On Saturday night at the Shark Tank, the league’s hottest team, the San Jose Sharks, took on the struggling Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes (16-28-6) ultimately prevailed over the Sharks (33-17-3) with a 3-2 shootout win.
Early on in the first period, the Sharks almost grabbed the early lead. A wide open goal was available for Mikkel Boedker, but Coyotes’ goalie Mike Smith made an incredible stick save to keep it out.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 5, 2017
Two Arizona penalties near the end of the period gave the Sharks an extended 5-on-3 power play. They carried that chance into the 2nd period but missed their opportunity to convert.
With under 8 minutes to go in a feisty second period, the Coyotes’ power play broke the scoreless tie. Coyotes’ captain Shane Doan beat Martin Jones’ five hole for the 1-0 lead.
After several missed chances, the Sharks finally got past Mike Smith and tied the game. With a scramble in front of the net, Brendan Dillon poked the puck through the five hole of Smith for his first goal of the season.
It didn’t take long for the Sharks to get rolling in the third period. Just over two minutes in, Logan Couture’s wrist shot got past Mike Smith after a beautiful setup. That made it 2-1 and gave the Sharks’ their first lead of the night.
The Coyotes managed to tie the game just 26 seconds later. Ryan White’s shot deflected off Brendan Dillon’s stick and into the net. The rest of the third period was dominated by the Sharks, out-shooting the Coyotes 14-6. That still wasn’t enough for the win, so we headed to overtime.
Late in OT, Martin Jones made a save for the ages. Jones made an acrobatic stop on Tobias Reider that you have to see to believe.
SAVE OF THE YEAR. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/tVfYbh03Bh
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) February 5, 2017
In the shootout, Arizona capitalized on both of its first two shots, which was enough to win the game. San Jose’s loss was their first since the All-Star break.
Notes
- Mike Smith was fantastic for Arizona tonight. Smith, who made his first All-Star appearance last week at 34 years old, saved
- Michael Haley found himself back in the lineup tonight for the Sharks. It was his first game since January 18th.
- San Jose now begins an east coast road trip which begins on Tuesday in Buffalo. /
Fear The Fin Three Stars
- Mike Smith
- Patrick Marleau
- Shane Doan
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