Anaheim Ducks Let Lead Slip Away In Shootout Loss To San Jose

Jonas Hiller Unable To Stop Late Rush; Ducks Lose In Shootout

Jan 29, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray (3) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks right wing Bobby Ryan (9) during the first period at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose, CA –The Anaheim Ducks were looking to take down the division leader tonight, but were unable to falling in a 3-2 shootout loss. The Ducks (3-1-1) lead ever since Matt Beleskey‘s goal midway through the second period. The San Jose Sharks (6-0-0) played a great game behind goalie Antti Niemi.

First Period:

Jonas Hiller made a great save near the 9:00 mark, thwarting Joe Thornton‘s attempt to score after a failed power play attempt. The Sharks then won a faceoff in their own end that resulted in Joe Pavelski beating Hiller on the blocker side to open the scoring at the 9:46 mark through the opening frame. The Ducks did a good job of getting shots on net, but could not get anything past Niemi.

Second Period:

Whatever Coach Bruce Boudreau said during the first intermission seemed to work. After two failed power play opportunities, defenseman Francois Beauchemin got a wrist shot off that beat Niemi at the 8:40 mark. A minute later, Belesky put the Ducks up for the only time in the game. The period ended with a killed penalty, against the top rank power play unit, and a power play opportunity.

Third Period:

Hiller was doing well throughout most of the period, but after a pass was deflected off of a referee’s skate, the division leaders came back on a rush that resulted in a Logan Couture wrister getting past to knot the game up and forcing overtime.

Overtime and Shootout:

There were plenty of good looks for both teams in the overtime period, but the two netminders stood firm and rebuffed all attempts. The Sharks elected to go first and Michal Handzus was able to score on Hiller. The two teams then exchanged no goals. Teemu Selanne was unable to get the puck to go under the crossbar resulting in the shootout loss.

Game Statistics:

Shootout Attempts

Shot
1
2
3

SOG:

Team	1	2	3	OT	Total
	13	8	7	2	30
	4	6	7	1	18

Score by Period:

Team	1	2	3	OT	SO	Total
	0	2	0	0	0	2
	1	0	1	0	1	3

Power Play Efficiency

Prd
1st	0-1	0-0
2nd	0-3	0-1
3rd	0-0	0-1
OT	0-0	0-0
Total	0-4	0-2

Other Statistics:

	Stats
22	HITS	29
23	FOW	27
14	GIV	18
7	TAK	8
15	BLK	22
4	PIM	8

Three Stars:

Star	Team	Pos/Name	Stats
		Goalie Antti Niemi	Saves: 28, Save Pct.: .933
		Center Logan Couture	Goals: 1, Assists: 0, +1
		Goalie Jonas Hiller	Saves: 16, Save Pct.: .933