SAN JOSE
– Alyn McCauley’s two goals backed up the shut-out goaltending
of Evgeni Nabokov Saturday as the San Jose Sharks strength-ened
their hold on the Pacific Division with a 4-0 nod over the
Minnesota Wild at sold-out HP Pavilion.
SAN JOSE – Alyn McCauley’s two goals backed up the shut-out goaltending of Evgeni Nabokov Saturday as the San Jose Sharks strength-ened their hold on the Pacific Division with a 4-0 nod over the Minnesota Wild at sold-out HP Pavilion.
After teammates Niko Dimitrakos and Wayne Primeau built a 2-0 lead with goals in the first and second periods, McCauley iced the win with his 12th and 13th goals of the campaign. The 26-year-old center establish-ed a career best of 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) on the way to being the game’s First Star.
“We seemed to be hitting on all cylinders,” said San Jose coach Ron Wilson. “It was a good effort from everybody. We dominated in virtually every category. Nabby was magic, made some great saves.”
San Jose solidified its second spot in the league on penalty-killing by deflating both Wild opportunities in the third period. The Sharks, only 25th on the power play entering the game, clicked for one power play goal on its fourth try, McCauley turning a Kyle McLaren pass into a 30-foot shot that found the cage at the 3:55 mark of the third period.
“We shot the puck a lot more on the power play,” added McCauley. “This was a much better effort for a full game. We kept it coming.”
Dimitrakos established a career best in points (6 goals, 11 assists for 17 points) when he beat Wild goalie Manny Fernandez on a 2-on-1 rush 3:22 into play.
Nabokov registered 24 saves in earning his fifth shut-out this season.
San Jose takes on the Calgary Flames at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at HP Pavilion.
