The San Jose Sharks (16-10-3) late game comeback fell short as Nino Niederreiter scored the game-winning goal, sealing the 4-3 overtime victory for the Minnesota Wild (15-11-3).
This was the first of three meetings this season for these Western Conference foes and heading into the match-up, San Jose had won their last two games while Minnesota came in winning three of their last four. The Sharks had a 2-2-0 record in the second game of back-to-backs this season and have yet to win three-straight games. The Wild made sure that trend continued behind their goalie Alex Stalock, who returned to San Jose after being dealt by the team two years ago.
The game started off with the bad guys striking first when a Melker Karlsson slashing penalty led to a Minnesota power play. Ryan Murphy scored off a behind-the-net pass from Jason Zucker in the first six minutes of the game, which was Murphy’s first goal of the year.
Later in the first period, Brent Burns and Martin Jones collided into each other leading to an Eric Staal goal. The Wild then extended their lead to three with Staal scoring again with 15:02 left in the second period, despite San Jose’s challenge on whether or not the puck completely crossed the line.
After Staal’s second goal it was all Sharks, who scored three unanswered to tie the game.
The team finally broke through after Burns scored a 5-on-3 one-time power play goal with 52.5 second left in the second period.
Some serious power behind this Burnzie 💣 #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/GCPlNeP8lA
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 11, 2017
Three minutes into the third period, Burns struck again, scoring his second goal of the night in similar one-time fashion like the first goal. Then, with 5:01 left in the period, Tomas Hertl scored the game tying goal, off a rebound shot by Dylan DeMelo, sending the game to an eventual overtime.
Scoring the game-tying goal is fun always, right Tomas Hertl?
Game tied at 3-3. #sjsharks pic.twitter.com/CqsLk8MbKB— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) December 11, 2017
Neither team seemed to get great chances in OT, but a DeMelo turnover in the defensive zone led to Niederreiter’s game-winning goal.
The Sharks had many opportunities this game especially on special teams, but went just two of seven on the power play. Jones stopped 20 of 24 shot attempts while his counterpart Stalock stopped 31 of 34 shots. The veteran couldn’t clinch this victory, which still puts him one win shy of 100 career wins.
The Sharks will next head to Western Canada for a three-game road trip. It begins against the Calgary Flames on Thursday and the puck drops at 6 p.m. Pacific Time (9 p.m. ET).
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