Sharks fall to Canucks 3-2 in overtime

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SAN JOSEBrowsing the stats before Wednesday nights Sharks-Canucks game at HP Pavilion, a couple in particular stood out. Vancouver entered with the leagues best overall power play, while the Sharks owned the worst penalty killing percentage at home.In what ended up as a 3-2 Sharks loss to the Canucks in overtime on an Andrew Ebbett deflection, San Jose ended up even in the special teams battle with one power play goal for and one against - a minor victory in itself. But it was a pair of late man advantages in the third period in which San Jose had a golden opportunity to beat its nemesis, that had the players and coach shaking their collective heads afterwards.You get two power plays down the stretch in the third period in a tie game, you need to win, Logan Couture said.With the game tied 2-2, Daniel Sedin was whistled for high-sticking Marc-Edouard Vlasic at 15:29 of the third period. Joe Thornton, standing in front of the net, nearly put in a pass from Joe Pavelski early in the advantage, but just missed a tip-in. Shortly after that, Roberto Luongo stopped Ryane Clowes rebound attempt.

Once Sedin's penalty expired expired, Kevin Bieksa was sent off for high-sticking Jamie McGinn after a strong move to the net by the Sharks winger at 18:23. San Jose was unable to get any prime scoring chances during that two-minute advantage, though, and Ebbett redirected a low wrist shot from the high slot by Bieksa at 3:23 of overtime to win it for Vancouver.You just have to find a way to get the puck on the net and I dont think we did that, Dan Boyle said of the late power plays. Pucks were just bouncing all over the place, and we spent half the time breaking it in or fighting it. I think late in the period like that, in that game, the ice is pretty bad. You have to shoot the puck and get an ugly goal, and we didnt get the shot we needed.Todd McLellan said: The power play probably got us a point tonight, and left one on the table, as well.Despite the loss, the Sharks have to be given credit for erasing a two-goal deficit and controlling play for much of the second half. San Jose ended its six-game homestand with points in five (4-1-1).The fans got their moneys worth, too. Not only was the game competitive and fast-paced, but emotions were evident in the third period when McGinn and Ryan Kesler tussled in the corner which led to a full on five-on-five scrum. Kesler and McGinn were given coincidental minors at 14:35.I thought it was a heck of a game. It had a lot of emotion in it, more emotion than any other of the games weve played lately, McLellan said. Between both teams, on our bench, officiating, the whole nine yards. Playoff style, playoff atmosphere, and you dont expect anything different from the two teams.Vancouver jumped out to a 2-0 lead before a pair of second period Sharks goals tied it at the intermission.Patrick Marleau played a big role in both. First, on a two-on-two rush with Couture, Marleau hesitated just long enough to draw Bieksa towards him before passing to Couture to his right. Couture unleashed a laser at 11:01 that cleanly beat Roberto Luongo for his team leading 16th goal of the season.Patty made a great play. It started in our d-zone, Couture said. Sedin fed one to me, and I beat him up ice. Patty made a great play to find me and I was able to beat Luongo high.Later in the period with the Sharks on a power play, Marleau pushed defender Alex Edler off of the puck after a defensive zone faceoff win by Henrik Sedin. That allowed Thornton to pick it up in the corner and circle around before beating Luongo high to the glove side at 16:12.The Sharks outshot the Canucks 16-4 in the third period, but couldnt find a way to take a lead. Overall, San Jose has lost five of the last six regular season meetings to Vancouver, including four in a row at home. That doesnt count the five-game defeat in last years Western Conference Final.Theyre a good team. They have a bunch of lines who can play, their d-men can move the puck, two great goalies, Couture said. We've just struggled against a good team. We need to get out of it, though.Theyll have another chance on Jan. 2 at Vancouver. The Canucks will play two games prior to that date, in Los Angeles and Anaheim, while the Sharks have the next four days off.Even though our record is real bad against them the last 10 games or so, I think for the most part we play them pretty tight, Boyle said. It could have gone either way tonight. I dont think either team stole it one way or another.Vancouver opened the scoring at 11:12 of the first period, when Daniel Sedins quick wraparound beat Antti Niemi.My pad should be on the post there, every time. I thought he might do a different play from there and maybe get it in front of the net, said Niemi, making his 15th start in the last 16 games.The Canucks power play made it 2-0 after a Brent Burns was called for an unnecessary hold behind the Sharks net. Kesler deposited the rebound of a shot by Edler less than three minutes into the second period.Douglas Murray returned to the Sharks lineup from a right wrist injury that kept him sidelined for 10 games. He was paired with Justin Braun, rather than his regular partner Boyle, who remained with Vlasic.Vancouver improved to 14-3-1 in its last 18 games. The Sharks have gained points in seven of their last eight (4-1-3).Odds and ends: Thomas Greiss was the backup goaltender while Antero Niittymaki has yet to dress.Patrick Marleau played in his 200th consecutive game, becoming the fifth Shark to do so.Colin White missed the game with a lower body injury.The Sharks won a whopping 66 percent of faceoffs (37-19). Joe Pavelski was 13-4 in the circle.Both teams were 1-for-4 on the power play.

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