Ethan Cardwell (56) jumps onto the glass after he scores his first NHL goal (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE–After a back to back goal scoring throughout the game, San Jose came out with the win as Ethan Cardwell scores his first career NHL goal in his fourth game with the Sharks defeating the Seattle Kraken 8-5 at SAP Center.

The Sharks hosted the Seattle Kraken for a Black-Friday matchup Friday afternoon. This is the first matchup between the two teams this season, the last time these teams faced off was on April 11th in Seattle where the Sharks won 3-1. Luke Kunin, Kyle Burroughs, and Fabian Zetterlund all scored that game.

San Jose struck first at 2:07 on a slapshot by Timothy Liljegren assisted by Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg. After a turnover by San Jose, Seattle tied the game at 1 at 3:03. Oliver Bjorkstand registered his 6th goal of the season assisted by Eeli Tolvanen.

At 14:21, Seattle took a two minute penalty for interference. San Jose’s powerplay is 18.5%, ranked 19th in the league and Seattle’s penalty kill is 78.0%, ranked 18th in the league. With eight seconds left on the powerplay, Klim Kostin netted his first of the season assisted by William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund. “Just trying to play hockey and enjoy hockey.” said Klim Kostin.

33 seconds after San Jose took the lead, Seattle tied it again at 2-2 with Chandler Stephenson scoring his second of the season assisted by Jaden Schwartz. At 18:48, Cody Ceci went to the box for a slashing call against Jaden Schwartz. After almost killing the whole penalty, Shane Wright scored his third goal of the season assisted by Oliver Bjorkstand and Chandler Stephenson.

At 2:45 of the second, Will Smith tied the game at three assisted by Mikael Granlund. Jake Walman took a double minor for high-sticking Tye Kartye which led to Shane Wright’s second powerplay goal of the night scored at 7:20 assisted by Chandler Stephenson and Ryker Evans.

Staying and attacking in the zone led to three more goals scored by Jake Walman, Mikael Granlund, and Macklin Celebrini all in the second. Granlund accounted for a goal and an assist on the night “Overall I think there was a good performance.” With one minute left of the second, Yanni Gourde scored his third goal of the season assisted by Ryker Evans and Brandon Tanev to cut San Jose’s lead down to one going into the 3rd.

At 7:37 of the third, Cardwell scored his first career NHL goal assisted by Nico Sturm and Henry Thrun. “The puck is going back home. I know they’re watching, I’m getting texts right now.” With 5 minutes left in the game, Jake Walman put the cherry on top scoring on an empty net to secure the 8-5 win.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

1. Mikael Granlund

2. Jake Walman

3. Klim Kostin

San Jose will be back in action Saturday night in Seattle to take on the Kraken for back to back games. “Some things we have to be better at and look at tomorrow, I’m sure there’s some goals Grubauer wants back, we got fortunate on that side of it.” says Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky.