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Sharks get back on track in the desert

April 16, 2013, 2:23 AM ET [2 Comments]
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Sharks scored three in the second period and one in the third which was three more than they needed as Niemi was sharp again while posting a shutout in Phoenix to finish the road trip at 2-2.

Raffi Torres set the tone for the game on the first shift with a text book open ice hit on former team mate Keith Yandle. Torres had another big hit to go with an assist and a plus -2 rating on the night against the team that recently traded him.

“He was really energized” commented Todd McLellan when asked about Torres’ game.
“I thought he was physical, he had his nose over the puck in the second period was a catalyst. It was a good night from him.”

It had been more than two years since San Jose last won a game in Phoenix so the Sharks not only earned two points while taking a step further towards the playoffs, they got a monkey off their backs.

“It was huge to come in here and shut them out” commented Joe Thornton after the game.
“We haven’t had too many performances here in Phoenix. You saw how desperate we played.”

If the Sharks are able to duplicate the second period they played in Phoenix on Monday night they will hoist the Cup in a couple of months’ time. San Jose threw twenty-four shots on net and scored three goals. They held the opposition to just seven shots. They were all over the Coyotes and with every goal scored and the big saves Niemi made throughout the game the Coyotes’ playoff hopes diminished a little bit more.

Couture, Wingels, Pavelski, and Irwin lit the lamp for the Sharks. They got contributions from familiar and depth players, which always makes the coaching staff happy.

The first goal of the game was made possible by a great effort by Marleau who beat out an icing call before passing the puck back to Jason Demers to start the scoring play. Couture found Demers’ rebound and buried it.

San Jose did a good job at weathering the storm that Phoenix brought early in the third period and deserves a lot of credit for handily beating a team who are desperate to make the playoffs.

With a three goal lead they were able to use all four lines and even give more ice time to the depth lines which bodes well for tomorrow night’s game in San Jose against the LA Kings. The star players for the Sharks should be as well rested as they can be considering they played tonight.

Scoring details

1st period

No scoring

2nd period

SJ – 8:50 –EV – 39 L.Couture(17) – assists – 5 J.Demers(1), 12 P.Marleau(11)

SJ – 10:38 –EV – 57 T.Wingels(5) – unassisted

SJ – 16:01 –EV – 8 J.Pavelski(13) – assists – 13 R.Torres(10), 57 T.Wingels(8)

3rd period

SJ – 18:33 –PP – 52 M.Irwin(5) – assists - 22 D.Boyle(13), 19 J.Thornton(30)

Turning point

The turning point in this contest was Tommy Wingels’ goal that came less than two minutes after the Sharks opened the scoring. The Coyotes won the draw on Wingels’ fifth of the year, but he found the loose puck and beat LaBarbera to the blocker side with a backhand shot. A one goal deficit for a team that struggles to score is comprehensible, but two goals against a goalie that is on his game was too big of a hill for the desert dogs to climb.



Contenders & Pretenders

Contenders

Antti Niemi – started his twentieth consecutive game and recorded his fourth shutout of the season. Unlike last year Niemi has been making clutch saves and when it was all said and done he stopped 36 shots to earn a spot on the Contender’s list.

Joe Pavelski – has taken ownership of the third line and done an admirable job in doing so. Monday night in Phoenix he scored a goal and was 70% in the face-off circle and was plus-2 in this game to make the list.

Pretenders

Jason LaBarbera – didn’t look nearly as sharp as he did last time he played the Sharks in San Jose. He should have had the third goal which he saw all the way and he threw the puck into his own net on the fourth goal.

The Coyotes offense – looked O.K at times and managed thirty-six shots on net but weren’t able to beat Niemi and didn’t get enough quality scoring opportunities. The guys who get paid to score for the Yotes can all share a spot on the list.

The Sharks wrapped up there four game road trip Monday night in Phoenix, but things don’t get any easier for them as they host the defending Stanley Cup champs the LA Kings Tuesday night in San Jose.

Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
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