Ducks blank Sharks, 2-0

SAN JOSE, Ca – San Jose Sharks were shutout on home ice in the first quarterfinal playoff game as the Anaheim Ducks won by a 2-0 score. Rookie goalie Jonas Hiller, in his first playoff start, got his first playoff win of his career thanks to the Ducks special teams. The game would be scoreless until the third period. The first period was a display of solid defense by both teams. Ryan Clowe had a number of good hits against Ducks. With the exception of a penalty by Dan Boyle for tripping, it was a flawless period by both teams. Hiller posted four saves versus Evgeni Nabokov’s eight saves in the period. In the second period, the Sharks were unable to capitalize on four separate power play opportunities. Rob Niedermayer had three different penalties for high-sticking, holding and hooking at different times during the period.  Sheldon Brookbank had an interference minor as well. The Ducks had an opportunity on the power play on an elbowing penalty by Clowe, but were still unable to get a puck past Nabokov.  At the bell, Anaheim had seven shots on goal to San Jose’s 14 shots. After 40 minutes of play, the teams remained scoreless. The third period would prove to be the payoff for Anaheim. At 4:20 into the third period, a tripping minor on Jonathan Cheechoo provided a window for Anaheim, in which they took advantage. A powerful wrist shot by Scott Niedermayer beat Nabokov through five hole and was assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Whitney at 5:18 into the period.  Then, another golden opportunity for Anaheim came at the completion of Getzlaf’s minor for elbowing. As he re-entered the ice he interecepted a pass and from the top of the face off circle, he slapped the puck past Nabokov at the 17:35 mark putting the Ducks up 2-0.  Joe Thornton did not put up a shot on goal until the last minute of the game and Hiller proved to be too much for the Sharks. Hiller received the first star of the game, with Getzlaf and Todd Marchant taking the second and third stars. Hiller had a total of 35 saves overall, and Nabokov had 17 saves, in front of 17, 496 fans at the HP Pavilion.  This proved to be only the third shut out in San Jose this year for the Sharks. The next game will be Sunday, April 19th in San Jose. Contact the writer at: shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
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