I know, I've haven't written anything since the 21st. But can you really blame me? I mean, the NHL's handling of omicron is going about as smoothly as this year's college football bowl season- slippery. Although, the only major difference is between "postponements" for the former and straight-up cancellations for the latter.
But enough jargon about the pandemic. We had one heck of game last night!!
The San Jose Sharks outlasted the Arizona Coyotes 8-7 in a shootout Tuesday night. That's right. 8 to 7. In a shootout. You would be suprised to know that such a scoreline does not happen very often in these matchups.
The Sharks bit into Arizona quickly with Alexander Barabarnov's 4th of 2021-22 at just 2:46. Less than 5 minutes later though, the Coyotes would tie things at 1 courtesy of Lawson Crouse (7), who would add another goal at 7:45 of period 3 for a 2-goal performance in total. But back to period 1- the Sharks would make it 2-1 with Nick Bonino's (BONINO BONINO BONINO- NICK! BO-NINOOOOOOOOOOOO!!) 5th of the season. Arizona was not done with San Jose yet, though- they managed to make it 2-2 with under 3 minutes to go in the first frame. (Also, if you're wondering what that Bonino thing is, Google Harnarayan Singh)
Period 2 saw the Sharks light the lamp first again, with Radim Sadek making it 3-2 San Jose. And then, I kid you not, less than 10 seconds later, Jeffrey Viel (1) made it 4-1 San Jose. Were the Sharks without their top lines or something? And did Arizona forget what defense was? Anyway, Clayton Keller (10) got Arizona back within 2 a couple of minutes later, so it wasn't all bad for the 'Yotes, now trailing 4-3. And while Timo Meier made it 5-3 Sharks, Moser got his 2nd of the game on the power play with just over 30 seconds left to put Arizona within 1, sitting them at a 5-4 deficit.
Any hopes for an Arizona combeack early on in the 3rd though were dashed, as Tomas Hertl (15) made it 6-4. just 1:44 into the period. However, Arizona made a charge comeback through the remainder of the period, scoring 3 goals compared to San Jose's 2, their last 2 coming with under 5 minutes to go in regulation. The heroes? Dawson Crouse (7), Shayne Gostisbehere (5), and Andrew Ladd on the power play (5). This would set the stage for one wild 3-on-3 overtime and an even wilder shootout.
Spoiler alert: No overtime. I mean, it was in the title.
As for the shootout? Well, that wasn't all that exciting either. It only took a measly 4 rounds to decide a winner. The breakdown? Two goals by San Jose, 1 miss and a save against Arizona. Typical performance in extra time for the league's perennial basement dwellers.
Maybe I should write more about shootouts more often- if there are more chances of them happening and if more games are able to be played! Somebody freeze COVID, please- It's ruining everything!
Stats:
Shots: ARI 46, SJS 27
Hits: ARI 14, SJS 21
Faceoff Wins: ARI 33, SJS 25
Next Up:
SJS: 12/30 vs. PHI, 10:30 PM (pending postponement)
ARI: 1/2 vs. DAL, 8 PM (pending postponement)
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