Sharks 1- Kings 1
In an ugly game that was "highlighted" by cheap shots, fights, and the beginning of what looks like some serious dislike for each other, suberb goaltending and penalty killing was the real story.
Kings penalty killing was flawless, killing all 9 Sharks powerplays, while the Sharks were equally impressive allowing just 1 goal in 13 powerplays. Stellar goaltending was the reason this game stayed close and the two keepers were the first two stars.
The ugliness started when Marchment took exception to Phaneuf falling into his knee. Said Marchment, "I was just giving him a hipcheck when he darted around me...I accidentally stuck a knee out and hit him flush in the knees. He got up slowly and I yelled at him to be careful that he could have hurt me....Next thing I know he has his mouth going ...so I closed it for him, repeatedly."
The first period also saw Steen viciously run the Sharks goal keeper and despite loud complaints he received only a minor penalty. From that point on things only got worse as both sides worked hard to outdo the other with their cheapshots... Grigorenko and Drake were both given majors for spearing in separate attacks.
The second period saw more of the same with both teams exchanging vicious hits that were often over enthusiastic and as a result called penalties...Boarding, cross-checking, roghing, unsportsmenlike conduct...all signs of flaring tempers and increased dislike.
However, the worst (best) was yet to come...The 3rd period was a more difficult for the timekeeper than a sobriety test for the Kings GM...The parade never seemed to stop! The highlite was the much smaller Grigorenko holding his own against the MUCH bigger Phaneuf. Apparently, Phaneuf was angry because the Russian thought, with a name like that, he was from Newfoundland...
After the game Sharks GM Taejonguy had this to say-"Those B@stards! They came out spearfishing Sharks and then got mad when we slapped their Queenie @sses around the ice! If they want to play goon hockey then bring it on! Our players have no desire to stoop to their level but if they have to....Merde!"
After calming down he went on-"Sorry about that! They just tick me off! The coach yells something the other day at at a conference by their GM and look what he does...I am done here...before I get fined or something. You can bet game 239 is circled on our calendar!"
