Ducks @ Sharks GAME 3 RECAP: Maybe Next Time

First Period

Well, no one saw this coming. The San Jose Sharks opened the scoring. Mikkel Boedker challenged Hampus Lindholm 1v1 and came out on top. The forward managed to drop his shoulder, drive toward the net, and find a streaking Logan Couture in the slot. Getzlaf could not catch up to Couture in time, which gave him plenty of time to direct the puck past John Gibson. 1-0 Sharks at 3:44.

John Gibson was the only Duck that showed up for the first ten minutes of the game. San Jose’s best chance after their goal was a breakaway chance for Chris Tierney. This time Tierney tried to beat Gibson five-hole, but the Anaheim goalie did not budge. The rebound trickled to the side as the net came off its pegs. Gibson continued to give his team a chance to come back in this series.

Ryan Getzlaf took the first penalty of the game for holding Logan Couture behind the Anaheim net. It was not the best start for the Captain, but the Anaheim penalty killers were able to kill off the penalty without any issues. Andrew Cogliano was able to create a chance for the Ducks, which was a great sign early on.

The Ducks got a power play opportunity immediately after Getzlaf’s expired. After what felt like an eternity of nothing, Getzlaf threw a behind the back pass over to Brandon Montour. The young defenseman threw the biscuit over to an open Rickard Rakell who one timed it into the back of the net. The Swede ripped the puck off the far post and in. 1-1 at 13:40.

The highlight of the period had to have been Brandon Montour absolutely laying out Evander Kane at the Anaheim blue line. Kane was trying to dangle threw a few Anaheim skaters, but Montour was having absolutely none of it. The San Jose crowd booed out of admiration.

Second Period

The Ducks did everything right on the first shift of the frame. The big issue with that is that there is always a second. Brandon Montour was tripped by thin air in the neutral zone (sorry, Carlyle the refs cannot call that), which led to a clear-cut 2 on 1 for the Sharks. Francois Beauchemin laid out on the ice which gave Evander Kane all day and then some to measure Gibson. He made a little pass across the crease to Joonas Donskoi for a tap in goal. 2-1 at 1:15.

But the Ducks knew if they kept playing their game they could get back in the game. Surprise surprise it went the opposite direction. Although they controlled the next few shifts, the Anaheim skaters gave up another odd man rush. If you’re an up and coming beer league defenseman, here is a little tip. Do not lay on the ice like a fish. It takes you out of the play and allows the skater with the puck a free trip to the crease. You probably know what I am getting at over here. Marcus Sorensen extended the Sharks lead by bringing the puck around Gibson and in. That easy. 3-1 Sharks at 3:41.

With almost 17 minutes still to play in the period, something else was bound to happen. To put it lightly, a dark substance hit the fan.

Eric Fehr scored San Jose’s third goal of the period. Earlier in the year, Fehr was loaned to the San Diego Gulls because the Leafs did not think he was good enough to play on their team. The deadline acquired fourth line center was clearly worth the Shark’s time as he scored against the famed Ducks’ shutdown line. This was not pretty. Hold me, fam. 4-1 Sharks.

Things got worse from there. The Sharks scored their fourth goal of the period at 16:49. Tomas Hertl was left all alone right in front of Gibson for the easy goal. None of these goals were John Gibson’s fault. That was how bad the Ducks’ defensive system is. Something has to change moving forward. 5-1 Sharks.

Third Period:

Let’s do this all again on Wednesday!