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25 San Jose Sharks' Moments To Remember - #24 Ward Impresses His New Team |
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After dropping three-in-a-row, following four consecutive wins to open the 2015-16 season, the San Jose Sharks needed something...anything...to get them back in the win column.
Enter Joel Ward.
The former Pred and Cap signed with the Sharks as an unrestricted free-agent last summer. The addition of Ward would become paramount to the Sharks' regular season and playoff success.
Already off to a quick start, Ward had himself a night to remember against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ward earned his second NHL hat trick in propelling the Sharks to a 5-2 victory against the Hurricanes at The Tank.
Ward score the Sharks first two goals in the first period, then completed the trifecta with an empty-net goal in the final minute of the game. It was only the second hat trick of Ward's career and his first since 2013 when he was with the Washington Capitals against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Joe Pavelski and Tommy Wingels also scored for San Jose. who improved to 5-3-0 and ended a three-game losing streak. Martin Jones made 32 saves in the victory.
Ward's big night endeared himself to both his new teammates and fan base.
See...don't they look happy? :)
The offensive outburst was just the beginning of an exceptional season for Ward. Through the Sharks first 8 games of the season, the veteran forward lead San Jose with 13 points (5g 8a) and made himself right at home with his new team.
Ward ended the 2015-16 season with 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points. It was just the second time in Ward's career that he reached the 20 goal and 40 point marks.
The 35-year-old didn't stop there. He tied career-highs for goals (7) and assists (6) in the Sharks epic playoff run.
And it all started with a big night in late October against a bad Eastern Conference team...who woulda thunk it.
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Puck Drops on the 2016-17 season in....
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Thanks for reading,
Steve
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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