Blues Take Out NHL Leader Sharks In Shootout

The St Louis Blues surprised the San Jose Sharks Thursday night, beating the NHL's top team 3-2 in a shoot out victory, after scoring in the final seconds of the 3rd period.

San Jose's sniper Dany Heatley opened the scoring at 1:19 with his 19th goal of the season. Heatley blasted a shot from the Blues' blue line that eluded Ty Conklin, after St Louis turned the puck over in their own end and Joe Thornton snapped a quick pass back to him. Blues center Jay McClement tied it at 11:06 on the rush, picking the top corner that beat Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov.

At 5:54 of the 2nd, Joe Pavelski tipped in a shot by defenseman Douglas Murray for his 4th goal to restore San Jose's lead. The Sharks had more shots on Conkin in the 3rd, but St Louis kept coming, scoring with 7 seconds left in regulation with their goalie pulled for the extra man. The Blues goal was credited to Carlo Colaiacovo and was a shorthanded marker as right winger Brad Boyes was sitting in the penalty box with a hooking minor. Keith Tkachuk had just taken a shot from the point that was blocked when the puck came to Colaiacovo who had rushed the net seconds earlier and been stopped by Nabokov. Colaiacovo spun around, firing at the Sharks net, finding the twine for his 3rd goal of the year.

Overtime was not helpful as both teams only had a single shot apiece, so it went to the shoot out. Andy McDonald beat Nabokov and then Patrick Marleau got one past Conklin to prolong the game. St Louis center T.J. Oshie beat Nabokov to give the Blues their first win in 2 games.

Ryane Clowe SJS Miss
Andy McDonald STL Goal
Joe Pavelski SJS Miss
Brad Boyes STL Miss
Patrick Marleau SJS Goal
T.J. Oshie STL Goal

The Sharks remain at the top of the National Hockey League, with 43 points, 3 up on both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.

The Blues head over to Los Angeles to play on Saturday, while the Sharks also play Saturday, hosting the Calgary Flames.