SAN JOSE - The hockey world zeroed on Timo Meier on Saturday night when he scored his 11th goal on the young season. The marker put him tied for the league lead in goals scored, and the 11 goals in 14 games set a new San Jose Sharks franchise record.
The ever-humble Meier, however, doesn’t appear to be letting himself get too caught up in the milestone.
“I’m not a guy that really focuses much on numbers,” he admitted to the media after his record-setting goal gave the Sharks a 4-3 overtime win against the Flyers. “I’m trying to take care of the process, trying to improve myself as a player and as an individual.”
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The process is clearly working. The hard-working winger has been a tour de force that can be moved anywhere in the lineup and create scoring chances. Whether it’s on that successful line with Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl or playing three-on-three in overtime, Meier's deftness has become fuel for San Jose’s forward attack.
It’s quite the leap from a year ago when coach Peter DeBoer made him a healthy scratch in order to get some momentum going.
“For me, my goal is to help the team win games,” he said. “Trying to be as good as I can.”
His teammates, on the other hand, have no problem showering him with the praise he deserves.
San Jose Sharks
“He’s been just so powerful,” Joe Thornton said. “You can see when a player has confidence like that, you see him produce at that range and that pace. It’s been fun to watch so far.”
His coach agreed. “Thankfully he’s off to the start he’s off to,” DeBoer said. “We need him. We’ve needed somebody to step up.”
Meier is no doubt stepping up at a time when the Sharks need him the most. And if that means not paying attention to the numbers, then he’s probably already in really good shape.
“I’m trying to work hard and be a good teammate.,” Meier said. “And so far, lucky enough, I’ve been getting some bounces and that’s obviously nice for my confidence.”