San Jose Sharks hold off Detroit Red Wings for 2-0 lead in semi-finals – NHL playoffs
Detroit Red Wings tried their best to make a comeback against San Jose Sharks on Sunday during the final moments of game two of the semi-final series. The Sharks maintained their lead and took a 2-0 advantage in the series as they defeated the Red Wings
2-1 at the HP Pavilion Arena in San Jose, California.
The Western Conference rivals are battling it out to advance to the next round of the National Hockey League playoffs, but after a clean sweep in the quarter-finals over Phoenix Coyotes, Detroit look to have become complacent. No doubt, the Red Wings are
experts when it comes to the postseason, but facing San Jose Sharks should not be dealt in that manner. The Sharks have their eyes on the Stanley Cup and a 2-0 lead puts them in a very good position in the second round.
Chicago Blackhawks thrashed the Sharks in the last playoffs because of a spectacular performance by Antti Niemi. San Jose acquired him this season, and they are taking full advantage of the talented goalie. Niemi has targeted a second consecutive Cup with
the Sharks, making 33 saves after a near shutout in game one. Detroit’s Jimmy Howard faced a couple of more shots than Niemi but managed to block only 35 of 37.
“We like him on our side a lot better,” Sharks forward Dany Heatley said about Niemi after the match. “He's a steady guy. He makes the saves he should make; he's in position. And he makes a lot of saves he shouldn't make. He changes games for us sometimes.”
Ian White took advantage of Detroit’s first penalty of the match and gave an early lead to his team when he scored his first of the postseason. Justin Abdelkader was booked for high-sticking Logan Couture which gave San Jose the added man advantage. Both
teams had a power play goal and managed to kill the remaining opportunities.
The second period remained a deadlock for the rivals as Detroit entered the final period with a one-goal deficit. Niclas Wallin extended San Jose’s lead to 2-0 within the first two minutes. Ryane Clowe earned his second assist of the night when Wallin fired
off from his pass, hitting Howard’s shoulder and finally entering the net.
“We weren't good enough,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “They won more battles than we did. By doing that they end up with the puck more times than we do. They held serve at home. We have to l**k our wounds on the flight home.”
Henrik Zetterberg put himself on the boards with his first goal of the playoffs with a little over six minutes remaining. They were not able to counter back after that.
Game three of the series is scheduled for Wednesday in the Red Wings backyard.
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