Mar 9, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) celebrates with center Chris Tierney (50) after a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche squared off in a pretty boring hockey game until the Sharks exploded in the third period. San Jose scored four goals in the final frame to defeat Colorado 5-1 and pick up a nice win after their long road trip.
It was an evenly played game for the first two periods, although there weren’t many quality scoring chances either way. Both goaltenders, Alex Stalock for San Jose and Reto Berra for Colorado, were sharp and made most of their saves look pretty routine.
The one dangerous man all night was Matt Duchene for Colorado who can absolutely fly. He had a couple of prime opportunities in the first and second periods but Stalock was equal to the task.
San Jose would find the breakthrough from the most unlikely of sources late in the second period. Following an icing call, the Sharks kept the pressure on the Avalanche as Brent Burns launched a couple of shots that were blocked on their way to the net. However, San Jose would continue to track down the puck and instead of shooting on net, Burns found Scott Hannan cruising through the slot and his shot-pass was tipped home for Hannan’s second goal of the year.
It was the fifth game in a row in which Burns has recorded an assist and he was named the player of the month for the Sharks during March after amassing 10 points, all assists.
During the third period, it was much of the same for the first half of the period before things really picked up. San Jose’s third line would provide some breathing room for the Sharks when Chris Tierney would deposit a rebound chance in front after Berra had made initial stops on Taylor Fedun and Matt Nieto. For Fedun, it was his first point in a San Jose uniform.
Colorado would answer back behind none other than Duchene. Duchene would take a pass from Zach Redmond and snap one short side on Stalock who was slow in getting to the near post. The puck would trickle in off of Stalock’s shoulder and in for Duchene’s 20th on the season, to cut San Jose’s lead to 2-1 on the power play. The goal came just 53 seconds after Tierney’s goal.
San Jose would respond in quick fashion themselves as Logan Couture stole the puck and fed Patrick Marleau from behind the net who one-timed home a beautiful goal for his 22nd goal of the season. Marleau’s tally came jut 1:18 after Duchene’s goal to reestablish the two-goal cushion for the Sharks.
Couture and John Scott would each add empty-net goals to seal the victory for San Jose, who still remains five points out of the final playoff spot.
It was a fairly ugly game of hockey for periods of time, but the Sharks picked it up when it mattered the most. Although he probably should have done better on Duchene’s goal, it was another solid outing for Stalock who should start the next game as well. He’s earned it with his play of late.
Also, it was nice to see Tierney continue his strong play on a third line with Nieto and Tommy Wingels, and they seem to be developing a strong chemistry. Finally, it’s a welcome sight to see Couture and Marleau pick up the scoring slack of late after being snake-bit for much of the year.
All-in-all, it was a pretty good night for San Jose and they seemed to enjoy being back home and lighting the lamp at SAP Center once again.
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