San Jose Sharks Lose To NY Islanders 4-3 In Shootout
This was the most exciting game of the year so far in this short season for the San Jose Sharks. The New York Islanders and Sharks were in a back and forth battle right from the start of the game. It was exciting to see the Islanders speed and grit vs. the Sharks physical and down low cycle game. Alex Stalock stole the show from the first period on.
1st period
The Sharks started Alex Stalock in goal and the Islanders started Jaroslav Halàk. Alex Stalock has a 1-0 Record with a 0.00 GAA and one shutout. Jaroslav Halàk started with a 2-0 and has a 3.00 GAA and a save percentage of .910%. Three minutes into the game, Brent Burns slipped and Grabovski had a break-away but Stalock made a unbelievable split save to keep it 0-0. With 12 minutes left in the first period, Stalock left his net, the puck hopped over his stick and Tavares had a glorious opportunity in the slot to make it 1-0. However, Joe Thornton lifted his stick to keep the score 0-0. With six minutes left in the first, John Scott absolutely destroyed Grabovski. Grabovski was down on the ice for a good few minutes and proceeded to head straight to the dressing room. With one minute left in the first period, Tavares made a beautiful pass to Conacher but Stalock, with a great side push, made a beautiful split save to keep it 0-0. The Islanders did a great job at shutting down the neutral zone against the Sharks. And Alex Stalock is the reason, the only reason, why it is still scoreless. Grabovski did not return the remainder of the game.
2nd Period
With 18 minutes left in the second period, Thornton passed it across to Burns for a one timer goal past Halak. And Mirco Mueller got his first point as a National League Hockey league player as he was the secondary assist to the Burns goal. It was the Sharks 4th shot on goal. The Islanders tie the game a mere three minutes after the Sharks. Nick Leddy scored from the point with a bunch of traffic in front of Stalock. With 11 minutes left in the period, during the Sharks first power play, Marleau sniped one past Halak with Couture screening. The Islanders tried to score with less than a minute to go, but Stalock shut the door. What I liked about the Sharks at this point in the game is that they regrouped and started to put pucks deep. Unfortunately, the Sharks still couldn’t contain the Islanders speed.
3rd Period:
As the 3rd period started, the Islanders and Sharks are playing more of a defensive game on both sides. But with 16 minutes left, the Islander’s Josh Bailey had a glorious opportunity to tie it. Luckily, Mueller had a big big block to keep the Sharks in the lead. The New York Islanders strike back with their own power play goal of their own. Nielson coming from the left side passes it to the slot to Okoposo slips one past the sliding Stalock to make it 2-2. Stalock saved the original shot, but Bailey got the rebound and did a spin-o-rama and scored against Stalock who had no chance. The Islanders make it 3-2.
The Sharks answer back with a beautiful break out pass by Demers to Hertl for a mini 2 on 1. Hertl sniped it over Halak’s left shoulder for a beautiful goal to make it 3-3 with eight minutes left. And after 60 minutes of play, the Sharks and Islanders head to overtime to see who’s the winner in this match up.
Overtime/Shootout:
At the start of overtime, both teams trade chances but neither can cash in on their opportunities. For a few minutes, the Sharks dominate the Islanders in their zone but can’t put the puck against Halak. With 15 seconds left, Tavares carried the puck in the slot and shot it, but Stalock made a unbelievable glove save. And the Sharks and the Islanders are headed to a Shootout.
Three Shooters:
Islanders Sharks
Franz Nielson- Missed wide Couture- Simple Wrist shot, Goal.
Brock Nelson- Missed it wide. Joe Pavelski- Wrist Shot. Save by Halak
Kyle Okposo- Scores. Tomas Hertl- Fake shot, Save by Halak
Ryan Strome- Hit the Post. Brent Burns- Backhand, Save by Halak
John Tavares- Dekes one past Stalock Joe Thornton- Missed it high.
Islanders win 4-3 in a shootout. It was a great contested game but the Sharks fall short. Halak stole the show in the Shootout.
Shots Total:
NYI: 45
SJS: 23
Positive thoughts on the Sharks: I thought the Sharks had a good forecheck early on and they capitalized on the chances they had in regulation. Mueller had a great game defensively and showed the pose of a Veteran in this game. The only reason the Sharks came up with a point was because Alex Stalock stole the show. He was very good in this game. In the goalie race, Alex Stalock might be ahead in the competition but we have a long season ahead.
My thoughts: The Sharks were only a forde in this game because of Stalock. His lateral movement and push from post to post is much better from last season, and he will only get better from here. I really liked the Sharks forecheck from the first period and resiliency to come back in games. The Sharks break out and defensive coverage needs some help. But, this is why the season is so long. The Sharks have the chance to fix their problems over the span of the whole season. The Sharks shouldn’t have been in this game but they were right there until the very end, which is what good teams do. A 3-0-1 start to the season isn’t too shabby, don’t you think?
Coming up: The Sharks face the New Jersey Devils at 4:00 P.M on Saturday.