San Jose Sharks crush the Anaheim Ducks, 5-2 - and Alexei Semenov scores from the LEFT POINT... Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller later commits suicide

After failing to maintain a lead against the Anaheim Ducks in that team's preseason home opener, the San Jose Sharks returned the favor tonight, stomping the Ducks 5-2. UPDATE = watch strangely-edited video here.

Now, to be even-handed / fair with our rival, the Ducks only had 7 veterans on hand = Todd Marchant, Travis Moen, Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson, George Parros, Corey Perry, and of course, Chris Pronger. But then again, the Sharks themselves had only 10 - and that's counting our goalie Evgeni Nabokov, as well as assuming that Tomas Plihal, Alexei Semenov, and Devin Setoguchi fit the bill as "veterans."

There were less fights tonight than on Wednesday, but if Drew Remenda reports it correctly, Jody Shelley actually got the best of George Parros and his 'stache in one of the two major altercations. Aside from the two official fights, Milan Michalek also reportedly shoved Chris Pronger after being hit by him behind the net, working up the crowd in the process.

The three stars of the game were Joe Pavelski (1 goal, 1 assist), Dan Boyle (1 goal, 1 assist), and Sharks defenseman Mike Moore (1 goal). The other Sharks to score goals were - brace yourself - Alexei Semenov (from the left point - hey, I'll take it, but I guarantee J-S. Giguere would have stopped that), and newcomer Jamie McGinn. Scoring for the Ducks - newcomer Andrew Ebbett and George Parros' mustache.

Shots on goal - 37 (SJ) to 18 (Anaheim). Way to outplay 'em, Team Teal.

Line combinations tonight for the Sharks:

* Michalek - Pavelski - Cheechoo

* Morris - Roenick - Setoguchi

* Shelley - Plihal - Armstrong

* McGinn - Couture - Kaspar

Defensive Pairs:

* Ehrhoff - Boyle

* Semenov - Demers

* Joslin - Moore

Goal: Evgeni Nabokov

Line combos for the Ducks:

* Moen - Wirtanen - R. Niedermayer

* Miller - Marchant - Perry

* MacMillan - Pahlsson - Parros

* Ryan - Ebbett - Boguniecki

Ducks' Defensive Pairs:

* O'Donnell - Salcido

* Pronger - Bodie

* Festerling - Montador

Goalie: Jonas Hiller

In other losses for the Ducks today, they traded Mathieu Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers for Ken Klee, Brad Larsen and Chad Painchaud. The Atlanta Thrashers just improved 10 fold, but that's not really saying much in the Southeast Division.

As for the Sharks - they take on the Sedin twins' Vancouver Canucks at home tomorrow night.