Sharks Stumble In Shootout, Fall To Red Wings
Feb 28, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Tim Kennedy (46) and Detroit Red Wings left wing Drew Miller (20) attempt to gain control of the puck during the first period at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
For the second time in as many games the home fans were given a little bit more bang for their buck in the form of overtime. Unlike last night, however, the San Jose Sharks fell to the Detroit Red Wings by the final of 2-1 in the shootout.
Starting in net for the Red Wings was goaltender Jonas Gustavsson. He has not played much this year, and when he did he struggled. However, in his first start of the season this evening he looked very good and gave San Jose fits all game. He did well to gain the victory in the shootout although two of the Sharks’ three shooters missed the net.
Equally as good was San Jose goaltender Antti Niemi who ended up getting his fourth shootout loss of the season. It has to be frustrating for him knowing he allowed one goal and still gets the loss. Hopefully he keeps up the great goaltending until the offense comes around.
In the first period San Jose’s penalty was put to the test early when Douglas Murray was sent to the box for interference, although the Sharks handled the penalty nicely and it did well to get them into the game early.
The game tightened up a little bit in the second with both teams combining for 13 shots compared to 20 in the first (San Jose won that battle 11-9). The Sharks also go their lone power play opportunity of the game in the period but were unable to capitalize. Detroit did a very good of staying out of the penalty box and keeping the San Jose power play off the ice.
In the third period the Sharks struck first at about the fifteen minute mark with a goal off of a one timer from Logan Couture, his eighth of the season on assists from Joe Thornton and Douglas Murray. The shot beat Gustavsson on the short side and seemed to give San Jose a bit of a lift.
Unfortunately for San Jose, about a minute and a half later, the Red Wings scored their fist goal of the game when Patrick Eaves deflected a shot passed Antti Niemi to tie it at one apiece. That was Eaves’ first goal of the season and fourth point in the 2013 campaign as well.
After the second goal the game seemed to open up significantly, and both goaltenders were forced to make incredible saves to keep the game tied. By the end of regulation we still did not have a winner, so the game went into overtime.
In the overtime period Detroit definitely looked the more dangerous team, and at one point Muray almost kicked the puck in passed Niemi, but San Jose hung on for a shootout. Again, the second in as many nights.
In the end it was the Red Wings who took the victory when leading goal-scorer Damien Brunner scored the only goal of the shootout to give Detroit the 2-1 shootout victory. With the win Detroit splits their back-to-back games in California.
My 3 Stars
1. Jonas Gustavsson (26 saves and the win)
2. Antti Niemi (34 saves)
3. Patrick Eaves (game-tying goal)