Michal Handzus makes shootout game-winner as San Jose Sharks edge Vancouver Canucks 3-2 -NHL Update
Vancouver managed to get back in the game with their third period equaliser but San Jose was one step ahead as Michal Handzus made the game-winner in the shootout decider as Sharks edged Canucks, 3-2, on Monday night, January 2, 2012, at the sold-out Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Having had their last loss against Vancouver, San Jose was bound to make a comeback with a long weekend off and being well rested, which was obvious as Sharks were able to kill off three penalties in the first period alone.
Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen kicked off the scoring with his 12th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season at the 15:42 mark of the opening period, while Canucks managed to kill a penalty given by Alex Burrows for hooking, nearly two minutes later.
San Jose bounced back in the second period as Benn Ferriero and Patrick Marleau took the lead for Sharks at the midway mark with two straight, while failing to capitalise on two Vancouver given power play advantages.
Things looked bad for Vancouver as they failed to make the equaliser with less than 10 minutes remaining in the final period, which put the 18,000 plus crowd on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
Cody Hodgson’s ninth goal of the season gave the crowd a reason to scream with joy as he made the first shot on a power play through San Jose goalie, Antti Niemi, and levelled the contest in order to force an overtime extension.
Both teams failed to pot a single goal during overtime, leading them into the shootout decider, which was even more thrilling as Vancouver missed all three of their attempts and San Jose had one remaining.
Roberto Luongo and Antti Niemi were focused to block as many shots during the shootout as they could and with Michal Handzus with the puck for San Jose’s final attempt, Vancouver went over their imagination at the thought of having another chance.
Handzus certainly disappointed the entire crowd with his goal on San Jose’s last chance at the goal to take the match and edge Canucks.
San Jose has the next against state rivals, Anaheim Ducks, while Vancouver is on a two-game slump now, entering their next game against Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.
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