Sharks 3, Flames 4: Thank god it’s the preseason

In their final home tune-up before the start the regular season on Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks dropped the second of a home-and-home series with 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.

The Sharks got off on the right foot, getting the first goal of the game thanks to Antti Suomela cleaning up a mess around the net. However, that was the highlight of the first half of the game, as the Flames went on to score four unanswered goals, including a short-handed goal by Mark Giordano.

Although they were down three and could’ve packed it in  — because it’s the preseason and who cares? — the Sharks battled back. Notably, after Peter DeBoer inserted Timo Meier into Evander Kane’s top-line spot, the wheels started turning once again for the Sharks. Goals by Suomela and Meier cut the Flames lead to one, and the Sharks were close to tying the game in the final minutes, but ran out of time.

It’s down to one more preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights before the games start to matter and a new season of Sharks hockey to begin.

Pregame

Arguably the most anticipated preseason game in San Jose Sharks history will take place at the SAP Center as Erik Karlsson is set to make his first start since being acquired from the Ottawa Senators.

The Sharks are coming off two high-scoring losses against the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames after opening the preseason with two convincing victories over the Anaheim Ducks.

However, tonight’s game will feature mostly the starters as the team makes their final preparations before the season opener against the Ducks on Wednesday.

Rosters

#SJSharks lines, d-pairs this AM.

9-19-8
48-39-28
27-40-62
20-60-68

47-88
44-65
4-61

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) September 27, 2018

After much discussion (and salivating), the pairing of Karlsson and Marc-Édouard Vlasic will see the ice together for the first time this preseason. It appears as though Logan Couture will have Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier on his wings, which is a good sign after the trio were the anchoring the offense against the Golden Knights last Saturday.

First Period

20:00: Hey everyone, it’s Eddie here, let’s get this game underway!

18:04: Erik Karlsson is on the ice!

17:24: The Sharks are on the power play which means Burns and Karlsson will be on the ice at the same time.

15:24: The Flames are back at even strength

14:11: Martin Jones makes a really good save with help from Erik Karlsson to keep the score at zero

9:36: Sharks strike first! Antti Suomela with the goal

See a loose puck. Poke a loose puck. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/gFNNm9OpcM

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 28, 2018

8:30: Flames tie it up with a short-handed goal from Mark Giordano

3:00: Flames get a 2-on-1 and score to get a 2-1 lead courtesy of Elias Lindholm

2:15: Jones makes a stellar save on another 2-on-1 to keep the score at 2-1

End of First: 2-1 Flames

Sharks are giving up quite a few 2-on-1 chances and have capitalized on one of them, so far it looks like the Flames are playing to win rather than playing not to get hurt.

Second Period

18:46: Sharks will go on the penalty-kill

16:46: Sharks kill the penalty and Joe Thornton is out of the box

16:29: Travis Hamonic scores to make it 3-1 Flames

10:41: Sharks are headed to the power player after a penalty by Tkachuk

8:40: Meier came close to scoring the Sharks second goal but Mike Smith denies him

8:39: Sharks get another power play on a penalty by Michael Stone

6:39: Sharks squander another power play opportunity

6:25: James Neal scores and it’s 4-1 Flames

2:00: Antti Suomela gets his second goal of the game and it’s 4-2 Flames

End of 2nd Period: 4-2 Flames

It was a rough third period with the Flames increasing their lead, but with the Suomela goal and their play in the last few minutes of the second period; the Sharks are looking to carry that momentum into the third period.

Third Period

17:39: Meier close to getting the Sharks third goal

15:50: Hertl came close to scoring, but is denied by Mike Smith

14:48: Sharks are headed to the penalty kill as Erik Karlsson sits down for two minutes

9:24: Meier finally breaks through and gets his goal! It’s 4-3 Flames

5:58: Evander Kane and Sam Bennett have a small scrap. Kane’s night is over.

3:40: Sharks are oh so close to tying the game!

Final Score: 4-3 Flames