Sharks Snap 7-Game Skid At St. Louis
Feb 19, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) and San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) face off in the second period at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks (8-4-3) defeated the St. Louis Blues (9-6-1) by the final score of 2-1. After a 1-1 tie after two periods the Sharks played a stronger third period and were able to gain the victory.
With the win San Jose snaps their seven-game winless streak while the loss for the Blues ends their three-game winning streak.
San Jose played one of their best games in a long while, and the victory proved it. They beat the Blues in the face-off circle, out-hit them all night, were perfect on the penalty kill, and only had one giveaway all game.
Also, the defense was strong once again, this time holding the Blues to no shots for 12+ minutes in a third period where the score was tied. Then, when Antti Niemi was called upon, he delivered.
Game Recap
The St. Louis Blues broke the zero-zero tie at 12:54 of the first period on a Patrick Berglund goal. He deflected a shot by Vladimir Sobotka and was able to get it by Sharks’ goaltender Antti Niemi.
Both teams were unsuccessful on the power play as both got two chances and were blanked each time even though they were able to generate some chances.
In the second period San Jose was once again noticably physical and it seemed to aid their game. By the end of the second they were outhitting the Blues 17 to 10 including a few big ones. Patrick Marleau even took a run at T.J. Oshie, and if it were not for his teammates yelling ‘Heads!” from the bench right next to him he might not have been able to get back to the bench.
Also in the period was the first Sharks goal of the game with San Jose scoring the old fashioned way; by throwing pucks at the net and crashing. Joe Thornton was able to put home a rebound after a shot from Dan Boyle was blocked out in front. It was his fourth goal of the season, and Marleau was awarded the secondary assists, making that his sixth of the season.
The third period started off slowly as both teams started playing very tight making shots a premium. In fact, they were at such a premium that halfway through the period there was only one on net, and that was credited to the Sharks.
The Blues finally got their first shot of the period at the 12:17 mark of the third period, but the that small victory was short-lived. About 45 seconds later, at 13:02 of the period, Tim Kennedy scored his second goal of the season to give San Jose the 2-1 lead. Tommy Wingels and Justin Braun were credited with the assists.
At that point the Blues tried to turn up the heat but Niemi help strong in net and completed the 2-1 San Jose victory, their first win in seven games, and first win on this road-trip.
My 3 Stars
1. Tim Kennedy (Game-winning goal, 5 shots)
2. Antti Niemi (25 saves on 26 shots)
3. Joe Thornton ( Game-tying goal)