Sharks Lose Heartbreaker Late, Fall Down 2-0 in Series
May 16, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) makes a save against Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) in the third period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
In a rough turn of events late in the third period the San Jose Sharks fell to a 2-0 series deficit after losing at the Staples Center 4-3.
It all started with 2:41 left when Brad Stuart gets called for tripping giving the Kings a late power play. Their power play had been strong all game, scoring one already, so it was going to be a tough kill to begin with.
Then, While on the penalty kill, the Sharks were called for delay of game when Marc-Edouard Vlasic tried to clear the puck and it went straight over the glass. The puck looked like it may have deflected off of a Kings player but was difficult to see even on the replays.
On the insuing five-on-three advantage the Kings scored on a scrum in front when Dustin Brown poked the goal in to tie the game at three apiece.
Moments later, now on a five-on-four power play, the Kings scored once again on a rush down the ice. The goal was scored after Tyler Toffoli fired the puck on net and Antti Niemi let a rebound go to the other side of the ice. Trevor Lewis was there and with Niemi down and on the wrong side of his crease just knocked the puck into the open net to make it 4-3 Kings.
The Sharks pulled Niemi late in the game to try to get the goal back but it was too little too late and the Kings snuck out of game two with the victory.
The game was dominated by the Sharks for a majority of the first two periods although the game was tied 2-2 by the second intermission. San Jose did not take the lead until Vlasic scored when he crashed the net and knocked the puck by an out of position Jonathan Quick.
San Jose’s first two goals came in the second period and were scored by Patrick Marleau, who netted his fifth goal of the playoffs, and Brad Stuart.
After that San Jose started to lean back on their heels though and it all started going downhill. The Kings outshot San Jose 18-7 in the final period and, even with Niemi making quite a few brilliant saves, could not keep the puck out of the net.
It was a heartbreaker from the Sharks point of view knowing they were so close to pulling out the win, but it will be one they have to learn from and then forget about before their next game on Saturday.
GGS 3 Stars
1. Trevor Lewis (game-winning goal)
2. Scott Gomez (2 assists)
3. Dustin Brown (game-tying goal)