In game 7, the Sharks jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with goals by Devin Setoguchi and Logan Couture. With 8:40 left to play in the 1st period and on a power play, Captain Joe Thornton threaded a beautiful pass in between two Detriot defenders to Devin Setoguchi, who put a one timer in the back of the net. With only 0:59 seconds left in the 1st, Logan Couture intercepted a bad pass right in front of Detroit's net and put a top shelf shot in the back of the net. That gave the Sharks an early 2-0 lead.
But like the rest of the series, Detroit came storming back in the 2nd period, shooting 17 shots on goal compared to San Jose's 6 shots on goal. One of those shots from Henrik Zetterberg got by Anti Niemi to bring the score 2-1. Even though the Red Wings dominated the 2nd period, the Sharks got out if it with a 1 goal lead.
The third period was probably the best and most intense period of the entire series. The Sharks came out swinging, but Detroit held their ground strong. With just over 7 minutes left in the game, Patrick Marleau put a rebound that trickled through Detroit's goalie Howard's legs in the back of the net. It was his first goal of the series. Just 2 minutes later, Datsuyk made a brilliant solo effort and and shot a backhanded shot past Niemi, making the score 3-2. With 5 minutes remaining in the game, Tory Mitchell of the Sharks got called for a slashing penalty. Both teams sent out their best lines, and San Jose managed to kill the penalty. The Red Wings made a furious last attack, pelting the net, but Niemi came up big with multiple stops. Finally, as the clock ran out, the raucous crowd at HP Pavilion was standing on their feet waving their rally rags, cheering their team on to the Western Conference Finals.
The Sharks now head to Vancouver to face the #1 seeded Canucks. You can bet this series is going to be another close one, as the Sharks try to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time ever. Can Todd McLellan do what no coach has done before? We will see...
Next Game: San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks. Sunday, May 15 - 8:00pm EST.
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