Sharks advance to next round

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks Coach Todd McLellan was sure that starting Antti Niemi in game six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals was right. It paid off, as Niemi had 26 saves on the night against the Kings in the 4-3 overtime win. The Sharks will advance to the second round of the post-season for the sixth time in seven years.
 
Captain Joe Thornton came through too, as he scored the game winner in the overtime at 2:22 on a rebound shot, claiming to be in the right place at the right time. This was the third overtime game in the six game series, but the Sharks lines came through each time.
 
The Sharks Kyle Wellwood scored his first goal of the post season at 2:58 into the second period to finally put a tally on the board, only to be evened again by Justin Williams on a power play goal at 13:27. Sharks Jason Demers put the Sharks back in the lead at 16:52, with assists by Joe Pavelski and Torrey Mitchell.
 
In the opening few seconds of the third period, Kings Ryan Smyth evened the score, assisted by Jarret Stoll. San Jose’s Dany Heatley had the answer at 8:48 to again put the Sharks back in the lead, only to be tied again on another power play goal at 11:39 by Trevor Lewis.
 
The eventual hero was Thornton’s game winning goal early in the overtime period to close the season doors on the Kings.
 
The Sharks opponent for the next round has yet to be decided. In Game seven Tuesday night, the Blackhawks and the Canucks will put it all on the line. If the Canucks win, the Sharks will face the Detroit Red Wing; if the Blackhawks win, the Sharks become the top remaining seed and will face them in the next series with home advantage.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com