The Joe I’m talking about also played in the Vancouver Olympics, taking home a Silver Medal for the United States. He was a seventh round selection by the Sharks in 2003 and has posted consecutive 25-goal campaigns. During his last three games of playoff action he’s strung together nine points and propelled his team to a 2-0 series lead over the Detroit Red Wings.
His name is Joe Pavelski and he has arguably has the best playoff performance during this post season. He currently leads the post season in goals with nine, and is second in points with 14, two behind Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.
"Whatever planet he's on, I think everyone wants to get on it with him," Thornton said about Pavelski, the former Wisconsin star in his fourth NHL season. "He's just been so consistent -- he's been awesome. He really has been."
Wherever Pavelski goes winning seems to find him. The Plover, Wis., native captained Stevens Point Area Senior High to the 2002 Wisconsin state championship, captained Team USA to a silver medal at the 2004 Viking Cup, captained the Waterloo Blackhawks to the USHL championships later in 2003-04 (and named the USA Hockey Junior Hockey Player of the Year), and then helped the University of Wisconsin win the 2006 NCAA National Championship.
"It's good to see pucks go in the net," Pavelski said. "It's good to work hard and get rewarded. It always feels good to chip in. There's a lot more to go though."
The Sharks will travel to the Motor City for the next two games in hopes of closing out the series. They know with Pavelski’s help (three game winning goals) this could be a special season.
Below is Pavelski at his finest.
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