Needing A Full 60 Minutes
San Jose suffered a tough 3-2 overtime loss to Columbus Thursday night, but it was not necessarily because they lost for the first time in 11 home games, but because of the fashion in which the loss came. San Jose took a 1-0 lead 34 seconds into the contest and didn't play their game until they fell behind in the second period.
"It was not one of our better efforts," said Scott Thornton who scored both Sharks goals on the evening. "We sat back after scoring early. They don't have many points, but they work hard. Maybe we thought it would be an easy night and it certainly wasn't."
Part of the problem was that San Jose drifted from the style that served them so well the past two months.
"We tried to play too much one-on-one and that is not what got us here," said Sharks Head Coach Ron Wilson.
Eventually the Sharks returned to form.
"After we were down 2-1, we played pretty good hockey," said Evgeni Nabokov. "We've got to play 60 minutes."
Still, in the end, San Jose managed to tie the contest with Nabokov pulled to earn a point in their 13th straight home contest.
"If we draw on the positive, we managed to score a late goal and get a point," said Thornton.
The late goal that earned a point was the result of a faceoff win in the Columbus zone that was drawn back to Christian Ehrhoff at the point. The rookie blueliner found the open lane and put the shot toward the net, where the Sharks had three players creating traffic out front – including Thornton who had just stepped on the ice for the faceoff.
"They had just changed me for Alex," said Thornton. "I was out there to battle for pucks in the corner and to go to the front of the net. We had a couple of guys down low, so I went to the high slot."
Thornton said his redirection was made easy by the play of Ehrhoff.
"When he shoots from the point, he is aware of where our guys are," said Thornton.
GOING FOR IT
With Columbus sitting last in the Western Conference standings, giving up an extra point to the Blue Jackets really wasn't a major concern for San Jose. That is why, even when they were down a man in the extra period, they still looked for the victory instead of settling for a tie.
With 15 seconds to go, Wayne Primeau nearly lit the lamp on a stellar shorthanded attempt where it looked like he would beat Columbus netminder Marc Denis. Then the odds turned the other way in favor of the Blue Jackets.
"I had a feeling after he made the save," said Primeau. "When you have a great opportunity, they tend to get the numbers the other way. In the end, we were able to salvage a point."
San Jose suffered a tough 3-2 overtime loss to Columbus Thursday night, but it was not necessarily because they lost for the first time in 11 home games, but because of the fashion in which the loss came. San Jose took a 1-0 lead 34 seconds into the contest and didn't play their game until they fell behind in the second period.
"It was not one of our better efforts," said Scott Thornton who scored both Sharks goals on the evening. "We sat back after scoring early. They don't have many points, but they work hard. Maybe we thought it would be an easy night and it certainly wasn't."
Part of the problem was that San Jose drifted from the style that served them so well the past two months.
"We tried to play too much one-on-one and that is not what got us here," said Sharks Head Coach Ron Wilson.
Eventually the Sharks returned to form.
"After we were down 2-1, we played pretty good hockey," said Evgeni Nabokov. "We've got to play 60 minutes."
Still, in the end, San Jose managed to tie the contest with Nabokov pulled to earn a point in their 13th straight home contest.
"If we draw on the positive, we managed to score a late goal and get a point," said Thornton.
The late goal that earned a point was the result of a faceoff win in the Columbus zone that was drawn back to Christian Ehrhoff at the point. The rookie blueliner found the open lane and put the shot toward the net, where the Sharks had three players creating traffic out front – including Thornton who had just stepped on the ice for the faceoff.
"They had just changed me for Alex," said Thornton. "I was out there to battle for pucks in the corner and to go to the front of the net. We had a couple of guys down low, so I went to the high slot."
Thornton said his redirection was made easy by the play of Ehrhoff.
"When he shoots from the point, he is aware of where our guys are," said Thornton.
GOING FOR IT
With Columbus sitting last in the Western Conference standings, giving up an extra point to the Blue Jackets really wasn't a major concern for San Jose. That is why, even when they were down a man in the extra period, they still looked for the victory instead of settling for a tie.
With 15 seconds to go, Wayne Primeau nearly lit the lamp on a stellar shorthanded attempt where it looked like he would beat Columbus netminder Marc Denis. Then the odds turned the other way in favor of the Blue Jackets.
"I had a feeling after he made the save," said Primeau. "When you have a great opportunity, they tend to get the numbers the other way. In the end, we were able to salvage a point."