Published Wednesday, April 19, 2000, in the San Jose Mercury News
Marchment's impact being felt
His punishing style a boost to Sharks
BY VICTOR CHI
Mercury News Staff Writer

Every time this season that defenseman Bryan Marchment began showing signs of settling into his game of being one of the league's most feared hitters, something derailed his progress. Injury, suspension, another injury; it all added up to frustration.
Now, in three playoff games against St. Louis, Marchment has emerged as a physical force in the series, which prompted a half-kidding, half-serious plea from Sharks Coach Darryl Sutter.

``You know what happens when we start talking about it,'' Sutter said of Marchment's effectiveness as he reached behind him to knock wood. ``Don't even write it.''
Being physical has been a key factor for the Sharks as they carry a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 tonight. And Marchment has hardly been alone, as the hits have come from throughout the lineup. Center Vincent Damphousse, known for his crafty passing and creativity, led the Sharks in hits in Game 2.
But Marchment's ability to spot and deliver the punishing open-ice hit fosters an element of danger, which the underdog Sharks need to help neutralize the Blues.
``If you're not careful, you can really get hurt,'' said Jeff Norton, who is Marchment's defensive partner. ``Bryan hits hard and that makes you look up.''
In his first shift of Game 3, Marchment decked wing Lubos Bartecko at the St. Louis blue line. The fans, already geeked up, went wild.
``I've been fortunate in the first three games that I've got in a big hit early in the game,'' Marchment said. ``It doesn't always happen, unless you go looking for it, and that can hurt you, if you do.''

Marchment missed 29 games this season because of an assortment of injuries to his knee, ankle, neck and groin.
``But this is what it's all about,'' Marchment said. ``I only played 49 games and I didn't enjoy the whole regular season. But I get shivers just talking about the playoffs. I enjoy playing this type of series. This is my style of hockey. I know you can't have it, but I wish they played this style all year long.''
Goalie Steve Shields, who stopped 31 shots in Game 3, has been another factor in the Sharks' victories.

Sharks captain Owen Nolan called Shields' glove save on Scott Young's point-blank shot the turning point of Game 3. Shields said his save on Chris Pronger in the final minute of the game was actually more difficult. Regardless, the puck stayed out of the net on both plays.
``When he's on his game, he's controlling rebounds and smothering pucks,'' Sutter said.

The Sharks have also concentrated on keeping Shields from being bombarded by shots, and that continues to be a concern. Sutter has seen Al MacInnis and Pronger uncork too many big slap shots for his tastes.

``We've got to do a better job on their top guys,'' Sutter said. ``Al is getting too many great, great shots. Pronger probably had five or six in the last game. Those are their key guys, and we still have to do a lot better job on them.''

After the Blues unleashed 37 shots on Shields in Game 1, the Sharks held them to 20 in Game 2. The Blues bumped their total to 32 in Game 3, but nearly half of them came in the third period when the Sharks took the lead, forcing St. Louis to press the attack.

``It's just a commitment,'' Shields said of the tighter defense. ``Guys like Marchment are really playing well. I've noticed him specifically. He's been in a lot of playoffs before, and you can see his level of play is a lot higher than in the regular season.''
Before the series, playing up the underdog role to shift the pressure to the Blues was one element of gamesmanship that the Sharks could exploit, and they are pressing on with that theme.

``Everybody said if we didn't play Dallas, we weren't going to win a game,'' Sutter said. ``So we're winning the odd game here to keep you on your toes.''
Which is exactly what Marchment forces the opposition to do. He has generated plenty of conversation in this series with his typically rugged play, but he has not picked up a penalty.

``We have to be physical and disciplined,'' Marchment said. ``Our guys have done a good job of finishing checks and playing within the rules. If you're not playing within the rules, you're hurting the team.''