Ratto: Nobody feeling ‘fine' headed into Game 5

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May 24, 2011RATTO ARCHIVE
SHARKS PAGESHARKS VIDEO
PREVIEW: SHARKS FIGHT TO KEEP SEASON ALIVE IN GM. 5
Ray Ratto
CSNCalifornia.com Joe Thornton tried to bluff his way through his post-skate interview, but there were too many tells for him to convince anyone that he is, as he said, Fine. One hundred percent. Ready to go.For one, he took his equipment off before the media was let into the dressing room, essentially so nobody could see whatever treatment his enraged shoulder was enduring. For two, he was expansive about every subject save himself and his condition, where every answer was short, clipped and even brusque.And third, he said, I feel fine, ready to help the guys as much as I can.

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That can be read any number of ways, but it is not a sentence he has used since becoming the Sharks team captain. He does not duck the heavy end of the piano, but he knows that lifting with one hand is an unproductive exercise. And he looks very much like he will be an essentially one-armed player for Tuesdays Game 5, Pending Game Last.Well, he looked real good out there, head coach Todd McLellan lied. He will be on the ice. He's played extremely well in the playoffs. He's our leader. I think we're going a little overboard as far as him being injured. So I'll leave it at that.RATTO: Supporting cast, not Thornton, will be key in Game 5
Body language is a dangerous gauge at this time of year in this sport, because everyone claims to feel fine in the absence of protruding bone, but his morning skate was a study in the morose. His head was down, he never wound up on a shot, and he looked like someone who already knew his general fate. There were too many things he knew he would not be able to do, and in a game this important, he was not fooling either himself or all the people watching him.That said, his teammates knew what he was putting himself up against, and approved of the effort.When it comes to him Im not surprised at all, defenseman Douglas Murray said. No one has ever talked about him playing through different things because people dont know whats going on behind closed doors. I cant ever remember him missing a game because of injury. And hes had his fair share of injuries. Hes been as effective playing with them. Hell be fine and its a huge boost for the team. We have to feed off that.Its not a big surprise for us that Joe is playing tonight, Winger Ryane Clowe said. I think he has the ability to play well even if he is nicked up a little bit. Dont expect much different from Joe. The guys expect him to be in there every night. He has been since Ive been here. I think they only games hes missed is when hes been suspended. Hes a horse.Even Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa gets it, as an opponent who understands the conditions that prevail this time of year.RELATED: Spotlight on the enemy -- Vancouver Canucks
Everybodys got one or two things that are bothering them for sure, he said. If youre playing the right way, blocking shots and throwing your body around, youre sacrificing yourself, youre going to get banged up. Luckily adrenalin kicks in once the puck drops, and you can play through it.I dont think well really focus on his shoulder too much, he said, resorting to a bit of a fib here. Hes a pretty hard guy to hit as it is. Hes pretty slippery. For me, if I get a chance to put him through the boards I do that, regardless of if hes got a sore shoulder or not. If dont (get that chance), I dont chase it.In short, Thornton will dress, barring some new bad news before the puck drops at 6:Something, and he will play as well and as long as he is able. Beyond that, he can guarantee nothing.ANALYSIS: NBC's Sharks-Vancouver Game 5 preview
The news was slightly better for defenseman Jason Demers, who skated again Tuesday morning and went from day-to-daydoubtful to were considering it, according to head coach Todd McLellan.The breakdowns of Game 4 are finally behind San Jose, although defenseman Dan Boyle, who has steadily improved through the postseason after a brutal start, said, I watched a lot of the game again, and it wasnt as bad as a lot of you guys made it out to be. We werent as good as we needed to be, obviously . . . the power play wasnt very effective, but there were things we did well. We just have to do a lot more of them.And Clowe may have said it best of all.This time of year were all a little nicked up, he said. Look at Vancouver, theyve got a few guys banged up over there, too. We all play the same amount of games, were all in the same position. I think what it comes down to is between the ears.And there is no ice bag or masseur who fixes that.

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