San Jose sharks. San Jose Sharks

The black stripe for the section continues. Valanciunas was actually sent to contain Drummond and spent almost 28 minutes on the floor. Periodically, Jonas cut off the Pistons center from the backboard, but his teammates took the rebounds for the Lithuanian. Jonas took only six rebounds, and at least eight were needed.

Lauri played an extremely unconvincing match, as did the rest of Toronto. We expected at least 11 assists from the Raptors point guard, and Kyle gave 7, adding five turnovers. Dwane Casey conveyed his warm greetings to his former club, achieving a sensational victory in the end.

In Arizona, the Spurs lost to the Suns by one wicket. LaMarcus Aldridge made only 3 of 12 field goals, and the visiting team's entire starting five finished the game with a terrible plus-minus rating. Phoenix didn't do anything outstanding, but they absolutely deserved to win. San Antonio's basketball players made too many bad attempts. We were pleased exclusively by Devin Booker, who handed out as many as 12 assists and exceeded the total set by the bookmakers in this component with a margin.

Thus, the pot contains 34,280 chips.

Houston Rockets - Golden State Warriors

Choice #1: Quinn Cook's individual total is under 14.5 points per 1.8

Bid: 1000 chips (possible profit 800 chips)

Choice #2: the total of the least productive quarter is less than 46.5 points per 1.9

Bid: 1000 chips (possible profit 900 chips)

A remake of the Western Conference finals, where the opponents are not in the best condition. Curry will not play for the Warriors and, of course, Cousins ​​will miss the next match. The Rockets will not be helped by Knight, Nene, Clarke and Green are questionable, Carter-Williams and Anthony are in trouble.

The upcoming fight is of a fundamental nature. Houston was close to dethroning the champion, so the thirst for revenge will add motivation. In such control rooms, great attention is focused on the leaders. The proportion of such battles has a significant impact in determining the status of a basketball player. You can try to play Durant or Harden on top, but there are fears that the meeting will turn out to be low.

The battles of the previous regular season should not be taken as a starting point. Golden State will perform without its main star. Both coaches realize that the team with a more effective defense will win. The offense of both is not yet impressive compared to last season, so it is necessary to work on defense.

Without Curry, the Warriors will start again with Cook. In battles with outsiders, the point guard gets a lot of shots and feels great on the court, but the upcoming match is of enormous importance. Quinn will be taken care of by Paul, who is still a quality defender. The integrity of the competition will force Chris to give his best, and Kerr will rely on more experienced performers.

The main controllers could be Durant, Green, Iguodala and Livingston. Also, let’s not forget about the ability of the head of the players’ union to call his counterparts for fouls. Under these conditions, let’s take Cook’s individual total to be less than 14.5 points.

Golden State's dependence on Durant's actions is colossal. The reigning champions are ready to lock themselves in defense, but on the opposing side of the floor, without Kevin’s phenomenal play, their effectiveness drops sharply. The Rockets will naturally stay true to digital basketball and make a ton of attempts from behind the arc.

If the host's aim failure coincides with KD's rest, then the total of the most ineffective quarter should not cross the mark of 46.5 points. In addition, the option of a real fight with a slow pace at the end is not excluded.

Los Angeles Clippers - San Antonio Spurs

Choice #1: victory of the Clippers with a handicap of “-5.5” for 1.96

Bid: 1000 chips (possible profit 960 chips)

Choice #2: LaMarcus Aldridge's individual total is under 11.5 rebounds per 1.93

Bid: 1000 chips (possible profit 930 chips)

Choice #3: The Clippers will win all quarters in 12

Bid: 1000 chips (possible profit 11,000 chips)

The Spurs will play a back-to-back road game, which Popovich doesn’t like so much. San Antonio will not be able to count on Walker, Murray and Gasol, but after rest, Rudy Gay is expected to appear on the floor. The Clippers have Bradley and Luc Mbah-a-Moute questionable, but the rest of their key players are in the lineup.

It is the advantage of freshness that we will focus on in the upcoming match. The Californians rested two more days, and the last match was played at the Staples Center. Doc Rivers has a huge number of guys with crazy physical abilities at his disposal.

In addition, the hosts have an outstanding bench in their favor. Williams gives points from any situation, Harrell crushes opponents with a crazy thirst for fight and terrible screams, Marjanovic prepares to put on top without jumping, Teodosic gives out one candy after another, but even this is not all.

Rivers' pick is truly amazing, and it's advantageous for Doc to push the tempo to wear down the opponent's two leaders. The Spurs' recent results have been dismal. In five matches, there was only one victory due to 32 missed threes by the Rockets. In the other four matches, San Antonio lost to the Magic, Heat, Kings and Suns. All that remains is to lose to the Cavaliers for complete happiness. The Clippers have won victories at home in six battles in a row; only a miracle can prevent them from taking the seventh. Let’s take the base handicap “-5.5” for Californians.

The line of bookmakers based on the individual performance of players is somewhat surprising. Aldridge's rebounding target is set at 11.5 and appears to be one point too high. LaMarcus' average result for the season is 10.6 rebounds, and he made it to the top of the indicated total in 6 out of 13 cases.

The Spurs power forward spent just under half an hour with the Suns, but fatigue and age still risk taking their toll. Aldridge took part in a back-to-back match once this season and grabbed only six rebounds. Popovich prefers to take care of the leaders, so there is a high probability of the giant's playing time decreasing.

The final bet should not be seriously considered; it is just an attempt to catch a high odds. The Spurs' bench is not impressive, but the hosts' reserves are pleasing to the eye. If the Clippers' lead reaches ten points or more by halftime, San Antonio is unlikely to put up much of a fight.

No one has canceled the competition among the Californians, everyone wants to play, and each performer takes the time given responsibly. Doc Rivers' boys have won eight games this season, winning in all quarters in two of them. Why not do this trick again?

Total: 5 bets were made in the amount of 5 thousand chips. There are 29,280 chips left in the pot.

P.S.: The competition has been declared open. We ask all participants to comply with the conditions. The prize will be a cap from your favorite NBA team or something much more valuable. Anyone can join the competition until the first of January. For details write to email [email protected] .

Do you play by yourself? about the work of bookmakers! The authors of the best reviews will receive incentive prizes from the “Championship”! In ours you can find out useful information about various bookmakers, write a complaint, ask a question to a bookmaker representative, and also get acquainted with the opinions of other players.

(National Hockey League). The club is based in the city San Jose, state California , USA. The team's colors, black and dark orange, are based on a popular color combination in American sports.

Story

Hockey in the Bay Area

In the first round, the Sharks' opponents were hockey players " Detroit", who occupied the highest level in the West bracket and were the undisputed favorites of the series. However, on April 30, in the 7th decisive match of the 1/8 finals of the Stanley Cup, San Jose beats the Red Wings with a score of 3:2 and sensationally beats a more eminent opponent. The next opponent of the Sharks was “ Maple leaves" from Toronto. The Sharks led the series 3:2, but in overtime of the sixth match, Toronto won, and in the final 7th match, despite the fact that the Sharks led in shots on target (32 versus 21), the score was recorded 4 :2 in favor of the Maple Leafs.

In the summer of 2010, the only Russian foreign player left the team, its main goalkeeper for several years - Evgeniy Nabokov, who was replaced by the current Stanley Cup winner, the goalkeeper of the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Niemi.

Statistics

Abbreviations: I = matches played in the regular season, W = wins, L = losses, PO = overtime losses, O = points, GS = goals scored, GS = goals conceded, Reg. champion = place taken in the specified division according to the results of the regular season, Playoffs = result in the playoffs

Season AND IN P BY ABOUT ZSH PS Reg. champion Playoffs
2011-12 82 43 29 10 96 228 210 2, Pacific 1/4 conf. 1-4 St. Louis
2012-13 48 25 16 7 57 124 116 3, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-0 Vancouver
1/2 conf. 3-4 Los Angeles
2013-14 82 51 22 9 111 249 200 2, Pacific 1/4 conf. 3-4 Los Angeles
2014-15 82 40 33 9 89 228 232 5, Pacific didn't hit
2015-16 82 46 30 6 98 241 210 3, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-1 Los Angeles
1/2 conf. 4-3 Nashville
final of the conf. 4-2 St. Louis
Stanley Cup final. 2-4 Pittsburgh

Current lineup

Goalkeepers
Number A country Name Date of Birth
31 Martin Jones January 10, 1990
Defenders
Number A country Name Date of Birth
4 Branden Dillon November 13, 1990
7 Paul Martin March 5, 1981
44 Mark-Eduard Vlasic March 30, 1987
61 Justin Brown February 10, 1987
74 Dylan Demelo May 1, 1993
80 Matt Tennyson April 23, 1990
88 Brent Burns March 9, 1985
David Shlemko May 7, 1987
Forwards
Number A country Name Date of Birth
8 Joe Pavelski July 11, 1984
9 Dainius Zubrus June 16, 1978
12 Patrick Marlowe September 15, 1979
16 Nick Spauling September 19, 1988
18 Mike Brown June 24, 1985
19 Joe Thornton July 2, 1979
27 Joonas Donskoy April 13, 1992
39 Logan Couture March 28, 1989
42 Joel Ward December 2, 1980
48 Tomas Gertl November 12, 1993
50 Chris Tierney July 1, 1994
57 Tommy Wingles April 12, 1988
68 Melker Karlsson July 18, 1990
83 Matt Nieto November 5, 1992
89 Mikkel Boedker December 16, 1989

Individual records

see also

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Notes

Literature

  • Steve Cameron: Feeding Frenzy! The Wild New World of the San Jose Sharks. Taylor Publishing Company, December 1994, ISBN 0-87833-102-6
  • San Jose Sharks 2007-08 Club Guide., 2007
  • San Jose Sharks 2008-09 Club Guide., 2008

Links

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Teams NHL
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Capital Division Atlantic Division Central Division Pacific Division
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Carolina Hurricanes Boston Bruins Dallas Stars Arizona Coyotes
Columbus Blue Jackets Detroit Red Wings Colorado Avalanche Vancouver Canucks
New Jersey Devils Montreal Canadiens Minnesota Wild Calgary Flames
New York Islanders Ottawa Senators Nashville Predators Los Angeles Kings
New York Rangers Tampa Bay Lightning St. Louis Blues San Jose Sharks
Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs Chicago Blackhawks Edmonton Oilers
Philadelphia Flyers Florida Panthers

Excerpt describing the San Jose Sharks

An officer with a double mustache, Zdrzhinsky, talked pompously about how the Saltanov Dam was the Thermopylae of the Russians, how on this dam General Raevsky committed an act worthy of antiquity. Zdrzhinsky told the story of Raevsky, who led his two sons to the dam under terrible fire and went on the attack next to them. Rostov listened to the story and not only did not say anything to confirm Zdrzhinsky’s delight, but, on the contrary, had the appearance of a man who was ashamed of what was being told to him, although he did not intend to object. Rostov, after the Austerlitz and 1807 campaigns, knew from his own experience that when telling military incidents, people always lie, just as he himself lied when telling them; secondly, he was so experienced that he knew how everything happens in war, not at all the way we can imagine and tell. And therefore he did not like Zdrzhinsky’s story, and he did not like Zdrzhinsky himself, who, with his mustache from his cheeks, according to his habit, bent low over the face of the one to whom he was telling, and crowded him into a cramped hut. Rostov looked at him silently. “Firstly, at the dam that was attacked, there must have been such confusion and crowding that even if Raevsky brought his sons out, it could not have affected anyone except about ten people who were near him, - thought Rostov, - the rest could not see how and with whom Raevsky walked along the dam. But even those who saw this could not be very inspired, because what did they care about Raevsky’s tender parental feelings when it was about their own skin? Then, the fate of the fatherland did not depend on whether the Saltanov Dam was taken or not, as they describe it to us about Thermopylae. And therefore, why was it necessary to make such a sacrifice? And then, why bother your children here, during the war? Not only would I not take Petya with my brother, I would not even take Ilyin, even this stranger to me, but a good boy, I would try to put him somewhere under protection,” Rostov continued to think, listening to Zdrzhinsky. But he did not say his thoughts: he already had experience in this. He knew that this story contributed to the glorification of our weapons, and therefore he had to pretend that he did not doubt him. That's what he did.
“However, there is no urine,” said Ilyin, who noticed that Rostov did not like Zdrzhinsky’s conversation. - And the stockings, and the shirt, and it leaked under me. I'll go look for shelter. The rain seems to be lighter. – Ilyin came out, and Zdrzhinsky left.
Five minutes later, Ilyin, splashing through the mud, ran to the hut.
- Hooray! Rostov, let's go quickly. Found! There’s a tavern about two hundred paces away, and our guys got there. At least we’ll dry off, and Marya Genrikhovna will be there.
Marya Genrikhovna was the wife of the regimental doctor, a young, pretty German woman, whom the doctor married in Poland. The doctor, either because he did not have the means, or because he did not want to be separated from his young wife at first during his marriage, took her everywhere with him in the hussar regiment, and the doctor’s jealousy became a common subject of jokes between the hussar officers.
Rostov threw on his cloak, called Lavrushka with his things behind him and walked with Ilyin, sometimes rolling through the mud, sometimes splashing in the subsiding rain, in the darkness of the evening, occasionally broken by distant lightning.
- Rostov, where are you?
- Here. What lightning! - they were talking.

In the abandoned tavern, in front of which stood the doctor’s tent, there were already about five officers. Marya Genrikhovna, a plump, fair-haired German woman in a blouse and nightcap, was sitting in the front corner on a wide bench. Her husband, a doctor, was sleeping behind her. Rostov and Ilyin, greeted with cheerful exclamations and laughter, entered the room.
- AND! “What fun you are having,” Rostov said, laughing.
- Why are you yawning?
- Good! That's how it flows from them! Don't wet our living room.
“You can’t dirty Marya Genrikhovna’s dress,” answered the voices.
Rostov and Ilyin hurried to find a corner where they could change their wet dress without disturbing Marya Genrikhovna’s modesty. They went behind the partition to change clothes; but in a small closet, filling it completely, with one candle on an empty box, three officers were sitting, playing cards, and did not want to give up their place for anything. Marya Genrikhovna gave up her skirt for a while to use it instead of a curtain, and behind this curtain Rostov and Ilyin, with the help of Lavrushka, who brought packs, took off the wet dress and put on a dry dress.
A fire was lit in the broken stove. They took out a board and, having supported it on two saddles, covered it with a blanket, took out a samovar, a cellar and half a bottle of rum, and, asking Marya Genrikhovna to be the hostess, everyone crowded around her. Some offered her a clean handkerchief to wipe her lovely hands, some put a Hungarian coat under her feet so that it would not be damp, some curtained the window with a cloak so that it wouldn’t blow, some brushed the flies off her husband’s face so that he would not wake up.
“Leave him alone,” said Marya Genrikhovna, smiling timidly and happily, “he’s already sleeping well after a sleepless night.”
“You can’t, Marya Genrikhovna,” the officer answered, “you have to serve the doctor.” That’s it, maybe he’ll feel sorry for me when he starts cutting my leg or arm.
There were only three glasses; the water was so dirty that it was impossible to decide whether the tea was strong or weak, and in the samovar there was only enough water for six glasses, but it was all the more pleasant, in turn and by seniority, to receive your glass from Marya Genrikhovna’s plump hands with short, not entirely clean, nails . All the officers seemed to really be in love with Marya Genrikhovna that evening. Even those officers who were playing cards behind the partition soon abandoned the game and moved on to the samovar, obeying the general mood of courting Marya Genrikhovna. Marya Genrikhovna, seeing herself surrounded by such brilliant and courteous youth, beamed with happiness, no matter how hard she tried to hide it and no matter how obviously shy she was at every sleepy movement of her husband, who was sleeping behind her.
There was only one spoon, there was most of the sugar, but there was no time to stir it, and therefore it was decided that she would stir the sugar for everyone in turn. Rostov, having received his glass and poured rum into it, asked Marya Genrikhovna to stir it.
- But you don’t have sugar? - she said, still smiling, as if everything that she said, and everything that others said, was very funny and had another meaning.
- Yes, I don’t need sugar, I just want you to stir it with your pen.
Marya Genrikhovna agreed and began to look for a spoon, which someone had already grabbed.
“You finger, Marya Genrikhovna,” said Rostov, “it will be even more pleasant.”
- It's hot! - said Marya Genrikhovna, blushing with pleasure.
Ilyin took a bucket of water and, dripping some rum into it, came to Marya Genrikhovna, asking him to stir it with his finger.
“This is my cup,” he said. - Just put your finger in, I’ll drink it all.
When the samovar was all drunk, Rostov took the cards and offered to play kings with Marya Genrikhovna. They cast lots to decide who would be Marya Genrikhovna's party. The rules of the game, according to Rostov’s proposal, were that the one who would be king would have the right to kiss Marya Genrikhovna’s hand, and that the one who would remain a scoundrel would go and put a new samovar for the doctor when he woke up.
- Well, what if Marya Genrikhovna becomes king? – Ilyin asked.
- She’s already a queen! And her orders are law.
The game had just begun when the doctor’s confused head suddenly rose from behind Marya Genrikhovna. He had not slept for a long time and listened to what was said, and, apparently, did not find anything cheerful, funny or amusing in everything that was said and done. His face was sad and despondent. He did not greet the officers, scratched himself and asked permission to leave, as his way was blocked. As soon as he came out, all the officers burst into loud laughter, and Marya Genrikhovna blushed to tears and thereby became even more attractive in the eyes of all the officers. Returning from the yard, the doctor told his wife (who had stopped smiling so happily and was looking at him, fearfully awaiting the verdict) that the rain had passed and that she had to go spend the night in the tent, otherwise everything would be stolen.
- Yes, I’ll send a messenger... two! - said Rostov. - Come on, doctor.
– I’ll watch the clock myself! - said Ilyin.
“No, gentlemen, you slept well, but I didn’t sleep for two nights,” said the doctor and gloomily sat down next to his wife, waiting for the end of the game.
Looking at the gloomy face of the doctor, looking askance at his wife, the officers became even more cheerful, and many could not help laughing, for which they hastily tried to find plausible excuses. When the doctor left, taking his wife away, and settled into the tent with her, the officers lay down in the tavern, covered with wet overcoats; but they didn’t sleep for a long time, either talking, remembering the doctor’s fright and the doctor’s amusement, or running out onto the porch and reporting what was happening in the tent. Several times Rostov, turning over his head, wanted to fall asleep; but again someone’s remark entertained him, a conversation began again, and again causeless, cheerful, childish laughter was heard.

At three o'clock no one had yet fallen asleep when the sergeant appeared with the order to march to the town of Ostrovne.
With the same chatter and laughter, the officers hastily began to get ready; again they put the samovar on dirty water. But Rostov, without waiting for tea, went to the squadron. It was already dawn; the rain stopped, the clouds dispersed. It was damp and cold, especially in a wet dress. Coming out of the tavern, Rostov and Ilyin, both in the twilight of dawn, looked into the doctor’s leather tent, shiny from the rain, from under the apron of which the doctor’s legs stuck out and in the middle of which the doctor’s cap was visible on the pillow and sleepy breathing could be heard.
- Really, she’s very nice! - Rostov said to Ilyin, who was leaving with him.
- What a beauty this woman is! – Ilyin answered with sixteen-year-old seriousness.
Half an hour later the lined up squadron stood on the road. The command was heard: “Sit down! – the soldiers crossed themselves and began to sit down. Rostov, riding forward, commanded: “March! - and, stretching out into four people, the hussars, sounding the slap of hooves on the wet road, the clanking of sabers and quiet talking, set off along the large road lined with birches, following the infantry and battery walking ahead.
Torn blue-purple clouds, turning red at sunrise, were quickly driven by the wind. It became lighter and lighter. The curly grass that always grows along country roads, still wet from yesterday’s rain, was clearly visible; The hanging branches of the birches, also wet, swayed in the wind and dropped light drops to their sides. The faces of the soldiers became clearer and clearer. Rostov rode with Ilyin, who did not lag behind him, on the side of the road, between a double row of birch trees.
During the campaign, Rostov took the liberty of riding not on a front-line horse, but on a Cossack horse. Both an expert and a hunter, he recently got himself a dashing Don, a large and kind game horse, on which no one had jumped him. Riding this horse was a pleasure for Rostov. He thought about the horse, about the morning, about the doctor, and never thought about the upcoming danger.
Before, Rostov, going into business, was afraid; Now he did not feel the slightest sense of fear. It was not because he was not afraid that he was accustomed to fire (you cannot get used to danger), but because he had learned to control his soul in the face of danger. He was accustomed, when going into business, to think about everything, except for what seemed to be more interesting than anything else - about the upcoming danger. No matter how hard he tried or reproached himself for cowardice during the first period of his service, he could not achieve this; but over the years it has now become natural. He now rode next to Ilyin between the birches, occasionally tearing leaves from branches that came to hand, sometimes touching the horse’s groin with his foot, sometimes, without turning around, giving his finished pipe to the hussar riding behind, with such a calm and carefree look, as if he was riding ride. He felt sorry to look at Ilyin’s agitated face, who spoke a lot and restlessly; he knew from experience the painful state of waiting for fear and death in which the cornet was, and knew that nothing except time would help him.
The sun had just appeared on a clear streak from under the clouds when the wind died down, as if it did not dare spoil this lovely summer morning after the thunderstorm; the drops were still falling, but vertically, and everything became quiet. The sun came out completely, appeared on the horizon and disappeared into a narrow and long cloud standing above it. A few minutes later the sun appeared even brighter on the upper edge of the cloud, breaking its edges. Everything lit up and sparkled. And along with this light, as if answering it, gun shots were heard ahead.
Before Rostov had time to think about and determine how far these shots were, the adjutant of Count Osterman Tolstoy galloped up from Vitebsk with orders to trot along the road.
The squadron drove around the infantry and battery, who were also in a hurry to go faster, went down the mountain and, passing through some empty village without inhabitants, climbed the mountain again. The horses began to lather, the people became flushed.
- Stop, be equal! – the division commander’s command was heard ahead.
- Left shoulder forward, step march! - they commanded from the front.
And the hussars along the line of troops went to the left flank of the position and stood behind our lancers who were in the first line. On the right stood our infantry in a thick column - these were reserves; above it on the mountain, our guns were visible in the clean, clear air, in the morning, oblique and bright light, right on the horizon. Ahead, behind the ravine, enemy columns and cannons were visible. In the ravine we could hear our chain, already engaged and cheerfully clicking with the enemy.
Rostov, as if hearing the sounds of the most cheerful music, felt joy in his soul from these sounds, which had not been heard for a long time. Tap ta ta tap! – suddenly, then several shots clapped quickly, one after another. Again everything fell silent, and again it was as if firecrackers were cracking as someone walked on them.
The hussars stood in one place for about an hour. The cannonade began. Count Osterman and his retinue rode behind the squadron, stopped, talked with the regiment commander and rode off to the guns on the mountain.
Following Osterman’s departure, the lancers heard a command:
- Form a column, line up for the attack! “The infantry ahead of them doubled their platoons to let the cavalry through. The lancers set off, their pike weather vanes swaying, and at a trot they went downhill towards the French cavalry, which appeared under the mountain to the left.
As soon as the lancers went down the mountain, the hussars were ordered to move up the mountain, to cover the battery. While the hussars were taking the place of the lancers, distant, missing bullets flew from the chain, squealing and whistling.
This sound, not heard for a long time, had an even more joyful and exciting effect on Rostov than the previous sounds of shooting. He, straightening up, looked at the battlefield opening from the mountain, and with all his soul participated in the movement of the lancers. The lancers came close to the French dragoons, something was tangled there in the smoke, and five minutes later the lancers rushed back not to the place where they stood, but to the left. Between the orange lancers on red horses and behind them, in a large heap, were visible blue French dragoons on gray horses.

Rostov, with his keen hunting eye, was one of the first to see these blue French dragoons pursuing our lancers. Closer and closer the lancers and the French dragoons pursuing them moved in frustrated crowds. One could already see how these people, who seemed small under the mountain, collided, overtook each other and waved their arms or sabers.
Rostov looked at what was happening in front of him as if he were being persecuted. He instinctively felt that if he now attacked the French dragoons with the hussars, they would not resist; but if you hit, you had to do it now, this minute, otherwise it will be too late. He looked around him. The captain, standing next to him, did not take his eyes off the cavalry below in the same way.
“Andrei Sevastyanich,” said Rostov, “we will doubt them...
“It would be a dashing thing,” said the captain, “but in fact...
Rostov, without listening to him, pushed his horse, galloped ahead of the squadron, and before he had time to command the movement, the entire squadron, experiencing the same thing as him, set off after him. Rostov himself did not know how and why he did it. He did all this, as he did on the hunt, without thinking, without thinking. He saw that the dragoons were close, that they were galloping, upset; he knew that they could not stand it, he knew that there was only one minute that would not return if he missed it. The bullets screeched and whistled around him so excitedly, the horse begged forward so eagerly that he could not stand it. He touched his horse, gave the command, and at the same moment, hearing behind him the sound of the stomping of his deployed squadron, at full trot, he began to descend towards the dragoons down the mountain. As soon as they went downhill, their trot gait involuntarily turned into a gallop, which became faster and faster as they approached their lancers and the French dragoons galloping behind them. The dragoons were close. The front ones, seeing the hussars, began to turn back, the rear ones stopped. With the feeling with which he rushed across the wolf, Rostov, releasing his bottom at full speed, galloped across the frustrated ranks of the French dragoons. One lancer stopped, one foot fell to the ground so as not to be crushed, one riderless horse got mixed up with the hussars. Almost all the French dragoons galloped back. Rostov, having chosen one of them on a gray horse, set off after him. On the way he ran into a bush; a good horse carried him over, and, barely able to cope in the saddle, Nikolai saw that in a few moments he would catch up with the enemy whom he had chosen as his target. This Frenchman was probably an officer - judging by his uniform, he was bent over and galloping on his gray horse, urging it on with a saber. A moment later, Rostov’s horse hit the rear of the officer’s horse with its chest, almost knocking it down, and at the same moment Rostov, without knowing why, raised his saber and hit the Frenchman with it.
The instant he did this, all the animation in Rostov suddenly disappeared. The officer fell not so much from the blow of the saber, which only slightly cut his arm above the elbow, but from the push of the horse and from fear. Rostov, holding back his horse, looked for his enemy with his eyes to see whom he had defeated. The French dragoon officer was jumping on the ground with one foot, the other was caught in the stirrup. He, squinting in fear, as if expecting a new blow every second, wrinkled his face and looked up at Rostov with an expression of horror. His face, pale and splattered with dirt, blond, young, with a hole in the chin and light blue eyes, was not the face of a battlefield, not an enemy’s face, but a very simple indoor face. Even before Rostov decided what he would do with him, the officer shouted: “Je me rends!” [I give up!] In a hurry, he wanted and could not untangle his leg from the stirrup and, without taking his frightened blue eyes off, looked at Rostov. The hussars jumped up and freed his leg and put him on the saddle. Hussars from different sides fiddled with the dragoons: one was wounded, but, with his face covered in blood, did not give up his horse; the other, hugging the hussar, sat on the croup of his horse; the third, supported by a hussar, climbed onto his horse. The French infantry ran ahead, shooting. The hussars hastily galloped back with their prisoners. Rostov galloped back with the others, experiencing some kind of unpleasant feeling that squeezed his heart. Something unclear, confusing, which he could not explain to himself, was revealed to him by the capture of this officer and the blow he dealt him.
Count Osterman Tolstoy met the returning hussars, called Rostov, thanked him and said that he would report to the sovereign about his brave deed and would ask for the St. George Cross for him. When Rostov was demanded to appear before Count Osterman, he, remembering that his attack had been launched without orders, was fully convinced that the boss was demanding him in order to punish him for his unauthorized act. Therefore, Osterman’s flattering words and the promise of a reward should have struck Rostov all the more joyfully; but the same unpleasant, unclear feeling sickened him morally. “What the hell is tormenting me? – he asked himself, driving away from the general. - Ilyin? No, he's intact. Have I embarrassed myself in any way? No. Everything is wrong! “Something else tormented him, like remorse.” - Yes, yes, this French officer with a hole. And I remember well how my hand stopped when I raised it.”
Rostov saw the prisoners being taken away and galloped after them to see his Frenchman with a hole in his chin. He, in his strange uniform, sat on a winding hussar horse and restlessly looked around him. The wound on his hand was almost not a wound. He feigned a smile at Rostov and waved his hand as a greeting. Rostov still felt awkward and ashamed of something.
All this day and the next, Rostov's friends and comrades noticed that he was not boring, not angry, but silent, thoughtful and concentrated. He drank reluctantly, tried to remain alone and kept thinking about something.
Rostov kept thinking about this brilliant feat of his, which, to his surprise, bought him the St. George Cross and even made him a reputation as a brave man - and he just couldn’t understand something. “So they are even more afraid of us! - he thought. – So that’s all there is to it, what’s called heroism? And did I do this for the fatherland? And what is he to blame with his hole and blue eyes? And how scared he was! He thought that I would kill him. Why should I kill him? My hand trembled. And they gave me the St. George Cross. Nothing, I don’t understand anything!”
But while Nikolai was processing these questions within himself and still did not give himself a clear account of what had so confused him, the wheel of happiness in his career, as often happens, turned in his favor. He was pushed forward after the Ostrovnensky affair, they gave him a battalion of hussars and, when it was necessary to use a brave officer, they gave him instructions.

Having received the news of Natasha’s illness, the Countess, still not entirely healthy and weak, came to Moscow with Petya and the whole house, and the entire Rostov family moved from Marya Dmitrievna to their own house and completely settled in Moscow.

A country
 USA
State / province
 California
City
 San Jose
Conference
 Western
Division
 Pacific (Pacific)
Official site
 http://sharks.nhl.com/
Stadium
 HP Pavilion
Capacity

Capacity 17496 people.


Story

Considering the San Jose Sharks club's not-so-impressive work history by NHL standards, it would be hard to classify it as an unexplored youth. During its existence on the map of the leading hockey League of North America, the team made no less a splash than Cinderella at her first ball in her life. A series of ups and downs did not prevent the Sharks from staying on the crest of the wave and gaining popularity not only in their native “water area”, but also, going beyond it, becoming one of the most beloved teams in the entire hockey world. The chronological sequence of the developing success of the Sharks is presented to your attention in the historical summary of events.

It all started on May 9, 1990, when the NHL allowed George and Gordon Gund to sell the Minnesota North Stars in exchange for the right to create a new club in the so-called Bay Area. According to the plan, his invasion of the League was scheduled for the 91/92 season. On June 26, a symbolic laying of the foundation took place on the site where the San Jose Arena was to appear some time later.

The creators of the image of future NHL debutants had a difficult task to solve. Bearing in mind how important it is not to make a mistake, or rather even to guess, with the introduction of a new “brand”, a trademark, they very carefully and scrupulously approached the problem of choosing a name. In July, more than 2,300 (!) possible options were put to a vote, in which over 5,700 people participated. The winner received a “consolation” prize - a trip for two to Chicago for the traditional “star” match. By the way, one proposal even came from Italy. The fateful decision was made by representatives of 47 states and all Canadian provinces. The "Top 15" in alphabetical order was as follows: Icebreakers, Blades, Breakers, Breeze, Fog, Gold, Golden Gaters, Golden Skaters, Grizzlies, Condors, Knights, Redwoods, Sea Lions, Sharks and Waves. In the end, the choice fell on the Sharks, and the author of the idea was a certain Allen Spear from San Jose. On September 6, the fact that the name “Sharks” was assigned to the club was officially announced.

Why exactly the Sharks? Today this question sounds a little trivial. And yet the rational grain could be traced quite clearly. First, there are seven different species of sharks that live in the Pacific Ocean surrounding the California Peninsula. And the bay, to which, in fact, the city of San Jose is adjacent, was generally dubbed the “red triangle” due to the incredible number of marine killers. Secondly, numerous research institutes are concentrated in this area, the main activity of which is the search for sharks, the study of species and their conservation. And finally, according to Executive Vice President of Marketing Matt Levine: “Sharks are ruthless, determined, fast, agile, smart and fearless. We want our organization to meet all of the above qualities.”

While the construction of a new palace designed for 18 thousand people was in full swing, it was necessary to solve the problem of the temporary stay of the newly created “Sharks”, that is, to provide ice for home games. After consulting, George Gund and San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery decided that within two years that location would be the Cow Palace in Daly City. On December 12, an agreement in principle was concluded between the city council and the management of the San Jose Arena. Those in power donated $125 million from the city treasury to fund the construction of the palace. In addition to hockey, basketball competitions were planned, and then the capacity was automatically increased to 19 thousand spectators. Plus, holding events of a different kind allowed the San Jose Arena to host up to 20 thousand people. In turn, the Sharks management promised to contribute 17-20 million “conventional units” with the wording “for convenience.” The first visitors were supposed to cross the threshold of a fresh masterpiece of American architecture of the late twentieth century in September 1993.

On February 12, 1991, the original logo, the creation of highly qualified designers Terry Smith and Mike Blatt, was released. The long-awaited premiere of both versions (home and away) of branded jerseys took place. The demonstration was led by Sharks co-owner George Gand and world hockey legend Gordie Howe.

On March 30, a two-year contract was signed between the San Jose Sharks and the International Hockey League team Kansas City Blades. Its terms stipulate that the latter will be the Sharks’ farm club for a specified period.

George Kingston became San Jose's first head coach. His assumption of office was announced on April 12.

At the end of May, NHL bosses actually gave the Sharks the green light, receiving from them $50 million - the mandatory fee required to join the League. A few days later, in the expansion draft, the first 34 players are available to the Sharks. The traditional rookie draft takes place on June 22, and San Jose managers play a kind of roulette for the first time. They pick second, and the Sharks jersey is being worn by right winger Pat Falloon, who previously played in the West Coast League. So, everything necessary for the start of the regular season is almost ready. The Sharks play their first NHL game on October 4th. They were expected to visit in Vancouver.

Admittedly, the Canucks were somewhat shocked. After two periods, San Jose was inferior to the hosts 0:3. Perhaps no one expected a different result. However, in the final third everything turned upside down. The Sharks, without delaying the matter, immediately decided to cement their reputation as a sensational team. The demonstrated character allowed the guests to restore the balance - 3:3. Vancouver panicked. It was close to overtime, but 19 seconds before the “x” moment, the Canucks were saved by Trevor Linden. Is it fair to think that the Sharks lost in this case? We bring this issue to your consideration. Oh, by the way, we almost forgot to mention Craig Cox, the legendary man, or rather the legendary shark, who committed the first deadly bite. Mark Pavelich and Neil Wilkinson cleared the fairway for Cox, who, 4 minutes 9 seconds into the third period, turned on the red light behind the Vancouver goal.

On October 8, the Sharks confirmed the superiority of the water element over fire. The Calgary Flames, carried by a tailwind to San Jose, arrived at the Cow Palace ice, where, however, they were disappointed. The Sharks won their first victory at home - 4:3. A draw, apparently, did not suit the capricious “Sharks”, and 3 and a quarter minutes before the end of regulation time, Kelly Kisio tipped the scales in the right direction.

As for the away model, San Jose did not find self-realization until November 30th. In Calgary, the sad tradition has ceased to exist. And again the game is on the edge with a minimal advantage of one of the “appositions”. Steve Bozek and David Bruce made the recent Stanley Cup winners feel uncomfortable in front of a Canadian audience. Sharks goalkeeper Jeff Hackett had a glimmer of hope for a shutout. But one and a half minutes before the final siren, the famous beam disappeared into space “thanks to” Gary Suter. In the end, only (!?) 2:1.

The euphoria from the “entrance exams” has passed and the daily routine work has begun for the right to immediately (and why not?) grab the tidbit, which is usually considered a place in the playoffs. Having passed half the distance of the regular championship, the NHL freezes in anticipation of the All Stars match. In January 1992, stars were supposed to appear in the Philadelphia sky. The Sharks sent Doug Wilson on a trip to the opposite coast of America. Wilson was at home on the Campbell Conference team, as evidenced by his six previous All-Star appearances.

According to established tradition, NHL debutants remain somewhat in the shadows in the spring, and the Sharks were no exception. At the end of June, a reshuffle is coming in the “highest echelons of power”, as a result of which general manager Jack Ferreira gives up his powers, Dean Lombardi takes over the duties of vice president and director of hockey operations, Chuck Grillo also receives the position of vice president and is now responsible for personnel selection (read players). Let us add that the responsibilities of the vice president fell on the shoulders of head coach George Kingston. Is there anything in store for the Sharks in their second season in the NHL?

On November 17 in Los Angeles, goalkeeper Arthur Irbe brings San Jose a truly historic and triumphant victory over the Kings - 6:0. This is the first shutout in Sharks history. For the sake of such success, the “Baltic wall” probably had to resort to practical magic and bewitch the entire “Forum”: not one of the 39 shots of the Kings hockey players did not reach the desired goal. Exactly three days later, Sharks captain Doug Wilson reached the 1,000 career game mark. Ironically, the opposite side of the fence was occupied by the Chicago Blackhawks, the team whose ranks Wilson defended for 14 seasons. The day of December 3 was marked by another remarkable event: NHL newcomer Rob Goudreau, playing only his second game, “shipped” three pucks against the Hartford Whalers. However, despite the hat-trick and overwhelming support from the home crowd, the Sharks were powerless against the Whalers and lost with a score of 5:7. By the way, on January 5, 1993, Rob Goudreau was recognized as the best newcomer of the month. To tell the truth, there were no options left to make a different decision: in 14 games, Rob accurately “shot” 14 times (including 2 (!) hat-tricks) and in 5 cases acted as a “carrier of shells”.

In early February, North America experienced its annual “star change” in Montreal. Once again, the lucky tickets have been booked for the Sharks - Kelly Kisio and Mike Sullivan. And I must admit, in San Jose there was no need to blush for “our own people.” Sullivan looked very good in the SuperSkills (second place in the speed skating competition with a time of 13.658 seconds for two laps), and Kisio, whose participation in the All Stars match was the first, gave a surprise the next day: a goal plus an assist .

Now we will make a significant time leap, leaving behind almost six months, in order to mark in the history of “San Jose”, perhaps, a turning point, called an incredible return in many reference books. On June 16, new Sharks coach Kevin Constantine was introduced at a specially convened press conference. By the way, the Sharks coaching bridge has been empty for two months now, since George Kingston was forced to leave the team for the “outstanding” result of his players in the regular season. It must be admitted that Konstantin is certainly a desperate person, an intriguer like few. Otherwise, how else can we interpret the excerpt from his then statement: “San Jose” will take part in the playoffs in the very near future.” It is quite understandable that the media reacted to what they heard with a degree of irony and skepticism. How else were they supposed to react to Konstantin’s words, which were actually unsupported, if the Sharks last season set the NHL anti-record of all time - 71 defeats. The journalists, reasonably citing Kevin’s youth, and, most likely, not attaching much importance to his promises, having done their job, went home. No one knew that day that the Sharks were destined to excite and turn the hockey world upside down.

A new figure appears at the Californian headquarters - Greg Jamison, executive vice president and chief of operations. Meanwhile, the commissioning of the newest San Jose Arena was approaching.

Its opening ceremony took place on September 7. The event turned into a two-day celebration. The city, including all layers of society, was walking. And the next day, the first official show took place within the walls of the palace - a circus performance. The organizers, having sold 16,356 tickets, clearly made the right decision.

But the main thing, for the sake of which, in fact, the construction of the arena was started - hockey. And taking into account the recent match of Kevin Constantine, the wait for the start of a new championship became unbearable. September 30 is the first game at the San Jose Arena as part of the exhibition series. The Sharks hosted the New York Islanders and won 4-2.

And now the season has begun. An ominous nine-game stretch, in which the Sharks lost eight times and drew once, has left skeptics rubbing their hands. The only mitigating circumstance for them was the fact that out of 20 declared hockey players, Konstantin had 12 newcomers at his disposal. However, San Jose’s plans did not include another return to outsiders in the Western Conference. And besides everything else, Kevin Constantine needed to keep his word, so the “Sharks” change course exactly the opposite, and in the next 8 meetings the result seems more tangible: 4 wins, 2 fiascoes and 2 draws. The club goes on tour in November. The specialists “freeze” in anticipation. But here again everything goes without a hitch: San Jose’s opponents capitulated three times, the same number of draws with only one misfire. It is noteworthy that by the end of December the Sharks had more away victories than in the previous two seasons.

On January 22, 1994, New York hosted the NHL stars. Among others, the “city of contrasts” welcomed Arturs Irbe and Sandis Ozoliņš with open arms. For both, participation in the All-Star format matches was their debut. Irbe brilliantly defended the second twenty minutes and was recognized as the top goalkeeper of the Western Conference. Ozolins became the most productive player in his team with 2 goals and one assist.

March-April marked the final stage of the regular season. The Sharks embarked on a final spurt to their playoff destination, which included a record 9-game unbeaten streak for San Jose (7 wins and 2 draws). On April 5, after the “Kings” from Los Angeles were “overthrown” away, it became finally clear: the Sharks would fight for the Stanley Cup. Which means Kevin Constantine kept his promise. And his team accomplished the largest coup in NHL history. After the disastrous 92/93 season, when the Sharks scored a measly 24 points in 84 games, their points equivalent was now 82 with a balance of 33 wins, 35 losses and 16 draws.

Of course, from the very beginning of the knockout matches, no one considered the Sharks as worthy competitors. Moreover, after the news that in the first round their counterparts would be the Detroit hockey players, who occupied the highest level in the West bracket, no one bet even a penny on Konstantin and Co. However, on April 30, North America refused to believe what had happened: in the 7th decisive match of the 1/8 finals of the Stanley Cup, San Jose put an end to the Red Wings' cup dreams. With 6 and a half minutes remaining in the final third, with the game tied at 2-2, Sharks center Jamie Baker tips the scales in favor of his teammates. The score 3:2 did not change until the final siren, and the Wings and Sharks went their separate ways.

It's hard to imagine what psychological state the Toronto Maple Leafs were in. After all, the Sharks went against the Canadian favorites in the quarterfinals. And if “San Jose”, having essentially jumped in over their heads, lost practically nothing, then the “Leaves” were in a slightly different status.

And here it is, the culmination of the season. Contrary to forecasts, which are still based on common sense and not on miracles, the Sharks lead the series 3:2. The next meeting could be decisive. It turns out to be decisive, but unfortunately against San Jose. In overtime, Toronto brings its opponents to their knees. And in the final 7th match, despite the fact that the Sharks significantly succeeded in shots on goal (32 versus 21), the numbers on the scoreboard summed up the score 4:2 with the advantage of the Maple Leafs.

It was all over, and it was time to draw some conclusions. First of all, I would like to remember those who made Kevin Constantine’s dream a reality directly on the ice arenas: these are hockey players from the post-Soviet space Sergei Makarov, Igor Larionov, Artur Irbe, Sandis Ozolins, veterans Jeff Norton and Ulf Dahlen, Pat Falloon, Ray Whitney and many others. Konstantin himself, by the way, took second place in the voting among applicants for the Jack Adams prize as the best coach of the year. The Sharks' incredible success was credited to their equally incredible fan support. San Jose Arena has sold out 28 of the Sharks' 41 home games. Commentators broadcasting from the “shark den” could sometimes barely hear themselves, as the “noise level” reached 117 decibels.

In the off-season, a lot of work is done to promote the team (in particular, agreements have been concluded with two radio stations) and to establish public relations. But on October 19, news agencies shocked millions of people by announcing a lockout. General hockey isolation continued until January 13, 1995, when the parties themselves finally realized that they could not live without a stick and puck, and, having signed a new six-year collective agreement, blessed the clubs for a shortened, but still another championship NHL.

As it turned out a little later, not only a lockout can cause the cancellation of a hockey spectacle. On March 10, for example, the Sharks-Red Wings game was postponed due to flooding.

But there were also events with a “plus” sign. On March 17, San Jose became the first NHL club to have its own website on the Internet.

Regardless of the version of the regular championship, the club’s goal is to occupy a niche in the top eight. And the “Sharks”, for the second time in a row, having caught on the bandwagon of the departing train, cope with the task. Once again, drama plays out as the No. 1 seeded Calgary Flames succumb to the pressure. In Game 7 of the opening Stanley Cup series, a minute and 54 seconds after the start of the second extra period, Ray Whitney irrevocably extinguishes the Flame. It was not possible for the Sharks to “swim” the quarterfinal barrier, just like a year ago.

In October, a reshuffle is coming on the San Jose coaching staff. Kevin Konstantin's assistants Vasiliy Tikhonov and Drew Remenda move to Kansas City and become head coach and assistant in the Blades' affiliate, respectively. Their predecessors Jim Wiley and Mark Kaufman are rushing to San Jose. In turn, Konstantin signs a new contract for a period of three years.

Less than two months have passed since the contract came into force, and Konstantin puts his resignation letter on the table. The reason for this is a thoughtless transfer line (the Sharks, for example, parted with such masters as Sergei Makarov and Sandis Ozolins), which led to unsatisfactory “out-of-semester” indicators. Next, the Sharks will surf the NHL under the management of Jim Wiley. The instability of San Jose in February-March led to changes in the management office. The situation with the head coach was definitely resolved by June 6, 1996. The case is taken over by Al Sims, who has 15 years of experience as an active player and three years of coaching with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The supporting roles included Wayne Cashman and Roy Sommer. New goals and objectives in San Jose were associated precisely with these people.

The most significant event of the 96/97 season was celebrated on December 17 of the outgoing year. This evening the stands of the San Jose Arena were filled to capacity for the hundredth time in a row (!).

The “All Stars” match (January 18, 1997), which literally gave the entire city an unforgettable holiday and a grandiose show, was written in golden letters in the history of “San Jose”. Let's immediately make a reservation that the All-Star match in San Jose was originally scheduled for 1995. The reason for its cancellation was the well-known lockout, which already shocked the entire sports community on both sides of the Atlantic. Therefore, the traditional congress of talents did not fit into the already compressed schedule of the shortened champion. It seemed that the Pacific Coast would not soon see a “starfall”, and yet the League bosses again granted San Jose this privilege two years later. It is noteworthy that the city received a chance to host the All Stars Weekend faster than other geographic locations that appeared on the NHL map in the 90s. Ottawa, Anaheim, Phoenix, Florida, due to a number of reasons, are still languishing in anticipation of their turn. Only the Tampa Bay organization dared to book 1999 for a star-studded forum.

Owen Nolan and Tony Granato were called up from the “Sharks” to the Western Conference banners. The latter received a special invitation with the wording “for his dedication to hockey.” A little earlier, Tony bravely underwent a complex brain operation and found the strength to return to the ice.

Who would have thought that it was Owen Nolan who would later become the headliner of the entire “star” match. By the way, the day before, in the traditional “SuperSkills” competition, Owen was one step away from winning the throwing accuracy competition. Even then, the legendary Ray Bourque took the palm from our hero. Nolan's hour struck exactly one day later.

It was definitely a moment of glory. You know, even “Star Weekends,” despite all its shockingness and pomp, often fade into oblivion due to the lack of some intrigue, or a single bright episode that, over time, will unmistakably recall the events of bygone days.

So, it was the third period of the meeting. General joy, fun. The smiles never leave the players' faces. Beautiful, easy, relaxed hockey, plenty of pucks. “East” gave the “West” a more than solid head start (11-5). The unforgettable Buffalo goalkeeper Dominik Hasek took his place in the goal of the nominal visiting team, which were representatives of the Eastern Conference. This is where it all started. What “Dominator” began to create absolutely defies logic. It seemed that they simply didn’t have time to warn the Czech: “Dominic, this is a “Match of Stars” show. You shouldn’t take everything so personally.” But “Dominator” had no time for show. Having caught the courage, Hasek seemed like an insurmountable iceberg, against which the attacks of the “Westerners” were broken over and over again. It is simply impossible to convey the disappointment of Owen Nolan, Pavel Bure (both had a double before the final twenty minutes), and Theo Fleury, who constantly tormented the opponents' defense, but every time they "stepped on the same rake." There was no trace left of the hosts’ festive euphoria; even some resentment towards Dominic slipped into their eyes. They say that he allows himself here, after all, this is not the regular season or the playoffs for him! “Breaking through” the stubborn Hasek became a matter of principle. This was the intrigue. The score itself was no longer of interest to anyone. "Dominator" concentrated everyone's attention on himself.

The tension reached its climax. And now, the long-awaited denouement comes. There are 6 minutes of playing time left before the final siren. Owen Nolan receives a pass in the middle zone on the left side and, determined, begins another raid towards the final frontier of the Eastern Conference. The spectators, who have also not lost hope for a “miracle,” without sparing their vocal cords and anticipating triumph, increasingly begin to charge the sound wave. No one can imagine what will happen in a moment. And the following will happen. Nolan, bypassing the blue line, will enter the zone and move slightly to the center, finding himself, in fact, one on one with the irreconcilable “Dominator”. You can understand the emotional state of Owen, who wanted to “shoot” in front of his fans at all costs. And he gave vent to his feelings. His foppish gesture, as well as the entire episode, will be savored by video engineers more than once: the distance between him and Hasek is inexorably closing, Nolan dribbles the puck with one hand, and with the other he points to the super-Czech in the corner where the shot will be thrown. There follows a Moscow Art Theater pause, after which the rubber disc... is sent “with tassels” to the “nine”. It is impossible to describe what happened in the stands in words. It was a fabulous finale. Many, however, later came to the idea of ​​calling all of the above a script, a successfully executed production, or, in a word, an action planned in advance. As for Owen Nolan, then and now he categorically denies involvement in, as they say, falsification of facts. How everything really happened is up to you to judge.

I was frankly surprised, or rather even disappointed, by the decision of the NHL's top jury, which determined the most valuable player of the match. According to all the laws of the genre, they simply had to recognize Nolan as the “shark”. His hat-trick, which included a geyser of adrenaline at the end, was perhaps the main event of the evening. However, people who had, frankly, a mediocre attitude towards hockey had a different opinion: they chose... Mark Recchi, who also reached the top with three goals scored. This kind of decision, understandably, was accepted with hostility by the audience. Recchi himself was no less surprised than others, and admitted that from now on, apparently, he would be guaranteed a “warm” welcome at the San Jose Arena. It remains to add that the “cream” of the NHL, divided along the West-East principle, crossed their sticks in San Jose for the last time.

The 1997/1998 season turned out to be traditionally quite good for the young team. Before the start of the games, the club was led by Darryl Sutter, who has never missed the Stanley Cup in 21 seasons as a player and coach. However, San Jose did not start the championship well, but as the season progressed, players such as Mike Vernon, Kenneth Sutton, John McLean, Brian Marchment, Dave Lowry, Mike Ricci, and Joe Murphy joined the club and made the team one of the most experienced in the League. They helped the club reach 8th place in the Western Conference, but in the first round of the playoffs the Sharks lost to President's Cup winner Dallas. The California squad lost the first two meetings of the starting round, after fights on their ice they restored the balance in the score, but subsequently only Dallas won, snatching the last success in overtime. “Each of our players showed true sportsmanship,” John McLean said after the defeat. “But we can expect a lot from this team in the future.”

A similar story happened the next year, where during the regular season the Sharks set several club records. Again - an unconvincing start (0 wins in 8 games), several smart acquisitions and as a result - entry into the playoffs, where the opponent was the strengthened Theo Fleury "Colorado". However, the main hero of the confrontation between the Sharks and the Avalanche was the young Denver forward Milan Hejduk, who scored the decisive goals twice in overtime. The series scenario was exactly the same as the year before with Dallas: 0-2, 2-2, 2-4, with the last defeat in overtime.

We note the arrival of current leaders Vincent Damphousse and Niklas Sundström to the team, as well as the appointment on October 28, 1998 of Owen Nolan as the fifth captain in the history of the Sharks. The club’s most productive player for the second year in a row was young Jeff Friesen, who removed the same Nolan from this “post.”

However, it was Nolan who became the main ringleader of San Jose in the 1999/2000 season. He became the only hockey player in the NHL to score at least 40 goals (44), as well as accumulate at least 100 penalty minutes (110) and perform at least 200 power moves (209). His percentage of the team's total goals was second in the League after Pavel Bure (19.7 vs. 23.8). At the same time, 11 Sharks players scored at least 10 goals in the season; only Pittsburgh, Colorado and St. Louis could boast a similar result. The club's leading defenseman with 36 points, Brad Stewart, was nominated for Rookie of the Year, and another debutant, Evgeni Nabokov, became the first rookie goaltender in NHL history to finish 0-0 in his first game. But Nabokov’s opponent in that fight was not just anyone, but Patrick Roy himself, whom many consider the greatest goalkeeper in the annals of the NHL.

The team's success continued in the playoffs. Quite unexpectedly, the Californians knocked out the winner of the regular season, St. Louis, from the dispute for the main trophy of the season, but already in the next round, in five matches, they laid down their arms in front of Dallas.

The 2000/2001 championship became one of the most successful in the club's history. Having improved their points performance for the 5th year in a row, the Sharks, even despite the injuries of Owen Nolan and Vincent Damphousse, rose to fifth place in the Western Conference and received St. Louis, who had been offended by them a year earlier, as opponents at the first stage. This time, the Bluesmen took a more responsible approach in the fight against San Jose, and Darryl Sutter’s charges were forced to go on vacation after just 6 matches. Teemu Selanne, received in March in exchange for Friesen and Steve Shields, did not shine very well in the playoffs, but Sharks fans, not without reason, hope that the “Finnish Flash” will still prove himself as part of their favorite club. This season was triumphant for Evgeni Nabokov, who received the Calder Trophy as a reward - the prize for the best newcomer of the year.

The Sharks have already accustomed their fans to the fact that they regularly reach the playoffs. “San Jose” is one of six clubs in the West that has consistently participated in the Silver Bowl for the last four years. But the Sharks have not yet achieved any real success. Let's believe that they are still ahead.

San Jose Sharks roster for the 2008/09 season:
Goalkeepers: Evgeniy Nabokov , Brian Boucher.
Defenders: Dan Boyle, Rob Blake, Christian Ehrhoff, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Doug Murray, Brad Lukovich.
Left wingers: Patrick Marleau, Milan Michalek, Marcel Goch, Tomas Plihal.
Center forwards: Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Torrey Mitchell, Jeremy Roenick.
Right Forwards: Jonathan Cheechoo, Ryan Clow, Mike Greer, Devin Setoguchi.

Transitions in the 2008 off-season:
Key acquisitions: h. Dan Boyle (Tampa Bay), D. Brad Lakovich (Tampa Bay), D. Rob Blake (Los Angeles).
Key losses: h. Craig Rive (Buffalo), D. Brian Campbell (Chicago), d. Matthew Karl (Tampa Bay).

Salary for the 2008/09 season:
Players whose salaries exceed $1 million are listed
n. Joe Thornton - $7,200,000
h. Dan Boyle - $6,666,667
n. Patrick Marleau - $6,300,000
V. Evgeniy Nabokov - $5,375,000
h. Rob Blake - $5,000,000
n. Milan Michalek - $4,333,333
h. Christian Ehrhoff - $3,100,000
n. Jonathan Cheechoo - $3,000,000
h. Kyle McLaren - $2,500,000
n. Mike Greer - $1,775,000
n. Joe Pavelski - $1,637,500
n. Ryan Clow - $1,600,000
h. Brad Lukovich - $1,566,667
n. Devin Setoguchi - $1,246,667
n. Jeremy Roenick - $1,000,000
h. Mark-Edouard Vlasic - $1,000,000

The best San Jose Sharks hockey players of all time (The Hockey News version, November 2007):
1. n. Joe Thornton, 2nd Owen Nolan 3. c. Evgeniy Nabokov , 4. n. Patrick Marlowe 5. n. Igor Larionov , 6. n. Mike Ricci, 7. c. Artur Irbe, 8. z. Mike Rathje, 9. n. Vincent Damfousse, 10. n. Jonathan Cheechoo.

Statistics for the 2007/08 season:
Result: 49-23-10 (2nd place in the conference)
Pucks scored: 222 (10th place in conference)
Missed goals: 193 (3rd place in conference)
Playoffs: lost in the quarter finals
Glasses: Joe Thornton - 96
Goals: Joe Thornton - 29
Gears: Joe Thornton - 67
Penalty minutes: Craig Rive - 104
According to the +/- system: Doug Murray - 20
Power play goals: Joe Thornton - 11
Shorthanded goals: Mike Greer - 3
Winning goals: Jeremy Roenick - 10

Doug Wilson

Captain: Joe Thornton Farm clubs: Worcester Sharks (AHL)
Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL)
China Sharks (Shanghai ALIH) Trophies: Conference victories: No Division wins: 2001-02 , 2003-04 , 2007-08 , 2008-09 , 2009-10 , 2010-11

Story

Hockey in the Bay Area

Sharks celebrate 4-0 win over Phoenix 12/11/2006

In the 2009/10 season, the team was one of the strongest in the regular championship, went through two rounds of the playoffs (beating Colorado and Detroit), and then lost dryly in the conference finals to the future cup winner, the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the summer of 2010, the only Russian legionnaire left the team, its main goalkeeper for several years - Evgeni Nabokov, in whose place the current Stanley Cup winner, Chicago Blackhawks goalkeeper Antti Niemi, was taken.

In the 2010/2011 season, the Sharks also failed to take the coveted trophy - having won a difficult series against Detroit in the second round (4:3), they became easy prey for the Stanley Cup finalists - the Vancouver Canucks beat them with a score of 4:1.

In the summer of 2011, management decided that the San Jose team lacked strength on defense, as a result of which talented forward Devin Setoguchi was traded to Minnesota for defenseman Brent Burns the day after he was signed by the Sharks. Also, Dany Heatley, one of the forwards of the “Troika from San Jose”, was sent to the same Minnesota in exchange for Martin Gavlat. Antti Niemi again became the main goalkeeper in the 2011/2012 season. Goalkeeper Anterro Niitymmäki was unable to start the season due to injury, and the place of second goalkeeper was taken by German Thomas Greiss, who had been waiting for his chance for several years. It was planned that after Niitymmäki recovered from his injury, he would again take the place of the team’s second goalkeeper, but Greiss showed himself well this season and there was no place for the Finn. Shortly before the trade ban day, Anterro was sent first to a farm club and then to the Finnish league.

Statistics

Abbreviations: I = matches played in the regular season, W = wins, L = losses, D = draws, PO = overtime losses, O = points, G = goals scored, P = goals conceded, P = penalty time (min.), Reg . champion = place taken in the specified division based on the results of the regular season, Playoffs = result in the playoffs

Season AND IN P N BY ABOUT ZSH PS SHV Reg. champion Playoffs
1991-92 80 17 58 5 - 39 219 359 1894 6, Smith didn't hit
1992-93 84 11 71 2 - 24 218 414 2134 6, Smith didn't hit
1993-94 84 33 35 16 - 82 252 265 1343 3, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-3 Detroit
1/2 conf. 3-4 Toronto
1994-95 48 19 25 4 - 42 129 161 840 3, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-3 Calgary
1/2 conf. 0-4 Detroit
1995-96 82 20 55 7 - 47 252 357 1480 7, Pacific didn't hit
1996-97 82 27 47 8 - 62 211 278 2085 7, Pacific didn't hit
1997-98 82 34 38 10 - 78 210 216 1417 4, Pacific 1/4 conf. 2-4 Dallas
1998-99 82 31 33 18 - 80 196 191 1423 4, Pacific 1/4 conf. 2-4 Colorado
1999-00 82 35 30 10 7 87 225 214 1292 4, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-3 St. Louis
1/2 conf. 1-4 Dallas
2000-01 82 40 27 12 3 95 217 192 1364 2, Pacific 1/4 conf. 2-4 St. Louis
2001-02 82 44 27 8 3 99 248 199 1249 1, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-1 Phoenix
1/2 conf. 3-4 Colorado
2002-03 82 28 37 9 8 73 214 239 1112 5, Pacific didn't hit
2003-04 82 43 21 12 6 104 219 183 1091 1, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-1 St. Louis
1/2 conf. 4-2 Colorado
Finnish conf. 2-4 Calgary
2004-05 - - - - - - - - - - -
2005-06 82 44 27 - 11 99 265 235 1058 2, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-1 Nashville
1/2 conf. 2-4 Edmonton
2006-07 82 51 26 - 5 107 256 197 939 2, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-1 Nashville
1/2 conf. 2-4 Detroit
2007-08 82 49 23 - 10 108 216 187 1061 1, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-3 Calgary
1/2 conf. 2-4 Dallas
2008-09 82 53 18 - 11 117 251 199 1037 1, Pacific 1/4 conf. 2-4 Anaheim
2009-10 82 51 20 - 11 113 264 215 ---- 1, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-2 Colorado
1/2 conf. 4-1 Detroit
final of the conf. 0-4 Chicago
2010-11 82 48 25 - 9 105 248 213 ---- 1, Pacific 1/4 conf. 4-2 Los Angeles
1/2 conf. 4-3 Detroit
final of the conf. 1-4 Vancouver
2011-12 82 43 29 - 10 96 228 210 ---- 2, Pacific 1/4 conf. 1-4 St. Louis

Current lineup

Goalkeepers Defenders Forwards

Hockey players, immigrants from the countries of the former USSR, who played for the club

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