DECEMB_E_R _9 _- -15-,-20·-0-8_ ____------'-- -~lts------·--P- A_G_E 11 San Jose Sharks proving to be a powerhouse 22-3-1 record is the best start of any NHLfranchise since 1943
MITCH REBER past to capitalize. Despite hav Setoguchi already have over three games after an injury in StaffWriter ing great talent, San Jose has ten goals this season, followed the Dallas game, Torrey Mitch lost in the second round of the closely by Boyle with nine, ell is still recovering from a playoff for the last four seasons Thornton with eight, and Mi broken leg, and Brad Lukowich Even the most die-hard in a row. chalek with seven. limped off the ice in the Blue San Jose Sharks fans have been The firing of former head Newcomers Rob Blake and . Jackets game and hasn't since shocked this season by a team coach Ron Wilson was a reac Dan Boyle are proving their returned. However, these inju that has exceeded everybody's tion to the Shark's playoff fail worth in their first season with ries are all short-term, and the highest expectations. Boasting ures, and that seems to have the Sharks as Sharks bench has a 22-3-1 record, the Shark's not paid off. Todd McLellan has well. Boyle .been able to fill only have the best record in the impressed fans so far with his is a staple of "The firing of in for these play NHL, they have the best starting quality acquisitions in the off the Sharks of ers without miss record of any NHL team since season, along with his player fensive attack, former head ing a beat. 1943. friendly style of coaching. and Blake pro coach Ron Wilson Overall Under new head coach McLellan's system of play vides a scor there are very lit Todd McLellan, San Jose has is effective and brutal, attacking ing presence was a reaction to tle weaknesses in imposed their will during the opponents non-stop on offense on defense, the Sharks playoff this team. They first two· months of the regular while shutting down scoring as well as have the fifth season. chances with their No. 3 ranked great penalty failures, and that most effective The Sharks have wins defense. Utilizing the same killing skills. power play in the against every first place team style of hockey that he taught The goaltend seems to ha()e paid NHL, scoring 17 they have faced, beating down as a power play coach with the ing of Evengi off" goals when given the Detroit Red Wings, Minne Red Wings last year, McLellan Nabokov has a man advantage. sota Wild, and Washington Cap has the Sharks driving to the net also been sol- They also have itals. Which makes the Boston aggressively at every opportu id this season. the sixth best Bruins and the New York Rang nity, while allowing the defense Despite missing six games in penalty kill in the league, giving ers the only two division leaders to come up on fast breaks, and November with an injury, he is up a goal only 14.3% of the time left in their path. still -letting everyone play to 14-2, allowing only 2.54 goals when they are down a player. In addition, San Jose has their individual strengths by not per game. His backup, Brian San Jose has crushed teams won their last nine games in a over-coaching. Boucher, is having a phenom so far this season, and barring row, outscoring their opponents One noticeable difference enal season so far as well, win some rash of major injuries will 42-20, and tying the franchise of this new offense is that every ning seven of the nine games keep doing so. The stamina, record for longest winning one is contributing, making big he has played in, allowing only speed, and puck control of this streak. plays and taking the pressure off CoURTESY // SHARKS.NHL.COM 1.88 goals per game. . hockey team is overwhelming. All the pieces seem to be the top scorers. San Jose standout Joe Thornton has led the Sharks to their There have been several As long as they can continue to falling into place this season for Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, best start in franchise history. Thornton has tallied 32 points injuries this year. Jonathon execute, look for San Jose late a team that has struggled in the Patrick Marleau, and Devin .and 24 assists this season, leading the team in both categories. Cheecho has missed the last in the playoffs.
'\' . Sports Column Sports Column Pedroia slides. into MVP award Smack-talking second baseman undeserving S-\MU LWY NELSON GRAY Pedroia, can play Gold Glove feel good story of a small sec Sports Editor Guest Contributor defense. Albert Pujols put up ond baseman who talks a lot of .357-37-116. smack. Youkilis' numbers seem So, why DO Americans Now for the age old contro far more like that of an MVP love football so much? Everyone knows the story versy. Should the MVP award than his teammate. Pedroia's 83 Many people believe of Dustin Pedroia. The thing is, go to he with the best season RBI is actually the fewest since ~ -tali!MGGUNIII--I-...;,.... P£Qple act like we haven't heard like A*Rod's 2002 season with Ichiro's 2001 MVP campai "seriously, or are just com the story before. A little guy, Texas (.300-57-142) when his where he led. the leagU<,- with pletely obsessed. You may with a little talent who has been Rangers finished in dead last? 242 hits, .350 batting average thinkitis o¥ettated butleave told he's too small his whole Or should it go to a guy who, and 56 stolen bases. it to the fans to decide that. life. if removed from his squad, the I'd be very, very surprised Only a true fan will ever A guy who "plays the game team would subsequently flunk if Dustin Pedroia ever wins know the real feeling and right," who's "gritty," who's a out of the postseason. another MVP award. The AL the passion it brings out. It's "gamer"? Oh, how rve learned · If you take Pujols off of champion Rays spread the more than just something to to loathe these terms when re the Cardinals, so the argument wealth as far as MVP goes and look forward to on the usu garding Dustin Pedroia. First goes, St. Louis still misses the were completely under the ra ally dreaded Monday nights. · of all, at 5'9 and weighing 180 playoffs. Without Ryan Howard dar until... I don't know. .. Au It's part of the American pounds, HE'S NOT THAT (.251-48-146), including hitting gust!?!? Therefore giving them culture, American life. SMALL! He might... might be .352 with 11 homeruns in Sep little recognition; And recogni It's about the excite just below the average of and tember, the Phillies wouldn't tion is one thing that's not very ment, anticipation, halftime · MLB second •baseman. And have made the playoffs at all, let hard to come by when you play shows, tail gaiting and par secondly, the guy is a sh--head. ties. But even more impor That's all there is to it. And now tant than the game itself, it is this sh-~head has an MVP award about traditions, family past to go along with his World Se times, bonding with your son Like many h~": •wt¥ . f;~}'/ Jas1i~c'i~"m'e~J-~\\ ries ring. and buddies, and corning to games, costumes;'Iace paint and. hats ate part of the attire There have been plenty of gether for a common cause. cocky athletes, everyone knows A good reason for throwing a ing with the other' tt~41®f~s:· live~ lti,r•u it happens to be that. But this guy defines "little few cold ones down. Getting If that pertains to you, . words game day, then good for them. man syndrome." Now part of that first jersey when you're a of advice: you shoold probably, Ic's.eems healthy to me. this blame has to be thrown on kid, going to your first game get a Mfe and ~9J !hat ~ .!>,ether '" The ones who knock it are the media, because they pump and Sunday barbeque's with yoUJ' team wins .or . loses, life usually the people that were up his story of overcoming the your family and friends are WILL still go on. last to get picked for kick ball odds of being short and talent what the love for the NFL are s'The · Supet' &,Q~1 might , .,they were younger and less. Please. There's not a single all about. as well be declared an ,official built up resentment. They player who ever made the Major Of course, a win always holiday. As it is,, mote people·. Just need to getover it. Leagues that was nothing short makes things better, but there do celebrate it than most holi* . lt may mostly be · a guy of incredibly talented. ;. . .• .. rt .•. is more to football than the lit days. I bet some ofyou fans out>' .itbing, but women also love Every time Pedroia runs COURTESY// W WW.BOSTONIIE RALD.COM aspect there are alre,~dy $Uilty to rniss1 football. One wo.rli: shopping. out a groundball or dives for a Second baseman, Dustin Pedroia lead the team at .326 batting . ei-al 70 average, 213 hits and 118 runs, but some believe him to be overrated. It is the reason some peo- ing Sunday service or calling .. jn . (Jame days are the only time ball up the middle, announcers 0 . pie get up in the morning, the . , tile year tlley 9an go shop- and sportswriters alike praise alone win the World Series. for the Sox. light that keeps them going, him like he's .the first player to But digress. Back to the I don't even think Pedroia "7"i,;f,...T'$-::¾1~~:-,::-::, p!::>,~-.,.,-e--t..,-a-. ':'"' ,Jitm½ ar:i~;;a1t~!c:::: I okay I may be exaggerating a an! ever play hard.- On top of all focal point of this article. I _know is the best second baseman ln bit now, but people do take it 0 that unnecessary worship, what that the MVP award shouldn't the American League. Look no . seriously and it does become just being : . . • ~~~;~·J::~ :;;;;~ NFL players are usually being be solely about statistics, and further than his "rival" whom a big part of their lives and spectator, NP.I·it, season, that-great opportunity chastized for by journalists, Pe Pedroia was certainly a stalwart he beat out at Arizona State that themselves. Sometimes, liter ,I'; l •. 1 may neverarise again. droia receives only praise. I've for the Red Sox, but haven't we plays in Texas, Ian Kinsler. In ally, I mean how many team JOflS lV(; 'z[. q true fans are dedicated heard of countless anecdotes heard for years, especially after 36 less games, Kinsler finished logos have you seen tattooed from teammates, opposition and his.embarrassing offensive per the season with a .319 average, on people? I knbw I sure have sick~ work so y6~ tw.iWl~ftth :eU::~ ::~!r~::Yd:: other journalists that detail his formance this year, that Jason 18 homeruns, 71 RBI, 102 runs seen a fair share. the game. Don't a to or gtve up: ''Their team'' will inability to close his mouth. Varitek is their MVP? scored and 26 stolen bases com Although, there are defi adm.idt, we k"1 ahvays be ''their team,'' and "It's kind of a joke," said The fact of ~e matter is pared to Pedroia's .326-17-83- nitely some over ol;,sessed Some o{ us, especially tliey wo,uld never ever con teammate Kevin Youkilis, "Him that Pedroia stumbled into a 118-20. But Kinsler is 6'0, 200 . hardcore fans out there that women don't fully understand . ,s:idtl( switching. They are not yelling around, screaming, talk year with the weakest MVP pounds and plays for the Rang would literally die for their the footbaU :ie#ZY and may front runners or band wagon ing sh--." candidates in decades. But this ers, so what fun is it to pump up team. My brother included, it never kn wt but don't judge ers. Go Niners, lstand by them It's far more despicable season's AL MVP award shows how well be played until he was actually scares me sometimes. until you '' :;. experienced :tt;;;c in 1heir good seasons and as than a joke to me. And now just how much the media has sidelined by a sports hernia? He gets so into the game that yourself. I get really annoyed by we have seen in the past few that cocky bastard has an MVP persuaded people to fall in love The worst thing about all it literally determines his at people out there that put p "$easons, definitely their bad as award. But don't think it's be with Pedroia's not so unique this? titude for the week. I always sional sp · wn and c · l. ' · cause he's such a deserving can story. We have to listen about knew to stay clear of him them. Sa: t.is just'a s It's more tlian just be: didate. Look at the season Pe Pedroia for years to come. In when the niners lost. Which is 4e need Jo a spectator, NFL fans live Yes, Pedroia had a very droia 's teammate Kevin Youki 5 years, he'll still be small, all too often lately. life." Well aybe THEY . . There is a real feeling an