San Jose Sharks 6, Vancouver Canucks 2: Sharks Lead Western Conference Finals 1-0

1st Period 
The Sharks had an early powerplay due to penalty taken by Ed Jovanovski (VAN) for hooking Marco Sturm. (SJ) The Sharks were unable to enter the Canucks' zone, and on the transitional play Mats Lindgren (VAN) had his breakaway attempt stopped by Evgeni Nabokov (SJ). However, pinching from the point, Mattias Ohlund (VAN) got to the rebound and fired a shot from below the goal line that hit the back pad of Nabokov and slipped into the goal. The shorthanded goal gave Vancouver an early 1-0 lead in front of a shocked Sharks' team.

Brad May (VAN) took a hooking penalty to give the Sharks their second powerplay of the game. The Sharks failed to register much offense in the powerplay, possibly due to either fatigue or shock at allowing such an early shorthanded goal. Mats Lindgren (VAN) had yet another scoring opportunity at the Sharks' end of the ice, but Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) managed to stop him cold and poke away the rebound. Dan Cloutier (VAN) then made an outstanding glove save on a close backhand attempt by Sharks Captain Patrick Marleau, continuing the Sharks' scoring woes. Brad Sopel  (VAN) laid a heavy hit on a Lynn Loyns (SJ) in the corner; despite the impact, Loyns was uninjured.  

Immediately following that hit, Vincent Damphousse (SJ) won a faceoff in the Canucks' zone, played the puck off the boards and powered through the crease with a backhand chance that finally solved Dan Cloutier (VAN) and tie the game. Seconds later, Jonathan Cheechoo faked two defenders en route to a magnificent pass that Alyn McCauley finished with a goal, giving the Sharks a 2-1 lead going into the 1st Intermission. The Sharks were outshooting the Canucks 10-6 by the end of the 1st Period. 

2nd Period
Todd Bertuzzi (VAN) took a crosschecking penalty immediately on the opening faceoff against Scott Thorton (SJ). Dan McGillis (SJ) then received a feed from Adam Graves (SJ) and buried a one-timer on the side of the net to extend the Sharks' lead to 3-1. 

Trevor Linden (VAN) retaliated by establishing a physical presence. Teemu Selanne (SJ) then found himself with a one-time attempt with Dan Cloutier extended and nothing protecting the top of the net, but Selanne's shot ricocheted off the blocker of Cloutier and safely away to keep the score 3-1 San Jose. 

Bryan Allen (VAN) then dove to prevent a scoring chance by Lynn Loyns (SJ) and simultaneously took a tripping penalty. On the ensuing powerplay, the Sharks manged several shots on net but nothing could get past the staunch Vancouver defenders and Dan Cloutier (VAN). Even Teemu Selanne's backhand attempt was saved, until the penalty ended and Rob Davison (SJ) fed Selanne with a pass that Selanne buried on the side of the  Vancouver net. Sharks 4, Canucks 1. 

The Canucks attempted to increase their offensive output as the pweriod drew to a close, but they were stagnate and lacked creativity, as the Sharks took the 4-1 lead into the 2nd Intermission. The Sharks were outshooting the Canucks 20-11 by the end of the 2nd Period.

3rd Period
Todd Bertuzzi had the period's first scoring chance, as he broike in alone and frired a wristshot that Evgeni nabokov robbed. At the other tend of the ice, Kyle McLaren (SJ) carrie dthe puck into the Cancukcs zone and fed Damphousse.

On the ensuing faceoff, Brad Stuart (SJ) took the puck below the goal line and burst out in front of the net for a backhand goal to give the Sharks a 5-1 lead. Teemu Selanne (SJ) and Vincent Damphousse (SJ) then broke in on a 2-0, and Selanne deked around Cloutier (VAN) for what looked to be an open side of the net, but as his shot 

Bryan Allen (VAN) and Scott Hannan (SJ) decided to dance, and both parties dropped the gloves for a spirited bout, the first of the playoffs for the Sharks. Hannan eventually got the better of Allen, dropping him to the ice, an apt metaphor for the larger game at hand. Trevor Linden, Todd  Bertuzzi and Marcus Naslund (VAN)continued attempting to create offensive threats, but they were stymied at multiple turns thanks to the stingy Sharks' defensive and wall of Evgeni Nabokov (SJ).

Eventually Alyn McCauley (SJ) broke in behind the Vancouver defense and buried a backhander past the outstretched clove of Dan Cloutier. Sharks 5, Canucks 1. Brad May then took a turnaround slapshot from the faceoff circle that Nabokov initially hit with his blocker, but the puck rolled behind him to give the Canucks their second goal of the game. The Sharks held on to their 6-2 lead for the remainder of the period, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Sharks outshot the Canucks 28-18 in Game 1, and the following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 

3) Mattias Ohlund (VAN) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and -1
2) Dan McGillis (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 1 Assist and +0 
1) Alyn McCauley (SJ) Registered 2 Goals, 0 Assists and +1 

Final Score:
Vancouver Canucks        2
San Jose Sharks               6

The Sharks take a 1-0 series lead with a dominant offensive effort. Game 2 will be back at HP Pavilion in San Jose and is schedule to be broadcast on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time.