A San Jose Sharks Blog

For the third consecutive game, the Sharks played a tough and competitive team who is headed for the playoffs. Similar to the games against the Ducks and the Flames, this contest was filled with some major hits and chippy play. In the first period, the Canucks jumped out to an early two goal lead. Less than a couple of minutes into the game, the Canucks put one by goaltender Evgeni Nabokov at even strength. Then, at 4:38, Vancouver scored again when Taylor Pyatt took a pass from defenseman Sami Salo and deposited it in the net for his 23rd goal of the season.

Fortunately, at the beginning of the second period, the Sharks got on the board by scoring a power play goal. Milan Michalek scored his 26th of the season giving assists to Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo. On the play, Thornton shot the puck from the far circle and it hit Michalek before going in; after a short review, the goal was made official cutting the Canucks' lead to one. At 15:42, the Sharks tied the game; again on the power play, Thornton found a loose puck in the far slot and scored his 22nd of the season with an easy slam dunk on the open side of the net.

In the third period, the Canucks broke the tie by scoring a power play goal of their own. Though the Sharks had a number of scoring chances to tie the game, it wasn't until the 19:27 mark when Cheechoo banged home his 37th of the season. With Nabby out of the net and an extra attacker on the ice, San Jose's late goal sent the game into overtime.

Unfortunately, in OT, the Canucks were awarded a power play and converted rather quickly. This brought an end to both the game and the Sharks' five game winning streak.

As mentioned before, the last minute goal scored by Cheechoo ensured the Sharks 107 points on the season and a trip to Nashville. Since Dallas can only tie San Jose in points, but not wins, Team Teal has locked up the fifth seed. Though the Predators have handled the Sharks this year, the Canucks are the scarier team right now and are the less favorable matchup. Over the past ten games, the Canucks have gone 7 - 2 - 1 while the Predators have only gone 5 - 3 - 2. In addition, I believe that in a seven game series, the Sharks' size will give them the advantage over the smaller Nashville forwards such as Erat, Kariya, and Sullivan. If that weren't enough to convince you, there's also the issue of Luongo; when he is on his game, it is near impossible to get on the board. In fact, I'd rather face Vokoun or Mason and take our chances against the team we were able to defeat last year.