San Jose Sharks rookie Michael Misa recently had the opportunity to compete against Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares. Both players hail from Oakville, Ontario, and have taken similar paths to the NHL. Tavares, a seasoned player, was drafted first overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, while Misa has been making his mark in his first NHL season.
Misa’s Exciting Matchup with Tavares
In their first encounter, Misa admitted to feeling somewhat star-struck playing against a childhood idol. “He was a player I watched growing up,” Misa said, reflecting on Tavares’ influence. Despite the excitement, Misa’s mind is focused on improving with the Sharks.
Tavares’ Dominance
Tavares scored the only goal for the Maple Leafs in their recent game, marking his 29th of the season. Additionally, he excelled in the face-off circle, successfully winning 13 out of 21 attempts, including two against Misa.
Misa’s Learning Experience
Although Misa has struggled at face-offs, winning just 44.8% this season through 44 games, he understands the value of learning from veterans like Tavares. He tried to implement advice from assistant coach Jeff Ulmer but was still unsuccessful in his face-off attempts against Tavares.
- Games played by Misa in the season: 37
- Tavares’ goals this season: 29
- Misa’s face-off percentage: 44.8%
- Face-offs won by Tavares: 13 out of 21
- Face-offs taken by Misa against Tavares: 2 (0 wins)
Misa lauded Tavares’ strength and skill, noting the importance of studying elite players. “He’s bigger, stronger, a power forward… Everything he does is pretty elite,” Misa remarked. With another matchup against seasoned center Steven Stamkos approaching, Misa continues to seek improvement and absorb lessons from every game.
