San Jose Sharks Snap 6-Game Winless Streak In Chicago With Shootout Win
Jan 5, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Stalock (32) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks ( 27-10-6, 60 points) defeated the Chicago Blackhawks (29-7-9, 67 points) by the final score of 3-2 in a shootout at the United Center in Chicago. This was a very fast-paced, entertaining, back-and-forth hockey game that featured plenty of chances for both teams. Unfortunately for the scores all over the ice tonight though the goaltenders were even better.
It was also a very penalty-free game, as was somewhat expected, because these are two of the least penalized teams in the league. In all there was only one power play, on which the Sharks did not score.
In the first period the San Jose Sharks would get first blood after a goal from Jason Demers. The goal started with a great fore check by Logan Couture and ended Demers firing a one-timer by Corey Crawford after Couture fed him the puck from behind the net. At the end of the first it was 1-0 Sharks.
At the beginning of the third period the Blackhawks would tie the game after a faceoff win in the Sharks’ zone. Eventually the puck would find its way in the back of the net via a shot from the slot by Niklas Hjalmarsson he activated from the point.
Two and a half minutes later the Blackhawks would strike once more on another goal by a defenseman. The goal-scorer Michal Rozsival just fired a puck from the blue-line with not much pressure in front and was able to beat Stalock short-side. No doubt that was one he would like to have back.
With the Sharks down 2-1 they would answer back on a Brent Burns goal after a beautiful back-handed saucer pass from none other than Joe Thornton. The captain was originally the recipient of a nice cross-ice pass from Marc-Edouard Vlasic but could not control the pass and instead drove the net before sending the pass over to Burns.
The game would eventually make its way to overtime where we saw more of the same back-and-forth game at a break-neck speeds yet the goaltenders stood tall. San Jose at one point had a three-on-one but Justin Braun would miss the net completely after a great setup from Couture.
In the shootout Stalock would be perfect with after a Jonathan Toews save and Patrick Sharp miss while Couture and Joe Pavelski each scored to seal the deal for the San Jose Sharks. All in all a great win against the top team in the league (at the start of the night).
GGS 3 Stars
1. Alex Stalock (33 saves)
2. Logan Couture (1 shootout goal, 1 assist)
3. Corey Crawford (40 saves)