Tag: NHL

Hertl provides half the Sharks’ goals as they roll to 4-0 victory  

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~ AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose had no even-strength goals in their win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday.

I wonder if Tomas Hertl likes penguins as animals as he certainly had no mercy for the team. Back when the teams played January 15 in a 5-2 victory, on he was the first star again with a hat trick that included an empty-netter.

This time he started the scoring just 57 seconds in.

Martin Jones was a perfect 26-for-26 in net on the other end of the ice. This included shutting down Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby who was on another season-high six-game points streak. Jones plus the Sharks’ defense held Crosby to three shots on goal.

Hertl last had two goals February 7 and the Penguins were last shutout February 5. The last time San Jose shut out a team was back on December 18 versus the Minnesota Wild by the identical score of 4-0.

Brent Burns was the second star of the game with one goal and two assists.

The Sharks finished 3-for-6 on the power play, taking advantage of their opportunities.

Hertl’s first goal came just one second after Jack Johnson was called for tripping.

Evander Kane doubled the lead short-handed at 10:01.

Hertl reappeared at 13:19, with his second power-play goal of the period. Kevin Labanc assisted on both of Hertl’s goals as the goal came on another tripping penalty by the Penguins.

This provided a tough hill for Pittsburgh to climb.

Neither team scored in the second with each taking nine shots on goal. The Penguins had two more penalties and San Jose another one.

That penalty action escalated in the third. It started with Hertl and Tanner Pearson called for roughing minors at 2:20. 15:24 was the highlight, with Pittsburgh’s Marcus Pettersson, Crosby and the Sharks’ Brenden Dillon and Micheal Haley, all receiving 10 minute misconducts. At that same time, Kane and Pearson again received a five minute fighting major. Two seconds later, Phil Kessel was called for a high stick. Kris Letang, who led with six shots on goal, received a cross check minor at 15:17 and Evgeni Malkin capped the period off at 19:47 with a 10 minute misconduct.

Burns managed to capitalize at the height of this in between as he scored at 16:51.

Up Next: San Jose plays the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday at 2 pm.

Thornton Scores Hat Trick, but Bruins Rally Late Amidst Controversy then Win 6-5 In OT

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Photo credit: @BarDown 

By Jerry Feitelberg

Joe Thornton scored a hat trick and the San Jose Sharks erased a three-goal first period deficit, but the Boston Bruins escaped the SAP Center with a 6-5 overtime win Monday night. Charlie McAvoy scored the game-winner with 1:01 left in the extra skate to give Boston the sweep of the trio of California teams and Chris Wagner scored a controversial goal to tie the game late after Joe Thornton’s third goal gave the Sharks a then 5-4 lead.

Joe Pavelski had three points and Logan Couture picked up two in the loss. Neither San Jose’s Martin Jones (14 saves) nor Tuuka Rask of Boston (33 saves) were particularly sharp in net for their respective teams.

McAvoy’s overtime strike came after her and Evander Kane got tangled up in the Sharks offensive end after some physical play. Kane went off for a change, McAvoy stayed on and snuck into the slot for a pass from David Krejci (three assists), with the defenseman’s shot beating Jones for the win with 1:01 left in overtime.

The Bruins put themselves in the position to win despite managing only 20 shots, including four in the second period and seven in the third after Chris Wagner’s career-best eighth goal of the season. Wagner scored with 1:49 left in regulation after batting a puck down from midair behind Martin Jones. Since Wagner hit the puck once more before the puck crossed the goal-line and the official didn’t rule his touch a high stick and a stop of play, the play was not review-able and the game-tying goal counted. It was one of many moments of frustration between the Sharks and referees as Evander Kane also had a late breakaway blown dead after the Bruins net was dislodge and play continued without the net being replaced by a trailing official.

While one point is a small consolation for the Sharks, it was a tremendous comeback effort led by First Star and former Bruin Joe Thornton and teammate Joe Pavekski. With a first goal in toe for Jumbo but the Sharks trailing 3-1 after 20 minutes, the Sharks vets stepped up in a big way down the final 40. Pavelski scored a power play strike, his team-leading 32nd goal, 2:24 into the second to cut the Bruins’ lead to 3-2, but a Jake DeBrusk power play tally, one of three points for the winger, 6:30 into the second put the Bruins back up by two. Thornton scored his 12th goal of the season 3:57 from the second intermission and Logan Couture scored the ultra-rare short-handed penalty shot goal, beating Rask with 25 second left in the period after a Bruin covered the puck in the crease with their hand. Couture’s 22nd goal pulled San Jose down 4-3 heading into the final frame. Couture also assisted on Pavelski’s power play goal.

Thornton brought down a rain of hats with 6:28 left in regulation after doing something he was often criticized for not doing in Boston; he shot the puck. It was a rocket of a shot that may have deflected off McAvoy into the back of the net for Thornton’s first hat trick since 2010 and 13th goal of the year.

Boston held a 3-0 lead with just over 1:30 left in the first. Torey Krug picked up his sixth goal of the year 13:49 into the period on the man advantage, Zdeno Chara scored on a shot off a Sean Kuraly faceoff win 16:26 into the frame and Karson Kuhlman scored his first goal of his NHL career with 1:36 left in the period. Thornton scored with just three seconds left in the period to give San Jose a slight boost heading into the dressing room after the first period.

San Jose sits a point back of Calgary since the Flames won Monday night. The Sharks travel to Pittsburgh to face the former Stanley Cup foe Penguins Thursday, then travel to Columbus for a Saturday matchup against the Blue Jackets and then a Sunday tilt in the Motor City. The Sharks will then face these same Bruins in Boston in just over one week next Tuesday.

NHL podcast with Daniel Dullum: Matthews and Leafs shocked by Yotes shutout; Gagner back in Edmonton; Philly breaks NHL record; plus more

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en.wikipedia.org file photo: The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Leafs Auston Matthews in file photo were left speechless after getting shutout on Saturday by the Arizona Coyotes in NHL action on Friday night

On the NHL podcast with Daniel:

1 Arizona Coyotes blank Leafs, and local kid Auston Matthews

2 Sam Gagner returns to Edmonton Oilers after deal with Vancouver Canucks

3 Philadelphia Flyers break dubious NHL record

4 Don Cherrry: Carolina Hurricanes are “Jerks” for the way they celebrate wins

Daniel Dullum does the NHL podcast each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Beat Canucks 3-2, Erik Karlsson Returns

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 Saturday. The win matches Calgary’s Saturday win to keep the Sharks tied in points with the Western Conference leaders to the North. Sharks goals came from Timo Meier, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski, who happened to be playing on the same line. Martin Jones made 32 saves for the win. Vancouver got goals from Antoine Roussel and Brock Boeser, while Jacob Markstrom made 23 saves in the loss. Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson made his return from injury with an assist and 24:44 time on ice.

Timo Meier put the first goal on the board at 3:45 of the first on a power play. The second power play unit of Meier, Evander Kane, Joe Thornton, Erik Karlsson and Marc-Edouard Vlasic moved the puck well all around the offensive zone for some time before Karlsson found Meier in front of the net. Assists went to Karlsson and Evander Kane.

Antoine Roussel tied it up for Vancouver 57 seconds later, when the Sharks lost track of him in the neutral zone and Alex Biega found him with a good pass. He broke away ahead of the Sharks defense and beat Martin Jones before anyone could catch up with him.

At the end of the first period, the Sharks had scored on one of two power plays, while Vancouver had not scored on either of their power play chances. The shot count was 11-8 for the Sharks and the Sharks had won 52% of the faceoffs.

The score remained 1-1 until Logan Couture scored for the Sharks 11:08 into the second period. the play developed after Erik Karlsson broke up a Canucks rush across the Sharks blue line. After breaking up the pass, he sent the puck the other way for Burns to move it through the neutral zone. He sent it to Pavelski, who got it across the blue line line and handed it off to Couture. Couture carried it to the net, waited for his shot and took it.

That goal was followed up by a fight between Barclay Goodrow and MacEwen at 11:10.

The Canucks out shot the Sharks in the second period 18-6. The Sharks killed almost two penalties, the second being cut short by a high sticking penalty to Vancouver. That 90-second power play for San Jose was the only penalty Vancouver had to kill in the second period. The Sharks faceoff win percentage improved to 58% by the end of the second.

The Canucks tied it up again at 4:31 of the third. Brock Boeser bought the puck out from behind the Sharks net and paused as if to make a pass. This lured Martin Jones into moving forward and away from his post. As no one prevented it, Boeser put the puck between Jones and the post. Assists went to Elias Pettersson and Derrick Pouliot.

The Sharks took the lead back with a goal from Joe Pavelski at 13:06. Timo Meier took a shot as he moved across in front of the net but Markstrom kicked that back out. Pavelski was in Meier’s wake and that rebound came right to him for the shot. Assists went to Meier and Logan Couture.

The Canucks pulled Markstrom for the extra skater with just under two minutes left in regulation. Final score, 3-2 Sharks. The Sharks won the faceoff battle 61% of the time, with Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl responsible for most of those.

Marcus Sorensen had to leave the ice for a spell after taking a stick to the face in the final five minutes of the second period. He returned to play for the start of the third period.

The Sharks next play on Monday in San Jose against the visiting Boston Bruins at 7:00 PM PT.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: After winning six straight, where did the Sharks go wrong against Caps Thursday?

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 After winning six straight games, the San Jose Sharks (34-17-7) snapped their win streak to the Washington Capitals (32-19-7) in San Jose. Was this lost mostly due to the long road trip or or the Caps came in well-prepared for the Sharks?

#2 The win was a four-goal 5-1 victory for Washington and Caps star Alexander Ovechkin scored his 39th goal of the season. He’s a force on the Caps offense

#3 From the start there was little doubt the Caps were not only large and in charge and the NHL’s reigning champs, but found the back end of the net twice in the first and second periods.

#4 The Caps got two goals from TJ Oshie, who scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season in the first and second periods.

#5 The Sharks welcome the Vancouver Canucks (26-26-7) this Saturday for a 7 pm faceoff at SAP Center. The last time the two teams met the Sharks clobbered the Canucks 7-2 in Vancouver last Monday at Rogers Arena.

Len does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Canes get two goal win over Oilers; Rangers rookie goalie key in win; Bruins shutout Ducks; plus more

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hockeywriters.com photo: Carolina Hurricanes Nino Niederreiter and Sebastian Aho get congratulations in front of their bench. Niederreiter scored twice on Friday night’s win over the Edmonton Oilers

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Carolina Hurricanes Nino Niederreiter scored two goals and goaltender Curtis McElhinney stopped 40 shots in Carolina’s 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.

#2 The New York Rangers rookie goalie Alexander Georgiev helped in the Rangers cause with 31 saves and stopped 13 shots in the third period. The Rangers Vladislav Namestnikov scored two goals in eight second with an assist in the closing minutes of the Rangers 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabers.

#3 The Boston Bruins threw a 3-0 shutout against the Anaheim Ducks. The B’s Jaroslav Halak stopped 30 shots for his fourth shutout this season. The Bruins Noel Accirari and Jake DeBrusk each scored a goal.

#4 In a game that no one was giving in whatsoever New Jersey got by the Minnesota Wild by a goal 5-4. This was New Jersey’s second win in eight games. The Devils key goals Nico Hischier, Marcus Johansson, and Kyle Palmieri scored goals.

#5 The San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night at SAP Center in San Jose. The Sharks got a five goal win over the Canucks last Monday in Vancouver for their sixth straight but took a four loss to the Washington Capitals last Thursday night.

The NHL podcast with Matt is heard each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Joe Lami: Point biggest part of Tampa Bay’s success; Crosby plays big role in win over Oilers; Ducks get a win for Murray in coaching debut; plus more

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Photo credit: @Buccigross

On the NHL podcast with Joe Lami:

#1 With all the success the Tampa Bay Lightning has had, how important is Brayden Point?

#2 Sidney Crosby proved key for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their win over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday

#3 Anaheim Ducks get a win in head coach Bob Murray debut. How much of a difference will he make for the Ducks?

#4 Will the Nashville Predators go all in at the trade deadline?

#5 How much of a factor will it be for the Ottawa Senators going forward in trying to sign unrestricted free agents Pierre Dorion, Mark Stone,  Matt Duchene, and Ryan Dzingel? Why do players want to leave Ottawa is this part of that Erik Karlsson mystic?

Joe Lami does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Blown Out By Cup Champs 5-1, Streak Ends at Six Wins

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Matthew Harrington

SAN JOSE–Joe Thornton passed Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne for 15th place all-time in career points, but there was very little else for San Jose Sharks fans to enjoy on a heart-and streak-breaking Valentine’s Day. The Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals scored five unanswered goals to end the Sharks’ winning streak at six games in a 5-1 drubbing. T.J. Oshie had two goals and an assist, Alex Ovechkin scored his 646 lifetime goal and Braden Holtby made 25 saves in net for the 2018 Champs.  

Kevin Labanc scored his sixth goal in as many games with the Sharks. Erik Karlsson rejoined the team at practice but did not skate in the contest. Martin Jones made 24 saves in the loss. 

After passing Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe in all-time assists during a four-game Canadian road swing, Jumbo Joe passed another all-time great and former Shark Selanne in points Thursday on a helper (naturally) on Labanc’s first period goal. In true Thornton fashion, Jumbo’s pass was one only he and few others have the ability to make. It was so perfect, it left Labanc facing an empty net for an easy goal and a 1-0 lead 2:06 into the first. 

Oshie responded on the power play just 1:32 later than Jakub Vrana scored his 18th of the year with 8:27 in track meet of a first period. San Jose controlled most of opening minutes of the second, but Alexander Ovechkin did what he does best, sniping a one-timer from the dot 4:14 into the second. A missed chance with just under two minutes left in the 2nd by Evander Kane became an odd man rush the other way  that Brent Burns bungled, allowing Oshie to dangle past Jones his second on the night and 18th of the year and a 4-1 Caps edge. Tom Wilson got the empty-netter for the 5-1 final. 

Next up for the Sharks is a stretch of games at home against playoff hopefuls. Vancouver comes to the tank Saturday in a rematch of Monday’s Sharks blowout, then the Boston Bruins make a visit to SAP or the first part of the home-and-home season series against team Teal. 

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: After successful road swing in Canada, Sharks look to do damage against Washington on Thursday

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yahoo.sports photo: Vancouver Canucks goaltender couldn’t do anything with the San Jose Sharks in his rookie debut as the Sharks scored seven times on him. The Sharks’ Marcus Sorenson stands above him to the left.

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Sharks take a six-game win streak into the game with the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. The Sharks beat the Caps back on Tues., Jan. 22 to start this winning streak.

#2 The Caps had such a great run last season winning the Cup. They’ve currently have been playing .500 hockey, going 4-4 in their last eight games. Are they a .500 team or are they better than that?

#3 The Sharks will face Alex Ovechkin, who has set some records for a Russian player. Will Ovechkin be one player that can’t be contained or have the Sharks handled him pretty good in past games?

#4 The Sharks had a successful road swing through western Canada with wins over the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks.

#5 What has been working best for San Jose? Joe Thornton and his point-setting records, goals from that wild scoring contest Monday night in Vancouver by Evander Kane (2), Melker Karlsson, Kevin LeBanc, Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda glad losing streak is out of their system, end skid with win over Tucson

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sandiegogulls.com photo: The San Diego Gulls, who will face the San Jose Barracuda for two games starting Friday night, are shown here celebrating their win over the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday night in San Diego

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose Barracuda (27-11-2-4) head coach Roy Sommer has to be relieved after the team snapped a three-game losing streak to the Tucson Roadrunners (24-15-4-2) last Tuesday night at the SAP Center.

#2 It was narrow though the game was tied and the Roadrunners are one of the best teams in the league, but the Cuda got the one shootout goal that got them back in the win column when Francis Perron scored the winner for the 2-1 victory.

#3 After two periods and the score tied 1-1, the Barracuda were doing everything they could to get in the back end of the net. After two periods, they led the Roadrunners out shooting the Roadrunners 28-13.

#4 One thing for sure neither team didn’t want to lose this one. It was tied after regulation. No one scored in the overtime stanza and they went three rounds to get the verdict in the Cuda win.

#5 The Barracuda and San Diego Gulls (26-15-2-3) open up a two-game series, starting Saturday night at SAP Center. The Gulls are no easy customer either and this series should be a battle in of itself.

Marko Ukalovic does the Barracuda podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com