Taylor Hall makes shootout winner as Edmonton Oilers edge San Jose Sharks 2-1 -NHL Update
After failing to decide their fates following three opportunities in the shootout, Taylor Hall scored the game-winner on their fourth attempt to force the Edmonton Oilers past San Jose Sharks, 2-1, on Monday night, January 23, 2012, at the sold-out Rexall
Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
"It was an important game for us", Edmonton’s goalie, Devan Dubnyk said, who blocked 44 of 45 shots. "We owe it to our fans to play better. We don't have to win 41 games but you have to go out there and give them an effort. I want to show the Oilers that
I am a starting goalie".
Surprisingly, Edmonton had only 18 attempts throughout the entire 60-minute matchup, which put them as the team destined to lose while San Jose kept on shooting without stopping, forcing Dubnyk to face 45 shots on his net.
Jordan Eberle made the go ahead goal for Edmonton 6:50 into the second period for his 18th goal of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, after the Oilers failed to capitalise on their first power play opportunity with Colin
White being booked for holding.
San Jose’s All-Star rookie, Logan Couture, made the crucial equaliser to keep his team alive in the contest while taking advantage of their first added man chance with Edmonton’s, Ales Hemsky, out for fighting and game misconduct.
Couture now has 21 goals to his name so far this season.
"It seemed like we spent an awful lot of time in their end, but you still need to score the goals", Couture said. "We're frustrated right now. We are playing all right, but you still need to find a way to win games like this. We need the points right now”.
Edmonton has the next against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, making it a very thrilling contest in the future that would be obviously a must see.
San Jose Sharks on the other hand, will be travelling to Edmonton’s provincial rivals on the same day to face-off against Calgary Flames.
With Edmonton, a team once at the top spot of the Western Conference, now at the bottom, it will be interesting to see whether they can climb back up the rankings ladder.
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