SAN JOSE -- The Sharks get goals from Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, and Marty Havlat but blow a two goal lead in the third period.
Thanks to the heroics of Joe Pavelski, Team Teal wins its second shootout in three games to extend the winning streak to six games.
"Looking at the teams it's tough to gain any ground right now," Pavelski said. "Obviously the last one at home it's important to win and after giving up that lead, it's important we got that extra point."
A five game homestand came to an end for the Sharks and you can't ask for better than five wins including three this week beating the Kings, Blues, and Ducks who entering the night were tied with San Jose for first place in the Pacific Division.
"It's the division, it's the conference, it's that close," coach Todd McLellan said, "And it's got to be exciting for hockey fans all over because there really isn't anyone who's pulling away or a clear cut favorite and some really important hard fought games this time of the year."
Although Anaheim scored first, the Sharks have proven they're still tough to beat and are now 4-2-1 when trailing after the first period.
This was the first of five head to head meetings between the Sharks and Ducks.
The Ducks certainly played like bullies but that's ok, this is hockey not golf. Anaheim isn't afraid to take penalties and the team was assessed for charging, fighting, slashing, hooking, roughing, and holding.
If not for a boneheaded play by Jonas Hiller this game might have had a different outcome and that includes the shootout.
Incidentally, the game-winning shootout goal was reviewed because Pavelski appeared to have stopped which isn't allowed. However, the folks in Toronto and the video goal judge in San Jose upheld that the goal counted. Watch the replay to decide for yourself.
Video highlights
Goal descriptions
1. Corey Perry on a breakaway scores beating Antti Niemi on the glove side top corner.
2. A shot from the left point by Marc-Eduoard Vlasic, redirect by Logan Couture in front of Hiller in the crease.
3. A shot rebounds to Havlat who beats Hiller on the backhand.
4. On a broken play, Grant takes a shot from the back of the left circle. Niemi made a chest save but the puck went up over his head and over trickled the goal line.
5. A good shot by Lovejoy off the faceoff in the left circle beats Niemi over the left shoulder
Turning point
The goal by Alex Grant which makes it a one-goal game and eventually tied by Ben Lovejoy forcing overtime.
Contenders
Alex Grant - the rookie in his NHL debut scores on his first career shot
Ben Lovejoy - his game tying goal was the first for the defenseman this season and his first goal since January 6 2012, a span of 77 games! Lovejoy only has five goals in his career.
Joe Thornton - takes a puck to the face near his right eye in the first period. But he's a hockey player, a few stitches and he's back on the ice. He assisted on Marleau's goal when he could easily have scored the puck.
Mike Brown - His first assist with the Sharks on Havlat's goal. He also gets into a good fight with Tim Jackman when the team was down 1-0. Fighting in hockey usually gets the team and fans fired up and his brawl did exactly that. Too bad he didn't score, then he'd have a Gordie Howe hat trick.
Ducks penalty kill - Their ability to shut down the Sharks power play, particularly in overtime was impressive
Pretenders
Jonas Hiller. - Does his best Ed Belfour impersonation going WAY out of his net to foolishly play the puck to the point of leaving it wide open. Adding insult to injury it was on the Ducks power play. Joe Thornton had the open net but to prove how much he loves to pass, he gives up the puck to Marleau for the easy wrister. Luckily, he was bailed out by his teammates.
Sharks power play - goes 0-for-5. San Jose even had a man advantage in overtime and just waited a second too long on shots and passes. If you take away the 2-for-7 against the Blues, the Sharks haven't scored on the man advantage in five of their last six games.
Notes
San Jose was 48 for 80 (60%) from the faceoff circle. ... The Sharks finished their five game homestand with a 5-0-0 record, defeating Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Anaheim. ... San Jose's perfect 5-0-0 homestand was the first time they swept a five-game homestand in franchise history [Credit: Elias Sports]. ... Marleau is 79th on the all-time scoring list with 416 goals. ... Thornton has tied Pierre Turgeon for 29th all-time with 812 assists.
Keep your head up, Ryan Leong