Thornton Ready To Lead

from Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News, Whether he?s in screaming pain for 25 shifts or numbed from head to skate toe, Joe Thornton will be heard from in Game 5 Tuesday, somehow and someway.

He is hurt, but Thornton will play in Vancouver with the Sharks down 3-1 and facing elimination, because he says he?ll play.

?When Joe Thornton comes to you and tells you he?s playing,? coach Todd McLellan said Monday, ?he?s playing.?

And there?s more to it than that.

Though Thornton gave added credibility to his tenure as Sharks captain in several recent playoff performances, this new moment is loaded with even greater potential symbolism.

The Sharks? season might be flickering out, but Thornton?s reign as the team?s unquestioned leader could be taking off from here.

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/thornton_ready_to_lead/

Jonathan Albaladejo Andrew Brackman A.J. Burnett Steve Garrison Phil Hughes Damaso Marte