After the holiday rush and missing many game recaps over the last 2 weeks, the Buzz will get on track with a “Circus Trip Recap”.

San Jose Sharks (14-3-1) @ Chicago Blackhawks (7-3-5)

6 – 5 Loss

Last night the Hawks hosted the top team in the league. Nope, Detroit sucks. It’s San Jose. This is the last home game before the circus comes to town. This game was expected to be a good gauge for the Hawks, matching up against an elite team with a high powered offense. Plenty of Blackhawk ties in the Shark’s organization from the front office in GM Dougie Wilson, to Assistant Coach Trent Yawney, to the aging JR and Boucher on the ice.

The Hawks looked outmatched for the first 20 minutes of the game. The big factor in this game was special teams. The Hawks had the 2^nd ranked PK coming into this game, but the kill didn’t look it. San Jose comes in with the 14^th ranked PP. Those rankings changed drastically as SJ went 4-for-6. They were just dominating. Although I begin to wonder if they may want to pay a little more attention to the Vlasic to Pavelski, back door to Doyle connection when they meet up again on the upcoming West Coast road trip. The Hawks just couldn’t keep up with the Sharks PP production.

The 4^th SJ goal was the result of a Brent Sopel turnover deep in the Hawks zone. That was the last we had seen of Sopes for the night. On a positive note, Versteeg scored twice on smart, hard nosed hockey sense more that anything else. First goal, he victimized backup goaltender Boucher behind the net. Second goal was a little trick shot, scored from behind the goal line, bounced off of Boucher and into the net. Kaner got back in the points column with a one-timer off a sweet Campbell pass across ice. Soupy had a good game and also scored on a cross ice one-timer from Barker.

So, we end the home stand on a sour note. It’s time to take the show on the road and see what we can do.

Positives:

× We hung in there against the top team in the league, with a phenomenal record of 15-3-1.

× The power play was 40% for the night and showed puck movement.

Negatives:

× The penalty kill was brutal. That was the difference in this game.

Game Notes:

× None

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× Brian Campbell – he stood out in last nights game and had 1G, 2A, +3. Nice set up on Kane’s goal.

Next Matchup:

November 18^th, Chicago Blackhawks @ Phoenix Coyotes

Record:

7-4-5 19 points

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020255