Fleury’s overtime goal sinks San Jose in 3-2 loss.
SAN JOSE – Theoren Fleury scored on a breakaway 1:26 into overtime Monday as the visiting Chicago Blackhawks trimmed the San Jose Sharks 3-2 at HP Pavilion.
Looking for a second consecutive win for the first time in three weeks, the Sharks were able to erase a 2-0 first-period deficit with goals from Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau. The Sharks fired 37 shots on net in the first three periods, but Chicago mustered all four overtime shots on the way to the Fleury game-winner.
The Sharks travel to Denver Wednesday to play the Colorado Avalanche, then begin a five-game homestand Friday against the Boston Bruins.
San Jose, with 65 points in the Pacific Division cellar, has 10 games to play. Both Los Angeles and Phoenix have 69 points to share third place in the division.
“The difference was their goaltender (Jocelyn Thibault),” said San Jose coach Ron Wilson. “We couldn’t find a way to solve him. He managed to get them the extra point. We were all over them in the second and third period. We out-chanced them probably 2-1.”
Vesa Toskala made his second consecutive start in net for the Sharks, finishing with 23 saves.
“Toskala has played well both games,” said Wilson. “He handles the puck well, made some great saves. It’s nice to see your goalie be able to make some key saves to give the team an opportunity to get back in the game.”
The Hawks bolted to a 2-0 lead after 7:36 of play. Chris Simon recorded his eighth goal of the season 1:16 into the action. Mmark Bell followed with his 12th at the 7:36 mark.
Sturm scored his career-best 24th goal at the 5:35 mark of the second period. His put-back off a rebound of a Mike Ricci shot left Sturm with his 41st point, a career-high set last season. Teemu Selanne leads the Sharks with 25 goals, with Patrick Marleau joining Sturm at 24.
Primeau pulled the Sharks even with a goal 13:44 into the third period. Defenseman Rob Davison lined a shot from the point off Thibault. Chicago’s Steve McCarthy flipped the puck away from the crease, but Primeau was able to collect the puck and line it past Thibault.
A turnover inside the Chicago blueline on the second shift of the overtime allowed Fleury to slip past the San Jose defense and free to beat Toskala to the stick side.
