Sharks Bone Up Against Canucks Teams Kick Off Nhl Preseason As Well As Arena’s First Event
Kevin Constantine welcomes the demands of the equation.
Every year the San Jose Sharks get a little closer, every year a little more is expected of them, and him.
The coach of the San Jose Sharks seems to invites the pressure that comes from growing expectations.
The Sharks and Vancouver Canucks are here Sunday for their first National Hockey League exhibition game of the new season and the inaugural event at the Spokane Arena.
“I don’t consider us an expansion team,” Constantine said this week as the Sharks got into their fifth season. “Expansion is synonymous with excuse. There are no more excuses.
“Our goal since we took over the club (in June 1993) is to win a Stanley Cup. We want to get closer every year.”
Under Constantine, the Sharks are described as the reigning kings of playoff upsets.
Two years ago, they knocked off the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference quarterfinals, then took Toronto to seven games in the semis.
Last year, the Sharks eliminated the Calgary Flames in seven games in the opening round, memorable locally when San Jose’s Ray Whitney beat Calgary goaltender Trevor Kidd for the game winner in the second OT.
Whitney and Kidd were teammates here when the Spokane Chiefs made their 1991 run to the Memorial Cup.
The Spokane connection is part of the flavor of Sunday’s game. Whitney, a center, returns with former Spokane star Pat Falloon at right wing.
Falloon is the Sharks’ leader in career goals (73) and points (159) and is tied for the club’s career lead in assists (86).
“It’s going to be fun to take part in the inaugural game,” Constantine said. “We’re excited for Ray and Patty going back to where they played junior hockey.”
A third San Jose player - goal-tender Wade Flaherty - also played in Spokane. Flaherty, who had 56 saves in the Sharks’ series-clinching win over Calgary, appeared in five games for the 1985-86 Spokane Chiefs. His record was 0-3 with a bloated 7.83 goals-against average.
Now 27, he’s come a long way to get back.
Constantine wasn’t prepared to say who would start in goal, or which of the 42 players still with the team will dress.
But Whitney, Falloon and Flaherty are among the 20 who will suit up. Veteran right wing Dave Brown, who played here in 1980-81, will not dress for the game.
Vancouver superstar Pavel Bure, older brother of former Chiefs star Valerie Bure, is listed on the team’s tentative list of players who’ll suit. Bure, if he plays, will wear No. 96.
The Sharks are scheduled to arrive tonight after breaking camp in Brainerd, Minn. The Canucks aren’t due to arrive until Sunday.
The Sharks, who’ll play exhibition games here in 1996 and ‘97, return to the area on Sept. 30 for a preseason game with Edmonton at the TriCities Coliseum in Kennewick.
Falloon scored 25 goals as a 19-year-old rookie in the 1991-92 season. Now, six days shy of his 23rd birthday, Falloon has his critics. “Under-achiever” is a word you see connected to his game.
“I don’t think he’s an under-achiever,” Constantine said. “He’s carried the burden of a No. 2 pick (in the ‘91 entry draft) and he’ll always have to carry that.
“As an athlete your obligation is to put everything you have into your game. With a good finish last year and by working hard in camp this year he’s shown that right now he’s doing his part.”
Falloon was taking key faceoffs down the stretch last year because the team’s centers were losing so many draws. San Jose’s power play succeeded at a poor 11.8 percent last year (only Anaheim’s was worse).
The Sharks will hold two pregame skates Sunday at the Arena, both closed to the public.
The Canucks have no scheduled pregame activity.
Tickets still available
The Chiefs announced there are still a limited number of seats available for Sunday’s exhibition game. Those interested should call G&B Select-A-Seat at 325-SEAT or the Chiefs’ ticket office at 328-0450 beginning at 8 a.m.
, DataTimes