Two goals in a span of 57 seconds in the third period proved
enough offense to lift the San Jose Sharks past the Phoenix Coyotes
in preseason action at HP Pavilion in front of an announced crowd
of 15,855
SAN JOSE — Two goals in a span of 57 seconds in the third period proved enough offense to lift the San Jose Sharks past the Phoenix Coyotes in preseason action at HP Pavilion in front of an announced crowd of 15,855.
The organizations also played in Phoenix on Saturday, the Coyotes winning that split-squad contest 2-1.
The Sharks (1-3) complete the NHL preseason portion of the schedule with two games against Vancouver next week, on the Canucks ice on Tuesday, then in San Jose Wednesday.
Patrick Marleau scored at 4:32 of the third period to snap a 1-1 tie.
Linemate Joe Pavelski keyed the scoring play when he controlled the puck toward the Phoenix net and snapped a shot that flew wide of the net and off the backboards to the left post. Marleau pounced on the loose puck and lifted it over goaltender Matt Climie for his first goal of the pre-season.
Sean Sullivan, a 26-year-old free agent defenseman, scored as the trailer on a 3-on-2 break at the 5:29 mark, lining a 20-footer inside the left post for the 3-1 final.
Antti Niemi started in the net for San Jose for the second straight night, working two periods and making 18 saves.
Phoenix solved Niemi for one goal in the 40 minutes of work. Captain Shane Doane deftly redirected a Keith Yandle pass behind Niemi from a tough angle at the left post 10:45 into the first period on a Coyotes power play.
Dany Heatley scored the equalizer 4:22 into the second period, the forward’s second preseason goal in as many nights. Climie stopped an initial shot from the high slot by defenseman Justin Braun. Heatley controlled the puck, skating quickly across the slot before lifting the puck into the open net over Climie.
“Heatley really skated tonight,” San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. “He got his feet moving and was strong.”
The coach added that many roster moves will be made in the next few days before the Vancouver series and the departure to Europe on Thursday.
“We still need time to evaluate this game,” said the coach. “We’ll be making alot of decisions. My goal is to have one team, one practice.”
Alex Stalock earned the win between the pipes by saving all five Phoenix shots in the closing period.
