San Jose Sharks’ David Schlemko (5) scores the game-winning goal past Colorado Avalanche goalie Spencer Martin, bottom center, during overtime in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By London Marq

SAN JOSE–The bottom ranked Colorado Avalanche (13-29-2) travel into SAP Center to take on the Sharks (29-16-2) who sit behind only Anaheim in the Pacific Division standings. Entering play, they were only three points out of first place. Though they were .500 over there last ten games the Sharks come into this matchup winners of the previous three games. They looked to continue the trend and defend home ice.

Colorado seemed determined to play better than their record would suggest, while San Jose played to a lesser caliber than what they are accustomed. It made for a fun to watch physical and sloppy game.

The first goal came from Joel Ward, his fifth of the season with just under five and a half minutes left in the first period. Though they seemed to have the edge talent wise, the Sharks seemed to be content making the flashy play instead of the smart one. This allowed Colorado to stick around and make some plays of their own.

Each team scored a goal apiece in the second period, Mikhail Grigorenko for Colorado, and Melker Karlsson for San Jose. This gave the Sharks the edge 2-1 going into the third. But the inability of the Sharks to keep possession would lead to a second game tying goal from Francois Beauchemin of Colorado at the midway point of the third period. There would be no more games before the end of regulation.

The skill of the San Jose Sharks players really showed in the overtime period. The Sharks quickly dispatched the Avalanche with a goal from David Schlemko, who tallied his second goal of the season. The Avalanche never even held significant possession in the very short overtime and it goes down as a win for the Sharks.

Sharks def. Avalanche 3 – 2