(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
By Pearl Allison Lo
Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s dazzle this time came as an overtime goal in a 4-3 comeback Tuesday over the Minnesota Wild.
There was a blocked attempt and San Jose had to go outside the Wild’s zone, but the Sharks recovered. Justin Braun made the pass from the neutral zone and Vlasic stayed along the side to take an angled shot past Darcy Kuemper at 3:09.
With the win, San Jose ended Minnesota’s seven-game home win streak against them, which was the longest streak by a NHL team.
The Sharks are now 2-for-2 in their three-game road trip as they won the season series against the Wild 2-1.
It was a different kind of upsetting loss for Minnesota, after losing 7-1 to Dallas Saturday.
San Jose started in a hole when the Wild scored twice just over two minutes apart late in the first. Jason Zucker was aided by Jason Pominville at 15:21. The two then combined to help Jared Spurgeon double the lead.
The Sharks increased their intensity in the second, spending more time in the Wild zone.
Midway into the period, Melker Karlsson put San Jose on the board with a one-on-one breakaway, going around Kuemper. Karlsson now has goals in each of his last three games. Also on the play, Pavelski extended his point streak to four games with three assists in the last two games. Brent Burns now has seven points in 11 games versus Minnesota.
Seven seconds after the goal, the Wild’s Mikko Koivu was called for a trip and San Jose’s Logan Couture was whistled for embellishment.
Couture won the faceoff and Pavelski tied the game with his fourth goal in the last four games at 6:21 of the third.
Over a minute later, Tommy Wingels gave the Sharks the lead when he put in his own rebound, moving in after his far shot hit Kuemper. He was assisted by James Sheppard and Burns with his second assist
San Jose’s scoring, however, got Minnesota going too, for the first time since the first period. It was Zucker again at 12:12, as near the net he took a pass from Charlie Coyle on the side along the boards to retie the game. Zucker finished the game +3 with a game-high eight shots.
The Wild earned a point after killing off a penalty with just over two minutes left in regulation.
Game notes: Alex Stalock won in his first hometown start, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Minnesota was without Zach Parise. The Sharks’ Freddie Hamilton had a game-high three hits in his first game after being recalled, San Jose’s Tomas Hertl returned to action and so did the Wild’s Brett Sutter. The Sharks will try to use their momentum as they aim for a perfect roadtrip facing Saint Louis, who beat them 7-2 Saturday. The game starts Thursday at 5pm.

