Detroit headed into their first game in 8 days after seeing off the Coyotes in 4, the Sharks were looking to carry on with the momentum gained after an overtime game 6 win against LA.
This game started with both team finishing checks and a scuffle mid ice with Miller and Eager exchanging some face rubbing against the boards. Nichol and Ferrio getting calls for San Jose and Miller for the Redwings givng Detroit an early powerplay chance.
It was the Sharks who had the best chances shorthanded, Wallin getting a blast from the top of the circle that Howard saved with the glove and Heatley trying a wraparound that was thwarted by a combination of the Redwings defence and Howard's pad.
The penalty kill brought the crowd into the game and the Sharks were on top through the 1st 7 minutes, coming at the Redwings with speed and generating pressure in the Detroit end.
The Redwings took the lead at 9.30 with Lidstrom getting free centre ice and skating onto a Datsyuk pass and firing the puck low gloveside on Niemi.
Wellwood had a great chance to equalise with 8.40 left on the period, skating in on Howard 2 on 1. He fired the shot high over the bar but a hooking call was made on Ericsson to give the Sharks their 1st powerplay of the game. San Jose controlled the puck in the Detroit end but couldn't get much going, putting in a couple of long range shots that Howard handled.
The Sharks had taken some of the Detroit momentum away but were given the chance to get some back with Thornton going for tripping with 3.58 left in the 1st. A better powerplay than their 1st, controlling the zone but again failing to create that clear cut chance.
The Sharks started the 2nd period with all the pressure, registering at least 5 shots. Howard stood firm and was getting infront of everything, the best save being a big glove save off Pavelski with around 5 minutes gone.
San Jose got some more momentum as Hudler went for tripping at 6.33. The Sharks got in some shots from range but Howard was still seeing everything. The Sharks were into double figure shots on the period by the halfway point of it but hadn't found an equaliser.
Howard took exception to Pavelski giving him a snow shower as he made another save and showed him, both players getting 2 minutes for roughing in a fracas afterwards. Howard lucky not to put his team back on the penalty kill as the call on Pavelski was a weak call.
The game settled down a bit and Detroit managed to get back into it the 2nd half of the period as the Sharks failed to get on the scoreboard. Todd Bertuzzi looked like he took a knock to a wrist or hand as he skated off holding it with around 6 minutes of the period remaining. He was back on the ice 2 or 3 minutes later with the problem not being bad as first thought.
The period ended with Detroit having a couple of chances, one bouncing behind Niemi and almost along the goal line and the netminder making a save off Hudler in the last 50 seconds.
The Sharks heavily outshot the Redwings 18-9 in the 2nd after the 1st had been pretty even, 9-8 in the Sharks favour.
It was Detroit who had the jump at the start of the 3rd period, keeping the play in the Sharks zone for the majority of the opening 4 minutes without getting many clear shots in on Niemi.
It was Pavelski for the Sharks who had the game levelled up at 10.22, scoring a tip in on a rebound off Howard. San Jose were on the powerplay as Bertuzzi sat for Boarding. Thornton got the shot away from centre ice that Howard got his pad to but Pavelski was quickest to act, batting the puck from around knee height into the net.
Eaves took a penalty for the Redwings at 13.52, being called for a slash as the Sharks cleared their zone. Detroit managed to kill this one off and the 3rd period headed into the last 4 minutes.
San Jose had all the late pressure but couldn't find a winner yet and the period ended with both teams all square. The Sharks went into overtime for the 4th time in 7 games already in this playoff year.
The overtime period began where the 3rd ended as the Sharks had the jump. Wallin was hit bya high stick at 2.43 which cut his chin and meant Abdelkader went for 4 minutes to the penalty box.
An excellent penalty kill from Detroit saw them limit the Sharks 2 shots on the powerplay but as Abdelkader returned to the ice the Redwings couldn't clear the zone and get line change. With tired players on the ice it was Ferrio for the Sharks firing a puck on net from the top of the circle that deflected off the skate of Stuart and through the five hole of Howard.
The Sharks edged an enthralling game and if it wasn't for Howard they probably would have won more comfortably. He made 44 saves through almost 3 and 1/2 periods and was my man of the match in this game. If this series continues with games as good as this it will prove to be the barnstormer we are all hoping for.
No comments:
Post a Comment