Yzerman takes a closer look at San Jose’s Olympic hopefuls

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With the Canadian Olympic team still not set in stone Steve Yzerman is visiting the arenas of the top prospects. This past Friday he was in San Jose and what a night it was. The Sharks faced the gritty Philadelphia Flyers fresh off a win against the Los Angeles Kings. It would be the top line of Thornton, Heatley, and Marleau that dazzled the sell out crowd and possibly cementing spots in the line up for team Canada.

Photo courtsey of MLS FAN20

Philly would get on the board first by a shot from Briere but San Jose tied it up on a PP with a goal by Malhotra in the first period. The night was all about the top line of Thornton, Heatley, and Marleau. On two of Thornton’s assists he had a clear shot on goal but chose to pass it to Heatley for the tip in. You could hear the sell out crowd yelling, “SHOOT!” at Jumbo Joe but he knew that Dany was on the doorstep of goaltender Ray Emery.

Thornton had 4 helpers for the evening marking his 600th and 601st career assists. This is the 9th time he has had a four-plus assist night. Jumbo also tied the Sharks franchise assist total in a single game for the second time this season being the 18th player to do so. Heater got his second hat trick as a Shark and 9th of his career, his second being shorthanded. Marleau added a goal to the mix making the top line a deadly threat. Clowe would seal the deal when he potted a goal with only 4:38 left in the game, a two-point night for him, making it 6-3 Sharks.

A notable fight broke out in the second period between Sharks defensemen Marc-Edourad Vlasic and the Flyers Danny Briere. Two unlikely candidates to drop the gloves, which is why it ended up being more of a slap fight. Pickles did get a few good shots in early before they tumbled to the ice. Not bad for Vlasic’s first NHL career fight.

Their offensive prowess carried over to Saturday as the Sharks flew down to face division rivals the Anaheim Ducks. Yzerman was in the arena once again after visiting Staples Center earlier that day to watch young Kings defensemen Drew Doughty. Ryane Clowe continued his point streak netting his 4th goal of the season. Dany and Jumbo Joe both had a goal and an assist that night. Patty’s helper on Thornton’s game winner brought his points total to 27 (14G and 13A).

Photo courtesy of MLS FAN20

Having guys like Heatley and Marleau to pass to is a dream for a player like Thornton. As of right now Joe is leading the NHL in assists with 25, he also has 7 goals for 32 pts. Heatley’s not doing to shabby either with 18 goals (league leading) and 10 assists for 28 points. If you add up just Dany, Patrick, and Joe’s points alone they have 87 in only 25 games. Don Cherry was talking about the current tip line of the Sharks on Coaches Corner during HNIC saying, “Stevie Yzerman I would suggest that this is your number one line, their top 3 in the five scoring. How could you get anyone else but Jumbo Joe, Heatley and Marleau?”

Marleau was moved to the top line with the Sharks suffering more injuries to their line up. It’s not certain if Patty will return to the second line when Seto gets back but as of right now these line mates are going nowhere except for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

CALL UPS AND INJURIES
Ryan Vesce was called up early Saturday morning from Worcester to join the team with Logan Couture out of the line up with flu like symptoms. Brad Staubitz will be out a few weeks he was hit in the face by a puck during practice. Captain Rob Blake is skating with the team again and should be back as soon as Thanksgiving, as well as forward Jody Shelley and Devin Setoguchi is eligible to play on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chelsea Alexander