In San Jose it just gets uglier by the game.
Elias Pettersson struck for two goals and the visiting Vancouver Canucks hung a 5-2 loss on the Sharks. 
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence,” Pettersson said. “Nothing comes easy in this league, and we focus a lot on work hard, outskate teams, and good things happen.”
Thatcher Demko made 24 saves in the win.
“Guys are confident, and we’re scoring some big goals,” Demko said. “That’s great, it helps me build some confidence as the game goes on, especially with the goals coming early.”
Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Evander Kane were the only goal scorers for San Jose.
“Same problems that have plagued us a lot of the year, we get behind early,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “Usually one of the first two or three chances ends up in the net, and we’re playing from behind all night.”
The Canucks twice in the first and second periods for a 4-0 lead.
“It’s tough to play that kind of hockey, trying to open it up and catch up,” DeBoer said. “If there’s one thing you can point to tonight, we needed a save, or at least not to get behind early.”
The Sharks dropped to 4-10-1.
“We can’t sit here and sulk,” defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “Everybody has to collectively look in the mirror and be better.”
Brandon Sutter, Jake Virtanen and Adam Gaudette also scored for the Canucks.
“You can’t say enough about the D corps,” Demko said. “It’s a lot harder than it may look playing five guys, especially when you lose guys in the first period. It’s a lot of minutes, and guys just continued to step up.”
[WATCH: All Canucks vs. Sharks highlights]
Aaron Dell made 23 saves in the loss.
“Everybody has to look in the mirror, goalies, coaches, players, everybody. We’ve got to find a way. This is our group, there is no cavalry coming,” DeBoer said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.