San Jose Sharks Suffer First Regulation Loss Of Season
San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19), left, looks down as the Boston Bruins celebrate the game-winning goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, in Boston. The Bruins won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
The Boston Bruins (7-2-0, 14 points) handed the San Jose Sharks (8-1-1, 17 points) their first regulation loss of the season Thursday night on a David Krejci goal with just 0.8 seconds remaining in the third period at the TD Bank Garden.
That goal, which Krejci deflected in front, was set up by a cycle in the corner and a shot from the point. The onus also goes to Joe Thornton for not playing his man when he left the boards and headed for the net.
It was another low scoring game for the Sharks, who were less than a second from extending the game into overtime. Unfortunately though, that did not happen and for the first time this year San Jose leaves the ice without gaining a point.
Thursday evening’s game featured two of the top three defenses in the league and the low score exemplified that. It was also a game which showcased great goaltending, especially on the part of Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask, who made 38 saves on 39 shots. The Sharks dominated the shot clock once again 39-17, including a 16-3 advantage in the first period, but were unable to make anything of it.
Also, for the second straight game Brent Burns was out due to an injury and in his place on the Thornton line was rookie Freddie Hamilton.
Also, to make matters worse for San Jose in the injury column, Tommy Wingels left the game in the first period after taking two high hits. His absence definitely had an impact on the Sharks offensively, too, since they are a team that likes to roll four lines pretty evenly all game. In all likelihood, either one or both of those hits will be reviewed by the league, so we will wait and see.
As for the goals, it was the Bruins who scored first in the second period on a Jerome Iginla goal. He was able to pick up a shot that came off the boards behind Antti Niemi, just threw it at the net and was able to get a great bounce that went off of Niemi’s leg and into the net.
With San Jose down 1-0 at the start of the third period, Patrick Marleau tied the game just 18 seconds in. Marleau was able to tuck home a shot past Rask after an initial shot from the point created a rebound. That goal was Marleau’s eighth of the season.
GGS 3 Stars
1. Tuukka Rask (38 saves)
2. David Krejci (1 goal, 1 assist)
3. Antti Niemi (17 saves)