The rival Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks were heading in different directions going into Sunday’s contest, but the Sharks were able to end their four-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the red hot Ducks. This game might ultimately be known for the action that didn’t involve the puck though as these two teams combined for more than 160 penalty minutes.
Tim Jackman and John Scott previewed the type of game this would be by dropping their gloves early in the first period. It was one of numerous fights, with Corey Perry and Tommy Wingels getting into the second of the night late in the second frame:
While the game was tense through 40 minutes, things got truly nasty in the third period. Perry and Justin Braun tried to duel with less than 10 minutes left in the contest, but they were broken up and booted from the game courtesy of matching roughing minors and 10-minute misconducts.
Later Scott came off the bench to pick a fight and was handed a penalty for leaving the bench, an instigator penalty, a fighting major, and a game misconduct. Not to be left out, James Sheppard and Ryan Getzlaf exchanged blows with less than four minutes in regulation time.
Anaheim, which had won its last seven contests, gave up at least three goals for just the second time this season. For Ducks netminder Frederik Andersen it was also the first blemish on his otherwise perfect 2014-15 record as he stopped 33 of 37 shots.
Antti Niemi was nearly the polar opposite of Andersen coming into this game due to his 3.16 GAA and .903 save percentage. At least he’s been great against California teams though as he turned aside 33 of 34 shots after blanking Los Angeles on Oct. 8.
The Sharks struck early with a goal from Brent Burns. Joe Pavelski capitalized on a power-play opportunity late in the first period to give them some extra breathing room:
Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Tommy Wingels accounted for the Sharks’ other goals.