- Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at Sheng_Peng.
The San Jose Sharks welcomed the high-flying Colorado Avalanche into SAP Center on Friday night.
The Sharks fell behind 4-0, but Jeffrey Viel and Rudolfs Balcers and Erik Karlsson goals made it interesting. However, despite a spirited effort, the Sharks fell 5-3 to the Avs.
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PERIOD 1
Jake Middleton hangs with J.T. Compher, then releases and gets in front of a shot from the wall. Staunch defending.
5 in: San Jose Sharks engaged, but they can’t get anything going offensively against Avs. A lot of hope plays so far.
That doesn’t look like goalie interference — Timo Meier runs into Pavel Francouz after the puck is headed in — but it’s offside.
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6 in: Alexander Barabanov does a great job eluding Josh Manson, getting a call. Sneaky-strong and crafty.
Erik Karlsson-Brent Burns to start, then just Karlsson, then just Burns. Thus ends the Middleton power play era in San Jose?
10 in: Gadjovich blocks Manson shot, then runs over him in a failed quest to get the puck. Good straight-line hockey from Gadj.
Going to start a Change.org petition for Middleton to never fight Kurtis MacDermid again. 10-8 Kurtis.
8 left: Burns doesn’t take the shot, Valeri Nichushkin doing a good job to stay in front of him, but then from the corner, Burns zips a pass into Meier’s feet in front, Timo is able to get a shot. Good hockey from Burns.
Darren Helm goal: You can hear Karlsson yell, “F--k!” as two Avs converge. Andre Burakovsky shoots a stick that forces a turnover. Karlsson doing too much and Avs take advantage.
4 left: This five-man unit of Vlasic-Meloche-Gadjovich-Reedy-Viel is going to have a tough time getting out of the zone with anything more than a dump-out. Some of the San Jose Sharks’ slower skaters there. Yup, Meloche glass and out, turnover.
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Nifty Barabanov NZ pass springs Hertl, but he gets gummed up after gaining the zone.
Meier’s got four of San Jose’s eight shots so far, he’s been buzzing.
Believe it or not: Avs 6-5 Slot Shots, 4-3 High-Danger at 5v5. After a slow start, the Sharks have actually played pretty well. But stop if you’ve heard this before — no finish.