Author Archive

San Jose Sharks: Why the Dany Heatley Deal Wasn’t So One-Sided

Posted: 9th December 2009 by Andy Bensch in NHL
For those Sharks fans out there that were big Milan Michalek fans, I have two things to say to you. First, your worst fears appear to be coming true as Michalek is on pace for a 40+ goal season. Secondly, if you want to blame anybody for Michalek wearing a new sweater this season, blame Jonathan Cheechoo. If Cheechoo had produced at even half of his Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winning numbers of ...
From 2008-2009, the San Francisco Giants had their starting catcher Bengie Molina hit cleanup. Now despite being the most lackluster everyday cleanup hitter in the entire league, Molina was San Francisco's most productive offensive threat during that time frame. However, with the emergence of Pablo Sandoval and a lineup featuring veterans like Freddy Sanchez, Edgar Renteria, Aaron Rowand, and hopefully another year of Juan Uribe; Buster Posey would not be forced ...

The Not So Top 10 San Jose Sharks of All Time

Posted: 2nd December 2009 by Andy Bensch in NHL
About a month ago, I delved into the 18 year history of the San Jose Sharks and came up with a Top 25 performers to don the various teal colored sweaters. But after watching Sportscenter's "Not so Top 10 plays" the other day, I decided to take a look at the Sharks that aren't remembered highly for their time in San Jose. Whether they never lived up to the hype, ditched for ...

San Jose Sharks: Defense in Need of an Upgrade

Posted: 28th November 2009 by Andy Bensch in NHL
Despite squeaking out a 5-4 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, the San Jose Sharks experienced many of the same problems that enabled the Chicago Blackhawks to embarrass them on their home ice just two days prior. Poor defensive coverage and lack of hustle allowed the injury-plagued and bottom-feeding Oilers to take two different leads in the contest. After the Sharks opened the scoring in the ...

San Jose Sharks: 7-2 Loss Reminds Fans of April Showers

Posted: 26th November 2009 by Andy Bensch in NHL
When a club scores three short-handed goals in a single game, the opposing team isn't  going to win. But when the three "shorties" build a 3-0 lead and the second two come on the same power-play, the morale of the opposing team can sink no lower. However, in any sport, overcoming adversity is a must if a team has dreams of winning a league championship. In Wednesday night's 7-2 loss, the San Jose ...
If there is one weakness on the league leading San Jose Sharks roster, most people would say it's their depth on defense. After trading away veteran defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich over the offseason, San Jose fans in particular were worried about the inexperience on the defensive end. Starting out this season, the top-six defensive corps included an unknown rookie in Jason Demers and an almost as equally unknown Kent ...

A Loss in Green Bay: Why the 49ers Didn’t Beat the Packers

Posted: 22nd November 2009 by Andy Bensch in NFL
Everyone involved in footballùthe players, coaches, management personnel, and ownersùknows what the San Francisco 49ers want to be. They want to be a team that wins in the trenches. According to head coach Mike Singletary, the 49ers win with a tough physical defense, and an offense that relies on a smash mouth running style of football. If this is the case, then why are the 49ers second-to-last in the league in three-and-out ...

2010 Olympics: Canada vs. Russia for Hockey Gold?

Posted: 18th November 2009 by Andy Bensch in NHL
Every four years hockey fans get to enjoy their favorite game played on an international level. If anything can match a hockey player's dream of winning the Stanley Cup, it would be the dream of winning gold at the Olympics. This season, the NHL will take a break come mid-February for the XXI Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is only fitting that the upcoming Olympic games are being hosted in ...

San Jose Sharks: Adapting to Adversity Is Increasing Chemistry

Posted: 17th November 2009 by Andy Bensch in NHL
When the San Jose Sharks take on the Nashville Predators tonight, they will be without forwards Devin Setoguchi and Brad Staubitz. Setoguchi is day-to-day after tweaking the same lower body injury that kept him out of the lineup for about two weeks from Oct. 24 to Nov. 10, and Staubitz will be monitored carefully after taking a puck to the face in Monday's optional practice. What does this ...

A Win in Green Bay: How the 49ers Can Beat the Packers

Posted: 16th November 2009 by Andy Bensch in NFL
After the San Francisco 49ers broke their four game losing streak by narrowly beating the Chicago Bears last week, the team had a couple days to relish in the victory. However, three days after pulling out their first win since week four, the division leading Arizona Cardinals matched the 49ers with another win of their own. Unfortunately for San Francisco, the Seattle Seahawks couldn't hold onto a seven point half-time lead and ...