The Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights squared
off for the second consecutive game on Friday night at SAP Center. Vegas
snapped a 1-1 tie in the 3rd period on a Lukas Cormier goal. The Sharks were
out-shot 29-14 in the contest, although the game was not as lopsided as the
shot count might suggest. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky and his staff will
have lots to evaluate following the 2-1 loss.
The preseason is
intended to allow the coaching staff to assess their younger talent while also
allowing their veterans to get their legs under them. Several Sharks youngsters
used their opportunities to impress.
Ethan Cardwell was the offensive
standout for San Jose, showing off his hands and speed all night. 1st round
draft pick Michael Misa played a solid two-way game for the Sharks.
Shakir Mukhamadullin showed that he will likely be given more opportunities at
the NHL level this season. Sam Dickinson did not embarrass himself in his 19:17
minutes of ice time.
Dmitry Orlov recorded his 1st goal as a Shark in
the preseason with a blast from the right point 4:48 into the 2nd period
beating Knights goaltender Akira Schmid. Alexander Wennberg scooped up a loose
puck near the end line on the right side before serving it out to Orlov for his
scoring chance. Ethan Cardwell earned the secondary assist after his shot
attempt went wide of the left post.
Cole Schwindt tied the game 4
minutes later after a Barclay Goodow slashing penalty expired. The Knights held
the zone following a faceoff in the Sharks end, allowing Schwindt to circle
along the blueline from right to left before sending a long wrist shot that
evaded Sharks netminder Yaroslav Askarov.
Cardwell thought he potted a
go=ahead goal with just over a minute remaining in the 2nd period when he
gathered a long Michael Misa feed with his back to the net. The Sharks forward
then sent a blind backhand attempt that beat Schmid but it hit the left post to
preserve the 1-1 tie.
A holding penalty to Ty Dellandrea 5 minutes into
the 3rd period setup a Lukas Cormier goal to give the Knights the 2-1 lead.
Cormier beat Askarov with a long shot from the left side.
San Jose's
chances of drawing square with the Knights were helped out when Joe Fleming was
assessed 3 minor penalties and a game misconduct after locking horn with Carson
Wetsch who received a roughing double minor himself.
The ensuing power
play was negated when Musty slashed an opponent's stick in half to earn a trip
to the penalty box. The Knights would run out the clock to end it.
Game Notes: * The Sharks regulars who played on Friday night:
Dmitry Orlov, Ty Dellandrea, Alexander Wennberg, Barclay Goodrow, Jack
Thompson, Timothy Liljegren, Mario Ferraro, William Eklund, and Carl
Grundstrom. Prospects to suit up included: Sam Dickinson, Quentin Musty, Filip
Bystedt, Ethan Cardwell, Carson Wetsch, Michael Misa, Adam Gaudette, Shakir
Mukhamadullin, Igor Chernyshov, Yaroslav Askarov and Gabriel Carriere.
* The only regulars who played for Vegas included Ben Hutton, Cole Reinhardt,
and Ben Hemmerling. Former Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna also played for the
Knights.
* San Jose assigned four players to the Barracuda on Friday:
F Lucas Vanroboys, F Anthony Vincent, D Noah Beck, D Mattias Havelid. *
Yaroslav Askarov made a pair of higlight reel saves, but he also allowed a pair
of even strength goals that he lost in flight. He finished with 27 saves.
* The Sharks unveiled their new Heritage 2.0 jerseys, which pays
homage to the uniforms that the team wore from 1998 to 2007. San Jose will wear
the uniform 4 times during the regular season: October 30th, November 20th,
December 3rd and March 1st. The uniform celebrates the Sharks 35th season.
