Antti Niemi stopped 34 shots on goal in preserving the Sharks’ 1-0 shutout win over the Blackhawks Wednesday night at the Shark Tank in San Jose.
In recording his first shutout of the year, Niemi turned back numerous, point-blank, shots from the Blackhawks' high-powered offense, that left them frustrated.
"He made some tremendous saves. He exuded confidence. We were able to survive a night where we didn't play well." Sharks coach Todd McClellan said in praise of his efforts.
After two periods, the Blackhawks had 23 shots on goal compared to the Sharks 11, but were losing, 1-0, after a David Bolland penalty allowed Sharks' Jason Demers to score a power play goal at 17:08 of the second period.
"It took a weird bounce," Crawford said. "I thought it would stay on the ice but it kind of jumped up." in referring to Demers' slap shot.
The goal would stand up for the Sharks as Antti Niemi was rock solid in goal for the Sharks enabling them to again be the Western Conference Pacific leaders with a record of 13-5.
Niemi makes mention that it’s still special to beat his former team, "As time goes by it gets less and less, but it's still a little bit (special).”
Antti Niemi, in games he's started, has stopped 154 of 160 shots on goal in the last five San Jose Sharks’ wins.
The Sharks have won 7 of 9 games and will play Vancouver Saturday night at HP Pavilion.
Comments