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SJ sweeps season series with
Hawks Michalek and Cheechoo bag 2 goals
each 3/21/07 - by Mike Lee
Evgeni
Nabokov got his second straight start in net on Wednesday night in Chicago and
he promptly brushed aside Sunday's overtime loss to Colorado en route to a 4-1
over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Milan Michalek and Jonathan
Cheechoo scored two goals apiece and Joe Thornton added three assists to pace
the Sharks, who moved to within 4 points of the top spot in the Pacific
Division. Nabokov allowed a goal late in the opening period then shut down the
Blackhawks for his 20th victory of the season.
San Jose jumped out to the 1-0 lead 7:12 into the game on Cheechoo's 26th goal
of the season. Scott Hannen setup the goal with a pass that Cheechoo pumped
past Patrick Lalime. The puck found a small opening between Lalime and the
left post.
Patrick Sharp would beat Nabokov with his 17th of the season with 4:30 to play
in the period. Sharp wristed a shot from 20 feet past Nabokov to the glove
side. Nabokov, who has played stellar in goal the last few weeks, clamped down
on 22 shot through the first 2 periods, then coasted after the Sharks padded
their lead in the 3rd period.
Milan Michalek gave the Sharks the lead for good midway through the 2nd period
with his 21st of the season. Rene Bourque was sent off for hooking at 9:15 and
the Sharks jumped on the opportunity. Michalek converted on the ensuing power
play, one of 2 man-advantage goals on 5 chances on the evening.
The Sharks capitalized on a Danny Richmond hooking penalty 5 minutes into the
3rd period. Cheechoo roofed a shot past Lalime from just outside the left
post, after taking a pass across the slot from Matt Carle.
Michalek took a centering pass from Joe Thornton as he cut across the slot and
easily beat Lalime with a shot from 10 feet out. Thornton skated behind the
Blackhawks net and waited patiently for someone to fill the huge hole in front
of the Chicago net. Michalek saw the opportunity and skated from right to left
taking Thornton's pass right on the doorstep. Michalek had time to stop, pick
a target and snap his shot to the left of Lalime.
The win set a new franchise record for wins in a season (45). The Sharks also
set a franchise record with 24 road wins. The victory also vaulted the Sharks
over the idle Minnesota Wild into 5th place in the Western Conference. Anaheim
has a game in hand, but has seen their 10 point lead last week, shrink to 4
points with 8 games to play.
San Jose swept the season series with Chicago, outscoring the Blackhawks 17-4
in four games.
Notes:
Thornton moved into 2nd place in the NHL in scoring with 99
points (20 goals, 79 assists), trailing only Sydney Crosby (108) points).
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1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
SJ |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
CHI |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
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1st period - 1, SJ,
Cheechoo 26 (Hannan, Thornton), 7:12. 2, CHI, Sharp 17 (Havlat,
Bourque), 15:30. |
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2nd period - 3, SJ,
Michalek 21 (Carle, Rivet), 10:03, (pp). |
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3rd period - 4, SJ, Cheechoo 27 (Carle,
Thornton), 5:43, (pp).
5, SJ, Michalek 22 (Thornton, Cheechoo), 12:48. |
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2nd period - Williams, CHI (hooking), 1:25;
Keith, CHI (high sticking), 7:11; Bourque, CHI (hooking), 9:15; McLaren, SJ
(high sticking - double minor); 11:22. |
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3rd period - Richmond, CHI (hooking), 5:01;
Aucoin, CHI (hooking), 14:22; Marelau, SJ (hooking), 16:08. |
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Shots |
Saves |
SJ - Nabokov |
29 |
28 |
CHI - Lalime |
20 |
16 |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
SJ |
7 |
6 |
7 |
20 |
CHI |
12 |
10 |
7 |
29 |
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Referees: Don Koharski, Rob Martell. Linesmen:
David Brisebois, Mike Cvik. |
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