SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks continued their momentum from the previous series for a 5-2 win in game one of the second round series against the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center.
The Avalanche handled the Calgary Flames in five games to earn the opportunity to face the San Jose Sharks, a team that took seven games and an overtime period to defeat the Golden Knights in round two.
Colorado scored the first goal, against the San Jose when Gabriel Borque’s shot beat Martin Jones in the net.
Gabriel Bourque (57) opens the scoring with a goal past Sharks goalie Martin Jones – Photo by Jack Lima
San Jose’s Gustav Nyquist scored the equalizer goal at 14:44, when Ave’s goaltender Philipp Grubauer let a rebound pop back out in front of the net, right on the stick of Nyquist, he moved just slightly to the side and wristed the puck to the opposite side of the net for the goal.
In the second period, Colorado retook the lead, off a redirected shot off the stick of Colin Wilson on a power play, at 3:56.  But midway through the period, the Shark’s Joe Thornton took a cross the ice pass from Marcus Sorensen and sent it to the net. Keven Labanc scored his third goal of the post season, to put the Sharks into the lead for the first time in this game. Lebanc weaved his way through defenders and let loose a slap shot from the slot that whizzed past Grubauer.
Sharks goalie Martin Jones stops a shot attempt by Alexander Kerfoot (13) – Photo by Jack Lima
With a minute remaining in the second period, Brent Burns put the Sharks up 4-2 on a shot from the boards that bounced off a defender into the net. Both Sorensen and Thornton were credited on the assist.
In the third period, the Sharks held on with the 4-2 lead, and with just over two minutes remaining, the Avalanche pulled Grabauer in favor of an extra skater. But a loose puck allowed Timo Meier to shoot from the neutral zone to seal the 5-2 win in game one.
Martin Jones performed very well in the net throughout the game, making 26 saves for the night.
Gabriel Bourque (Center) celebrates his goal with Samuel Girard (49) and Tyson Jost (17) – Photo by Jack Lima
Gabriel Landeskog (92) looks for a pass as Justin Braun (61) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Gustav Nyquist (14) tries the score 1-1 with a shot past Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer late in the first period – Photo by Jack Lima
Evander Kane (9) tries to reach over Avalanche defender Matt Calvert to control the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Evander Kane (9) tries to tip a shot past Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer as Ian Cole (28) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Martin Jones blocks a shot as Gabriel Landeskog (92) looks for the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Timo Meier (28) tries to deflect a shot past Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer – Photo by Jack Lima
Timo Meier (28) looks to take a shot as Logan Couture looks for a pass or rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
The Sharks starting lineup stands for the National Anthem – Photo by Jack Lima
These two teams will return to the ice on Sunday for game two.
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