1/22/08 SHARKS 3, chicago 2

Coming into last night, the Sharks defense had chipped in for just 11 goals all season. That number got ever so slightly higher last night.

Christian Ehrhoff broke through for his first goal of the year, and Sandis Ozolinsh added another, as the Sharks broke their four game losing streak last night. After a Jack Skille goal gave the Hawks an early 1-0 lead, Ozolinsh [3] tied the contest 8 minutes later on the PP with a slick backhand past goalie Patrick Lalime (Rivet, Thornton). Joe Pavelski made his best Torrey Mitchell impersonation when he pickpocket Chicago rookie phenom Patrick Kane, and raced down the ice to tally a shorthanded goal [10] (Ehrhoff). 1:44 later, Ehrhoff struck, again on the PP, with a booming point shot that a screened Lalime really had no shot at stopping. Evgeni Nabokov returned to form, making 28 saves, quite a few of the circus variety, earning his 26th win of the year.

The win broke the Sharks 4 game winning streak, as well as snapping the 4 game winning streak of the Hawks. The Teal recorded a pair of PP goals, upping their total to five goals on the man-advantage in the last two games.

Tomorrow brings the last game before the All-Star Game, a visit from the St. Louis Blues (7:30). The Blues are a much improved hockey team, lead by All-Star goalie Manny Legace, however, they haven't shown it as of late, arriving in San Jose losers of their last 6 games, including a shootout loss tonight in Vancouver. It was awfully nice to win last night, and another win at home would bring the Teal back to .500 when playing at 525 W. Santa Clara. The Sharks sit 2 points back of 1st place Dallas, and 1 back of 2nd place Anaheim, with 4 games in hand on each. Dallas does play tomorow, when they host Buffalo. A Sabres win, coupled with a Sharks win, and we're looking down on the division during the break. Only one thing left to do now.

GO SHARKS (make it happen boys)
-Jess