smallforce

Magic Marc wins it for Sharks again

Published on January 6, 2015January 7, 2015 by smallforceLeave a comment

(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

By Pearl Allison Lo

Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s dazzle this time came as an overtime goal in a 4-3 comeback Tuesday over the Minnesota Wild.

There was a blocked attempt and San Jose had to go outside the Wild’s zone, but the Sharks recovered. Justin Braun made the pass from the neutral zone and Vlasic stayed along the side to take an angled shot past Darcy Kuemper at 3:09.

With the win, San Jose ended Minnesota’s seven-game home win streak against them, which was the longest streak by a NHL team.

The Sharks are now 2-for-2 in their three-game road trip as they won the season series against the Wild 2-1.

It was a different kind of upsetting loss for Minnesota, after losing 7-1 to Dallas Saturday.

San Jose started in a hole when the Wild scored twice just over two minutes apart late in the first. Jason Zucker was aided by Jason Pominville at 15:21. The two then combined to help Jared Spurgeon double the lead.

The Sharks increased their intensity in the second, spending more time in the Wild zone.

Midway into the period, Melker Karlsson put San Jose on the board with a one-on-one breakaway, going around Kuemper. Karlsson now has goals in each of his last three games. Also on the play, Pavelski extended his point streak to four games with three assists in the last two games. Brent Burns now has seven points in 11 games versus Minnesota.

Seven seconds after the goal, the Wild’s Mikko Koivu was called for a trip and San Jose’s Logan Couture was whistled for embellishment.

Couture won the faceoff and Pavelski tied the game with his fourth goal in the last four games at 6:21 of the third.

Over a minute later, Tommy Wingels gave the Sharks the lead when he put in his own rebound, moving in after his far shot hit Kuemper. He was assisted by James Sheppard and Burns with his second assist

San Jose’s scoring, however, got Minnesota going too, for the first time since the first period. It was Zucker again at 12:12, as near the net he took a pass from Charlie Coyle on the side along the boards to retie the game. Zucker finished the game +3 with a game-high eight shots.

The Wild earned a point after killing off a penalty with just over two minutes left in regulation.

Game notes: Alex Stalock won in his first hometown start, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Minnesota was without Zach Parise. The Sharks’ Freddie Hamilton had a game-high three hits in his first game after being recalled, San Jose’s Tomas Hertl returned to action and so did the Wild’s Brett Sutter. The Sharks will try to use their momentum as they aim for a perfect roadtrip facing Saint Louis, who beat them 7-2 Saturday. The game starts Thursday at 5pm.

Sharks rise to beat Jets

Published on January 5, 2015 by smallforceLeave a comment

(Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Pearl Allison Lo

With 4.5 seconds left, Marc-Edouard Vlasic capped a 3-2 win over Winnipeg Monday to take the edge off San Jose’s 7-2 loss Saturday.

Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski both got their second assists. Couture’s first came on the Sharks’ first goal.

It was a more even battle than the previous 3-0 meeting between the teams, in which Vlasic also scored the game winner.

Playing without Joe Thornton for the first time since he was officially placed on injured reserve, San Jose Coach Todd McLellan changed all but one of his usual rotations.

The Sharks started off well. Even without winning the faceoff, in tic-tac-toe formation, Couture saw Patrick Marleau who saw Brent Burns at the point as he fired straightaway to make it 1-0 at 2:53. It happened on a 5-on-3 power play. The first penalty was a double minor for a high stick

The Jets equalized with a power play of their own at 9:17. Andrew Ladd was helped by Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. Little now has a seven-game point streak and five-game assist streak. Wheeler now has a six-game point streak and four-game assist streak.

San Jose took back the lead at 4:15 of the second, as Melker Karlsson scored his second goal in as many games. Karlsson redirected Pavelski’s shot from alongside the boards after Burns touched the puck. It was Burns’ second assist in as many games.

15 seconds into Winnipeg’s power play in the third, Tomas Hertl took a puck on the bench from Couture as Hertl left the ice with his face buried in a towel. It was later shown that he sustained a cut to his upper lip. The Jets scored with less than 30 seconds left in the play as Jay Harrison was aided by Adam Lowry and Michael Frolik at 4:03. It was the Sharks’ second time in a row giving up two power play goals. It was Harrison’s first goal with Winnipeg.

San Jose struggled on special teams after their first goal, going 0-for-6 and are now 1-for-13 in the last two games.

The Sharks’ Antti Niemi stopped 17 shots, giving up just the two power play goals.

Winnipeg rookie goalie Michael Hutchinson stopped 34 shots in his first game against San Jose.

Game notes: The Jets outhit the Sharks 45-26, Dustin Byfuglien leading with six, teammate Adam Pardy led with six blocked shots and San Jose’s Tommy Wingels led with seven shots. The Sharks’ John Scott played 4:48 in his return from suspension. San Jose plays again Tuesday, facing the Wild at 5pm.

Pavelski controls the heat

Published on December 31, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

(Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Pearl Allison Lo

ANAHEIM — San Jose evened up their holiday series with the Ducks, avenging their loss before Christmas with a New Years’ Eve shutout Wednesday, 3-0.

Emotions were high both on and off the ice as sticks were thrown and slammed and the crowd booed the refs in person and online during “Ducks ‘80s Night”. Anaheim had at least three penalties each period.

For the Sharks’ part, Coach Todd McLellan said on team performance, ”Much better energy tonight. The formula is right there for the group. We had to have a discussion about what makes us successful and we brought it again.” He added, “Discipline, composure, whatever word you want to use. I thought we had a good dose of it when we needed it.”

Joe Pavelski continued his streak of scoring against the Ducks this year, with his first two-goal game against them. Pavelski now has four goals in his last four games.

It was Antti Niemi’s third shutout of the season as he made 28 saves. Niemi said, “It was a tough start for me, not getting too many saves in the first.” Tommy Wingels added, “He was on tonight, he was seeing pucks. He had really good rebound control.”

The Sharks also earned the win without Joe Thornton since midway in the first period and with the return of Anaheim’s Corey Perry from injury. When asked about Thornton’s status, Coach McLellan responded, “Jumbo’s fine. He’s going to be okay. He played three minutes and still found a way to get on the score sheet, which is a credit to him, and after that, the way the group responded. There was a lot of juggling going on at the bench, and everybody was alert…We won as a team tonight.” It is unknown though, yet, whether or not Thornton will play the next game.

San Jose scored first when Pavelski redirected a pass from Marc-Edouard Vlasic at the blue line along the boards. Thornton also aided on the goal 4:33 into the game.

Andrew Desjardins almost made it 2-0, but the goal was taken back after Micheal Haley made incidental goalie contact with the Ducks’ Frederik Andersen.

Anaheim’s Patrick Maroon had an up front opportunity when a Sharks player fell down in the Ducks’ end. In San Jose’s end, Maroon took a pass from Ryan Getzlaf, but Maroon’s shot went wide diagonally behind Niemi.

The Sharks had three power plays in the span of just over five minutes.

Both Getzlaf and Thornton left during the first power play. Getzlaf was helped off the ice after blocking one of Brent Burns’ shots and came back during the second power play. During the power play, Tomas Hertl tried to put in the puck on Andersen’s left, but was denied. Hertl then went around the net to pass to James Sheppard, but Sheppard’s shot was gloved by Andersen.

San Jose ended the first with a 14-3 shot advantage. Seven of their attempts were blocked and Anaheim won the faceoff battle throughout the game.

The Ducks got their first power play at 3:49 of the second and the Sharks were lucky Anaheim did not score after a giveaway near the net.

Maroon was once again at the side of the net later, but the pass missed him.

With 4:53 left in the period, it looked like after missed opportunities, Emerson Etem would finally tie the game. However, the referees dealt Anaheim a wave off of a goal as well.

The physicalness between the Pacific Division rivals came to a boiling point at the end of the second period. Perry made a pass alongside the boards and after the horn, Wingels knocked Perry into the boards and Perry retaliated. All were issued two minute penalties. Wingels was called for interference and Perry and Ryan Kesler got roughing. After the announcement, Getzlaf threw his stick exiting the ice and received two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. He commented after, “These are two great hockey teams on the ice, so we shouldn’t be standing here talking about the refs at the end of the game. That’s the frustrating part. I accept full responsibility for my role in that.”

San Jose nearly squandered their new 5-on-3 power play opportunity, but Pavelski scored his second goal one second before the power play ended.

The teams then traded penalties, but both of the Ducks’ power plays were cut short by their own penalties.

Anaheim had a shot that hit the post during their second power play.

The fourth power play of the period came at 11:55. Justin Braun seemed to be holding Perry at the net. When the referee declined to make a call, the “ref you suck” chants increased.

The last penalty of the night went to Anaheim’s Sami Vatanen, who slammed his stick against the ice and received an unsportsmanlike conduct.

Andersen left the net at 2:18 and Logan Couture scored an empty netter at 17:55 to seal the game. It was Couture’s first goal since December 18.

McLellan added that he thought, “Patty Marleau was excellent. He’s frustrated because he’s not scoring, but he did so many good things on the ice surface today, with his legs, with his body, faceoffs, you name it.”

The Ducks outshot the Sharks 15-5 in the third.

Game notes: San Jose has scored at least one power play goal in all games against Anaheim this season, breaking an 0-for-6 hole post-Christmas break. Against the Ducks, they are 15-16 on the penalty kill. Haley had his first fight at 3:02 against Tim Jackman. The Sharks start the new year at home on the 3rd, hosting Saint Louis Saturday at 7:30pm.

Kings make it a special night

Published on December 27, 2014December 28, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Pearl Allison Lo

LOS ANGELES–It was fitting that the game was won on special teams as Los Angeles took second place from the San Jose Sharks in a 3-1 win Saturday.

Coming into the game, the Sharks had the league-best power play, and both teams had recent hot streaks, the Kings on the power play and San Jose on the penalty kill.

However, Coach Todd McLellan added, “There is much more to it than that. A lot of the grinding part, and the hard part of the game, we were beat in those areas as well. They were better on the walls, they were better defending, taking time and space away. Their forecheck was better.”

McLellan later responded “…tonight was an opportunity for both teams to play under similar circumstances. I thought they were better than us, so that is a little bit disappointing. Both teams coming off the Christmas break and overtime losses.

The Sharks struck first. In Los Angeles’s zone, the Kings’ Justin Williams’ pass hit San Jose’s Joe Thornton, who quickly recovered the puck and passed to Joe Pavelski. Pavelski then shot with just one defender between him and goalie Jonathan Quick, deflecting off Quick into the net to make it 1-0, 2:39 into the game.

Los Angeles’s Tyler Toffoli had two chances to score and did not miss after his initial shot went off the boards to Jamie McBain. McBain gave the puck another trip across the front of the net as Toffoli tied the game at 14:04. Trevor Lewis had the second assist.

The Kings had 8-3 giveaways as they outhit (18-4) and outshot (12-6) San Jose, missing eight of the shots.

Special team opportunities dominated the second and the third. Los Angeles’s Drew Doughty said, “…we did a good job of staying out of the box the first couple of periods and then we killed off some big [power plays] in the third, so that was huge.” Pavelski noted, “It’s such a fine line sometimes with the power play…When we were a little aggressive it was probably not the right time.”

The Sharks’ penalty kill won over the Kings’ power play in the first round at 3:07.

Los Angeles’s power play won in the second round at 9:25. Marian Gaborik’s shot hit goalie Antti Niemi and Anze Kopitar put in the game winner, 12 seconds before the man advantage expired. Jeff Carter got the second assist. The last time the Sharks gave up a power play goal was seven games ago.

San Jose could not get a goal during the third round, which starting at 18:51, spanned two periods.

The Sharks’ Scott Hannan committed two penalties in the third and Jake Muzzin made it 3-1 off the first at 3:18. It was another second chance goal as Niemi saved Muzzin’s first shot. Doughty and Kopitar helped out.

San Jose had a second power play opportunity at 16:10, but went scoreless again. They had previously had power plays in five of their last seven games.

Game notes: The Sharks’ points streak ended at six. The Kings kept their season home loss streak at one and with at least one power play goal at home, are now 10-0-1. The recently called up Micheal Haley for San Jose played, instead of the suspended John Scott. The Sharks now head home to face the Canucks Tuesday at 7pm, before playing the Ducks on New Year’s Eve.

Ducks rise to win in overtime

Published on December 22, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

By Pearl Allison Lo

ANAHEIM– 58 seconds into sudden death, Ryan Kesler scored above Antti Niemi in a 3-2 win Monday, to extend the Ducks’ division lead over the San Jose Sharks.

Kesler was aided by Patrick Maroon and Ryan Getzlaf before the teams headed into Christmas break, as Anaheim halted the Sharks’ five-game winning streak.

Regarding the game winner, Niemi commented, “it came quick. It was a quick shot behind the [defense]. I didn’t see it coming early enough.”

The 32 saves for each goalie both spoke to competitiveness and skill.

In the first period in which San Jose has outscored the Ducks 5-1, the Sharks had 15 shots without result this time. Joe Pavelski said,“It felt like we probably should have deserved better up ‘til [the third period]. That was the energy. It didn’t really feel like we needed to change the way we were playing…”

San Jose killed off two penalties in the second, but ended the period in the hole as Rickard Rakell scored his first regular season goal, aided by Emerson Etem and Matt Beleskey at 7:20. Rakell later remarked, “Christmas is saved.”

The Sharks’ Tomas Hertl left the ice after being hit by a shot before the goal, but returned later. In the other end, after San Jose’s Andrew Desjardins committed goalie interference on the left at 8:18, teammate John Scott knocked down Tim Jackman at the right side of the net. Jackman was laid out for awhile, but luckily got up after. An announcement was made during second intermission, however, stating Jackman would not return to the game due to evaluation.

Though there was at least one power play and some sort of altercation between the two nemeses in each period, things didn’t get really interesting on the scoreboard until the third.

The Sharks took advantage of an early power play in the period. Brent Burns shot from the blue line and Pavelski tipped in his shot to put San Jose on the board. Joe Thornton also helped on the play. At 7:56, Melker Karlsson gave the Sharks their first lead with his first NHL goal as the puck slid between goalie Frederick Andersen’s legs. Barclay Goodrow and Brenden Dillon also assisted. At 15:44, Cam Fowler re-tied the game by sliding the puck around Niemi’s foot. Fowler was aided by Getzlaf and Devante Smith-Pelly. Almost like last game, the Sharks pushed the game into overtime in the last minute, but his time defensively instead of offensively.

Burns was called for high-sticking with 1:07 left. Niemi made a left hand save against Kesler during the power play, falling backwards after. Coach Todd McLellan commented, “Everybody found a way to scramble to get a point on the road.”

Game notes: Anaheim was without Francois Beauchemin and Corey Perry, who were nursing injuries. This was the first game of the season series both teams came in riding a hot hand and was the tightest game result so far. San Jose returns from Christmas break to play Saturday at 7p versus their other Southern California opponent.

Sabres hand Grosenick first loss

Published on November 18, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Pearl Allison Lo

Captain Brian Gionta had two goals, including his first of the season, as Buffalo won consecutive games for the first time since February, beating the San Jose Sharks 4-1 Tuesday.

After a 45-save NHL-record debut for Troy Grosenik, Grosenik suffered his first NHL adversity, as he started his second straight game. The shot total was the opposite of his debut with only 14 shots, but the Sabres played strong.

San Jose is now 0-7-1 versus Buffalo.

It was a game that was preceded by a snowstorm and featured three disallowed goals, two of them belonging to the Sharks.

Both teams had disallowed goals in the first period, due to contact with the goalies, both wearing #34.

On the second one, which was San Jose’s Matt Nieto against Michal Neuvrith at 17:18, the play ended in Neuvrith leaving the game at the end of the period with a lower body injury. This led to former Sharks’ goalie Artus Irbe suiting up as the emergency backup.

Grosenick gave up his first NHL goal at 5:25 of the second. After a pass from Rasmus Ristolainen, Cody McCormick’s shot hit the Sharks’ Mirco Mueller’s skate first, and Nicolas Deslauriers got the rebound to score.

During a power play at 9:28, an interesting sequence occurred. The Sharks’ Patrick Marleau took down former Shark Torrey Mitchell while he was on a breakaway, but no penalty was called. Then at the other end, at 10:29, Brent Burns imitated teammate Joe Pavelski’s slap shot six seconds earlier, to tie the game against new goalie Jhonas Enroth. Burns was aided by Thornton and Logan Couture.

Gionta’s game winning goal hit the post first as the puck went in at 11:54. He was helped by Brian Flynn and Tyler Myers.

Enroth made a save with his back against Jason Demers at 16:31.

With 11.1 seconds left in the period, Gionta made a cross ice pass to Flynn to make it 3-1 on a 2-on-1.

Perhaps the most controversial of the disallowed goals came in the third period. Marleau had a goal which was initially called as passing the goalline before being fished out at 15:16. After further review however, the goal was taken back and San Jose was awarded a power play for a hooking penalty that had occurred at the same time.

Gionta scored the 4-1 empty netter at 19:18, assisted by Myers and Andrej Meszaros.

Game notes: The Sharks outshot the Sabres in every period, for a total of 30-14. They also won the faceoff battle, while Buffalo won hits and blocked shots. San Jose went 3-4 on their road trip and now will be home for six games, hosting Florida first, Thursday at 7:30p.

Sharks stun Lightning

Published on November 13, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

By Pearl Allison Lo

San Jose regrouped from a 4-1 loss Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Eastern leaders Tampa Bay Thursday.

The Sharks led the whole game while ending the Lightning’s seven-game points streak. Tampa Bay fell to second in the East.

A giveaway in the Sharks’ end gave the puck to to Tomas Hertl, whose shot ricocheted to Joe Thornton. Thornton then scored through several defenders at 5:23 of the second

Tyler Kennedy scored the game winner and his first goal at 10:37. He took a pass from Brent Burns in the other end, scoring with two defenders trailing him. Antti Niemi got his first assist as well during the play.

Captain Steven Stamkos pulled the Lightning to within one when he redirected Andrej Sustr’s shot at 9:35 of the third. Valterri Filppula helped too. It was Tampa Bay’s first regulation loss with Stamkos having a point (8-1-2). It was also goalie Ben Bishop’s first home regulation loss (6-1-1).

Game notes: In the past 11 meetings, San Jose is now 9-1-1 versus the Lightning. Goalie Antti Niemi is now 5-0-1 in his starts against Tampa Bay. He faced 33 shots and Bishop faced 39.Lightning Tyler Johnson did play. Shots on goal throughout the game were one-sided for either team. San Jose outshot the Lightning through the first two periods, 17-9 and 14-8. Tampa Bay outshot the Sharks 16-8 in the final stanza. San Jose continues on the road to face the Colombus Blue Jackets Saturday at 4pm.

Florida wins with four this time

Published on November 11, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: Robert Mayer- USA TODAY Sports

By Pearl Allison Lo

The Panthers flipped the story on their previous game with a 4-1 win, as Roberto Luongo almost shut out the San Jose Sharks Tuesday.

Florida lost 4-6 last game and gave up two two-goal leads, but never looked back in this one.

It was a tale of similar starts as San Jose went down 2-0 in the first for the third time in their road trip, and lost by three goals and went down 3-0 in their second straight game.

From the boards after getting the puck back, the Panthers’ Jussi Jokinen passed it to Vincent Trocheck. Trocheck then saw Jimmy Hayes cross ice and Hayes got the puck to the net before defender Matt Nieto. At 10:56, it was Hayes’ third point in as many games and second straight goal.

Tomas Kopecky passed the puck to Scottie Upshall who was against the boards and working against Patrick Marleau. As both went behind the net, Upshall made a backwards pass to

Aleksander Barkov for the 2-0 score at12:18. It was Upshall’s fourth point and second assist in two games.

At 6:37 of the second, Aaron Ekblad fired from beyond the right circle and Derek MacKenzie put in the rebound for the 3-0 two-man play.

The Sharks hit the post twice during the period, including once with less than 7.5 seconds left.

Tomas Fleischmann scored his first goal of the season at 3:01 of the third, aided by Shawn Thornton and Ekblad to cap their scoring.

At 10:35, Luongo’s shutout, who has never shut out San Jose, was spoiled by no other than Joe Thornton, who has the best career record against Luongo. Tomas Hertl fished the puck from alongside the boards and passed it to Brent Burns. From the point, Burns’ puck hit Luongo, went over him and was knocked in by Thornton.

Game notes: Both teams had two power plays apiece but neither scored. Florida had 12 blocked shots to the Sharks’ five. San Jose’s John Scott returned for the first time since his suspension after Anaheim’s game, The Sharks continue their longest road trip of the season so far against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday at 4:30pm.

Sharks lose it late

Published on October 30, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: ANN HEISENFELT/AP PHOTO

By Pearl Allison Lo

San Jose had the lead up until halfway through the third period, but the shutout went the opposite way of last game, as the Minnesota Wild won 4 to 3 Thursday.

The shootout went three rounds with Logan Couture scoring on the Sharks’ first chance, but Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville followed to shut the door.

San Jose’s Mirco Mueller had his first NHL goal as he scored the first period’s only goal. Matt Nieto passed the puck cross ice to Mueller, who scored on a deflection at 16:06. James Sheppard got his first assist on the play.

Wingels then put the Sharks up 2-0 in the second period with his second power play goal in two games. Burns passed around the boards to Joe Pavelski. Then, at the same time Pavelski passed to Wingels, Burns got to one of Wingels’ defenders and Joe Thornton created a moving screen, before Wingels struck at 4:20.

Koivu got one back at 8:40.

Thornton took a pass from Pavelski to make it 3-1 at 1:37 of the third.

Kyle Brodziak and Thomas Vanek then tied the game by combining for two straight goals and the first assists. Justin Fontaine had the second assist at 5:13 and Nate Prosser had the second assist. It was Prosser’s first assist.

Both teams were pretty even shotwise through the third and overtime.

Burns had a shootout goal disallowed with 1:10 left in OT. It was ruled that the puck crossed after he made contact with Darcy Kuemper and the net.

Game notes: Minnesota outshot San Jose 19 to five in the second. Thorton blocked a puck with his body and Wingels took a puck to the face in the third period. Burns had to leave the ice in the first, but was able to return. The Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow made his NHL debut. San Jose has now held their opponents scoreless in the first for the 11th time in 12 games. The Sharks return home on the first of November to face the New York Islanders again at 7:00 PM.

Sharks save game in shootout

Published on October 28, 2014October 28, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: AP

By Pearl Allison Lo

With the game down to the final round, San Jose’s Antti Niemi, backed by goal support, held on for a 3-2 win Tuesday over the Colorado Avalanche.

The Sharks now have their third two-game win streak of the season, as they continued their energetic run from last game versus the Anaheim Ducks. They had a season-high 23 shots in the first period and held their opponent scoreless in the first for the tenth time in eleven games.

Colorado had just come off an overtime loss.

Niemi continued to hold strong after San Jose killed off a power play from 3:55 on in overtime. In the shootout, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski were perfect in the offensive role as Niemi stopped Alex Tanguay and Matt Duchene.

The Sharks were only able to score one goal through two periods, thanks mainly to Avalanche goalie Seymon Varlamov who stopped 49 of the 51 shots he faced.

At 9:23 of the first, San Jose’s Brent Burns got his third goal in as many games as he earned his 300th NHL point. Joe Thornton picked up the loose puck behind Varlamov after Burns went down to the ice. Thornton then passed to Mirco Mueller at the blue line and Burns deflected in his shot.

Shortly after, Varlamov was able to make five saves in less than a minute starting at 9:49. The last three came within a span of five seconds, two of them rebounds by Tomas Hertl off the crossbar and a wrister from Thornton, as Varlamov completed a 360 degree turn.

Duchene had a chance with 1.5 seconds left in the first right up front, but Niemi dove to make the save.

Colorado tied up the game shorthanded at 13:24 of the second. Erik Johnson saw Tanguay at the other end of the ice and passed. With just Logan Couture and Niemi in front of him then, Tanguay went around Couture, moved back and shot the puck behind a sprawled out Niemi. Jan Hejda had the second assist.

With 5.6 seconds left, Marleau had a one-on-one, but it was saved.

The Avalanche got their first lead in the third period at 3:04. Hejda bounced the puck off the boards from the goalline to Ryan O’Reilly near the first blue line, who passed it to Gabriel Landeskog. Landeskog then angled the puck near the goalline to get Niemi.

Couture re-tied the game at 5:03, starting and ending the play. He broke up a pass at the other end and passed it to Tommy Wingels. Wingels then passed it behind to Justin Braun as two defenders approached. Braun’s shot hit the post and Couture came from behind to finish.

Game notes: Neither team scored on the power play, going a combined 0-for-7. The Sharks will finish up their road trip Thursday against Minnesota at 5p.