Game Day Report: Coyotes @ Sharks
By Ryan Bayer
Jan 24, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) faces off against San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) but is unable to score during the third period at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Today the San Jose Sharks welcome into town for the second time this season the Phoenix Coyotes. The Sharks last faced the Coyotes during their home opener back on January 24 that featured a 5-3 final. In that contest, the Sharks took an early 1-0 lead when Logan Couture connected on the power play in the first period. The Coyotes responded by scoring three goals over the span of the second and third periods. Late in the third period, the Sharks mounted the comeback as Patrick Marleau scored twice and Havlat and Thornton scored goals of their own.
San Jose is ridding a three game loosing skid after winning their first seven. Their most recent loss was this past Tuesday when they face the Chicago Blackhawks. That contest saw a combined six goals scored in the games opening period. The Sharks finally received contributions from both Handzus and Wingels in that wild period. However, the Blackhawks took over when Patrick Kane connected with two tallies and Chicago defeated San Jose by a 5-3 final.
For the visiting Coyotes, they too recently lost the Chicago Blackhawks by a final score of 6-2. The two goal scorers for Phoenix were Martin Hanzal and Raffi Torres. Torres scored his first goal of season since coming back from his lengthy suspension that started back in the first round of the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
As of today, the San Jose Sharks are currently in 2nd in the Pacific Division and 4th overall in the Western Conference 7-2-1 record and 15 pts to their credit. For Phoenix, they are 4th in the Pacific Division and 10th overall in he West with a 4-5-2 and 10 pts.
Tale of The Tape:
Sharks
Goals per game: 3.20 (4th)
Goals-against per game: 2.00 (3rd)
Power play: 24.5 percent (7th)
Penalty kill: 88.9 percent (4th)
Coyotes
Goals per game: 2.82 (13th)
Goals-against per game: 2.91 (21st)
Power play: 22.7 percent (10th)
Penalty kill: 81.4 percent (14th)
***Tale of The Tape Report courtesy of Kevin Kurz.***
Official Link: http://www.csncalifornia.com/blog/kevin-kurz/sharks-coyotes-glance
Who’s Hot: Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata has at least a point in seven of the past eight games, and 11 in 11 games total. Seven have been on the power play. The Sharks have killed off 31 straight power plays. Forward Michal Handzus had a goal and an assist Tuesday, his first points of the season.
Injury Report: The Coyotes have been without defensemen Rostislav Klesla (lower body) and David Schlemko (upper body), though both are close to returning. Center Matthew Lombardi (upper body) is still at least a couple of weeks from playing again. San Jose is without defenseman Brent Burns (lower body), though he could return as early as Saturday. Center Andrew Desjardins missed Friday’s practice due to illness.
***Who’s Hot/Injury Report courtesy of the San Jose Sharks.***
Official Link: http://sharks.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2012020159&navid=DL|SJS|home
Today’s contest has a 1:00p PST puck drop and can been seen on Comcast Sportsnet California HD and can be heard on 98.5 KFOX. Tonight’s contest will also be televised on the NHL Network in the United States.
LET’S GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!
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