Paul Martin is back, Joel Ward scored a hat trick, and all is well with the world again.
Or something like that.
The Sharks managed to put a stop to their three game losing streak tonight at SAP Center, coming away with a 5-2 win against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. It was a sloppy game for the Sharks – they were outshot fairly significantly, and with only 21 shots taken they owe their victory to some terrible Hurricanes goaltending.
Joel Ward opened the scoring for the Sharks less than two minutes into the game:
Joel Ward gives the Sharks a 1-0 lead https://t.co/AFCtjhMeoh
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 25, 2015
He didn’t wait too long to notch another one, and this time the Hurricanes challenged the goal. The call stood, though (as it definitely should have) and the Sharks went into the first intermission leading 2-0 in goals and trailing 7-6 in shots.
Ward’s 2nd goal currently under review, coach’s challenge for offside pic.twitter.com/oi0VIcjw6X
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 25, 2015
Ward has scored eight points in his eight games as a Shark, and he leads the team in goals with five. He scored his 100th NHL goal tonight, too.
The Hurricanes scored a powerplay goal early in the second period, on the Sharks third penalty of the game. Penalties were kind of an issue in the first half of the game:
Only three of the Hurricanes’ nine shots have been in even strength situations. Nice.
— Jake Skellingstrom (@jakesundstrom) October 25, 2015
Joe Pavelski gave the Sharks their two goal lead back, getting credit for an ugly goal that Eddie Lack almost put in himself.
Pavelski goal pic.twitter.com/YMMDEdTn4T
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 25, 2015
The next goal chased Lack from the game.
Wingels goal. pic.twitter.com/9KGirhhUwd
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 25, 2015
It wasn’t a good night for the ex-Canuck, who was pulled for Cam Ward after Tommy Wingels’ goal. Lack left the game with a .692 save percentage, which, well, is not great.
The Hurricanes scored again before the period was over, ending it with the Sharks up 4-2 in goals and down 19-14 in shots.
The Sharks didn’t get their first power play of the game until almost halfway through the third period, and they were unable to convert on it.
Joel Ward completed his hat trick on an empty net goal with less than two minutes remaining in the game. He’s proving to be a great pickup for the Sharks.
I love his reaction. “sigh, thank you Lord…YAY I GOT A HAT TRICK!” pic.twitter.com/UBajoxW7FY
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 25, 2015
The Hurricanes ended up outshooting the Sharks 34-21. While this is good for Martin Jones‘ save percentage, it’s not good for the team as a whole. They won’t be facing Eddie Lack every game, and will need to play better than they did tonight if they’re going to keep winning.
Sharks goals (assists): Joel Ward (Patrick Marleau, Tomas Hertl ) Joel Ward (Brent Burns) Joe Pavelski (Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Joe Thornton) Tommy Wingels (Chris Tierney, Paul Martin) Joel Ward (Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau)
[Fancy Stats] – [Hurricanes Reaction] – [Event Summary] – [TOI Log] – [Faceoff Report] – [PBP Log]
Fear the Fin’s Three Stars
1) Joel Ward
2) Brent Burns
3) Eddie Lack
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