For the first time in over three months, the San Jose Sharks are in first in the Pacific Division, overtaking the Anaheim Ducks after a thrilling 3-2 victory at home against the Ducks on Thursday night. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time in over three months, the San Jose Sharks are in first in the Pacific Division, overtaking the Anaheim Ducks after a thrilling 3-2 victory at home against the Ducks on Thursday night.
It was arguably the biggest game of the season for both teams up to this point, and they did not disappoint. The game began slow, but the pace picked up and it made for one of the best games we’ve seen all year.
Joe Thornton came up huge for the Sharks, scoring the tying goal in the third period and assisting on the other two scores. With the Sharks down 2-1 in the third, Thornton and linemate Brent Burns broke free for a 2-on-1 opportunity. Burns shot intentionally shot it off the pads of Ducks’ goaltender Frederik Anderson, giving Thornton a wide-open net to tie the game at the 8:11 mark. Then, with under five minutes left in the game, hard work by both Thornton and Burns once again gave the Sharks the lead, as Burns deflected Thornton’s hard pass into the net for the game-winner.
The two teams traded power play goals to start the game. Patrick Marleau tucked one into the top left corner of the net in the first period, but Matheiu Perrault responded in the second with a 5-on-3 goal after a controversial penalty call on Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Ex-Shark and ageless wonder Teemu Selanne netted a go-ahead goal for the Ducks early in the third, as Corey Perry’s shot deflected off of him and into the net.
With the win, the Sharks now have 99 points, standing atop the Pacific Division and just two points behind St. Louis for the most points in the NHL. They have won seven of their last eight, and are definitely peaking at the right time.
Tale of the Tape
Sharks:
- Shots on goal: 28
- Power play: 1-for-3
- Hits: 32
- Giveaways: 20
- Takeaways: 8
- Faceoffs won: 34
Ducks:
- Shots on goal: 18
- Power play: 1-for-2
- Hits: 27
- Giveaways: 13
- Takeaways: 9
- Faceoffs won: 33
Tweet of the Night
So, so true.
@Ruthless_Sports Unfortunately the Ducks will lose in five games to the Kings so we'll never get treated to this series.
— Fear the Fin (@fearthefin) March 21, 2014
What’s on Tap
The Capitals come to town on Saturday night to take on the Sharks.