The San Jose Sharks kicked off their preseason schedule with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Vancouver Canucks at the Tank on Tuesday night.

It was the Sharks first game on home ice since losing game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final back in June. Even though it was just a preseason game, doesn't it help to wash away the stink off a Penguins Cup celebration?

With a lineup that resembled anything but the team that lost the Cup Final in 6 games, the Sharks found a way to rally for the win. It was a good way for some of the Sharks youth to cut their teeth on real NHL ice.

San Jose carried much of the games play, outshooting the Canucks more than 2-to-1 (33-15). Despite the statistical gap, the Sharks needed a late goal by veteran Tommy Wingels to force overtime.

Wingels scored with 22.6 seconds left in the third period to tie the game before Kevin Lebanc (6th rd pick in 2014) scored with 3:55 left in the extra session to ice the victory.

Leblanc is just one of the many hopefuls looking for an opening on the already loaded Sharks roster. Good luck.

Wingels, on the other hand, is woring on regaining the offensive touch he displayed in 2013-14 and 2014-15 where he scored 16 and 15 goals respectively. Last season he managed just 18 points (7g 11a) in 68 games.

Not a bad start for Pete Deboer's team. They battled for 60 minutes as mast Pete Deboer coached teams do. It paid off with the W, proving that a Pete Deboer coached team will turn your hair grey very early...even in preseason.

Other Notes:

- Captain Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi have rejoined the team following their teams exits from the World Cup of Hockey. Neither played in the teams first game.

- The attendance for Tuesday nights game was a beefy 14,865. That tells me that San Jose fans are still buzzing from last season epic run. Sharks have a very good fan base...(probably the best in CA)

- Camp just started but cuts have already been made. The Sharks sent defenseman Jalen Chatfield and Manuel Wiederer back to their respective junior clubs. Chatfield was in camp on a tryout, and Wiederer was the Sharks’ fifth-round draft choice in June.

Here is the Sharks full preseason schedule:

9/30 vs. Arizona at SAP 7:30pm
10/2 @ Vancouver 5pm
10/5 vs. Anaheim at SAP 7:30pm
10/7 @ Arizona 7pm
10/9 @ Anaheim 5pm

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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