1st Period
Rob Davison (SJ) fed Alyn McCauley (SJ) who one-timed a shot that was incredibly robbed by Mike Dunham (NYR) to keep the scored tied. Darius Kasparaitis (NYR) then took a tripping penalty against Lynn Loyns (SJ) to give the Sharks their first powerplay of the game. The Sharks managed a few shots but were unable to solve Dunham, who continued his stellar play from Game 4. However, after the powerplay ended, Brad Stuart (SJ) passed the puck to Dan McGillis (SJ) in the Ranger slot, who backhanded a shot past the glove of Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 1, Rnagers 0. Petr Nedved then took a hooking penalty on Lynn Loyns (SJ) to give the Sharks their second powerplay chance of the game. Anson Carter (NYR) had an open chance shorthanded against Evgeni Nabokov (SJ), but he was stopped cold. Rob Davison (SJ) then took a cross-checking penalty to nullify the Sharks' powerplay and force the teams to play 4-on-4. The Rangers had a powerplay until Brian Leetch (NYR) took a hooking penalty on Dan McGillis (SJ), and on the ensuing powerplay Niko Dimitrakos (SJ) broke in alone and wristed a shot past the glove hand of Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 2, Rangers 0. Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) later robbed Petr Nedved (NYR) with a two pad stack to maintain the Sharks' lead. Teemu Selanne (SJ) then got below the Ranger goal line and shot a cross-ice pass to Vincent Damphousse (SJ), whose one-timer was initially stopped but then trickled in the net past Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 3, Rangers 0. As the period was ending, Kirk Muller (NYR) threaded the needle with a pass to Dan LaCouture (NYR), who got past the Sharks' defense, fired a shot that Evgeni Nabokov stopped, but LaCouture buried the rebound to get the Rangers on the board. Sharks 3, Rangers 1. The Sharks and Rangers were tied in shots at 11 apiece by the 1st Intermission. 2nd Period The period began with the two teams exchanging chances, but the goalies and defenders kept the shots to a minimum. The 2nd Period ended with the Sharks outshooting the Rangers 17-14 but no change on the scoreboard. 3rd Period Vincent Damphousse (SJ) began the period with a wraparound attempt that was denied by Mike Dunham (NYR). On the counterattack, Pavel Bure (NYR) passed to Anson Carter (NYR) in the slot who shoveled a shot that Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) saved, but the rebound came onto the stick of Eric Lindros (NYR) who buried it top-shelf. Sharks 3, Rangers 2. The Ranger comeback loomed as the Sharks picked up the pace. Rookie Lynn Loyns (SJ) responded with two scoring chances of his own, and Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) got behind the Ranger defenders to bury a backhand shot and extend the lead. Sharks 4, Rangers 2. Moments later, Marco Sturm (SJ) broke in on a similar play and backhanded his own shot past Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 5, Rangers 2. The Sharks' defense held out the rest of the game, in front of solid goaltending by Evgeni Nabokov (SJ). The Sharks won the game, the series, and the Stanley Cup. Final Score: New York Rangers 2 San Jose Sharks 5 1st Period Kyle McLaren (SJ) had an early chance that was somehow denied by Mike Dunham (NYR), then Mclaren broke in alone again and, on an identical move, was again denied by Dunham. Sharks 0, Rangers 0. The Sharks outshot the Rangers 6-1, but neither team converted in the opening period. 2nd Period After the opening faceoff, Petr Nedved (NYR) spotted Mark Messier (NYR) streaking to the Sharks' net and threaded the needle with a pass that Messier shot past an outstretched Evgeni Nabokov (SJ). Rangers 1, Sharks 0. The Sharks attempted to pressure Mike Dunham (NYR) for the tying goal, but their ineffectual attempts were summarily denied. The Sharks managed to hold off the Ranger chances simultaneously, until Mike Rathje (SJ) took a hooking penalty to give the Rangers their first powerplay opportunity of the game. Shortly afterward, however, Vladimir Malakov (NYR) took a hooking penalty against Brad Stuart (SJ) to nullify the powerplay for a 4-on-4. The Sharks were unable to convert on the short-lived 20 second powerplay. Alexei Kovalev (NYR) then broke in alone and, while being hooked, slipped the puck past the pad of Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) for the largest Ranger lead of the series. Rangers 2, Sharks 0. Sharks Captain Patrick Marleau immediately responded by breaking in and familiarly backhanding the puck past the glove of Mike Dunham to cut the Ranger lead. Rangers 2, Sharks 1. The Rangers were outshooting the Sharks 11-9 by the 2nd Intermission. 3rd Period Petr Nedved (NYR) and Mark Messier (NYR) had back-to-back shots stuffed by Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) to keep the score close. Even when Nabokov gave the puck away to Mark Messier right in front of the net, Nabokov managed to recover. Scott Hannan (SJ) pinched from the point and received a pass in front of Mike Dunham (NYR) that Hannan one-timed, but Dunham blockered it away to the corner. Marco Sturm (SJ) and Patrick Marleau (SJ) followed up with their own wraparound chances and wrist shots that Dunham managed to deny, including attempts that were snuffed right in front of the net. Rebounds jumped over the stick of Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) and the Sharks failed to tie the game, despite dominating the period in shots. On the final tally, the Sharks outshot the Rangers 24-17. The following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 3) Patrick Marleau (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +0 2) Alexei Kovalev (NYR) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +2 1) Mike Dunham (NYR) Registered 23 Saves on 24 Shots (95%) Final Score: San Jose Sharks 1 New York Rangers 2 The Rangers win their first game of the series behind a herculean goaltending effort by Mike Dunham. Game 5 will be back in HP Pavilion, where the Sharks will look to hoist the Stanley Cup in front of their hometown crowd. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on Thursday, June 24th at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time. 1st Period Alexei Kovalev (NYR) had an early chance on a pass from Mark Messier (NYR) that Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) managed to deny. Patrick Marleau (SJ) then took the puck in the Rangers zone, dance around the defenders and wristed a shot that hit off the blocker of Mike Dunham (NYR) and into the back of the net. Sharks 1, Rangers 0. The Rangers responded right away when Anson Carter (NYR) took a pass off the boards behind the Sharks net and hurried a shot on Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) that slipped past him. Vincent Damphousse (SJ), attempting to recover the puck, inadvertently tipped it decisively into the Sharks' net. Sharks 1, Rangers 1. Aleaxnaeder Korolyuk (SJ) then took a hooking penalty on Dan LaCouture (NYR) and the Sharks went on the penalty kill. However, Sharks Captain Patrick Marleau broke into the Ranger zone and released a shot the Mike Dunham (NYR) blockered away to the corner. Marleau then go his own rebound, went around the Ranger net, crossed the crease and sent a wrist shot over the blocker of Dunham for a shorthanded marker. Sharks 2, Rangers 1. The Rangers outshot the Sharks 9-8 in the 1st Period. 2nd Period The Rangers continued their offensive pressure until Mark Messier (NYR) took a hooking penalty to give the Sharks their first powerplay of the game. Adam Graves (SJ) then took the puck, deked around all four Ranger defenders and backhanded a shot over the outstretched glove of Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 3, Rangers 1. Eric Lindros (NYR) then took a cross-checking penalty on Vincent Damphousse (SJ) to give the Sharks another powerplay opportunity. Marco Sturm (SJ) and Patrick Marleau (SJ) had multiple chances, including one at the end of the powerplay in which they and Dan McGillis (SJ) attempted to stuff the puck past Mike Dunham (NYR) on the short side, but they were unable to beat the Ranger netminder. The Rangers retaliated with an incredible passing display that was ended by a one-timer by Mark Messier. The Sharks responded on the ensuing faceoff, which Vincent Damphousse (SJ) won, then received a pass from rookie Rob Davison (SJ), skated into the Ranger zone and buried a backhander past Mike Dunham (NYR). Alyn McCauley (SJ) then took the puck on a clear breakaway attempt on the Ranger goal and backhanded a shot past Mike Dunham (NYR) to extend the lead. Sharks 5, Rangers 2. The Sharks were outshooting the Rangers 17-16 by the 2nd Intermission. 3rd Period The Sharks opened the period with a litany of offensive chances, led by Teemu Selanne (SJ), whose backhand shot was unable to beat Mike Dunham (NYR). A one-timer attempt on a 2-0 between Marco Sturm (SJ) and Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) was also incredibly stopped by Dunham, keep the Rangers (theoretically) in the game. Rookie sensation Lynn Loyns (SJ) was also denied on multiple scoring attempts, including a breakaway chance. The score remained Sharks 5, Rangers 2 until the final whistle. The following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 3) Alyn McCauley (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +1 2) Adam Graves (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +0 1) Patrick Marleau (SJ) Registered 2 Goals, 0 Assists and +2 Final Score San Jose Sharks 5 New York Rangers 2 The Sharks win Game 3 and take a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Sharks are on a current 12-game playoff winning streak and will seek to win the series and the Stanley Cup in Madison Square Garden for Game 4. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on Wednesday, June 24th at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time. 1st Period Game 1 started with Marco Sturm (SJ) breaking in alone and backhandind a shot past Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 1, Rangers 0. The Sharks continued their pressure, and the Rangers responded in kind with their own chances that Evgeni Nabokov managed to stop. Anson Carter (NYR) then hooked Teemu Selanne (SJ) in the Rangers' zone, giving the Sharks a powerplay. Vincent Damphousse (SJ) had back-to-back one time shots blocked away, and Teemu Selanne (SJ) had a late powerplay wrist shot denied as well. Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ) then broke in alone on the far side and skated across the Rangers' crease to the near side, backhanding a shot that Mike Dunham (NYR) dove to save and prevent the Sharks from extending their lead. Alyn McCauley (SJ) then had a chance on his patented backhander that beat Dunham in Game 1 Scott Thornton (SJ) dug the puck out of the corner and wrapped the puck around the net, tricking Mike Dunham (NYR) and slipping the puck into the net. Sharks 2, Rangers 0. Vincent Damhpousse (SJ) took a pass from Rob Davison (SJ), got past the Ranger defense and crossed the crease with a backhand shot to extend San Jose's lead. Sharks 3, Rangers 0. 2nd Period Mark Messier (NYR) took an early hooking penalty on Patrick Marleau (SJ). Vincent Damphousse (SJ) then received a pass in the slot that was denied. Teemu Selanne (SJ) skate in and gave a cross-ice feed to Dan McGillis (SJ), who one-timed the shot past Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 4, Rangers 0. The route was on as Vladimir Malakhov (NYR) took an elbowing penalty and gave the Sharks yet another powerplay. The Sharks worked the puck around the zone and Brad Stuart (SJ) sent cross-ice pass to Teemu Selanne (SJ) who buried a one-timer. Sharks 5, Rangers 0. Not to be completely humiliated, Pavel Bure (NYR) responded with an identical one-timer in the Sharks zone, beating Evgeni Nabokov (SJ). Sharks 5, Rangers 1. Alexei Kovalev (NYR) then took a roughing penalty against Kyle McLaren (SJ), putting the Rangers again on the penalty kill. Patrick Marleau (SJ) broke in, stopped up and shot glove-side on Mike Dunham (NYR), who reached out but saw the puck fall behind him. In the blink of an eye Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) tipped it into the back of the net. Sharks 6, Rangers 1. The Sharks were outshooting the Rangers 26-10 by the 2nd Intermission. 3rd Period A back-and-forth opening to the 3rd Period saw chances but no goals. Mark Messier (NYR) took another penalty for hooking to give the Sharks another powperplay. Adam Graves (SJ) had an attempt foiled that saw Mike Dunham (NYR) out of position but Graves overskated the puck. Brian Leetch (SJ) broke in alone, shot glove-side on Evgeni Nabokov, and buried his own rebound shorthanded. Sharks 6, Rangers 2. Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) and Mike Dunham (NYR) continued to make saves for their respective teams, with neither team scoring in the final period. Alexei Kovalev (NYR) took another hooking penalty to end the game. The Sharks outshot the Rangers 33-19 and converted on 3/5 powerplays. The following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 3) Vladimir Malakhov (NYR) Registered 0 Goals, 1 Assist and +1 2) Brian Leetch (NYR) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +0 1) Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 1 Assist and +0 Final Score: New York Rangers 2 San Jose Sharks 6 The Sharks take Game 2 and a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 3 will be in Madison Square Garden, New York, and is scheduled to be broadcast on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time. 1st Period Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Sharks had chances early, culminating in a backhand attempt at the front of the Ranger net by Alyn McCauley (SJ) after he moved around two Ranger defenders. The puck sailed past the outstretched glove of Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 1, Rangers 0. Mike Rathje (SJ) then had his own attempt blockered away by Dunham (NYR), and the game continued. Midway through the 1st period, Adam Graves (SJ) took a pass from Dan McGillis (SJ) and broke in alone on Dunham (NYR) Graves crossed the crease and backhanded a shot high against his former team. Similar to Alyn McCauley's (SJ) shot, this one also reached the back of the net. Sharks 2, Rangers 0 Dixon Ward (NYR) then took a pass from Darius Kasparaitis (NYR) to break in alone on Evgeni Nabokov (SJ). Nabokov stopped Ward's first shot, kicked the rebound out, and Ward finished a backhander as Nabokov was too far back in his crease to be effective. Sharks 2, Rangers 1. Adding to the Sharks' newfound woes, Scott Hannan (SJ) took a hooking penalty on Mark Messier (NYR) to give the Rangers an opportunity to erase their early 2-0 deficit. However, it was Brad Stuart (SJ) and Teemu Selanne (SJ) who had the early scoring chance and controlled the puck in the Rangers' zone. At the end of the powerplay, however, a bad turnover lead to Alexei Kovalev (NYR) feeding Mark Messier (NYR) in the slot one-on-one against Evgeni Nabokov (SJ), but the Sharks' goalie stopped him cold. Teemu Selanne (SJ) continued his puck possession dominance in the Rangers' zone, with a cut-in move that saw his backhand attempt beat Dunham (NYR), but not the post. Selanne registered two more shots in the final minutes of the 1st Period. The Rangers, though, were outshooting the Sharks 9-7 by the 1st Intermission. 2nd Period The Sharks and Rangers traded early offensive chances and big hit. Nabokov's poor puck control continued, but the rebounds he surrendered were snuffed out by the Sharks' defenders. Petr Nedved (NYR) then entered the Sharks' zone on the far side and spotted a streaking Alexei Kovalev (NYR) on the short side, and fed him a pass for a clean one-timer feed. Kovalev hurried the shot along, and Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) stacked the pads for a miraculous save to preserve the Sharks' lead. Moments later, on a delayed penalty, the Marco Sturm (SJ) and Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) sent a flurry of shots toward Mike Dunham (NYR), who managed to keep them off the scoreboard. Chris Simon (NYR) was assessed a penalty for hooking Kyle McLaren (SJ), and the Sharks had their first powerplay of the game. Teemu Selanne (SJ) continued buzzing around the Ranger net with no results, and Adam Graves' (SJ) chances met the same fate. The Rangers won a faceoff in their zone, buck Marco Sturm (SJ) made a big hit in the corner to retake the puck and passed to a wide open Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) for a top-shelf powerplay marker to extend the lead. Sharks 3, Rangers 1. Shortly afterward, the Rangers had an opportunity of their own when Tom Poti (NYR) passed to Mark Messier (NYR) in the slot, who fired a one-timer that Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) stretched out and managed to barely save with his blocker. The period ended with the Rangers outshooting the Sharks 17-12. 3rd Period The Rangers started the third period by continuing to pepper Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) with shots from multiple angles, but he stopped them all. Alexei Kovalev (NYR) and Mark Messier (NYR) connected on several beautifully crafted passing plays but Nabokov continued to exemplify why he was the winningest goaltender of the regular season and the postseason thus far. At the other end of the ice, Mike Dunham (NYR) made his own saves to keep the Rangers within striking distance. Off a Sharks' turnover, Petr Nedved (NYR) took a shot from the point that Nabokov saved. Rob Davison (SJ) made a rookie mistake and passed through the slot, which Nedved intercepted and managed to score on his own rebound. Sharks 3, Rangers 2. Surprisingly, it was the third line of the Sharks that managed offensive chances against the 2nd line of the Rangers. Lynn Loyns (SJ) started the chances with multiple attempts, and the Rangers took their own against Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) that were also denied. Scott Thornton (SJ) then beat out an icing call and the puck slipped to a helmet-less Loyns who scored the third backhand goal glove side against Mike Dunham (NYR). Sharks 4, Rangers 2. The game ended as such. The Rangers outshot the Sharks 28-18 in the contest, and the following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 3) Alyn McCauley (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +1 2) Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and -1 1) Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) Registered 26 Saves on 28 Shots (92%) Final Score: New York Rangers 2 San Jose Sharks 4 The Sharks take a 1-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 2 will take place at HP Pavilion and is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, June 22nd at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time. Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals Recap |