By Matthew T.F. Harrington
photo credit: Detroit Free Press San Jose Sharks Joel Ward and Sharks scrum in front of the net with Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night at SAP
SAN JOSE, Calif, — The struggles at home continued for the San Jose Sharks Thursday night, with the team in teal falling to the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on a late goal from Justin Abdelkader despite outshooting the opponent 36-25. Joel Ward scored his first goal in 11 games, but Danny Dekeyser also scored for Detroit to hand San Jose its 12th loss in 17 home games this season. Petr Mrazek made 35 saves in net for Detroit (21-13-7).
“You can’t take moral victories from games,” said Sharks forward Logan Couture. “I’m sure we’ll look at the video and see some things we did well but we still lost the game. This is a result-driven business. It’s all about winning games and right now we’re not doing it at home.”
The Sharks (18-18-2) surrendered the first goal of the game after Red Wings defenseman Danny Dekeyser took the puck streaking down his left hand lane. The blue-liner burned around Sharks rearguard Justin Braun, gaining an open look from the left circle. He wouldn’t miss from that close, beating goaltender Martin Jones over the glove hand for a 1-0 Motown lead 9:16 into the game.
A scoring slump-buster proved the equalizer for San Jose, with Joel Ward tipping home his first goal since December 5th 1:41 later. The Sharks all-star defenseman Brent Burns fire a rocket from the point that Ward connected with while flying by the goal for his 11th tally of the season. Marc-Eduoard Vlasic also assisted on the Sharks first goal.
Despite three power plays (counting a carryover penalty from the 1st) in the 2nd, the Sharks couldn’t crack the Wings defense, settling for 10 shots on Detroit netminder Petr Mrazek and no goals.
“They’re responsible in the neutral zone,” said Sharks captain Joe Pavelski. “They deflected some of our speed outward. Once we got on the forecheck could play down there but it wasn’t enough.”
On the flipside, Jones wasn’t tested often in the frame. The Sharks defense held the visitors to only 6 shots on goal in the frame.
“I thought we played a pretty good game,” said Jones. “We just needed a little bit more.”
Neither team generated much offense in the 3rd period until there were about 8 minutes left in the game. The Sharks nearly beat Mrazek at one end. Ward’s bid for a 2nd goal appeared to beat Mrazek, but the Czech goalie was able to paddle the puck away in mid-air while sliding the other way to preserve the tie.
“That’s the way things are going right now,” said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer. “We’ve just got to be resilient and know that if we play that way in the long term we’ll be alright.”
On the ensuing rush at the other end resulted in a Detroit goal. After Pavel Datsyuk’s shot hit the end boards, Justin Abdelkader pounced on a rebound that landed in the slot. His laser beat Jones glove side to give Detroit the lead with 6:52 left in regulation.
“It was a flukey bounce out to the slot,” said Pavelski. “The guy wires one in there. You’ve just got to fight through this.”
“That save was a game-changer,” said Couture of the turn of events. “They go down and score ten seconds later. That one hurt.”
San Jose didn’t get much of an opportunity down the stretch to find an offensive rhythm. Joe Pavelski was whistled for interference on a face-off with Luke Glendenning with only 2:53 left in the game. With the team shorthanded San Jose wasn’t able to pull Jones until there was less than a minute remaining.
“I thought (the call) was a little marginal considering all the interference that was going on all night,” said DeBoer. “But that wasn’t the reason we lost.”
After the final whistle both teams met in the corner for a scrum. Joe Thornton was assessed 14 penalties minutes for his involvement in the altercation.
“There was a little frustration, absolutely,” said DeBoer. “We expect that. Guys are pissed off. I think they deserved better tonight and we didn’t get it.”
The Sharks hope that, if the effort continues to trend up the result will be better Saturday night at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Hard work, that’s all it takes when you’re struggling,” said Jones. “I thought we had a good couple days of practice. We just have to continue that.”
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