October 20,2009, San Jose Sharks-New York Rangers game story for Metro (NY) Newspaper
Updated 09:37, October the 20th, 2009
Sharks’ sharp shooters light up Valiquette
Dany Heatley
What we saw last night at MSG ...
1 Snipers —San Jose’s scoring forwards dominated the Rangers and backup netminder Steve Valiquette. Devon Setoguchi potted two goals and Dany Heatley added another. Valiquette gave up five goals on 18 shots before getting pulled.
2 Blueshirts can’t hold — The Rangers scored two goals in the first 8:34. San Jose exploded for four goals in a span of 19:54 between the first and second periods.
3 Killing themselves — The Rangers committed four early penalties in a span of 28:33, which led to two power-play goals.
The San Jose Sharks’ general manager had been asked to compare Dany Heatley’s first period crease-crashing goal to the style of goals the 2008-09 version scored.
“You get the (goal) at the right time,” the San Jose GM said..
A little more than an hour later, John Tortorella lamented a negative aspect of his team’s game and threatened punishment if changes are not enacted.
“We have some things to work on. The first two periods, we weren’t as bad as the score was at that point in time. We put ourselves in penalty problems,” said Tortorella after the Rangers were outclassed, 7-3, by Western Conference contender San Jose Monday night at the Garden in every conceivable fashion. The Rangers next game is a home date with the Devils Thursday night. “I guess if guys don’t stop taking them, then they’re going to have to lose some ice time along the way. That has to stop. The only hammer we have as coaches is ice time.”
Tortorella had been concerned about the Rangers’ penchant for taking penalties. It finally came back to bite his charges last night. In all, the Rangers took seven penalties, including four in a span 28:33 between the first and second, two of which the Sharks cashed in.
“We have been talking about this for some time,” Vinny Prospal said in a silent locker room after the embarrassment was complete. “If you look at their personnel, this is a team that has a lot of skilled players that capitalize on the power plays and that is what happened.”
No kidding. Ten Sharks recorded a power play point; 13 Sharks finished with at least one point. Patrick Marleau finished with a goal and two assists. Devon Setoguchi potted two goals. Dany Heatley, Brad Staubitz, Jed Ortmeyer and Long Island native Ryan Vesce added markers. Jason Demers also had two assists. Douglas Murray, Heatley, Setoguchi, Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle, Kent Huskins, Jody Shelley and Benn Ferriero each had a helper.
Following the Sharks’ early skate at the Garden, Marleau said the Sharks needed “to come out to stronger starts and we haven’t been able to do that. It’s a matter of being ready for the game right from the drop of the puck. It’s time for us to step up and start of strong right from the start of the game.”
The Rangers had a 2-0 lead in the first eight and a half minutes, due to a Chris Drury deflection and a Michael Del Zotto power-play goal. Then the Rangers began taking penalties and San Jose exploded for six goals in 36:42 spanning the three periods. Five of the goals were charged to Stephen Valiquette, who only made 13 saves and was pulled for Henrik Lundqvist after the second period. Lundqvist yielded two third-period goals on 12 shots.
“I understand (why I was pulled). I am definitely angry and upset. I was part of the team not winning the hockey game and keeping our streak going. At the end of the night, I feel responsible,” Valiquette said.
He repeatedly criticized himself for allowing Staubitz’s first period 2-on-1 goal that cut the Rangers’ lead to 2-1, and was absolutely baffled as to what happened on Heatley’s tying goal.
“The second goal…I don’t even know how that puck ended up in the net. I don’t know,” the Rangers’ backup netminder said. “How did that second one (go in)? He dribbled it. Something happened.”
Something happened, all right. And now, for the first time in the 2009-10 campaign, the Rangers have to face adversity. And if they don't pop right back up, they'll be forced to face Tortorella's wrath.
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:06 AM
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