SAN JOSE
– Ten teams were bunched within a three-point span in the
Western Conference going into Saturday’s action, covering the third
through 12th spots in the 15-team conference. San Jose was one of
six teams at 32 points in a tie for sixth place.
SAN JOSE – Ten teams were bunched within a three-point span in the Western Conference going into Saturday’s action, covering the third through 12th spots in the 15-team conference. San Jose was one of six teams at 32 points in a tie for sixth place.
The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks needed overtime to decide Saturday night’s showdown at sold-out HP Pavilion. Ryane Clowe’s second goal of the night beat Hawk goalie Corey Crawford from the outside edge of the right circle 3:52 into OT to push the Sharks to 15-10-4 for the season with the 2-1 decision.
San Jose has 34 points and a share of fifth place in the conference with 34 points.
The Sharks wrap up a two-game home stand Monday night against the Pacific Division-pacing Dallas Stars.
Both teams scored one goal in the first period.
San Jose grabbed a 1-0 lead at the 9:16 mark on Clowe’s seventh goal of the year. As defenseman Jason Demers sped into the Chicago zone with the puck, Clowe joined the rush and advanced to the net. Demers slid a pass toward the crease that Clowe chipped past Crawford from five feet out. Marc-Edouard Vlasic earned the secondary assist.
Jordan Hendry, scoreless in 11 previous games this season for the Blackhawks, scored at 18:23 of the period for the 1-1 tie.
San Jose’s Torrey Mitchell won a Sharks zone face-off but Jake Dowell stole the puck at the endboard and dished to Hendry at the left post for the low shot under Niemi’s left pad from point-blank range.
Chicago lost an opportunity to take a 2-1 lead at 6:58 of the second period when an apparent goal by Viktor Stalberg was waived off by the covering official. Jack Skille’s hard shot from the right flank dribbled through Niemi’s pads, leaving the puck on the goalline. Stalberg hustled to jam the puck into the net, but the official ruled that the whistle had blown to end play.
Clowe’s game-winning shot came from almost the identical spot as Skille’s offering in the second period. Clowe controlled the puck on the right boards before finding rookie defenseman Justin Braun at the blueline. Braun passed to Vlasic near the left circle. Clowe was open for Vlasic’s cross-ice pass, then drilled a low shot past the skate of defenseman Duncan Keith and by the left leg of Crawford.
Dallas tops the division with 36 points. San Jose, Anaheim and Phoenix have 34 points apiece, with Los Angeles fifth with 33.
