Sharks Earn Season Series Sweep In Edmonton
Mar 14, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at the HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks defeated the Edmonton Oilers for the third time this season completing their regular season sweep. It took a shootout for the second time this season to decide a game between the teams with the Sharks coming out with the win.
More importantly this win gives the Sharks two important points in the incredibly tight playoff race.
Logan Couture was definitely the man of the night for the Sharks and overall this season has five goals and an assist in the three games against the Oilers this season, not to mention the shootout goal that tied it back up after Eberle scored for Edmonton. This kid has it all and the great thing is that he is not even 24 yet. For those saying the Sharks window is closing they have only to look at the young core of superstar players this team still possesses.
Game Summary
In the first period the Edmonton Oilers struck first with a goal on the power play by Sam Gagner that got by the screened Niemi putting them ahead midway through the first period. Yakupov and Whitney picked up the assists on the goal.
About four minutes later the Sharks scored their first goal of the game as Logan Couture jammed a puck home by Devan Dubnyk to tie the game at one apiece. Martin Havlat picked up the assist on the goal.
Early on in the second period the Sharks got a chance when Joe Pavelski nailed the post on a shot that got by the Edmonton goaltender. Then, Martin Havlat was called for a penalty that he did not agree with and ended up getting 14 total penalty minutes in all after getting a two-minute misconduct and an extra ten minutes as well for whacking his stick.
On the insuing penalty kill the Sharks looked very good aside from a chance or two from Edmonton and were able to kill off what ended up being a double minor.
When the Sharks got their first power play of the game at exactly the halfway point of the period they were unable to make anything of it although Couture did hit the second post of the period for San Jose. Unfortunately, right when the penalty ended Justin Schultz got the puck right out of the penalty box and led a three-on-one that resulted in a goal for Shawn Horcoff putting Edmonton up 2-1 and they ended up taking that lead into the dressing rooms.
In the third the Oilers scored again at about the 15 minute mark when a mix up behind the Sharks net between Irwin and Boyle leads to the first goal of the season for forward Ryan Jones. He was able to beat both defensemen to the puck then put a wrap-around by Niemi.
The Sharks struck back, once again Couture, on their second power play of the game off of a one-timer after a big scramble in front of Dubnyk. The goal was a very timely one and immediately gave the Sharks the momentum they had been looking for all period.
About a minute and a half later the Sharks tied the game on a snapshot by Tommy Wingels from the slot after a great forecheck by his linemates set up that goal. Just like that the game was tied at 3-3 and we had a new hockey game.
From then on it was a back and forth affair as both teams traded chances until the end of the game. There was a bit of a scare for the Sharks when Gagner hit the post at about three minutes left in the period. But, with no goals, the game headed to overtime.
In the overtime period both teams once again went back and forth and traded chances although the Oilers seemed to get the better of them by using their speed and incredibly talented young players. Both goalies stood strong however and the game went to the second shootout of the season between the two teams.
The shootout featured three goals total; one by the Oilers and two by the Sharks to take the win. Credit Logan Couture with a great snipe and then Dan Boyle showing off the stick-handling skills to get the game winner with San Jose’s third shot. Sharks win in a great comeback win in the shootout.
My 3 Stars
1. Logan Couture (2 goals, shootout goal)
2. Sam Gagner (1 goal)
3. Tommy Wingels (game-tying goal)