STOPPING THE SHARKS

With skill, youth, and talent on their roster, the Sharks are a team that can score. In fact, San Jose is averaging 3.33 goals per game which is 13th in the NHL. The Sharks also have the 10th best power play and are scoring on 23.1% of their man-advantage opportunities. As a result, the Mammoth need to remain disciplined and continue their strong defensive effort against tonight’s opponent.

“I think for us it’s to keep going with the process of what we’re trying to do,” Tourigny explained following morning skate. “We were more connected last game, we’re more resilient, we’re more (detailed), that’s what we want to be. We have a ton of respect for San Jose. I think they lost two games in overtime (out of) three, they’re well rested, they didn’t play for a few days so I know they will have a great push, so we’re ready.”

“They’re a super young team, super skilled,” Logan Cooley said on the Sharks. “They like to make a lot of plays, so we got to be aware of that. They got some guys that like to use the back of the net to find guys in the slot, little things like that. I think if we’re taking care of our own end, not cheating the game, we’re going to get our looks and like the outcome.”

FINDING CHEMISTRY

The line of JJ Peterka, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther is finding chemistry quickly. The three are all skilled, smart, fast players and each has gained more familiarity with the other’s play. Cooley discussed playing with his line following morning skate:

“We’re starting to use our speed a little more,” Cooley explained. “Whether that’s forecheck, off the rush, little things like that it’s going to make our line hard to stop and I think we’ve just got to continue to build off of that.

“They’re obviously two really good shooters,” Cooley also shared. “I’m more of a playmaker, try to look for them. I think none of us are really afraid to shoot, so we’re always looking to get pucks to the net and make sure we have a guy there. I think when we’re keeping it simple, that’s honestly when we’re at our best. I think we’re starting to realize that (we need to) let the game come to us, we don’t need to force things. When we do that, good things happen.”