San Jose Sharks regain position after capturing the Anaheim Ducks 4-2
It was a fortifying moment for the Sharks after they recaptured the second number spot in the Western Conference, after tearing the Anaheim Ducks 4-2, at the HP Pavilion Arena in San Jose, California.
The Detroit Red Wings had secured the second place ahead of San Jose, after defeating the Nashville Predators 4-3 on Saturday night in overtime. The Sharks, with their victory over the Anaheim Ducks, now move back ahead on the table with a single point lead
(101).
Anaheim took control of the first period as Bobby Ryan and Lubomir Visnovsky scored two goals nearly eight minutes apart. Ryan scored the inaugural goal from the top of the line assisted by Corey Perry, for his 34th of the season. Visnovsky extended
the lead during San Jose’s second penalty of the period, giving Perry his second point of the night.
Dany Heatley lessened the gap by one, after he scored at 2:01 into the second. Patrick Marleau scored a little over midway through, tying up the match at the end of the second period. The sold-out crowd went wild after Marleau shot the puck, which first
hit Bobby Ryan’s face and then went into the net.
Ducks goalie, Ryan Emery, made 29 rejections but still lost for the first time in his seven straight starts. Superstar goalie Antti Niemi blocked 20 Anaheim shots, winning his 33rd consecutive match.
Devin Setoguchi fired his 21st of the season and match tie breaking on an under pressure Emery during a power play sponsored by Jason Blake for holding Ryan Clowe. Marleau scored once again with under a minute remaining in the final period. He
increased his score total of the season to 37.
The Ducks are still on the seventh place, and the side is one of the few teams who have made a comeback into the play-offs in recent weeks. With 93 points, they are in danger of falling down to eighth, as Chicago is only a point under them.
San Jose now face the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, while the Ducks will fly back home on Sunday to face the Dallas Stars.