Sharks End Ducks’ 10-Game Winning Streak

Sharks Top Ducks In Regulation

Dec 29, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) falls to the ice as he passes the puck to right wing Brent Burns (88, not pictured) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The past few games were a struggle for the San Jose Sharks. Despite that, they won all post the embarrassing loss against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Coming into tonight, the San Jose Sharks knew they were going up against the hottest team in the NHL in the Anaheim Ducks, who came into tonight with a 10-game winning streak. As Sharks Color Analyst Drew Remenda put it, this was a true “measuring-stick” game to see where the Sharks stand and how they would pull through for a win. They passed the test and won 3-1, with goals by Brent Burns, Logan Couture, and Bracken Kearns, and for once, the win didn’t come in a shootout.

Early Offense

The Sharks put some pressure on the Ducks early in the first. Ducks rookie goalie Frederik Andersen mishandled the puck and gave it right to Burns (Assists: Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton) who scored to put the men on Teal in front 1-0. Then Burns fed a pass to Logan Couture who was skating out into the Neutral Zone. Couture (Assists: Burns and Jason Demers) skated hard past Francois Beauchemin and ended his 11-game goalless drought with a beauty backhander on a break away for his 100th career NHL goal 7 seconds after the 10-minute mark.

#ReleaseTheBracken

The Sharks continued to pressure the Ducks in the second period, but it wasn’t until about 19 minutes in that Bracken Kearns (Assists: Andrew Desjardins and Mike Brown) drove the net for his first NHL goal. Desjardins tried for a wrap-around on Andersen who stopped it but produced a rebound opportunity for Kearns who put it home to give the Sharks a 3-0 lead.

Ducks Ruin Shutout Bid

Even though the Ducks were still not on the board when the third period started, you could feel the pressure. They were still trying their hardest to pepper goalie Antti Niemi with shots, and because of one misplay in San Jose’s Defensive Zone, Corey Perry brought the puck out from behind the net and passed it to Patrick Maroon who snapped the puck past Niemi for the only Ducks goal to end his shut out bid.

New Year’s Eve Vs. Ducks

The Sharks will travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks one more time this year before the end of the calendar year. The Ducks will want a shot at redemption, so this is a game you really do not want to miss between two Pacific Division rivals!

—————

Follow me on Twitter @SJSharkByte

I do live tweeting during games!