SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Sharks’ Joonas Donskoi scored in overtime to give the Sharks the 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins still lead the series 2-1 games as both teams prepare to play game four.
Joonas Donskoi celebrates his overtime game winning goal – Photo by Jack Lima
This game seemed much slower than the previous two games in Pittsburgh, as both teams took longer to get their feel of the ice. Penguins’ Ben Lovejoy opened the scoring with an unassisted goal with 14:31 still on the clock.
Sidney Crosby (87) looks to pass as Justin Braun defends – Photo by Jack Lima
The Sharks did not register a single shot on goal during the first eight minutes of the game. But their second shot on goal beat Matthew Murray in the net. A pass from Joe Thornton to Justin Braun in the slot was settled down by his skate, and then he slapped it towards the crowded net. The puck went in high and right with 9:34 remaining in the period. The teams would be knotted at one-apiece into the first intermission, with Pittsburgh outshooting the Sharks 14-6.
Joe Pavelski (8) tries to tip a shot past Penguins goalie Matthew Murray – Photo by Jack Lima
The second period started out slowly. It seemed the officials decided to put the whistles away, as Sidney Crosby was pulled down on a breakaway, then seconds later a Shark player was held up. It also appeared that the ice was getting a little sloppy during the second period, which may have been the reason for the slowed pace.
Conor Sheary (43) reacts to Patric Hornqvist (not pictured) goal late in the second period – Photo by Jack Lima
Patric Hornqvist scored the Penguin’s second goal with only 52 seconds remaining in the period. His shot was fired from just inside the blue line through traffic, past Martin Jones in the net. The goal was assisted by Ben Lovejoy. The Sharks outshot the Penguins during this period 9-6.
Penguins’ goalie Matthew Murray makes a save – Photo by Jack Lima
During the third period, Joe Thornton was high-sticked by Nick Bonino, who was given a four-minute minor. The Penguins were successful in their penalty kill efforts, however the very second the penalty ended, the Joel Ward scored from the slot. His shot went top-shelf over the glove of Murray and was assisted by Donskoi and Thornton with 11:12 remaining in the period.
The two teams remained tied at 2-2 as the regulation final buzzer sounded.
Logan Couture tries to control the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Both teams had prime opportunities to score during the sudden-death overtime period, however, Donskoi proved to be the hero, as he got the puck from behind the net, then worked his way around, wristing the puck over the glove of Murray for the game winner 12:18 into the period.
Patrick Marleau (12) tries to bat the puck out of Matthew Murray’s catching glove – Photo by Jack Lima
Star of the game honors went to Martin Jones, Joel Ward and Joonis Donskoi. Jones had 40 saves for the win, while Murray had 23 for the loss. There were 17,562 fans in attendance at the SAP Center for the game.
Game four will be Monday, June 6 at SAP Center.
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