SAN JOSE – The Sharks’ season of futility is mercifully coming to an end. 
On Saturday night, the Sharks lost 6-2 to the Minnesota Wild on home ice.
Kirill Kaprizov hit for a double and three points in the win.
Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves in the win.
The Wild moved to 38-33-9.
The Wild iced rookie Liam Ohgren who picked up his first two points in the NHL, with a goal and helper in his second match.
“I think there are some young guys that are getting opportunities to play and they’re certainly giving great opportunities in live action to make impressions,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “I want to see a professional group that’s plugged in, ready to play and give ourselves a chance to win every night.”
The Wild’s Matt Boldy staked them to a 1-0 lead at 5:19 of the opening stanza, scoring off a shot from below the right circle.
The Sharks replied with a strike by Jan Rutta at 9:32 to tie the game, 1-1. He hit off a slap shot from the point.
Minnesota reclaimed the lead at 16:51 on a goal by Declan Chisholm, he scored off a wrister from the right side.
Ohgren potted his first career NHL goal at 14:23 of the middle frame for a 3-1 lad to the Wild.
“Big moment for me and I’m really happy,” Ohgren said. “It feels good, and it will only be better and better.”
The Sharks dropped to 19-52-9.
“At the end of the day, every single one of us [who’s] going to be here next year has to take a long, hard look in the mirror and try not to be in the exact same position when we stand here next year,” Sharks forward Nico Sturm said.
The Sharks trimmed the deficit to 3-2 on a marker form Mario Ferraro at 15:52, scoring off a shot from the right circle.
Kaprizov potted the first of his two at 19:04 of the second for a 4-2 advantage to the Wild.
He picked up his double 47 seconds later for a 5-2 lead, scoring off the power play.
In the third period, Marcus Johansson scored off a tip in at 1:46 for the 6-2 final count on the scoreboard.
Use CodePHN15
Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves in the loss.
PHOTO CREDIT – Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Wild forward Ryan Hartman (38) shoots the puck off the upper body of goalie Mackenzie Blackwood – photo by Jack Lima
Wild forward Matt Boldy (12) moves the puck around the net as Thomas Bordeleau (17) attempts to defend – photo by Jack Lima
Wild forward Marco Rossi (23) takes a shot on Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood as Collin Graf (51) defends – photo by Jack Lima
Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov takes a shot on goal – photo by Jack Lima
Wild defenseman Brock Faber (7) stick checks the puck away from Fabian Zetterlund (20) – photo by Jack Lima
Wild defenseman Brock Faber (7) looks for support as Sharks forward Thomas Bordeleau (17) fights to reach the puck – photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Luke Kunin (11) checks Marco Rossi (23) off the puck in front of goalie Mackenzie Blackwood – photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Jack Studnicka (16) attempts to screen Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt – photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Collin Graf moves the puck up ice – photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Kyle Burroughs (4) checks Marcus Johansson (90) into the boards – photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun (3) checks Vinni Lettieri (10) away from goalie Mackenzie Blackwood – photo by Jack Lima
Jan Rutta (84) celebrates his first period goal with teammates on the bench – photo by Jack Lima
You must be logged in to post a comment.