Joonas Donski – File photo by Jack Lima
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks were able to earn the game seven win in front of their home fans with a final score of 3-2.
With Joe Pavelski back on the ice, after being out for just over two weeks from his injury in round one, the Sharks looked to leverage the energy for a big win in front of the home fans.
Tomas Hertl – File photo by Jack Lima
In the first period, a long shot from the blue line by Brent Burns was tipped off the stick of Pavelski redirecting the puck to the back of the net past Philipp Grabauer. This game marked Grabauer’s first game seven playoff.
About midway through the period, Tomas Hertl came from behind the net for goal number two for the Sharks. But the Avalanche closed the gap with only seven seconds remaining, when Mikko Rantanen’s shot beat Martin Jones in the net. The Sharks led 2-1 at the first intermission.
About midway through the second period, a turnover in the neutral zone and Nathan MacKinnon skated down the board and then passed the puck to Colin Wilson who was waiting in front of the net, and wristed the puck past Jones. However, a coach’s request to review the play caused officials to reverse the call. It seemed that an Avalanche player took too long to clear the ice and caused an icing prior to the goal. The reversal of the call left the Sharks with the 2-1 lead.
Joe Pavelski – File photo by Jack Lima
Joonas Donskoi caught a pass from Brent Burns and wrapped around the back of the net and tossed the puck up and over Grabauers shoulder for the goal at 12:37. That would be the end of the opportunites in the second.
The Avalanche’s Tyson Jost scored his third in as many games only 51 seconds into the third period. But that wouldn’t be enough. With just over two minutes remaining, and Grabauer pulled for the extra skater, Jones made a series of great saves. All the fans on their feet to watch the Sharks advance to the Conference finals to face the St. Louis Blues.
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