kill
The Right Hand of Zus
by petshark on 12/02/11 at 06:00 PM ET
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You know how those stories about Greek gods always involve or imply the torment and suffering of mortals? That’s what being a fan is like sometimes. Even though the players are doing the hard work, the bleeding and breaking and rushing about, we spectators watch and hope our fragile little village will be spared by the storm. So it has to be a good thing to have a guy named Zus on the team. No way your church tower gets blown over by the western wind storm of the century, not with Zus on your side.
I heard a lot about those perilous high winds, but they never came to my neighborhood. If I really thought this was connected to my NHL team allegiance, I would have to build a shrine or something. Surely it isn’t just Michal Handzus making things happen or not happen. Surely he must have some help.
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Tags: fan,
fear+the+fin,
jamie+mcginn,
joe+thornton,
logan+couture,
martin+havlat,
michal+handzus,
ryane+clowe
Brian Elliott has a good game
by petshark on 10/16/11 at 03:30 AM ET
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I tune in a little late and then start writing because if the Sharks lose I hate writing about it, better to start before it happens. I see the lineups flash across the screen.
Wow, I did not see that coming, 7D and no Wingels. Mitchell on the second line I didn’t think about but I can see how that’s an option. Andrew Murray up on the the third line. Well, he has been very steady.
Andrew Murray gets smushed, Clowe takes issue with that. Randy says we would like to get the power play but you also like to see Clowe standing up for his teammate. Hm. I’ll take the power play for 2, Randy. Oh well.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: brian+elliott,
michal+handzus,
ryane+clowe,
st+louis+blues,
stream+of+consciousness,
thomas+greiss
Don’t hurt yourself
by petshark on 09/25/11 at 11:00 AM ET
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The announcement said there were 16 thousand people there Saturday night to watch the Sharks preseason game against the Coyotes. I thought that was a pretty good turnout.
When people say “don’t hurt yourself,” they usually mean you are slacking off, not putting forward your best effort. In the case of this preseason game, I would say there was some of that. But it really is critical to not hurt yourself, so I couldn’t decide if it bothered me that a few players were just not themselves. It’s still September, the team doesn’t need any more injuries. Besides, in a game they will happen, like it or not. For example:
@PollakOnSharks:...linesman just took puck where nobody wants to get hit by a puck. He’s persevering, but in obvious discomfort.
Ugh. So I’m not going to whine about players with nothing to gain from this game not seeming to over-extend themselves. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Filed in: , San Jose Sharks, | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
Tags: benn+ferriero,
coyotes,
harri+sateri,
jamie+mcginn,
john+mccarthy,
michal+handzus,
nick+petrecki,
preseason
