Just Ducky
San Jose Sharks (2) vs Anaheim Ducks (4).........
The Sharks came into Saturday's game against the Ducks with six point lead for the battle for the final playoff spot in the West. The Sharks had won just two of their last seven games overall, the Ducks had won three straight after last losing to Pittsburgh in a shoot-out.
In the first period the Sharks were holding their own, leading in shots on net 8-7 but the period ended 0-0.
Anaheim got an early second period powerplay and they wasted no time as the Ducks scored just four seconds into their powerplay as Chris Thorburn was off for slashing, Logan Couture (54th) converted a Derek Stepan pass. Alex Steen drew the Sharks even with his 25th of the year at the 17:26 mark as he picked up his own rebound off the back boards and slipped the puck past a sprawled Rask. Shots after forty minutes were 18-17 for San Jose.
In the third the Sharks took their first and only lead of the game on their third powerplay of the game, Tyler Seguin(35th) doing the honors, as he slipped the puck past a out of position Rask after the goalie had made a great save off of center Jonathan Toews. It was after that when the ceiling fell in on the Sharks as Anaheim scored three times in four plus minutes. Rick Nash(50th) at 15:11, Matt Moulson(58th) at 18:49 both on the PP. Shea Weber added salt to the wound of the Sharks by snapping home his 43rd of the year with just thirty seconds remaining in regulation. The Ducks exploded for 21 shots on the period to 9 for the Sharks.
In a surprised move, third stringer Al Montoya started for the Sharks in place of Pekke Rinne, in what the team was calling a maintenance day for the tender, he stopped 34 shots. Tuukka Rask was he usual stellar self as he stopped 25 of 27 for his 62nd win.
MOLSON'S 3 STARS:
1 - Matt Moulson (Ana)........ 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots
2 - Alexander Steen (San)..... 1 goal, +1, 4 shots
3 - Shea Weber (Ana).......... 1 goal, +1, 6 shots
GAME'S GOAT:
Randy Carlyle (SJ)........ the coach should take the blame for this loss as he played third stringer Montoya over both Rinne and Enroth, in what could be the game that is the difference between the team making the playoff and teeing off at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club come the end of the season.
NEXT UP:
San Jose will try to get back on track as they take on the Flyers in Philly on Sunday, the Flyers are 7-3 in their last ten games at home. Rookie Brandon Saad is fourth in rookie scoring with 53 points. Then the Sharks play host to the Boston Bruins on Monday, who have been out of the playoff race for a while but haven't given up as they have pulled out two shoot-out wins in their last two games.
Anaheim, having clinched their second consecutive President's Trophy, will just hope to play out the remainder of the season and limit their injuries play in Los Angeles on Sunday against a Kings team with a mathematical chance to finish second in the Pacific, so for the Kings atleast this game should mean alot. Then it's off to Boston on Tuesday where the tea will be-a-bruin. The Bruin players will be playing for the most part for a spot on the roster next season as their Season 18 is pretty much done.
Reporting for The WCHL Network.......
Peter Puck.
San Jose Sharks (2) vs Anaheim Ducks (4).........
The Sharks came into Saturday's game against the Ducks with six point lead for the battle for the final playoff spot in the West. The Sharks had won just two of their last seven games overall, the Ducks had won three straight after last losing to Pittsburgh in a shoot-out.
In the first period the Sharks were holding their own, leading in shots on net 8-7 but the period ended 0-0.
Anaheim got an early second period powerplay and they wasted no time as the Ducks scored just four seconds into their powerplay as Chris Thorburn was off for slashing, Logan Couture (54th) converted a Derek Stepan pass. Alex Steen drew the Sharks even with his 25th of the year at the 17:26 mark as he picked up his own rebound off the back boards and slipped the puck past a sprawled Rask. Shots after forty minutes were 18-17 for San Jose.
In the third the Sharks took their first and only lead of the game on their third powerplay of the game, Tyler Seguin(35th) doing the honors, as he slipped the puck past a out of position Rask after the goalie had made a great save off of center Jonathan Toews. It was after that when the ceiling fell in on the Sharks as Anaheim scored three times in four plus minutes. Rick Nash(50th) at 15:11, Matt Moulson(58th) at 18:49 both on the PP. Shea Weber added salt to the wound of the Sharks by snapping home his 43rd of the year with just thirty seconds remaining in regulation. The Ducks exploded for 21 shots on the period to 9 for the Sharks.
In a surprised move, third stringer Al Montoya started for the Sharks in place of Pekke Rinne, in what the team was calling a maintenance day for the tender, he stopped 34 shots. Tuukka Rask was he usual stellar self as he stopped 25 of 27 for his 62nd win.
MOLSON'S 3 STARS:
1 - Matt Moulson (Ana)........ 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots
2 - Alexander Steen (San)..... 1 goal, +1, 4 shots
3 - Shea Weber (Ana).......... 1 goal, +1, 6 shots
GAME'S GOAT:
Randy Carlyle (SJ)........ the coach should take the blame for this loss as he played third stringer Montoya over both Rinne and Enroth, in what could be the game that is the difference between the team making the playoff and teeing off at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club come the end of the season.
NEXT UP:
San Jose will try to get back on track as they take on the Flyers in Philly on Sunday, the Flyers are 7-3 in their last ten games at home. Rookie Brandon Saad is fourth in rookie scoring with 53 points. Then the Sharks play host to the Boston Bruins on Monday, who have been out of the playoff race for a while but haven't given up as they have pulled out two shoot-out wins in their last two games.
Anaheim, having clinched their second consecutive President's Trophy, will just hope to play out the remainder of the season and limit their injuries play in Los Angeles on Sunday against a Kings team with a mathematical chance to finish second in the Pacific, so for the Kings atleast this game should mean alot. Then it's off to Boston on Tuesday where the tea will be-a-bruin. The Bruin players will be playing for the most part for a spot on the roster next season as their Season 18 is pretty much done.
Reporting for The WCHL Network.......
Peter Puck.
