Marleau nets three goals in Sharks’ 5-2 home win over Colorado
in series opener
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks called on Patrick Marleau’s second hat trick of the post-season to ignite a 5-2 pasting of the Colorado Avalanche Thursday at sold-out HP Pavilion.
The Sharks and Avalanche continue the best 4-of-7 Western Conference Semi-Finals Saturday at noon before moving to Denver for games Tuesday and Thursday.
Speed and strong forechecking turned several scoring opportunities into early goals as the hosts fashioned a 3-0 lead after one period in the series opener. The Avalanche needed 9:07 of the second period to notch a power play goal. San Jose’s answer to that tease of a Colorado comeback was to look to Marleau for two goals in a span of 94 seconds to make it 5-1 entering the third period.
“We started the game exactly the way we wanted,” said victorious coach Ron Wilson. “Speed and forechecking, with our defense applying pressure in their offensive zone. Nabby made some early saves. With Alyn (McCauley) back, we had all of our speed.
“Their goalie (David Aebischer) struggled a little bit, that’s obvious. He had absolutely no chance on the first two goals, though.”
Marleau moved into first place among goal-scorers (6) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with his second hat trick in 12 days.
“Patty Marleau had an outstanding effort,” said Wilson. “He felt a little liberated, not having to worry about Chris Pronger.” St. Louis defenseman Pronger was on the ice against Marleau’s line consistently in the first-round series between the Blues and Sharks.
“He’s our best player right now,” added winning goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.
The Sharks posted just nine shots on net in the first period but turned timely scoring chances into the 3-0 cushion.
Jonathan Cheechoo assisted on Marleau’s goal 10:52 into action. The Shark winger collected a long pass from Mike Rathje behind the Colorado net, then waited until Marleau shook loose in the low slot for the one-timer over Aebischer’s shoulder.
Just 1:50 later, Vincent Damphousse doubled the score with a wrister from the left-wing circle after racing past defenseman Adam Foote. Damphousse’s shot found the top right corner of the net.
“I surprised them a little bit,” Danphousse said of his one-of-one move to get into scoring position.
Scott Hannan made it 3-0 with 52.9 seconds left in the period, pouncing on a long rebound of an Alexander Korolyuk shot to drive a 20-foot slapshot over a prone Aebischer.
The 26-year-old netminder was pulled by coach Tony Granato after Marleau’s third goal found the cage 13:13 into the second period.
Marleau and Niko Dimitrakos combined for a 2-on-1 rush near the end of a shift to solve Aebischer at 11:39. Marleau then drilled a shot from the right circle inside the right post on a power play to cause 200 hats to fall onto the ice surface.
Peter Forsberg finished the scoring with a series of quick moves to the net to beat Nabokov 52 seconds into the third period.
“We used our speed – that created a lot of opportunities,” said Damphousse. “We had a good first period. If you take the lead over a team like that, they have to open up a bit.
“This is just one game. I expect them to come back with a much better game.”
