For their first preseason game of the 2003-04 season, Sharks Head Coach Ron Wilson started Evgeni Nabokov. The most important player in the lineup was Mike Ricci who's back is now offically ready for action.
As soon as the puck dropped, they dropped the gloves. Burnett got Parker off balance at first, only to see Parker quickly rise to his feet and take control of the bout. Almost as soon as he was up, Parker launched into the Duck winger, dropping him with one massive punch. Burnett was noticably wobbly and needed assistance off the ice. The HP Pavilion crowd roared their approval for the Sharks first true heavyweight in years.
At 6:32 of the first, the second scrap of the contest broke out. This time it was roster hopeful Yuri Moscevsky and Lance Ward for Anaheim. Moscevsky landed the best punch of the brief tussle before Ward landed on top of him as they both went to the ice.
San Jose received successive power plays before the midway point of the first, but could not convert despite the line of Vincent Damphousse, Michalek and Marco Sturm creating several chances on the first attempt.
Burnett, a former Sharks prospect, sought revenge on Parker when he returned to the ice, but was once again taken to task by the Sharks big winger. Parker dominated the fight despite the fact that Burnett's jersey came off during the bout.
San Jose held Anaheim without a shot until almost 14 minutes had passed in stanza when an innocent dump-in on Nabokov registered on the scoreboard. After one, the Sharks had recorded 12 shots to Anaheim's two.
Not a good start, at least according to the enemy website.
dang...we could have gotten Parker for a draft pick...but im glad Burnett atleast tries to get redemption after the first fight...even if he loses again
With 5:21 left in the third, Burnett for whatever reason thought the third time would be the charm went after Parker yet another time. In an effort to keep his teammate Parker in the game - a third fight is an automatic ejection - Moscevsky tried to break up the battle and was given a third man in. Just like the second battle, Burnett's jersey game off. The end result was Parker and Moscevsky (the Sharks two native Californians), along with Burnett, being ejected.
Still knotted at zero after two period, San Jose led on the shot board 21-10 and Nabokov's shutout streak was up to 100 minutes.
With 9:12 in the third, Anaheim finally solved Nabokov. A centering pass by Joffrey Lupul bounced of Jonathan Cheechoo, who was guarding a crashing Vinny Prospal, and found the back of the net.
A two-on-one rush with Nils Ekman and Cheechoo that couldn't quite connect led to a breakaway for the Ducks Ryan Getzlaf who blasted a shot past Nabokov.
2-1 Final.
And yes, it applies in the preseason. But I think its 4, not 2.
Burnett is just trying to earn a roster spot anyway he can...I think its pretty cool...He fills a necessary role that is open right now...lets just hope he isnt as out of control during the regular season...I think he will adjust.
Getzlaf deserves a roster spot right now more than Holmqvist and Smirnov...at this point if i have to watch Smirnov skate around doing nothing all season while Getzlaf is stuck playing for his junior team im going to be pretty angry.
First fight wasn't as bad as the Sharks site made it out to be. It looked like Burnett needed to be helped off because his head hit the ice when Parker landed on him. Parker CREAMED him in the second fight, though, no two ways about it.
And clearly Burnett is doing what Babcock is telling him to, or else he wouldn't have gone out and done it again. Babs wants to see him drop the gloves.
I sure hope Burnett makes the team, he's the WILLING (are you listening Mike Brown?) and TALENTED (in terms of fighting ability - unlike Kevin Sawyer) enforcer Ducks have lacked since Big Mac and Grim Reaper.
We don't need guys like Holmqvist or Smirnov on our 4th line, we need energy and physical play.
I agree...if the fourth line is only going to play 5 minutes a night it might as well have Severson and Burnett on it...Smirnov isnt going to accomplish anything in 5 minutes of playing time...but Severson and Burnett can get involved physically in limited minutes...
In my opinion...Smirnov and Popovic to Cinn...sign Getzlaf to a contract.
I sure hope Burnett makes the team, he's the WILLING (are you listening Mike Brown?) and TALENTED (in terms of fighting ability - unlike Kevin Sawyer) enforcer Ducks have lacked since Big Mac and Grim Reaper.
We don't need guys like Holmqvist or Smirnov on our 4th line, we need energy and physical play.
Non goons can bring that, too. Like Prospal, or that retard Hinote from the avs.
Besides we'll need the 4th line occasionally in the 3rd period, after this guy figures to have been ejected.
I disagree with you on this one CFoB.. Burnett is the type of player that fits in great with our team. Not only did he go after Parker once, but he went after him 3 times. That's my kind of player and I think he's Babcock's kind of player also.
Burnett is just trying to earn a roster spot anyway he can...I think its pretty cool...He fills a necessary role that is open right now...lets just hope he isnt as out of control during the regular season...I think he will adjust.
Getzlaf deserves a roster spot right now more than Holmqvist and Smirnov...at this point if i have to watch Smirnov skate around doing nothing all season while Getzlaf is stuck playing for his junior team im going to be pretty angry.
Getzlaf has made a beliver out of me too. I hope he makes the club and smirniv is sent to cincy. I wonder if Murray is willing to sign him to a contract.
