Canucks down Sharks in OT, 5-4

Timo Meier (28) draws an interference penalty for colliding with Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko – Photo by Jack Lima

SAN JOSE – The Vancouver Canucks held the lead in the game throughout the contest, except until the Sharks’ Alexander Barabanov tied the game, 4-4, at 19:59 of the third period to force extra time.

J.T. Miller won it for the Canucks on a delayed penalty midway through the extra session.

“To give it up with less than a second [left] was pretty upsetting, but we got the two points,” Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I don’t know if we deserved it, but sometimes those are the games you need to get a jump-start.”

Quinn Hughes scored in his return to the Canucks lineup.

“We didn’t have our A-game, but fortunate to grind out a win,” the Canucks’ Conor Garland said. “They came out hard. They probably weren’t at their best in the first. We knew they would come out and challenge.”

Thatcher Demko made 24 saves in the Vancouver win.

The Canucks improved to 23-21-6.

Timo Meier hit for a double and three points in the Sharks loss.

“We didn’t play too bad, so it was sticking to the system and not trying to get away from it when you’re down goals,” Meier said. “We did a good job with that, we stuck with it. We got a point out at the end. Obviously frustrating losing in overtime, but I think tonight we showed a lot of character.”

The Sharks fell to 22-21-5.

“I think if we play the way we did the last two periods we’re going to get our fair share of points down the stretch,” Sharks head coach Bob Boughner said. “But we’ve got to start on time.”

Logan Couture and Juho Lammikko added single markers for the Sharks.

Sharks goalie James Reimer receives a snow shower from Tyler Myers (57) – Photo by Jack Lima

“We went from maybe playing our best first period of the year to all of a sudden collapsing, knowing they’d come out sharper in the second period,” Boudreau said. “It was our lack of energy and composure in the second period that got to me.”

Garland and Brock Boeser also scored for the Canucks in regulation.

“All I care about is the team’s points, and we’ve got to get some wins here,” Meier said. “Tonight we got a point, but in the last few games we didn’t play our best, so we’ve got to start now or else it’s going to be a long, long season. I think we’ve got to fix things, and tonight I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

James Reimer made 22 saves in the Sharks loss.

Timo Meier (28) trips over Juho Lammikko (91) – Photo by Jack Lima

Timo Meier (28) celebrates his third period goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Sharks defenseman Ryan Merkley – Photo by Jack Lima

Quinn Hughes chases the puck behind the net – Photo by Jack Lima

Luke Schenn (2) and Timo Meier (28) battle for the puck along the boards – Photo by Jack Lima

Lane Pederson – Photo by Jack Lima

Sharks goalie James Reimer misses a shot off the stick of Juho Lammikkos, not pictured, to tie the score during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima