I was really looking forward to the doubles exhibition on the first night, my all-time favorite player John McEnroe, plus my current favorite player Gael Monfils were squaring off, each partnering with a young American player.

John McEnroe (USA)

John McEnroe (USA)

John McEnroe (USA)

John McEnroe (USA)

John McEnroe (USA)

Gael Monfils (FRA)

Gael Monfils (FRA)

Steve Johnson (USA)

Jack Sock (USA)

The big name this year was Andy Roddick, who apparently has not grown up since this nonsense.

Andy Roddick (USA)

Andy Roddick (USA)

Andy Roddick (USA)

Andy Roddick (USA)

Andy Roddick (USA)

Sam Querrey (USA)

Sam Querrey (USA)

I didn’t have as much luck with the panning shots this year, but this one of Matthew Ebden worked out:

Matthew Ebden (AUS)

Matthew Ebden (AUS)

Dudi Sela (ISR)

Kevin Anderson (RSA)

Kevin Anderson (RSA)

Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL)

Denis Kudla (USA)

Ryan Sweeting (USA)

Seems that Monfils is not the only French player with big moves on the court:

Julien Benneteau (FRA)

Ryan Harrison followed up his solid Davis Cup showing with a run to the semifinals:

Ryan Harrison (USA)

Istomin took out Roddick…

Denis Istomin (UZB)

…but came up short in the final to defending champion Milos Raonic:

Milos Raonic (CAN)

Milos Raonic (CAN)

A word about the multiple exposure pictures: These were all done in-camera (Nikon D3/D3S) with no manipulation.

Shooting from the Sharks Head for the first period meant that I was in position to shoot the Sharks as they made their way from their locker room to the ice:

Sharks players walk down a hallway to the ice before the game.

Sharks goalie Antti Niemi had 30 saves for the shutout:

Sharks goalie Antti Niemi tracks a bouncing puck.

Blue Jackets left wing Colton Gillies skates in on Sharks goalie Antti Niemi.

I missed all of the goals, but I did manage to get Joe Pavelski’s high fives from the Sharks bench after his second-period goal:

Sharks center Joe Pavelski celebrates his second-period goal.

It was a rough game, with lots of complaining by the Blue Jackets:

Blue Jackets right wing Derek Dorsett complains to referee Brad Watson.

I’ve been using the fisheye when I’ve been shooting at the glass, and while not a high-percentage proposition, it can work out pretty well at times:

Sharks left wing John McCarthy bats down a bouncing puck.

Blue Jackets right wing Derek Dorsett and Sharks defenseman Brent Burns chase a puck into the corner.

So I missed all six goals, and remarkably the two fights that happened early in the game, and usually this would have me driving home mad. But the bad blood between the Sharks and Blue Jackets was seemingly limitless, and the third period featured one fight after another, all right in front of me. Here Dan Boyle goes to town on Derick Brassard:

Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle fights Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard.

Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle fights Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard.

After that fight, Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash had some words for Boyle who lost it again, and had to be held back by linesman Pierre Champoux:

Linesman Pierre Champoux keeps Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle away from Blue Jackets right wing Rick Nash.

With the game firmly in comedy territory, Sharks defenseman Colin White pounded on Blue Jackets right wing Derek Dorsett…

Sharks defenseman Colin White winds up to punch Blue Jackets right wing Derek Dorsett.

…and then had a laugh while being held down by an official:

Sharks defenseman Colin White smiles as he is restrained by an official.

Another scrum happened as time wound down, a bit far into the corner for me to shoot through the hole, so I picked up the fisheye and shot the action on the ice and in the seats at the same time:

Sharks and Blue Jackets players fight as fans watch on.

This will be the only post ever where I’m happy with the shoot having missed six goals and two fights. Count on that.

Facebook has been really important in my quest to learn more about rodeo and to use that understanding to make better rodeo pictures. A couple of weeks ago, I saw Michael Trauner, one of my new FB friends, talking about a practice session where top stock contractor Julio Moreno would be bringing some of his bulls for young riders to get some practice. I’m used to driving several hours to shoot rodeo, so the chance to shoot only two hours away sounded great. I had never been to B Bar Ranch outside of Lincoln, CA, but I figured it would be dark so I brought some speedlites, clamps and remote triggers in case it was too dark to shoot. I didn’t count on the Sacramento rush hour traffic, so I ended up not having the time to set up the lights. The “arena” at B Bar is basically a semi-open pavilion lit by florescent tube bulbs, totally appropriate for the the setting. I figured out that I would be shooting at the very edge of my cameras’ capabilities, and got to work.

I can go to just about any rodeo in California and know a majority of the cowboys, but after a quick walk around B Bar, I realized that I didn’t know anyone, and no one knew me. Queue flashbacks to my first few rodeos. Still, it is very liberating to not be on assignment and just be able to shoot.

I spent some time behind the chutes, and my best picture of the night happened in the first two minutes as Derek McCormack said a prayer:

The riders were so young, high school and a bit older.

My friend Michael holding on to a chute while one of the bulls ran wild in the arena:

This is one of the scariest things that can happen to a bull rider because it’s impossible to know when the bull with get up or slam you against the chute. These kids are taught to stay on, and they do it:

Without strobes, action pictures were few and far between, but here are a couple that worked:

I’ll be back at B Bar (with strobes) as my schedule permits. Having great access means that I’ll be able to try some new things and hopefully be able to recreate them at rodeos this spring.

Thanks to Michael Trauner and Dwayne Hargo Jr.

The world famous Growney Ranch, and the world famous Red Rock.

My friend John Growney

Over last weekend I got word that four-time and defending bareback champion Bobby Mote would be getting on some practice horses at my friend John Growney’s ranch. This is one reason why I love rodeo so much, no red tape. One of the biggest names rodeo has ever had, and I just drove up and started shooting.

Mote broke ribs and lacerated his pancreas after getting knocked around in the chute at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in August, and hasn’t been on a bucking horse since. With less than two weeks to go before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Mote got on four practice horses including a former WNFR bucker and by the end, looked like he hadn’t missed any time at all.

Before Bobby rode, John told me that there was a vet at the ranch to work on a horse who had some hay caught in its throat, and that I should shoot it because “there’s more to rodeo than just bucking.” Fair enough.

Dr. Bill Hooton works on 022

Dr. Bill Hooton works on 022

Dr. Bill Hooton works on 022

Dr. Bill Hooton works on 022

Dr. Bill Hooton works on 022

I managed to hold it together even as Dr. Hooton ran a tube down the horse’s nose (mostly because I didn’t want Bobby, Eric Layton, Dave Murdoch, or Tim Bridwell to see me hurl) and walked back over to the chutes to watch Bobby prepare to ride.

Bobby Mote stretches

Bobby Mote files down part of his new rigging.

Bobby Mote works on his new rigging.

Bobby Mote ties on his boots.

Bobby Mote walks up to the practice chutes.

None of the famous Growney stock would be bucking that day, on tap were new purchases and older horses that were coming back from injuries:

Practice horses in their pen.

I shot Bobby getting ready to ride and then grabbed a couple of longer lenses and staked out a spot to watch the fireworks:

Bobby Mote prepares to get on a practice horse.

Bobby Mote rides a practice horse.

Bobby Mote rides a practice horse.

And I made one for all of the rodeo people who complain that I never shoot conventional bucking pictures. FULL EXTENSION! Suck it haters!

Bobby Mote rides a practice horse.

After Bobby was done, John and I and my friend Tonya Redamonti drove over to Don Kish’s ranch to get pictures of the bulls who were chosen to buck at the WNFR this year. I had never been in a pen with bulls before, and after a few years of seeing what they do to the riders on a regular basis, I wasn’t especially eager to step through the fence. But John already teases me for my less-than-cowboy nature, so I figured I would just get in there. So John went around to the left and the bulls started walking right at me. The most awesome thing you can hear someone say when you’re in a pen with 5-10 one-ton bucking machines is “Matt, you might be a little too close.”

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bull 678 Wish This

717 War God (Second from left)

I managed to get pictures of all six of the WNFR bulls without getting gored, and as we were driving out I wanted to get a landscape of Don Kish’s ranch, and as I climbed up the fence, a gust of wind blew my cowboy hat off of my head and into the pen.

A pen of young bulls

I’ve been planning on getting a new cowboy hat, but wasn’t going to leave the old one in the pen, so I handed my camera to John, climbed over the fence and grabbed my hat out of the awesome dirt/bull shit mix, and got my ass out of there. John just couldn’t resist getting this picture:

While I was fetching my hat, John Growney picked up my camera and documented my shame.

Rodeo is a small world, and as an example of that, some of the riders and coaches from the Feather River College rodeo team were at the ranch to buck some of the young horses. One of the coaches is steer wrestler Billy Bugenig, the focus of my assignment at the WNFR:

Billy Bugenig showing me the rifle in his trunk.

At actual rodeos, I can’t get onto the dirt to shoot, but since this was just practice, I took full advantage and shot my 14-24 from just beside the chutes:

Mert Bradshaw sets his saddle as Tim Bridwell watches on.

Almost the last thing I ever saw:

Mert Bradshaw rides a practice horse.

John Reddig rides a practice horse.

And finally, a picture of bullfighter Eric Layton, having a beer after a day of pulling the gate:

"Hey Matt, I need a new profile picture."

Great day of shooting all around. Thanks to John, Tim, Don, Bobby, Eric, Dave, Billy, Mert, and Tonya for a fun time.

I made it a point to shoot a bunch of panning pictures, both on special teams and plays from scrimmage, and here are a few kick returns at 1/20-1/40th:

California running back Mike Manuel returns a kickoff.

Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery returns a kickoff.

Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery returns a kickoff.

Stanford running back Jeremy Stewart returns a kickoff.

Andrew Luck’s Heisman chances took a hit with the loss to Oregon, but he played well enough to help Stanford beat Cal:

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck drops back to pass.

Ty Montgomery opened the scoring for Stanford with this 34-yard touchdown run:

Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery jumps over California defensive back Marc Anthony for a first-quarter touchdown.

Stanford’s secondary has endured several injuries, but still managed to largely contain Cal’s speedy receivers:

Stanford cornerback Johnson Bademosi celebrates as California wide receiver Marvin Jones can't catch up to a pass.

Stanford defensive back Corey Gatewood breaks up a pass intended for California wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Still, it’s difficult to keep Cal receiver Keenan Allen away from the ball:

California wide receiver Keenan Allen makes a leaping catch over Stanford safety Michael Thomas.

California wide receiver Keenan Allen makes a catch behind Stanford safety Michael Thomas.

Oh Jeff Tedford…

California head coach Jeff Tedford complains to officials.

As a rivalry game, the hits always seem harder:

Stanford fullback Ryan Hewitt gets knocked out of bounds by California defensive back D.J. Campbell.

Stanford defensive end Ben Gardner sacks California quarterback Zach Maynard.

Ryan Hewitt pulled in a short pass from Luck and turned it into a six points:

Stanford fullback Ryan Hewitt carries the ball for a third-quarter touchdown.

Cal has been iffy at quarterback, and transfer Zach Maynard has added some speed and athleticism but hasn’t been the answer they were looking for:

California quarterback Zach Maynard pitches the ball to running back Isi Sofele.

California quarterback Zach Maynard takes the ball on an option.

With Stanford leading 31-21 inside two minutes, Cal drove down the field on the back of running back C.J. Anderson who eventually dove for a touchdown to get Cal within three points.

Stanford safety Myles Muagututia and linebacker Jarek Lancaster bring down California running back C.J. Anderson.

California running back C.J. Anderson jumps over the pile for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Cal’s onside kick was recovered by Stanford and that was the game. Stanford hosts Notre Dame on Saturday in their final regular season game.

49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis takes the field.

The last time I was at Candlestick, the 49ers record was 1-1. After yesterday’s 27-20 win over the New York Giants, the 49ers sit 8-1. Hard to believe. Also hard to believe: that Eli Manning is a borderline-elite quarterback:

Giants quarterback Eli Manning prepares to hand off.

“Borderline-Elite Quarterback” air quotes:

Giants quarterback Eli Manning calls a play at the line.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning winds up to pass.

Especially after Patrick Willis got to him:

49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis sacks Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh should be in line for a Nobel Peace Prize for turning Alex Smith into a borderline-competent quarterback:

49ers quarterback Alex Smith drops back to pass.

Giants cornerback Aaron Ross trips up 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.

Vernon Davis made this play by just jumping over Giants strong safety Kenny Phillips. I guessed wrong and used my 70-200, but then Davis was kind enough to celebrate right in front of me:

49ers tight end Vernon Davis jumps over Giants strong safety Kenny Phillips for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

49ers tight end Vernon Davis celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown.

Vernon, I don’t care what Mike Singletary says about you, you’re the man:

Not everything was on target, however:

Giants strong safety Kenny Phillips breaks up a pass intended for 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.

49ers tight end Delanie Walker tries unsuccessfully to make a sliding catch.

I guessed right on this one with the 70-200, and also by laying flat on the ground for as low an angle as possible:

Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham catches a third-quarter touchdown pass behind 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver.

As the Giants continued to battle back, I was in perfect position for this touchdown play, but also incredible lucky that it happened just far enough away that I could focus on it:

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks pulls in a fourth-quarter touchdown pass.

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks pulls in a fourth-quarter touchdown pass behind 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown.

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks pulls in a fourth-quarter touchdown pass behind 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown.

The game went right down to the wire, with Mario Manningham unable to catch up to the potential tying touchdown:

Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham can't pull in a pass after beating 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin…still a cranky old man:

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin argues with officials.

Bareback:

Bareback rider Tilden Hooper of Carthage, TX rides Raggedy Ann of Growney Brothers at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Bareback rider Kaycee Feild of Payson, UT rides Beaver Fever of Growney Brothers at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Teddy Athan of Livermore, CA rides Beaver Feaver of Growney Brothers at the Clovis Rodeo.

Bareback rider Kaycee Feild of Payson, UT rides Calgary Stampede's Princess Warrior at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Bareback rider Kaycee Feild of Payson, UT rides Big Easy of Flying Diamond Rodeo Co. during the short round at the California Rodeo Salinas in Salinas, CA.

Kaycee Feild of Payson, UT rides Friendly Fire of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Steven Peebles of Redmond, OR rides Spotted Mountain of Flying Five Rodeo Co. at the Reno Rodeo.

Bareback rider Jason Havens of Prineville, OR rides Calgary Stampede's Rapper Margie at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Logan Hodson of Telkwa, BC rides Comanchero of Flying U Rodeo Co. at the Reno Rodeo.

Austin Foss of Terrebonne, OR rides Comanchero of Flying U Rodeo Co. at the 2011 Red Bluff Round-Up at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, CA.

Logan Hodson of Telkwa, BC rides Broken Saddles of Flying Five Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Steven Dent of Mullen, NE rides Wild & Blue of Growney Brothers at the 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo at Robertson Park in Livermore, CA.

Teddy Athan of Livermore, CA rides Witch Doctor of Growney Brothers at the 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo at Robertson Park in Livermore, CA.

Chris Harris of Itasca, TX rides Tar Baby of Big Stone/Moreno/Growney Brothers at the 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo at Robertson Park in Livermore, CA.

Morgan Heaton of Paradise, UT rides Big 85 of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Lee Lantz of Molalla, OR rides Angel Dust of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Saddle Bronc:

Jesse Wright of Milford, UT rides Kool Toddy of Big Bend Rodeo Co. at the Reno Rodeo.

Jesse Wright of Milford, UT rides Kool Toddy of Big Bend Rodeo Co. at the Reno Rodeo.

Saddle bronc rider Chad Ferley of Chadron, NE rides Calgary Stapede's Luxurious Bubbles at the Calgary Stampede.

Saddle bronc rider Justin Berg of Marwayne, AB rides Calgary Stampede's Gross Beetle at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Saddle bronc rider Jake Wright of Melford, UT rides Billings of Rafter G Rodeo Co. during the short round at the California Rodeo Salinas in Salinas, CA.

Saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley of College Station, TX rides Low Bucks of Rafter G Rodeo Co. at the California Rodeo Salinas in Salinas, CA.

JJ Elshere of Quinn, SD gets bucked off Flood Damage of Rosser Rodeo Co. at the Reno Rodeo.

Justin Berg of Marwayne, AB rides Sundance of Flying Five Rodeo Co. at the 2011 Red Bluff Round-Up at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, CA.

Jesse James Kirby of Dodge City, KS rides Lunatic Fringe of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Bryan Martinat of Marsing, ID rides Sundance of Flying Five Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Mert Bradshaw of Eagle Point, OR prepares to ride Hippy Chick of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Luke Butterfield of Ponoka, AB rides Holy Hopin' Hell of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Bulls:

Gunar Ramsey Lumkin of Logansport, LA rides Wish This of Growney Brothers at the 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo at Robertson Park in Livermore, CA.

LJ Jenkins of Porum, OK gets bucked off Wish This of Growney Brothers at the 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo at Robertson Park in Livermore, CA.

R.J. Kriege of Prineville, OR rides Wish This of Growney Brothers at the Mother Lode Round-Up in Sonora, CA.

Troy Jensen of Lodi, CA gets bucked off Wish This of Growney Brothers at the Mother Lode Round-Up in Sonora, CA

Shawn Hogg of Odessa, TX rides Wish This of Growney Brothers at the Clovis Rodeo.

Bobby Welsh gets bucked off Zombie Zoo of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Bull rider Jacob Tyner of Sacramento, CA rides Bring It of Flying U Rodeo Co. during the short round at the California Rodeo Salinas in Salinas, CA.

Jake Wade of Alamo, NV rides Bring It of Flying U Rodeo Co. at the 2011 Red Bluff Round-Up at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, CA.

Bull rider Nicholas Sartor of Mira Loma, CA rides Red Eye of Western Rodeo Co. during the short round at the California Rodeo Salinas in Salinas, CA.

Nicholas Sarter of Mira Loma, CA gets bucked off Cash Money of Growney Brothers at the Clovis Rodeo.

Rankin Lindsey of Hillsboro, NM gets bucked off South Point Touch of Class of Growney Brothers at the Clovis Rodeo.

Josh Daries of Salinas, CA gets bucked off Velvet Revolver of Burch Rodeo Co. at the Clovis Rodeo.

Dodge pickup men subdue South Point Touch of Class of Growney Brothers at the 2010 Red Bluff Round-Up at the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, CA.

Bull rider Sammy Matthews of Springville, CA gets bucked off of Bible Bender of Growney Brothers at the 2010 Red Bluff Round-Up at the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, CA.

Previously:

2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifiers: Bull Riding
2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifiers: Bareback
2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifiers: Saddle Bronc
2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifiers: Steer Wrestling
2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifiers: Barrel Racing
2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifiers: Roping

I continued my season-long mission to make pictures of Raiders fans in costume and/or carrying signs:

Raiders fanatic "Assassin"

The Black Hole

Raiders fanatic

I’ve never been sure what wrestling has to do with the Raiders (or how you can be a fan of both Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper), but this guy is at every game:

WWF x Raiders

T-Bag Tebow

Teblows

Hue Jackson has quasi-filled the power vacuum created by the death of Raiders owner Al Davis, getting his way on trading big draft picks for Carson Palmer. If the Raiders can’t turn it around, they’re both going to be in trouble:

Raiders head coach Hue Jackson

Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer calls a play at the line.

Denarius Moore continues to play well:

Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore

I dropped the shutter down to 1/40th to get the opening kickoff:

Broncos kicker Matt Prater kicks off to start the game.

The Raiders defense had Tebow on the run for most of the game, constantly either rushing him or knocking him to the ground:

Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston brings down Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Raiders defensive ends Desmond Bryant and Richard Seymour bring down Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow managed to stay in the game, and ran directly into some beautiful light reflected off of the private suite windows:

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow scrambles.

Jacoby Ford was largely contained, but broke off a nice long run after catching a pass:

Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford gets by Broncos free safety Quinton Carter.

Denarius Moore risked a fumble reaching the ball out away from his body:

Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore stretches the ball for an extra yard.

Michael Bush picked up a lot of yards filling in for Darren McFadden, here diving in for a score:

Raiders running back Michael Bush dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown.

Fullback Marcel Reece caught a perfect pass from Palmer and then fought his way into the end zone for a score:

Raiders fullback Marcel Reece pulls in a pass behind Broncos outside linebacker D.J. Williams.

Moore and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey go up for a pass that would be intercepted by Bailey:

Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey battle for a pass.

This would have been a nice catch, but Raiders cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke was called for pass interference:

Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker tries to pull in a pass under pressure from Raiders cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke. Van Dyke was called for pass interference on the play.

Broncos punter Britton Colquitt couldn’t handle a snap, and was lucky to throw the ball away without taking a safety:

Broncos punter Britton Colquitt looks for the ball after mishandling a snap.

Broncos punter Britton Colquitt tries to get rid of the ball under pressure from Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy and Raiders defensive end Jarvis Moss.

The Raiders breakdown extended to special teams, as they allowed an 85-yard punt return touchdown by Eddie Royal:

Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal returns a punt 85 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

If you’ve ever seen the David Lynch movie Blue Velvet, you will know why I made about 40 frames of Willis McGahee taking oxygen on the sidelines:

Broncos running back Willis McGahee takes oxygen.

The Raiders have to travel to San Diego for a Thursday night game vs the Chargers.

Things started out well for the Pens, with two goals in the first few minutes:

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin celebrates with teammates after scoring a first-period goal.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin celebrates with teammates after scoring a first-period goal.

This chased Sharks goalie Antti Niemi from the game in favor of Thomas Greiss who promptly stoned the Pens on shot after shot.

Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss kicks a shot away.

Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss kicks a shot away.

I enjoy James Neal’s game, crashing the goal and generally getting in the way:

Penguins left wing James Neal jumps to avoid a shot.

Penguins left wing James Neal crashes the goal behind Sharks defenseman Brent Burns and goalie Antti Niemi.

Here is one seriously mismatched fight:

Sharks left wing Brad Winchester and Penguins right wing Craig Adams fight.

Sharks left wing Brad Winchester and Penguins right wing Craig Adams fight.

The Sharks figured out how to slow Malkin down, mostly by putting him into the boards as much as possible:

Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray drives Penguins center Evgeni Malkin into the boards.

Penguins right wing Craig Adams holds off Sharks defenseman Jim Vandermeer.

After holding the lead for almost all fo the game, the Penguins couldn’t hold on, allowing the tying goal to Jamie McGinn late in the third:

Sharks left wing Jamie McGinn celebrates his game-tying third-period goal with forward Torrey Mitchell.

Fleury kind of fell apart towards the end, but made some saves to keep it tied:

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury dives to cover a rebound.

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stops Sharks right wing Martin Havlat.

But Ryane Clowe scored in the shootout, and that was that:

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stretches before the shootout.

The San Jose bench congratulates Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe on his shootout-winning goal.

After learning how to play without Sidney Crosby for almost a full year, it will be interesting to see how the Pens react to getting him back.