I don't have a prediction for the final score but I do have a feeling Logan Couture scores an early power play goal.

Go Sharks!

via l.yimg.com

Logan Couture will be participating in the the breakaway challenge and stick handling portion of the skills challenge relay.

Go Couture!

I'm recycling this thread for this todays game!

Here's an open thread to discuss the 49ers and all their playoffness!

PS I think because I'm an "author" now I don't have to meet that 75 word count requirement for fanposts! Cool, no lame fiiller.

Alex Smith, quarterback extraordinaire

(I did that by accident, but it looks good so I'm keeping it)

Go Niners!

Well that was a bizarre game.

While watching the game and taking notes to write this recap, I was prepared to write one for a win.... and then a loss... and then a win loss win really bad loss win tie and then finally a shootout loss.

This game really was a roller coaster. In the first two periods, the Wild outshot the Sharks 22-15 which is very uncharacteristic of both teams. The Wild are 28th for shots for per game (26.7) and 30th for shots against per game (31.9). The Sharks are 1st in the league for shots for per game (34.9) and 5th in the league for shots against per game (28.6). Things would later balance out after the third and overtime period with the Sharks leading shots 38-31.

The Sharks didn't have a strong game. Antti Niemi wasn't particularly sharp and neither was the team in front. They allowed four goals to a Minnesota Wild team who typically struggle to score goals. Despite those struggles it was great to see the Sharks come from behind and tie up the game.

Shootout losses aren't necessarily something to be ashamed of. They're essentially a coin-flip and they definitely don't indicate team strength. However, the one point between a shootout win and a shootout loss feels like a lot. It's a bummer to lose, but let me remind you that the Sharks have earned points in 12 of the last 13 games (H/T Soloact). 20 out of 26 possible points in that span. Also the PK went 3-3!

Feel better now? So do I. Breakdown of the game after the jump.

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Jesus Greiss Superstar is in net as the Sharks try to score more goals than the Avs to win the game.

Go Sharks!

If you were expecting another fast-paced Sharks game like the one against Detroit yesterday, well you were right for the first 17 seconds. Imagine the following: The game starts with a Logan Couture faceoff win. Sharks have possession in the offensive zone and Couture draws a cross-checking penalty from Steve Staios. Ten seconds pass.

Pause.

Sharks on the power play, faceoff in the offensive zone. Faceoff is lost but the Sharks get the puck back. The puck is brought to Dan Boyle at the point at he fires a shot. It hits the post and Joe Pavelski is there to pick up the rebound. Rick DiPietro is out of position and it's 1-0 Sharks. Seven seconds pass.

Pause.

At this point Sharks fans were getting themselves ready for an exciting game but nope, didn't happen. Tonight the Sharks expectedly looked like a team playing the second night of a back-to-back. For only the third time this season they were outshot. It was an uncharacteristic game but Thomas Greiss was there to make 35 saves on 37 Islander shots. The Sharks were fortunately able to support him with 3 goals on 30 shots.

Shortly after Pavelski's goal, Dan Boyle was sent to the penalty box for a hooking call. The Sharks penalty kill held strong limiting the Islanders to 3 shots on their power play. The first five minutes set the trend for the rest of the game. It was back and forth action all night with both teams playing strong but neither outright dominating.

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Since the other thread is nearing 500 comments, here's a nice fresh new one!

(Now hold on as I try to think of something to fill up this thread...)

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I was doing some research on some players and was thinking of ways on how to improve the team. Anyhow I made a list and you guys could tell me what you think.

Steven Stamkos

Nicklas Lidstrom

Alex Ovechkin

Zdeno Chara

Pekka Rinne

Sidney Crosby

Pavel Datsyuk

I assume Doug Wilson will go after some of these player because they would immensely improve the team and make it more better. Some of the names might be a stretch, like Rinne, but I'm sure the Sharks are interested in obtaining such players.

As for trade bait this gets a little tougher. I'm thinking the Sharks will definitely trade some 1st round draft picks because historically they're not really good drafting early (as evidenced by the 2008 and 2009 1st round draft picks not contributing anything to the organization yet). I'm thinking the Sharks are willing to part ways with a guy like Torrey Mitchell so he could be part of a package with draft picks and maybe even some minor leaguers.

so what do you guys think? Should the Sharks trade for one of these guys?

Just kidding, here's your April OT thread!

As you all know, the Oakland Athletics are having their home opener tonight so I'm pretty excited about that... The other team in San Francisco called the Giants (which the media talked a lot about last season for some reason) played yesterday. For me, April is a great time of the year. Baseball season starting, hockey playoffs nearing, and summers almost starting. And just out of curiosity I'm putting a poll at the end of this post...

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Anybody else excited for the biggest hockey game of the year?

I figure people might want to talk about it so here's your thread to discuss all ASG stuff here.

And booooooooooo I'm a mod and they make me reach the 75 word limit?

Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle Go Dan Boyle

(Felt like making a dramatic title)

Yesterday things got a little heated on the boards during the game against the Wings. Evidently this isn't something we want to happen. This post will address these certain situations when you feel a commentator is having trollish behavior.

(Here's some music to accompany your reading experience)

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Dun dun dun... Yes, we're making a Community Guidelines for FTF. Aren't you excited!? Don't worry though, this isn't a result of anyone or anything's behavior. We're not going to get a whole lot strict all of a sudden, but we figured it would be nice to set some guidelines for everyone to follow. They'll be pretty straightforward, basic rules.

The Community Guidelines will put a lot of emphasis on "Community." That means if you think something is wrong or out of order, flag that comment, or even send an email. The moderators will see it and take action if necessary for the issue.

Leave your opinions in the comments!

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20th anniversary poster handed out upon entering the building.

Last night the Sharks played the Sharks in the annual Teal and White game. As usual, the game was very exciting. This could be attributed to the fact that the 7,300 STH's and friends have gone through a whole summer without any hockey . Other factors include seeing top prospects you often hear about, and you finally get to see them play live. Also, this isn't like most exhibition games where players take it easy and put on a show for the fans. The younger players were fighting hard, trying to impress. It was fun watching the "no-name" kids throw  big hits on the "super-stars."

The game ended with the Teal team winning 2-0 over the White team (Rosters, highlights, and other photos can be viewed here). Joe Thornton and Tony Lucia scored for Team Teal. Antero Niitymaki and Alex Stalock each played a half for the Teal combining for a shutout while Thomas Greiss and Antii Niemi each gave up a goal in the half they played. SOG were 21 Teal, 23 White.

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@ 7:30 PST

(Ha I figured out that when you right click on firefox, the "View page source" does something!)

Tonight the Sharks prospects will be taking on the Ducks prospects in Vancouver. Last year the two team's rookies played in San Jose, where the Sharks swept the series 3-0. Expect the rookies to battle it out trying to impress the coaches.

Tonight's game will be streaming on SJSharks.com

Here are some links for the interested:

Schedule for the whole tournament

Quotes from assistant GM Wayne Thomas

Young Stars Preview from Canucks.com

Sharks Roster

The Sharks have 34 players on the roster so not all will play tonight. I'm not sure who will be on the lineup playing tonight, but Jon Swenson of Sharkspage recently said on twitter:

#SJsharks For rookie tournament: foward Luke Judson out (inj), g Tyson Sexmith not in lineup, f Cam MacIntyre not probable.

The stream to the game can be found here.

Go Sharks.

Since the other OT Thread died I figured we could use one, especially at this time. No hockey allowed!


/thinks of things that could fill up this post

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Hello and welcome to the April OT Thread part II. Here we will discuss not hockey, cool things, and anything.

Cool things include:

• NBA playoffs (Ha!)
• Baseball. The A's are awesome right now and the Gnats... are the Gnats
  
• Funny Pictures

• Useless things.
• Weird stuff.

Okay I'm out of cool stuff to post. That was a bad effort for me...

Oh! FTF's first fantasy hockey league recently ended. Here are the final standings:

And, um, why don't we end this with a poll.

It's sad that when I first started writing this it was called "Dropping the Gloves: The one that's a few days late."

Triumphant return? Maybe...

HI welcome back to Dropping the Gloves. There hasn't been one in... a REALLY LONG time.  Reasons why it went on a hiatus?

1. I have a life (stupid bloggers). Seriously, who has a blog?
   
2. School and such.
3. I'm kinda lazy.

So this post will not cover EVERY fight I missed, just the cool ones. And away we gooooooo!

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