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Looking past 2
points
Sharks drop 2nd straight in
OT
12/17/08 - By Mike Lee
With all
the focus of Thursday night's marquee match-up between the Sharks and Red
Wings, San Jose lost sight of the fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets are a
formidable opponent. Looking past Columbus cost the Sharks a chance at a 4th
consecutive win on Wednesday, although they did salvage a point in a 2-1
overtime loss at Nationwide Arena. R.J. Umberger converted on a 2-on-1 break 3
minutes into the extra session to help propel the Blue Jackets to their first
win over San Jose in three tries this season.
When Umberger punched
home the game winner on a feed from Kristian Huselius, the Blue Jackets players
reacted like they had just won the 7th game of the Stanley Cup Finals. Umberger
did a victory dance as he circled back toward his bench, then was swarmed by
his teammates who have won 3 of their last 4 games.
For the Sharks, it
was a night of missed opportunities. Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason
stopped 47 shots, including 18 in the 2nd period. The 6-foot 4-inch goaltender
relied on solid lateral movement to snuff out the league's 2nd ranked offense.
Rob Blake had a team high 9 shots on goal, and added a blast that
helped put the Sharks on top 3:41 into the 3rd period. Blake sent a blast in
from the point, allowing Devin Setoguchi to tip the shot past Mason. The goal
was Setoguchi's 16th of the season, and looked as if it would stand up for the
Sharks who also limited Columbus' scoring chances, even though they put 32
shots on net.
Sharks neminder Evgeni Nabokov deserved a better fate
for his performance.
Columbus tied the game at 12:32 on Michael Peca's
2nd of the season. Peca scored on a drop pass from Jakub Voracek near the right
circle. Dan Boyle's clearing attempt from behind the Sharks net was intercepted
by Rick Nash at the blueline, who then fed Voracek in the slot. With his back
to the net, the Blue Jackets right winger, dished the puck to Peca for the
30-foot slap shot that slipped just inside the left post.
The Sharks
had their chances to steal the lead back.
Christian Ehrhoff had a
clean look at the Columbus net after a turnover in the Blue Jackets zone, but
his shot hit the left post. They also had two power plays in the 3rd period,
but failed to generate any serious scoring chances. They would finish the
evening 0-for-5 on the man advantage.
San Jose also generated 3 shots
on Mason in the overtime period, but they couldn't find a way to get the puck
past him.
With the Sharks pressing in the Columbus zone, Sharks
captain Patrick Marleau made a meager attempt to poke check a loose puck, but
Huselius swatted it free and was off to the races.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic was the last line of defense, but
as he skated toward Huselius, the Blue Jackets forward sent a pass through the
slot to Umberger who easily deposited the game winner.
Game
Notes:
The Sharks have scored first 19 times this season, and have a
15-2-2 record in those games. They are 5-3 in overtime this season.
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What did you
think of this game? Post your comments on the
Feeder Forums |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
T |
| SJ |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| CBJ |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
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| 3rd period - 1, SJ,
Setoguchi 16 (Blake, Marleau), 3:41. 2, CBJ, Peca 2 (Voracek, Nash),
12:32. |
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| Overtime - 3, CBJ,
Umberger 9 (Huselius, Tyutin), 2:55. |
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| 1st period - Kaspar, SJ
(holding), 1:08; Nash, CBJ (interference), 1:25; Blake, SJ (high sticking),
3:54; Umberger, CBJ (holding), 8:25. |
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| 2nd period - Peca, CBJ
(holding), 15:55. |
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| 3rd period - Boyle, SJ
(hooking), 1:05; Nash, CBJ (hooking), 9:02; Brassard, CBJ (high sticking),
15:31. |
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Shots |
Saves |
| SJ - Nabokov |
32 |
30 |
| CBJ - Mason |
48 |
47 |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
T |
| SJ |
10 |
18 |
17 |
3 |
48 |
| CBJ |
8 |
13 |
10 |
1 |
32 |
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| Referees:
Joannette, MCCauley. Linesmen: Cormier, McElman. |
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