San Jose Sharks Squander Lead Late, Lose In Shootout

Nov 10, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; San Jose Sharks forward Tommy Wingels (57) collides with Winnipeg Jets defenseman Grant Clitsome (24) during the second period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Sharks (10-2-5, 25 points) lost once again in extra time, this time to the the Winnipeg Jets (8-9-2, 18 points) at the MTS Centre.  Overall the Sharks fall to 0-3 in the shootout this season.

This was the fourth time in five games the Sharks have gone into overtime. Once again San Jose was outshot by the wide margin of 46-34 and were outworked for much of the game. Credit the Sharks for taking advantage of their opportunities on the power play, scoring twice in order to stay in the game. Oddly enough the Sharks held the lead three times but the Jets battled back over and over and eventually forced overtime with a late goal by Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd.

Unfortunately for San Jose, the loss means they have now lost five straight games, although they have picked up a point in four of those losses. The problem is a couple of those could have been wins and tonight was one of those nights. They held the lead late but were unable to finish strong and San Jose paid the price.

Also, for the second time in as many overtime games, the Sharks “scored,” but this time a goal was disallowed because Tommy Wingels was interfering with the Winnipeg goaltender and did not allow him to get into position to make a save. Patrick Marleau had scored on a rebound on that disallowed goal. In the end it was the Jets who came out on top in the shootout on the goal by Ladd.

That late goal to tie the game at four apiece and sent the game to overtime was scored by Ladd when he scored on a one-timer with just 1:43 left in regulation. The Sharks were back on their heels at that point and had been since scoring the early in the third period to take the lead.

That goal, which was Dan Boyle’s second power play goal of the game, came on a beautiful behind-the-back no look pass to the back door where Boyle slammed it home giving them the 4-3 lead. Boyle’s other power play goal, which opened the scoring for the game, came off of a one-timer at the blue-line from Joe Pavelski.

Just 76 seconds after that goal, rookie Tomas Hertl scored his 10th goal of the season and quickly game San Jose a 2-0 lead. San Jose’s other goal would be scored by Tommy Wingels who scored his fifth of the season.

Next up the Sharks head to Calgary for the second game of their five-game midwestern road trip. There they will stry and stop the losing skid as they take on a struggling Flames team which has lost three games in a row.

GGS Three Stars
1. Andrew Ladd (game-tying goal, game-winning shootout goal, 1 assist)
2. Dan Boyle (2 goals)
3. Grant Clitsome (1 goal, 2 assists)