The San Jose Sharks came into the team’s matchup against the Calgary Flames with a glimmer of hope. The players were looking to show growth in the final games of the season and perhaps play spoiler to another team in the Pacific Division. But despite a heroic effort from Will Smith, the Sharks fell just short, losing 3-2 in a nail-biting finish.
The puck dropped at 7:38 p.m. at the SAP center last night, and the game was off to a quick start, where the Sharks had two shot attempts in just one minute! The Flames were able to surpass that five minutes in. But the Sharks continued to create chances and much of the Flames defense was due to goaltender Dustin Wolf, who stopped 18 shots before Smith was able to finally get a point on the board for the Sharks.
It was his second goal in two games and he wasn’t done yet. The goal was at the 19-minute mark, and it was a good note to end the period.
The Sharks had been buzzing around the Flames’ zone for most of the period, but Smith’s goal was pure, crisp execution. It was a moment that had the Sharks buzzing with energy. The period ended with San Jose holding a 1-0 lead and the Flames looking slightly disoriented. But Calgary’s resilience was only beginning to show.
The energy from the first period began to carry to the second. The second period saw both teams lock down defensively, with neither squad able to find the back of the net. It was a goaltending duel between Georgi Romanov of the Sharks and Wolf of the Flames.
The Sharks’ penalty kill was tested early in the period, but San Jose held its ground, making sure the Flames couldn’t capitalize on its opportunities. The game was heating up, and the tension was high, but the scoreboard remained unchanged.
The third period began with both teams showing a little more urgency, but it was the Flames who struck first. At 8:12, Adam Klapka deflected a shot past Romanov to tie the game at 1-1. It was a bit of a scramble in front of the net, but Klapka stayed with the play, getting his stick on the puck for the shot.
Adam Klapka cleans up the rebound to pot the equalizer! 🧹
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 8, 2025
📺: SN1, Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/EDFSuYWOPg
The Flames took control of the momentum. On a power play at 11:47, thanks to a holding call on Lucas Carlsson. Jonathan Huberdeau gave Calgary the team’s first lead of the night, blasting a one-timer past Romanov to make it 2-1. The Sharks’ penalty kill couldn’t quite get in position to stop it.
While the Sharks tried to get the equaliser, Matt Coronato put the final nail in the coffin at 15:30, unassisted. A quick turnover in the Sharks’ zone allowed Coronato to take a loose puck and bury it for a 3-1 lead. San Jose was then down by two with under five minutes left to play.
With just 1:48 left in the game, Will Smith jumped on a power play opportunity to score his second of the night, cutting the Flames’ lead to 3-2.
It was a wrist shot that beat Wolf high to the glove side, and suddenly, the Sharks had life again. Smith’s second goal of the night had given the team a chance, but time was running out.
In the final minute, San Jose pulled Romanov for the extra attacker, throwing everything the team had at Calgary. But the Flames’ defense tightened up, blocking shots and clearing pucks from the zone. Despite a few tense moments, Calgary held on to the 3-2 lead, securing the victory and leaving the Sharks with yet another near-miss.
It was a game of missed opportunities for the Sharks, but also a game that proved just how dangerous the team can be when everything clicks. Smith’s two-goal performance was a bright spot in a tough loss, and if he continues to play at this level, the future looks promising for San Jose. But for now, the Sharks will have to reflect on what could have been—a hard-fought game that slipped away at the end.
Coach Warsofsky’s thoughts
Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky reflected on the team’s performance, highlighting their defensive effort and the contributions of individual players.
“We competed; we did a lot of the right things that we’ve talked about this morning. We had success from it in the first period,” Warsofsky shared, emphasizing how the team was able to disrupt the Flames’ plays early by taking away time and space.
He was particularly pleased with the defensive efforts in the first two periods,
“I thought we did some good things defensively. Took away some time and space, killed some plays, which we’ve talked a lot about. And that really changed the momentum of the game,” Warsofsky said.
Romanov was another player who got praise from Warsofsky,
“Romanov had a strong game and was crucial to the team’s performance. Yeah, really good again. Gave us a chance to win. I’ve liked him a lot,” said Warsofsky.
Warsofsky also talked about Smith’s growth.
“Two goals tonight, he’s playing on the inside. I thought he was really good again,” he said. “So, you know, the goal for Will is to end the season on the right note and feel really good about training camp next year.”
NHL GameScore Impact Card for San Jose Sharks on 2025-04-07: pic.twitter.com/W8cQbTtQzl
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) April 8, 2025
Smith was, unsurprisingly, the best Sharks’ player on the ice last night. He and Celebrini were the team’s top performers with Nikolai Kovalenko close behind.
While the loss stung, Warsofsky was encouraged by the team’s overall effort.
“We see the light at the end of the tunnel, the season being over, maybe that’s what it is. But I think our guys really competed hard tonight,” said Warsofsky.
Despite the result, the Sharks showed resilience, and Warsofsky remains optimistic about their progress as they finish out the season.
Scoring summary Calgary Flames at San Jose Sharks April 7, 2025
First Period
19:35 SJS Will Smith from Nikolai Kovalenko and Macklin Celebrini
Second Period
No scoring
Third Period
8:12 CGY Adam Klapka from Nazem Kadri and Kevin Bahl
11:00 CGY Jonathan Huberdeau from Morgan Frost and MacKenzie Weegar on the power play
15:30 CGY Matt Coronato unassisted
18:01 SJS Will Smith from Timothy Liljegren and Macklin Celebrini on the power play
