VIDEO: Sharks Outlast Ducks, Take 2-0 Series Lead

By: Matthew Garcia

Last night the Anaheim Ducks hosted the San Jose Sharks for game two of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. The Ducks dropped game one by a final score of 3-0. The Sharks were led by trade deadline acquisition Evander Kane who potted the first two playoff goals of his career since joining the NHL nine years ago, and Brent Burns would net his first goal of the playoffs. The Ducks would be looking to rebound in-game two and would add a very familiar face to the blue line, a player that they hope would bring an extra bite to the lineup. Andy Welinski would be scratched and Kevin Bieksa would return to the lineup after missing the last few weeks of the regular season undergoing hand surgery to remove scar tissue. In net for the Sharks would be Martin Jones, and the Ducks would counter with John Gibson.

Period 1:

The first period would get underway quickly as Jakob Silfverberg would open up the scoring just 40 seconds into the game with a quick shot from just inside the blue line that would find its way past Jones giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead and breaking the shutout streak of Jones. The Ducks would continue the sustained pressure but would not be able to slide another one past Jones before the Sharks would draw even. Marcus Sorensen would get the scoring started for San Jose as Melker Karlsson would intentionally fire a shot wide of the net, hitting the end boards before popping out to Sorensen who would pot the puck into an open net as Gibson was unable to locate the puck after it hit the wall. The Ducks would be the recipients of the first penalty of the game as Brandon Montour would be sent to the box on a hooking infraction. The Ducks would get through the first half of the penalty, but it would be Logan Couture to give San Jose a 2-1 lead with a slick backhand goal as he would fake Gibson out before going around him and sliding the puck into the net. The first period horn would sound and the Sharks would take a one-goal lead into the first intermission.

Period 2:

The puck would drop on the middle frame and this time it would be the Sharks who would strike early as Tomas Hertl would dangle around Ducks defenseman Montour before potting a backhand shot past the blocker of Gibson giving the Sharks a 3-1 lead just 1:11 into the second period. Just past the six-minute mark of the period the Ducks would get an opportunity to draw to within one as Paul Martin would take a slashing penalty sending the Sharks shorthanded for the first time in the game. Anaheim would not be able to establish anything early on the power play but with time dwindling on the man advantage it would be Hampus Lindholm who would strike for Anaheim as a Sharks defenseman would inadvertently take out the legs of Jones leaving the top half of the net wide open, and Lindholm would not miss the chance and would make it a 3-2 game with just over 10 minutes left in the second period. Both teams in the latter half of the period would trade chances but would be unable to convert and the second period horn would sound and the Ducks would enter the third period of play trailing by just a single goal.

Period 3:

The Ducks would be given a golden opportunity early in the third period as Kane would accidentally hoist the puck up and out of play in the Sharks defensive zone sending San Jose short-handed for the second time in the game. Despite many glorious scoring chances the Ducks would not be able to squeeze one past Jones, and the Sharks would be able to kill off the penalty still holding onto the one goal lead. A little over a minute after the penalty expired it would be Nick Ritchie who would be on the receiving end of a tripping call sending the Ducks shorthanded for just the second time in the game, the Ducks would be a lot more aggressive on the penalty kill as they would not allow the opportunity for the Sharks to establish themselves in the attacking zone and would kill off the penalty. With just over a minute left in regulation the Ducks would pull Gibson for a sixth attacker, and the Ducks would come close to drawing even as Corey Perry would sneak out behind the goal line and elevate a shot that Jones would just get enough of and allow the Sharks to clear the puck with just over 40 seconds left to play in the game. The Ducks’ late period surge would not be enough as the final horn would sound and the Sharks would win the game by a final score of 3-2 and take a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Northern California to the Shark tank.

Final Score: San Jose-3 Anaheim-2 *San Jose leads series 2-0*

What’s Next?

Round 1 Game 3 Anaheim at San Jose Monday @ 7:30PM PT

For more analysis and thoughts on the game listen to our post-game show!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

April 15th, 2018