AP photo: Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) celebrates with Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, top, after he scored a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Chicago. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

by Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the San Jose  Sharks took on the Chicago Blackhawks looking to extend their winning streak to five in a row.  This game however will be a whole lot more challenging than the previous four games.  Both teams are in first place in their divisions and this game promised a tough defensive effort.

The first period was indeed a defensive game with neither team able to score a single goal.  The score was 0-0 as the teams headed to the locker room.  Who would break through in the second period?

The Sharks wasted no time in answering that question putting the first goal in the net at 1:13.  Joe Pavelski score his 11th goal of the season assisted by Brent Burns and Paul Martin for the 1-0 lead.  San Jose almost got through the second period keeping the Blackhawks scoreless.  It was at 16:49 when Chicago’s Duncan Keith scored his first goal of the season to tie up the game.  The period would end deadlocked at one.

The Blackhawks would take the lead for the first time in the game when at 6:59 Ryan Hartman scored an unassisted goal.  The Sharks had to take back control of this game.  Chicago clearly had all the momentum missing a couple of shots that very easily could have found the net.  At 17:40 the Blackhawks Vincent Hinostroza scored this third goal of the season to extend their lead to 3-1.  San Jose could never get back control of this game.    Patrick Kane would score on the empty net and the final was 4-1.  ‘We had our chances,  It was right there all night for us.  There was more than one goal our there for us,” said Joe Pavelski after the game It is easy to see why Chicago is the best in the west.  San Jose will now travel home to take on the Calgary Flames.  The puck drops at 7:30.

Sunday evening the San Jose  Sharks took on the Chicago Blackhawks looking to extend their winning streak to five in a row.  This game however will be a whole lot more challenging than the previous four games.  Both teams are in first place in their divisions and this game promised a tough defensive effort.

The first period was indeed a defensive game with neither team able to score a single goal.  The score was 0-0 as the teams headed to the locker room.  Who would break through in the second period?

The Sharks wasted no time in answering that question putting the first goal in the net at 1:13.  Joe Pavelski score his 11th goal of the season assisted by Brent Burns and Paul Martin for the 1-0 lead.  San Jose almost got through the second period keeping the Blackhawks scoreless.  It was at 16:49 when Chicago’s Duncan Keith scored his first goal of the season to tie up the game.  The period would end deadlocked at one.

The Blackhawks would take the lead for the first time in the game when at 6:59 Ryan Hartman scored an unassisted goal.  The Sharks had to take back control of this game.  Chicago clearly had all the momentum missing a couple of shots that very easily could have found the net.  At 17:40 the Blackhawks Vincent Hinostroza scored this third goal of the season to extend their lead to 3-1.  San Jose could never get back control of this game.    Patrick Kane would score on the empty net and the final was 4-1.  ‘We had our chances,  It was right there all night for us.  There was more than one goal our there for us,” said Joe Pavelski after the game It is easy to see why Chicago is the best in the west.  San Jose will now travel home to take on the Calgary Flames.  The puck drops at 7:30.

Sunday evening the San Jose  Sharks took on the Chicago Blackhawks looking to extend their winning streak to five in a row.  This game however will be a whole lot more challenging than the previous four games.  Both teams are in first place in their divisions and this game promised a tough defensive effort.

The first period was indeed a defensive game with neither team able to score a single goal.  The score was 0-0 as the teams headed to the locker room.  Who would break through in the second period?

The Sharks wasted no time in answering that question putting the first goal in the net at 1:13.  Joe Pavelski score his 11th goal of the season assisted by Brent Burns and Paul Martin for the 1-0 lead.  San Jose almost got through the second period keeping the Blackhawks scoreless.  It was at 16:49 when Chicago’s Duncan Keith scored his first goal of the season to tie up the game.  The period would end deadlocked at one.

The Blackhawks would take the lead for the first time in the game when at 6:59 Ryan Hartman scored an unassisted goal.  The Sharks had to take back control of this game.  Chicago clearly had all the momentum missing a couple of shots that very easily could have found the net.  At 17:40 the Blackhawks Vincent Hinostroza scored this third goal of the season to extend their lead to 3-1.  San Jose could never get back control of this game.    Patrick Kane would score on the empty net and the final was 4-1.  ‘We had our chances,  It was right there all night for us.  There was more than one goal our there for us,” said Joe Pavelski after the game It is easy to see why Chicago is the best in the west.  San Jose will now travel home to take on the Calgary Flames.  The puck drops at 7:30.