Sharks Fall To Avalanche In Overtime
DENVER (AP) -- Kevin Porter scored on a breakaway with 2:53 remaining in overtime and the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.
Porter broke free from Sharks defenseman Kent Huskins and beat goalie Antero Niittymaki with a low shot as Porter was tumbling to the ice.
Trailing 3-1 midway through the third period, the Avalanche tied up the game on goals from Chris Stewart and Paul Stastny.
Kevin Shattenkirk also scored for the Avalanche, his first NHL goal. Peter Budaj finished with 40 saves, including a flurry in the closing seconds of regulation.
Logan Couture, Dan Boyle and Mike Moore added goals for the Sharks, who had their winning streak halted at three games.
Niittymaki wasn't tested often, facing just 22 shots.
Moore was called up before the game from Worcester of the American Hockey League. He scored his first NHL goal on a shot that trickled through the pads of Budaj in the second period.
Jamie McGinn nearly added another goal early in the third period, batting in the puck, but the goal was disallowed as he struck it above the crossbar. A video replay upheld the referee's decision.
For the second straight game, the Avalanche surrendered a goal in the opening minute.
With Budaj sprawled out on the ice and searching behind him for the puck, Couture reached his stick into the goal area and poked it into the net.
The Sharks had a chance for more, but couldn't capitalize on four power plays in the first period, including a double-minor on Brandon Yip after his stick caught McGinn in the nose. McGinn spent a few minutes on the bench with an ice pack pressed against his face to staunch the bleeding before returning.
Near the end of the period, the Avalanche tied the game when Shattenkirk grabbed a rebound on a power play and shot it over the shoulder of Niittymaki.
Joe Pavelski remains a thorn in the side of the Avalanche, collecting an assist Wednesday.
Pavelski had two goals in a game in Colorado on Oct. 21. He also was the star of the first-round playoff series against the Avalanche last spring, scoring five times as the Sharks won in six games.
Craig Anderson returned to practice but won't rush back from a balky right knee, especially with the way Budaj has been playing.
Budaj is 6-3-1 since Anderson's knee ailment. This also was Budaj's 10th straight start, his longest string in two years.
Before the morning skate Wednesday, Anderson said there was no timetable for his return.
Notes: Swedish referee Marcus Vinnerborg worked his second straight game Wednesday. He became the first European to work an NHL game Tuesday night in Dallas. The NHL hired Vinnerborg over the summer to referee primarily in the AHL. ... Avalanche D Kyle Quincey (head) missed his fifth straight game. ... Colorado's Joe Sacco coached his 100th game Wednesday. ... Sharks D Doug Murray missed a second straight contest with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot over the weekend against Calgary. ... Avs D John-Michael Liles had two assists.
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