Rebound

Time for a stop home. Alright, it's not like I needed it. I just started the tour and all, but I'm home for the holidays and thought it would be great catch the Sharks at home. Though it's fun being a fan on the road, there's nothing like being part of the madness in your own house- especially the HP Pavilion, better known as the Shark Tank.

As always, the crowd was crazy and ready for Sharks hockey. I'm really curious to hear fan reaction in other cities. Aside from the Oilers fans during the playoffs last year (as seen on TV), I don't know any other fans that gets as crazy as Shark's fans.

The Sharks entered the game after a poor performance against Dallas. The first period looked like it could be another disaster. The play was sloppy, and they allowed a short-handed, breakaway goal Matthew Lombardi. Then the rebound began. The Sharks came back with fire in the 2nd period, scoring two fantastic rebound goals- a rebound rim shot by Marcel Goc, and power play goal by Milan Michalek. Mark Smith added another sweet rebound goal in the 3rd period, and Scott Hannan scored his first of the season with an empty-netter. Curtis Brown played a hard game, netting assists on two of the goals. Evgeni Nabokov was nearly flawless in goal, only allowing the breakaway past him. Sharks 4, Flames 1

In attendance tonight was my Dad. We were sitting in his sweet season ticket seats, just 6 rows from the ice. So close that when I player lost some of his teeth a few weeks ago, we could see the ref pick them up and hand them to him.

The food at the Shark Tank is generally pretty good. Tonight it was Philly Cheesesteaks and fries. Not a bad way to fill one's belly.

Here's the shot of the game:

The holiday spirit was in the air- even SJ Sharkie go into the action, entering figure skating to "Christmastime" from A Charlie Brown Christmas. By the way, that song is both the saddest and happiest song ever.

The Sharks finish the game with 50 points, 10 points behind the Ducks in the Pacific Division, 4th overall in the West.

My player of the game was Curtis Brown. Not only did his two of his shots lead to rebound goals, but he also played a great physical game- using his body to block shots, checking hard, keeping the energy up. It was a great game, much closer than the final score would tell you. Lots of tough checks and speed on both sides.