Matthew Harrington

Sharks Collapse in 3rd Period, Fall to Wild 5-4; Wild Man Koivu gets the gamer

Published on January 6, 2017January 6, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu celebrates after scoring San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Minnesota won 5-4. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE–For two periods, the San Jose Sharks were getting the better of the team with the second-most points in the Western Conference, but a momentary lapse of urgency proved their undoing. Despite leading 4-2 into the third period at the SAP Center Wednesday night against the Minnesota Wild, the Sharks found themselves 5-4 losers. Minnesota scored 3 unanswered goals to storm back and stun San Jose.

Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal had two goals each for the Wild while Joonas Donskoi, Joe Pavelski, Joel Ward and Patrick Marleau all scored for the Sharks. Vezina front-runner Devan Dubnyk made 30 saves while Martin Jones made 21 for the home team.

The two teams battled to standstill in the opening 20 minutes before San Jose broke the game open 8:22 into the second. Kevin Labanc and Brenden Dillon rushed the puck up ice down the left wing, opening the right side for Joonas Donskoi. Labanc fed the Finn for the one timer, with Donskoi beating Dubnyk glove-side high for a 1-0 lead.

Joe Pavelski netted his 13^th of the year on a goalmouth tip just 3 minutes later. Pavelski tipped a shot from Brent Burns, with Logan Couture picking up the secondary assist on the strike.

The Wild responded in the waning moments of the period, scoring the game’s only power play goal with 1:06 left till the second intermission. Zach Parise picked up his first of three points by dropping the pass off to Staal as he entered the offensive zone. Staal ripped a shot that beat Jones low to the left to make it 2-1 in favor of San Jose.

Parise would add another goal 2:08 into the third after the Sharks failed to clear the puck out of their own end on a dump in. The original shot from Nino Niederreiter bounced off Jones’ pads to Parise for the rebound goal. Staal also picked up an assist, joining Parise with a three-point night.

Joel Ward put San Jose ahead 1:41 later, scoring just outside of the crease on a failing rebound chance. The struggling Ward scored his first goal since November 23^rd and third of the season, with Burns again being the creator of offense with a point shot.

Patrick assisted on Ward’s goal, then etched his name further into history by scoring his 492^nd NHL goal 32 seconds later. With his 11^th strike of the year, Marleau now sits in 46^th place all-time in goals, passing Jean Ratelle.

Neither Ward nor Marleau wound up with the game winner though, with Staal starting the wild comeback 45 seconds after Marleau’s marker. Parise stripped Justin Braun of the puck then fed Staal for his 13^th goal of the year and second of the game.

The final two goals would come on the same shift for Minnesota. Mikko Koivu beat Jones on a rebound of an up-ice rush at the 8:23 mark, then netted the game winner 9:42 left in the game. Linemates Mikael Grandlund and Jason Zucker assisted on both goals.

The Sharks next take the ice Saturday night, facing the Detroit Red Wings at the SAP center.

Sharks Fall in OT, Lose 2nd Straight to LA 2-1

Published on January 3, 2017January 4, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Los Angeles Kings’ Jeff Carter (77) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan 3, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. The Kings won, 2-1 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE–Tanner Pearson scored 58 seconds into overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-1 victory in San Jose Tuesday night. Logan Couture scored his 12th goal of the season for the Sharks, but Jeff Carter’s 21st goal of the season tied the contest up in the third period. Martin Jones made 33 saves on 35 shots in the loss.

Jones had to be his best early in the game, turning aside 16 first period shots. He turned away 8 second period shots to help the Sharks take the lead on Couture’s strike with 8:04 left in the period. Couture’s shot trickled in past Peter Budaj, giving Kevin Labanc and Paul Martin assists.

The Kings dominated most of play in the first and second periods and appeared to tie the game up, but a review proved the puck was batted into the net by Marian Gaborik’s hand on the stick. They would however score on the power play 3:03 into the third after Carter’s redirect of a Jake Muzzin shot beat Jones.

Carter would also assist on the game-winner, taking a puck rebounding off Labanc’s skate the other way before feeding Pearson on the 2-on-1. The goal gave the Kings two wins in a home-and-home set against the Sharks.

Up next for San Jose is a match-up with the red-hot Minnesota Wild followed by a third-straight home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Barracuda Finish 5-Win Homestand With 4-3 OT Win Over Heat

Published on December 26, 2016December 27, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

photo by sjbarracuda.com: The San Jose Barracuda Nikolay Goldobin (82) finds the back end of the net at 2:25 in overtime for the game winner at SAP Center on Monday night against the Stockton Heat

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda wrapped up a successful seven-game homestand Monday night, topping the first-place Stockton Heat 4-3 in overtime. Nikolay Goldobin scored the game-winner while Marcus Sorensen, Nikita Jevpalovs and Barclay Goodrow all scored in regulation for San Jose to finish the home set 5-1-1.

Goldobin scored his fifth of the season just 2:25 into the overtime session, beating Stockton netminder David Rittich over the glovehand on the breakaway. Goldobin slipped behind two Heat skaters at the blue line, taking a pass for Joakim Ryan down the center lane for the game-winning play.

It appeared that overtime wouldn’t be necessary for most of the game with San Jose up 3-2 late, but the Heat tied the game 5:17 into the third period after Mantas Armalis let in a goal on the first shot of the game he faced from Austin Carroll.

Armalis subbed in for Troy Grosenick, who couldn’t finish the game despite making nine saves on 11 shots faced over 44:23 of play. Armalis picked up the win, turning aside seven of eight shots.

The Barracuda opened the game by scoring the first two goals of the contest, with Marcus Sorensen notching the first marker 1:25 into the game. Sorensen crashed the net with Barclay Goodrow the lead forechecker heading into the corner of the Heat defensive end. A Heat defender tried reversing the puck out of the corner, but Goodrow’s pressure led to a bad pass that hit off Sorensen’s skate and into the back of the net 1-0.

Just under six minutes later, Nikita Jevpalovs was the beneficiary of strong work in the corners. After Julius Bergman took a shot from outside the hashmarks, Goldobin was able to pull the bouncing puck down in the corner. Goldobin was then able to wheel the puck to a wide open Jevpalovs in the slot. The Latvian’s first shot richoted up off the crossbar and over Rittich’s shoulder, but Jevpalovs found the puck, tucking it inside the post for his third goal of the year.

Stockton’s Mark Jankowski beat Grosenick after a poor change by the Barracuda led to a 2-on-1 50 seconds after Jevpalovs’ goal, then assisted on Morgan Klimchuk’s 10^th goal of the season 8:11 into the second. The Heat would have a chance to add to the lead after Marcus Sorensen’s cross-checking minor halfway through the period.

The Barracuda’s special teams were the winners during this penalty kill, with Barclay Goodrow scoring a shorthanded goal 1:47 into the kill. Goodrow took a carpenter pass, then held on to the puck despite being wrapped up by Brett Kulak on the attempted breakaway and buried his 10^th goal of the season to take a 3-2 lead.

The Barracuda will wrap up the 2016 portion of the schedule with three-straight contests against the Bakersfield Condors starting Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Rabobank Arena. The two teams will play again Friday in Bakersfield at 7:00 p.m. before returning to SAP for a Saturday contest at 6:00 p.m.

Donskoi Scores Two, Sharks Ride Four-Goal 2nd Period to 4-1 Win Over Flames

Published on December 20, 2016December 20, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

SAN JOSE, CA – DECEMBER 20: San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames on December 20, 2016, at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks are still the last team looking for their first five-goal game of the season, but they now boast a four-goal period on the year. The Sharks (20-12-1) shelled the Calgary Flames 4-1 Tuesday night at the SAP Center for their eight win in 11 game after riding a four-goal second period. Joonas Donskoi scored a pair of goals to break a 23-game goal drought while Patrick Marleau scored his 490^th career goal. Paul Martin also scored for the Sharks and Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, appearing in game number 1,400 for his career, each had a pair of assists.

“It was nice to be rewarded,” said Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer. “We’ve had a hard time scoring. It’s starting to come.”

After a lackluster first-period effort that saw the two teams combine for 17 shots, the Sharks opened the flood gates. San Jose peppered Calgary goaltender Chad Johnson, slipping four pucks past him on 13 shots.

“Scoring is about confidence,” said DeBoer. “You get one, they come in bunches. I think our entire game was turned around. We’ve been solid for a while offensively, we just haven’t been rewarded. Now we’re starting to get rewarded.”

Patrick Marleau opened the scoring by backhanding a rebound into an open net 5:35 into the period, his ninth goal of the season. With the goal, Marleau moved into 47^th place all-time on the career goals list, lighting the lamp 490 times over his 19-year career.

Marleau’s goal was assisted by another Shark celebrating a milestone of longevity. Joe Thornton appear in his 1,400 NHL game Tuesday, picking up two assists in the process. He would also grab a helper on Paul Martin’s goal, a shot from the point that bounced around before beating Johnson for a 2-0 lead 9:18 into the period.

“We had a couple of guys in front,” said Martin. “I was just trying to get it here.”

The Sharks continued to roll, with the sure-fire Hall of Famers making way for the rookie phenom of 2015-16. Joonas Donskoi netted a pair of goals in a span of just under two minutes, his first goals since scoring in back-to-back games October 27^th and 29^th.

“I told him to shoot more,” said Martin. “He’s such a good player, it’s only a matter of time. He gets his opportunity and works hard. Sometimes you just have to put it on the net and good things happen.”

“That’s a common theme in our room,” said a chuckling DeBoer. “Not just Joonas.”

Since last lighting the lamp last, Donskoi fired 39 shots on goal. It took him a series of three to burst out of his slump. The winger worked his way into a breakaway, but found the Calgary defense collapsing around him in the slot. He took a shot wide of the cage that bounced out to the opposite post, allowing Tommy Wingels to pick up the puck and feed Donskoi for the tap-in goal with 5:37 left in the period. Wingels and Joe Pavelski picked up the assists, with Pavelski joining Thornton with two-assist performances.

“It felt great,” said Donskoi. “It’s been a long time since I scored. I didn’t even remember how good it feels.”

Donskoi was the recipient of a turnover by Mikael Backlund right in the slot, intercepting the clearing pass five feet in front of Johnson 1:56 after his first goal. Donskoi rifled his second goal of the game in make it 4-0 and give the Finnish winger his fourth goal of the season. Backlund originally stopped Chris Tierney’s pass attempt from behind the net.

Calgary would break up Martin Jones’ shutout bid 16 shots into the game with Sam Bennett beating the netminder 1:19 into the period for his eight goal of the year. It’d be the only offense the Flames (17-16-2) would muster for the night.

San Jose faces another Western Canadian foe when the visiting Edmonton Oilers head to town Friday night. They are led by sophomore sensation Connor McDavid, the league leader in points (40) and assists (28) while they continue to surprise. The Oilers sit just two points behind Division-leading San Jose.

Too Much of “Own Kool-Aid” Hurts Barracuda Effort in 4-0 Loss to Stockton

Published on December 8, 2016December 9, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda spent all night chasing the Stockton Heat around for the puck and got shutout for their efforts on Thursday night at SAP Center in San Jose

By Mathew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda fell to Northern California rivals the Stockton Heat 4-0 Thursday night at the SAP Center after Stockton opened the game with a three-goal first period. Heat netminder Jon Gillies made 31 saves to shut out the Barracuda while Mark Jankowski (1g, 1a) picked up a two-point night for Pacific Division leader Stockton (13-5-1-1). The regulation defeat was the first for San Jose (8-6-03) in five games.

“Our compete level stunk in the first,” said Barracuda coach Roy Sommer. “We drank the Kool-aid on everyone telling us how good we are. We forgot that the team coming in here is 7-2-1 in their last ten.”

Mantas Armalis started in net for the Barracuda but was chased after just 20 minutes, surrendering three goals on 17 shots.

“It didn’t work for all of us in the first period,” said Armalis. “I think we got distracted from what we had to do by all these small things that were going wrong.”

Troy Grosenick, making his first appearance since exiting the Barracuda’s November 22^nd loss to Bakersfield with a right leg injury, held Stockton scoreless over his two period, making 24 saves.

“I’ve been practicing for about a week now,” said Grosenick. “I felt pretty normal. Any time you come in like that you want to feel the puck as much as possible to start.”

“I thought the brightest spot in the whole game was Grosenick,” said Sommer. “I thought he came in and had a couple tough shots early in the second. He stood his ground.”

The Heat scored 3:34 into the game with Austin Carroll netting his first goal of the season in controversial fashion. The puck appeared to hit the netting, meaning the play should have been called dead. Barracuda coach Roy Sommer was given a game misconduct after arguing the call with the officials.

“I think everyone in the building saw it but the four guys on the ice,” said Sommer. “We had eight eyes on it and they missed it. Maybe I said one too many ‘F offs’.”

They added a pair late in the period with Jankowski scoring unassisted with 4:17 left in the period. A turnover on the blue line led to Hunter Smith goal just 45 seconds later for a 3-0 lead.

San Jose tried to counter, but ultimately were outshot by a slim 11-9 margin in the 2^nd period. The Barracuda held an 11-9 shot advantage halfway through the third, but finished with a 12-12 draw for a final total of 41-31 Stockton. The heat added an empty net goal with 37 seconds left on Hunter Shinkaruk’s goal.

One encouraging sign for Sharks fans looking to alleviate the recent scoring depth slump was the performance of Timo Meier. Despite not scoring, the Swiss forward still fired 9 shots on goal. The 20-year-old also avoided the penalty box, the most concerning aspect of his game after racking up 22 penalty minutes over his 14 games this year. The Sharks have failed to score 3-plus goals in 5 of their last 7 games despite amassing a 5-2 record over that stretch.

Last season the Barracuda dominated the Heat going 9-1-1-1 including a perfect record at home. This year, Stockton holds the advantage now 2-0 with 10 games left on the schedule.

“It’s a way better team,” said Sommer of this iteration of the Heat. “They’re structured. That’s the best team we’ve played so far without a doubt.”

For now, the Barracuda turn their attention to the San Diego Gulls for a pair of home games. After that, San Jose will host another four straight home games as part of the longest home stand of the season.

“We’ve got a big home stand ahead of us,” said Sommer. “We screw up in this home stand, we’re not going to get in the playoffs. That’s what you’re playing for right now and you’re playing two of the best teams in the Division. If you have that same start against San Diego you’re going to be asking me the same questions Saturday afternoon.”

“Moral Victory” Doesn’t Translate to Win for Sharks in Unlucky 4-2 Loss

Published on December 7, 2016December 8, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

AP photo: Ottawa Senators Chris Kelly (22) goes stick side on San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) for a top shelf go ahead goal in the third period in the Sens 4-2 win at SAP Center on Wednesday night

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Over the course of an 82-game season, NHL teams will lose a game they should have won and win a game they should not have. For the San Jose Sharks Wednesday night it was the team with a lessor performance walking away with the victory. Despite San Jose out-shooting Ottawa 37-17, the Sharks fell to the Senators 4-2.

“We did everything but find a way to win,” said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer. “At the end of the day moral victories don’t count in the standings.”

Chris Kelly scored the game-winner for the Senators on a bad break for defenseman Justin Braun and Jean Gabriel Pageau scored an empty-netter for the Sens. The Sharks erased a 2-0 first period deficit with Logan Couture and Brent Burns scoring for the home team.

With 1:06 left in regulation and the score tied at 2-2 Braun prepared to handle a routine clear. Instead, the puck bounced over his stick, allowing a fore-checking Kelly to score his 2^nd goal of the season.

“It was bouncing in the neutral zone,” said Braun. “I had a guy coming on me and I’m trying to whack it over to [Joe Thornton]. I missed with my feet, it keeps going. [Marc-Edouard Vlasic] didn’t have time to get back. It’s a play that I have to knock out of the air and get moving forward.”

“It was a bounce of the puck,” added DeBoer. “That happens over 82 games. You’re going to get those once in a while.”

The Sharks appeared destined for overtime thanks to work from two of their top players. Logan Couture, in the lineup after surgery to remove a screw in his repaired ankle, struck on the power play 8:19 into the second period. Joe Pavelski slipped a perfect drop pass to his left side that Couture picked up in the slot for his 9^th goal of the season to put San Jose on the board at 2-1.

“I felt fine,” said Couture. “Just the start of periods it felt a little sore. Once the game got going I felt fine.”

Burns netted his 11^th goal of the season in the 3^rd period after freezing Mike Condon on a shot from just outside the right faceoff dot over the netminder’s glove hand. Paul Martin picked up the lone assist for his 300^th career point.

The goal came with both teams skating four-aside after the Sharks took a penalty while on the man-advantage. They were 1 for 6 on the power play. Ottawa was 1 for 4 with a Shark in the sin bin with Mark Stone scoring 3:42 into the game.

“I thought our power play could have won us the game,” said DeBoer. “It was ok.”

Erik Karlsson, OIttawa’s mobile defenseman and perennial Norris trophy threat, assisted on Stone’s goal. He picked up his 26^th point of the year 7:19 into the 1^st after scoring his 7^th goal of the season. Karlsson leads defensemen in scoring, holding a 3-point advantage over Burns (11g, 12a).

The Sharks will take the ice Friday for a rivalry tilt in Anaheim before facing the Carolina Hurricanes at home Saturday night. It will be the Sharks’ third game in four nights after a small break. San Jose didn’t have a game since last Friday when they topped the visiting Canadiens.

Gaels Second Half Surge Stumps Stanford in 64-51 Win

Published on November 30, 2016November 30, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

gostanford.com photo: Stanford Cardinal guard Robert Cartwright (2) drive towards the bucket while being defended by the St Mary’s Gaels guard Joe Rahon (25) on Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

STANFORD, Calif. –The Stanford Cardinal trailed the no. 12 Saint Mary’s Gaels for just 47 seconds in the first half at Maples Pavilion Wednesday night, heading to the intermission up 30-26. The first half lead evaporated after a 12-0 Gaels run to open the half then piled up the points the points in a blowout second half for a 64-51 win. Calvin Hermanson scored a game-high 25 points, including seven threes (most of which stymied any Cardinal momentum) to give Stanford (6-2) its second loss of the young season.

Reserves Grant Verhoeven (12 points) and Robert Cartwright (10) were the only Cardinal to reach double-digits in scoring, snapping Reid Travis’ 7-game streak to start the year.

Starter Michael Humphrey and sub Josh Sharma (And sometimes both) did a stellar job locking down the Gaels’ leading scorer this season, Jock Landale. One of Saint Mary’s many Aussies, Landale has average 21 points per game this season but was limited to just four points on 2 of 2 shooting in the first 20 minutes.

The second half was a different story for the center, as Landale’s seven points over the opening 4:30 capped a 12-0 run that saw the Gaels wrest a comfortable 38-30 lead. Over the same stretch, the Cardinal went 0 for 7 from the field to watch a four point lead become an eight point deficit. Stanford went on a 4-0 run to work back into the game at 38-34, but treys from Evan Naar and Hermanson restored a 10-point edge 44-34 with 12:22 left to play.

Stanford’s Senior Verhoeven provided a spark for Stanford as the game advanced to the later stages. The Hanford, Calif. Native scored seven points over the next five-plus minutes, and Robbie Cartwright scored four of his own to pull Stanford within three at 48-45 with 6:46 left in regulation. Hermanson would again provide a dagger of a trey to put the visitors up 51-45. Kyle Clark would add a three of his own to edge out plus-nine. As a team Saint Mary’s hit 11 of 27 shots from behind the arch, eight coming in the second half.

Verhoeven would pick up an and-1 as part of his 12-point performance, but Hermanson picked up a quick 5 points for a 59-48 to bust the game open for the Gaels with four minutes left. From there, St. Mary’s took total control, finishing the game out on a 7-3 run.

The Cardinal’s breakout performer in the first half was the aggressive Reid Travis. After medically redshirting last season with a leg injury, the junior forward looks in top form for the Cardinal. The powerhouse of a forward bullied his way to eight first-half points on 4 of 6 shooting, driving to the hoop looking to draw contact or finish with a layup. He was held scoreless in the second half, was held to just though, missing all three of his shot attempts. Dorian Pickens, one of the Cardinal’s fastest starters, only hit a pair of free throws in the contest.

As a team, the Cardinal shot just 28 percent as a team in the second half after hitting 50 percent of their first-half shots.

The road ahead won’t be any easier for the Cardinal, as Stanford travels to no.4 Kansas Saturday night. Stanford then faces Bay Area foes California State East Bay on December 16^th before facing Southern Methodist University on the road on the 19^th.

Burns, Sharks Spoil Smith’s 40-Save Night 2-1 Win in OT

Published on November 29, 2016November 29, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

AP photo: San Jose Sharks Brent Burns is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the game winner past Arizona Coyote goalie Mike Smith in overtime Tuesday night at SAP Center

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks needed every one of their 42 shots to beat the visiting Arizona Coyotes 2-1 in overtime. Brent Burns scored his team-leading 9^th goal 19 seconds into the extra period to give San Jose its first win against the Desert Dogs this season. Chris Tierney also scored his second goal of the year and Martin Jones made 18 saves in net for the Sharks (13-9-1).

While Jones was strong in net, Mike Smith once again proved strong against a barrage of Sharks shots. For the second time in as many games against team Teal, Smith made 40-plus saves. Tuesday night Smith turned away 40 to earn the Coyotes (8-10-3) a loser point. On November 19^th, Smith made 43 saves at Gila River Arena to give Arizona a 3-2 win and 2-0 record this year against San Jose.

The story would be all Smith if not for a penalty by Martin Hanzal in the final second of the third period. The Coyotes best face-off man and penalty killer got the gate for hi-sticking, giving the Sharks a 4-on-3 advantage in the overtime period.

With a unit of Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton on the ice it was a question of if, not when the Sharks would score. Just a third of a minute into overtime Joe Pavelski fed Burns a one-timer to the faceoff dot to Mike Smith’s right. Burns, always one to capitalize on grade-A chances, buried his 9^th goal of the season. The goal, along with 88’s 20 points, are both the best marks in the league by a defenseman.

Despite a barrage of shots, the Sharks were up against an early deficit following a 2^nd period goal for second-year wonder Max Domi. Domi took the Coyotes fifth shot and put it in the back of the net 7:19 into the middle frame.

The Sharks own young center Chris Tierney evened the score though, jamming a puck on the goal line past Smith in a scrum with 4:31 left in the 2^nd. Neither team would score in the third despite San Jose opening the period with a 5-shot power play.

The Sharks wrap up a two-in-two stretch by traveling down to Los Angeles to face another division rival, the Los Angeles Kings. Following the Battle of California, San Jose returns home Friday night to face the Montreal Canadiens.

Goodrow Yo-yo’s Way into Game-Winner in 4-1 Barracuda Win

Published on November 25, 2016November 26, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

sjbarracuda.com photo: The Bakersfield Condors right winger Patrick Russell (36) and the San Jose Barracuda center Rourke Chartier face off in Friday’s night’s contest on Star Wars night at SAP Center

SAN JOSE, Calif. –San Jose (that’s Sharks AND Barracuda today) forward Barclay Goodrow had a whirlwind of a Black Friday. The right winger awoke from his Thanksgiving food coma to the news of a call-up from the AHL club to the NHL squad for an afternoon tilt against the New York Islanders. Goodrow took the ice for pregame skate with the Sharks, but didn’t crack the line-up and, in fact, didn’t crack the roster past one period.

“I had warmed up, then after warm-ups they told me I was playing here tonight,” said Goodrow. “My legs felt great because I had warmed up earlier.”

During the Sharks matinee, Goodrow was reassigned to the Barracuda, in plenty of time to play in their 6 pm contest against the Bakersfield Condors (6-8-0-0). Luckily for the Barracuda, the 23-year-old was ready to play, scoring the game winner in a 4-1 Barracuda victory. Colin Blackwell also scored for San Jose (6-5-0-2) while netminder Mantas Armalis made 31 saves to avenge a 3-1 loss on the road to the Condors Tuesday night in which Armalis relieved an injured Troy Grosenick in net.

“That’s the thing,” said Colin Blackwell. “One guy goes down, somebody else has to step up. Offense, defense, different guys cycle into the lineup. That’s our mentality. He had a great game tonight.”

“I guess I like playing here,” said Armalis with a chuckle.

Timo Meier had a goal and an assist for a two-point night for San Jose.

The Condors opened the scoring first with defenseman David Musil lighting the lamp 8:59 into the game on the power play. The Barracuda would go on the man advantage once in the period, but could not beat Laurent Brossoit between the pipes.

The Barracuda tied the contest 9:48 into the second period after Colin Blackwell potted his first professional goal. The Harvard-man-turned-Barracuda-rookie skated down the right wing, flipping the puck over Brossoit’s glove for his third point of the season. Fellow Harvard alum Patrick McNally and Nikita Jevpalovs assisted on the goal to put San Jose ahead 2-1.

“I had a shot last minute,” said Blackwell. “I was lucky. It went through his armpit.”

The Barracuda took the lead 1:47 into the third period after Barclay Goodrow tipped a Julius Bergman point shot past Brossoit for his seventh point of the season. Mirco Mueller also picked up an assist.

Another player with a recent, brief stint in the NHL lit the lamp for the Barracuda in the third. Danny O’Regan, just four days removed from making his NHL debut in a 4-0 Sharks win against New Jersey Monday, beat Brossoit on a backhanded dangle in the low slot with 6:55 left in regulation. O’Regan received a perfect backhand pass from Timo Meier along the boards to pick up his sixth goal of the year and a 3-1 Barracuda lead.

“Honestly, I kind of blacked out on that one,” said O’Regan when asked to describe his goal. “My linemates did a great job on the rush, driving to the net. Timo (Meier) was able to find me in the slot and I was able to corral the puck. I picked my head up and saw the defender went down. I was able to move around him and get close to the net then I got a little puck luck.”

Meier added an empty-netter with 48.8 seconds to seal the win for his second point of the game. San Jose won’t get to enjoy home ice for too long. After just their first game at home since November 6^th, a stretch that saw the Barracuda go 2-3-0-1, they’ll face the Ontario Reign Saturday night in the Inland Empire. After Tommy Wingels suffered an injury, one of the Barracuda could find themselves in the Sharks lineup tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks.

“You have to always bring your game,” said Goodrow. “If you’re playing well enough, you’ll get recognized. Just try to play your game.”

Jones Turns Aside Hawks in 2-1 win.

Published on November 24, 2016November 24, 2016 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

AP photo: San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) blocks one of the 33 shots he stopped on Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks at SAP Center

The San Jose Sharks continued their winning ways at home Wednesday night, topping the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in a nail-biter. Logan Couture and Joel Ward each scored in the first period, allowing the Sharks to survive after an Artemi Panerin goal for their sixth win at SAP this year.

Joe Pavleksi set couture up on the one-timer from the right face-off dot to open up the scoring 11:32 into the first. The Sharks were on a 4-on-3 power play when the first power play unit produced.

Just three minutes and ten seconds later Joel Ward scored short-handed after blocking a shot. He then skated unabated to pull Hawks goalie Corey Crawford one-on-one for just his second goal of the season.

Panarin scored with 12:11 left in the second, but Martin Jones proved strong in net for the Sharks. The San Jose netminder turned away 33 of 34 shots on goal, allowing just one goal over his 120 minutes at home after 6 games on the road.

The Sharks face the New York Islanders in a matinee Friday Afternoon before taking the ice Saturday night as part of their prolonged homestand.