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Second-period blitz freezes Sharks
By Jeremy Harness
February 13, 2010
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San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, right, makes a save on Buffalo Sabres left winger Thomas Vanek, of Austria, left, as Sharks right winger Devin Setoguchi enters the play during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. (AP Photo)
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A day after making a noteworthy trade, the Sharks were ambushed in the second period by the Buffalo Sabres to the tune of three goals, and they limped into the Olympic break with a 3-1 loss in Buffalo.
The Sharks looked completely flat two days after beating their longtime nemesis, the Detroit Red Wings, in a thrilling game at Joe Louis Arena.
However, despite the loss, San Jose remains four points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks for the top spot in the Western Conference. On the other hand, the suddenly-competitive Phoenix Coyotes are only six points behind the Sharks, currently in second place in the Pacific Division and in the fourth position in the conference.
The two teams were dead even in shots on goal, but the Sharks just could not get the puck in the net against Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who stopped 28 shots. Meanwhile, the scoring started at the 5:25 mark, when center Paul Gaustad found the back of the net.
Late in the period, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville scored their 18th and 16th goals of the season, respectively, in a five-minute span. The Sharks didn't get on the board until Kent Huskins scored an unassisted goal at 5:28 of the third period.
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