Sharks Locker Room: Karlsson Talks Zetterlund, Labanc on Reimer Going ‘Against the Grain’

While this one didn’t end up going in the San Jose Sharks’ favor, it was certainly exciting.

Playing against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers is never an easy task, and that was proven back in January when the Sharks faced off against the Oilers and fell 7-1.

Tonight’s game wasn’t nearly as ugly of an outcome, and in fact was one that the San Jose Sharks led several times. They held 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 leads at separate times throughout the game, but ultimately fell in overtime by a 5-4 final. While the shots were rather lopsided for the Oilers, 52 to 32, it doesn’t tell the entire story as the Sharks had three goals called back on coach’s challenges.

Erik Karlsson scored twice, Steven Lorentz and Alexander Barabanov added one apiece, and James Reimer stopped 46-of-51 shots in the OT loss.

After the game, Lorentz talked about the frustration from the three disallowed San Jose Sharks goals. Karlsson spoke on countryman Fabian Zetterlund, who assisted on one of his goals. Reimer and Quinn talked about the goaltender’s performance.

Also, there’s some post-game video from Saturday’s game that Sheng wanted to share.

See Steven Lorentz’s full interview here

Steven Lorentz, on having three goals called back: 

That’s the game we play now, that’s the technology I guess, I don’t really have a whole lot to say on that. It’s frustrating when you can slow plays down like that. It seems like we are usually coming out on the short end of the stick, so it’s too bad. But, that’s the game and those are the rules so whether it’s that the pucks weren’t going in or goalie interference or whatever the calls were, when you can look at it 15-20 times and slow it down, that’s what the result is. It’s too bad, but that’s life.

Lorentz, on his breakaway goal in the second period:

I thought our line was really good all night. We definitely had some shifts in the D-zone and I thought we did a good job at containing them. Obviously, like you said we’re gonna give up a few chances when we’re out there against 97 and 29, but I thought we did a good job containing them. I just went out of the corner and (Matt Benning) made a great stretch pass to [Andrew Agozzino] who just put it into an area for me, and it was just a perfect play. I went in, took a shot, saw it hit the glove and the rebound popped up and I just swinged, batter, batter. Obviously, it’s nice to get those goals and contribute offensively. I think for our line, I was more proud that we played a solid 200-foot game tonight.

See James Reimer’s full interview here

James Reimer, on whether getting a lot of shots early helps a goalie get into a rhythm:

When you’re making saves it’s nice, when you’re not, it’s not so nice. I felt like I was seeing the puck pretty well tonight and was happy with the way I played. Would have been nice to get it into the shootout because then anything can happen. I thought we battled hard, I’m happy with my overall game but [it] would have been nice to get that extra point.

See Erik Karlsson’s full interview here

Erik Karlsson, on the play of Fabian Zetterlund during his short time with the San Jose Sharks:

He skates well, he’s got a good shot. I’m sure once he gets a little bit more acclimated and used to his surroundings, it’ll benefit him. All the games he can get in here this year is going to be good for him next year.

Karlsson: "All the challenges were correct."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 21, 2023

See David Quinn’s full interview here

David Quinn, on Reimer’s performance tonight:

I thought he played really well. He’s handled it [the last couple days] very well. He’s a professional, he’s 35 years old, he knows he’s got a responsibility, and I thought he played really well tonight.

Quinn says Johnsson leaving the game was from his 2nd period blocked shot that led to Karlsson goal. #SJSharks may have to make an emergency recall at forward

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 21, 2023

LOCKER ROOM EXTRA

(Sheng’s note: Kevin Labanc and David Quinn both made interesting comments after Saturday night’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, which I didn’t get to because I was writing about Reimer, and also, William Eklund’s re-assignment — but I wanted to highlight them somewhere)

Labanc talked about his good friend Reimer’s decision and his emotional goal against the Islanders. Quinn talked about how much he liked Andreas Johnsson stepping up for Tomas Hertl, after Alexander Romanov’s big hit on Hertl. He also talked about Eklund.

Andreas Johnsson also spoke too, about standing up for Hertl.

Kevin Labanc, on his choice, as a Christian, to wear a Pride jersey:

Yeah, you know, me and James, we live in the same circle. We’re both really religious and faithful men. To do what he did, it’s not easy to go against the grain and stand up for what you believe in because it’s hard. But as a man of faith, we trust in the Lord, we believe in him. We all need somebody to love, and for us, that’s our faith.

Labanc, on pointing to the sky after his goal on Saturday: 

Yeah, just the Big Guy watching over me. I just feel thankful. I think, especially in my situation, going through some hard stuff, I think spiritually you get closer to that side of everything.

Quinn, smiling, when asked if he liked how quickly Johnsson stood up for Hertl:

Yes, I did.

Sharks Send Eklund Down to Barracuda