Sharks Keep Lightning from Sweeping California

Video Highlights from Last Game

Sharks Keep Lightning from Sweeping California

After coming off a successful road trip, the San Jose Sharks met up with the Tampa Bay Lightning for their first of four consecutive home games. The Bolts have been playing good hockey recently and had beat both the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks before heading north to Silicon Valley for this game. Well, Team Teal made sure that California would not be swept in a very convincing 7 - 1 victory. Though there were a few moments during the game where Tampa Bay was dominating San Jose in puck possession, at no time did they dominate on the scoreboard.

In the first period, Devin Setoguchi got things started early when he scored his 20th goal of the season on a one-timer from just outside the top of the crease. On the play, Number 16 pursued the puck down low, chipped it over to Jumbo Joe behind the net who then got it back to Seto for the one-timer. Then on the powerplay, at 14:19, Thornton picked up his 10th goal of the season off a deflection in front of the net.

In the second period, the Lightning came out tough and really went to the body. The gritty play seemed to shut the Sharks down for a bit as Tampa Bay continued to hem San Jose in their own zone. Ultimately, it led to a goal by rookie Steven Stamkos...his 5th of the year. However, Thornton and the top line got things going again and took over all of the momentum when Joe scored his second goal of the night. From there on out, Tampa Bay just took penalty after penalty...sending the San Jose powerplay on to the ice. Given all of the opportunities, the Sharks cashed in on two more powerplay goals. The first was scored by Milan Michalek on a rebound and the second was scored by Ryane Clowe who was set up by some pretty passing. On Clowe's 18th of the season, literally every Sharks player on the ice touched the puck before it reached Ryane who was ready for the one-timer from just 10 feet out.

In the third period, San Jose added two more goals to the lead. One by Joe Pavelski, which was much needed for the struggling forward, and another by Tomas Plihal...his 5th of the season.

Overall, a nice dominating win for the Sharks.

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