The San Jose Sharks opened the 2013-14 season with a 4-1 victory over John Tortorella’s Vancouver Canucks Thursday night at the SAP Center in San Jose.
20-year old Czech, Tomas Hertl got his first NHL point with an assist on Brent Burns’ early, second-period goal.
Burns’ goal answered Vancouver’s Jason Garrison's first-period power-play goal to knot the score 1-1.
The Sharks gained momentum going into the third period when Justin Braun put the Sharks ahead, 2-1, with 1:53 left in the second period.
Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels added goals two minutes apart late in the third period to ice the Sharks opening game of the 2013-14 season.
Antti Niemi made 21 of 22 saves and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo, 31 of 35, including keeping the Sharks scoreless on a two-minute, 5-on-3 man advantage in the second period.
Both teams combined for fourteen penalties.
Brent Burns was listed on the official roster as a forward, moving from defenseman where he played last year before being switched by coach Todd McLellan mid-season.
Follow Al on Twitter @ExaminerPhotog
