CHICAGOTommy Wingels would rather his first career NHL goal came in a Sharks win, but had to admit the timing wasnt all bad.The Evanston, Illinois native had 15 friends and family in the crowd at the Sharks loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday night at the United Center.From a personal side, it feels great. Its good to have your friends and family to see something like that, he said.
Wingels had been a healthy scratch for the previous two games, but was inserted back into the lineup in place of Andrew Desjardins. Desjardins is still recovering from a hit to the head suffered on Saturday night in Columbus.Wingels goal from in front of the crease brought the Sharks back to within one, making it 4-3 at 15:03 of the third period, but that was as close as San Jose would come.Its a pretty cool feeling. I think Torrey Mitchell and Jamie McGinn did a lot on that shift, and Dan Boyle got the shot through. But, the feeling of a goal lasts one shift, and the feeling of a loss lasts to the next game. Id rather take a win than the goal.Desjardins status for Tuesdays game against Calgary is unclear. He still has to pass a standard baseline test that is administered when there is reasonable cause to believe a player may have suffered a concussion.Wingels' performance, in which he skated on the third line late in the game rather than his regular place on the fourth, may earn him another game regardless. His 12:14 of ice time was the second most he's had all season, and tops since he was recalled by the club from Worcester on Jan. 5.No one wants to sit out, but when you do, you just have to work hard to get back in, Wingels said. Its unfortunate that Desi got hurt. I hope he comes back and is able to play next game. You just try to give the coaches a difficult decision to make.
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