Sharks try to bounce back from 0-2 hole
Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks stickhandles past Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks and goes on to score against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks. (May 18, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks lost more than the first two games in the Western Conference finals during a lost trip to Vancouver. They also lost their composure.
From captain Joe Thornton challenging Ryan Kesler to a fight before the opening faceoff of Game 1 to enforcer Ben Eager's parade to the penalty box in Game 2, the Sharks have been on the wrong side of the aggression line and find themselves down 2-0 in the series.
Led by Eager's 20 penalty minutes, the Sharks committed 53 minutes in penalties in a 7-3 loss in Game 2 Wednesday night, leading to seven power-play chances and three man-advantage goals for the Canucks.
"That's often a result of frustration," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said yesterday. "It catches up with you . . . "
Eager was the biggest violator for the Sharks, committing four minor penalties and a misconduct in the final 21 minutes of the game. He also scored San Jose's third goal and was praised by McLellan for his forechecking and skating -- a sign that he likely will stay in the lineup Friday for Game 3.
The Canucks believe that shouldn't be San Jose's choice.
Coach Alain Vigneault was upset there wasn't more punishment from the NHL for Eager's hit from behind against Daniel Sedin in the final minute of the second period.
Eager also got a roughing call for taunting goalie Roberto Luongo after scoring to cut the deficit to 7-3.
"Obviously he's on the ice to try and hurt people," Vigneault said. "He ran Danny from the back . . . he ran our goaltender. Their coach goes out and says that's the way he wants them to play. I just hope nothing serious is going to happen on the ice, otherwise there will be some serious consequences to that."
