Quick Bites: Sharks end preseason with 5-3 victory over Golden Knights

In the final game of preseason, the Sharks made their first visit to Las Vegas, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 from behind with a late power play goal by Nick DeSimone in the third period.

This game was a back and forth affair with a handful of the Sharks premier stars sidelined. A few of those notable players scratched from tonight’s game included Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, and Martin Jones, who most likely sat in efforts to keep healthy ahead of Wednesday’s season opener.

In their absence, it was a slow start for San Jose on Sunday night, with the Golden Knights getting on the board first after a Nick DeSimone giveaway led to a breakaway goal for Erik Haula early in first period. Sharks responded late in the period tying the game on an incredible shorthand goal by Marcus Sorensen (assist by Radim Simek).

Speed + hands = 🚨
#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/YfR0SFF0BS

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 2, 2017

The beginning of the second period was all Sharks after Jason Garrison received a penalty for tripping Joel Ward, which led to Chris Tierney deflecting in Tim Heed’s wrist shot for a power play goal. Then four minutes later, Barclay Goodrow scored at even strength, extending the lead by two goals.

But the Knights just wouldn’t go away, responding with their own pair of goals, from David Perron and Colin Miller, to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the third.

Aaron Dell, who started in net for the Sharks, was replaced by Troy Grosenick midway through the second.

The eventual game-winning goal came with 10:51 in the third, after a tripping penalty put the Sharks on the power play. That’s when Nick DeSimone broke the tie. Veteran winger Joel Ward put on the finishing touches with an empty netter, sealing the win.

San Jose ends preseason with a 4-2 record. With camp officially over, the team steers its focus to their regular season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at SAP Center.