Sharks snap Ducks’ 10-game winning streak

SAN JOSE – Bracken Kearns scored his first NHL goal Sunday night to help the San Jose Sharks past the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in the first game of a back-to-back series between the two Pacific Division rivals.
The Ducks came into SAP Center with a 10-game winning streak, easily the top mark in the NHL this season. San Jose kept the Ducks from an 11^th straight by striking for two goals in the first period before getting the Kearns goal 9:16 into the second period.
Anaheim, the co-leader with Chicago in points with 61, hosts the Sharks Tuesday evening.
The win gave San Jose sole possession of second place (56 points) in the division.
Anaheim, the highest scoring team in the division, was able to keep Antti Niemi from his 26^th career shut-out when winger Patrick Maroon snapped a shot over Niemi’s shoulder from the bottom of the left circle 9:16 into the third period.
San Jose controlled the final five minutes of play, allowing the Ducks only two brief forays into the Shark zone until the final 15 seconds.
San Jose, adept at early scoring this season, continued that tactic Sunday with a tally 1:17 into action.
Brent Burns drilled his 12^th goal of the campaign past goaltender Frederik Andersen from the high slot moments after Joe Pavelski controlled a rebound of his own shot and spotted Burns with a pass from behind the net.
Burns added the primary assist on Logan Couture’s breakaway goal at 10:07 of the first period. Couture sped around Duck Francois Beauchemin and lifted a backhander over Andersen’s shoulder for his 100^th career goal.
“That’s a big number,” said Couture. “I was stuck on 99 for a while.”
Kearns, a 32-year old winger playing in his seventh NHL game, added to the San Jose advantage when he popped a goal from the low slot by Andersen. Andrew Desjardins began the scoring play when he controlled the puck along the left boards before charging toward the net for a quick shot. Kearns, coming off the bench, went after the puck in the slot, squaring up before drilling the puck into the net.
“”Just an amazing feeling,” Kearns said of his first goal. “It was a lucky one but I’ll take it.”
  The Sharks reach the midway point of the season Thursday, hosting the Edmonton Oilers in the 41^st game of the year.