San Jose Grinds Out a Win Against the Rangers

Video Highlights from Last Game

San Jose Grinds Out a Win Against the Rangers

Well, it wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty, but the San Jose Sharks got back to their winning ways and defeated the New York Rangers Saturday night by a score of 3 - 2. Though Team Teal got off to a great start, I've got to say that I didn't feel comfortable until the final horn blew. In fact, there were stretches throughout the night where I was holding my breath as the Sharks really had to scramble in their own zone a few times. Fortunately, San Jose dug down deep and found the energy to skate away with a very important victory.

In the first period, the Sharks found themselves up by two goals within five minutes of the game. Thanks to a couple of early Rangers penalties, the San Jose powerplay got the opportunity to capitalize and they did. While 5 on 3, Dan Boyle scored his 11th goal of the season with a one-timer from the far faceoff circle. Then, less that 30 seconds later, Ryane Clowe scored the Sharks' second powerplay goal of the game when a rebound squirted out to him at the near post. With a quick flip of the stick, Number 29 netted his 14th of the season. The quick two goals forced New York to take their timeout and it seemed to help as the Rangers picked up the pace and really put it to the Sharks. Before the first period ended, the Rangers would cut San Jose's two goal lead in half. On an odd-man rush, Nikolai Zherdev had all day to pick his spot and beat Nabby through the five hole.

In the second period, both teams traded goals...Patrick Marleau with his 17th and Ryan Callahan with his 9th. Though it appeared that San Jose was starting to slow down towards the latter half of the period, the Sharks were still able to outshoot the Rangers by a count of 10 - 8.

In the third period, San Jose started to run out of gas. Their weary legs led to a number of New York opportunities where the Rangers really possessed the puck in the Sharks' zone. Hemmed in, San Jose had to rely on Nabokov to gobble up any shots on net and get the much needed whistle. Fortunately, Nabby was up to the task and kept the Rangers at bay.

As I mentioned before, it wasn't easy, nor was it pretty, but I'm pleased with the way San Jose bounced back from the Detroit debacle. Not only did they stop their losing streak, against a very good team, but they also showed that they're mentally tough and able to fight through injuries and fatigue.

COMMENTS