by Jerry Feitelberg

The San Jose Sharks, who have been winless in their last five games, played Calgary Tuesday night hoping to get back on the winning track. The Sharks are10-2-5 on the season find themselves six points back of the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks did pick up four points but they have not been playing well especially late in the game. The Calgary Flames entered play with a record of 6-9-2 and were hoping to get a win at home. Alex Stalock was sent out to tend the nets for San Jose. Regular goalie Antti Niemi was given the night off and the Sharks hope that a day of rest will get him back to form. The Flames had Swiss-born Reto Berra tend goal. The Sharks scored two goals in the first period but Calgary came back to tie the game in the third period. The Sharks won the game in overtime when Brad Stuart scored when the puck hit his elbow and beat Berra for the win. Final score Sharks win 3-2.

The game summary follows below.

The Sharks took a 1-0 lead in the first period when Logan Couture scored with just 1:32 played. It was the first shot on net of the night. The Sharks dominated play in the first period and they lit the lamp again when Patrick Marleau beat Berra with just 56 seconds left in the period. The Sharks outshot the Flames 17-3.

There was no scoring in the second period. The Flames played better for the first ten minutes of the period but the Sharks pushed back and took control of the game again. Shots on goal after two period were in San Jose’s favor 28-6.

It was a different story in the third period. Justin Braun was called for interference with 6:44 played. It was the first San Jose penalty of the night. The Flames wasted no time as they scored seven seconds later on a Chris Russell slap shot that Stalock did not see as he was screened out on the play.

It was only the ninth shot on goal all night for the Flames but the momentum had shifted and the Sharks were back on their heels. The Flames tied the game a few minutes later when Mark Cammaleri scored his eighth goal of the year. There was no scoring so they went to overtime. The Sharks came out with a vengeance determined not to go to a shoot-out. Big Joe Thornton fired a shot at the net and it hit Brad Stuart in the elbow and it slipped past Berra for the win.

After the game Brad Stuart said”we were a little sloppy in the third period and got away from what we were doing in the first two periods.” He also said the following regarding the game winning goal”I drove the net and it hit me in the elbow and it went in.” The goal was reviewed and it was determined to be a good goal. Goalie Alex Stalock is now 2-0 in games he has started for the Sharks.

The Sharks continue to miss Brent Burns. He gives the offense a lot of oomph and there is no date yet for his return.

Next up on the road trip is a visit to Vancouver Thursday night at 7pm.