We're in the final stretch of this NHL season. We're closing in on the draft, and getting close to the time when we can look to the future of the San Jose Sharks. With there being only so much losing I can watch before my sanity gets repetitive, let alone a loss of this nature where the team imploded from such a commanding position. It's not good enough, The one redeeming factor is the Sharks are now 5 points clear for the best odds at the first overall pick.
It started so well. On the powerplay, Fiabian Zeterlund fired the puck around the boards. A battle would ensue before getting back to the point for Calen Addison, before firing back to Zetterlund. His shot was redirected by Thomas Bordeleau and the Sharks took the lead early. A great start as the deflection left Petr Mrazek stranded completely, with no chance of recovering to get back to that one.
Jan Rutta would win a foot race into his own defensive zone before clearing the puck off the boards that would eventually find its way onto the stick of Nico Sturm. Stir, managed to get the puck to Justin Bailey who would set up Bordeleau again. He fired home, grabbing his second goal of the first period, and the Sharks were just dominating this game. Everything was going well headed into the first intermission.
Mario Ferraro would knock a puck down in the defensive zone as the Blackhawks fail to clear the zone. Klim Kostin would recover it and send it on to Fabian Zetterlund who picked a corner on Petr Mrazek and there was no chance of him saving that one. San Jose were pouring it on early in the second period, and it was deserved. San Jose had been the dominant team most of the game, and it was good to see them cruising.
On the powerplay, William Eklund would find a picture perfect pass across the crease and onto the stick of Fabian Zetterlund who had a wide open net to put the puck into. A beautiful finish from him off a gorgeous pass from Eklund. This was a flash of what awaits the Sharks in the future. This was a preview of what will come. These two will be so good together for a long time, we hope. San Jose were in a good place. But the hockey gods saw this and laughed at our enjoyment.
Chicago started to gain some momentum, and Connor Bedard had to be stone walled by Devin Cooley a few times, but eventually they would break through the dam. A point shot from Taylor Raddysh would force Cooley to kick it away and Ryan Donato would win the race to the rebound before putting it over the pads of the netminder.
Donato would work another one when he got Mikael Granlund to drag him down, creating a delayed call. He jumped back up. got around the net and fired the puck into Tyler Johnson who put the puck home. The former Stanley Cup winner got it past everyone and the Sharks were now only leading by two going into the third period. It was going to be a nervy finish.
On another delayed penalty in the third period, the Blackhawks would strike again. Seth Jones would work a shooting opportunity from the faceoff dot to the left of Devin Cooley. His shot beat everything and the Sharks lead, which was once four goals, was now just one. Chicago had taken over this game. San Jose ust didn't have an answer for the onslaught coming from the Blackhawks.
With Mrazek pulled for the extra attacker, the puck would work its way around to Seth Jones. Jones would put the puck in deep for Donato who has caused problems for the Sharks all night. He'd get the puck to Nick Foligno before a Philipp Kurashev shot forced the puck through Cooley. It took him a few tries but eventually rhe same was tied.
In overtime, Kurashev would enter the zone before circling back and dishing off to Jones. He ripped it home, and the Blackhawks comeback from 4-0 down to win in overtime. Devin Cooley was so close to his first NHL win and he is who I feel the worst for in this game. The team in front of him just stopped, and he's still looking for the first one of his career.