Stanley Cup Final Game 5 Recap

Jones Makes 44 Saves, Sharks Extend Final

         Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a chance to win their 1^st ever Stanley Cup on home ice. The San Jose Sharks, however, weren’t ready to have their season end prematurely. With an impressive performance by goaltender Martin Jones, the Sharks forced a game 6, which will be played back at SAP Center.

         The Sharks got off to the fast start they needed when Brent Burns came out from behind the net and beat Murray high blocker side to put San Jose up 1-0 1:04 into the game. The Sharks once again took advantage of the disorganized Penguins when Logan Couture deflected Justin Braun’s shot behind Murray for an early 2-0 lead at 2:53.

         The crowd at Consol was immediately silenced by San Jose’s two quick strikes. Before the game, Sharks head coach Pete Deboer had stated, “we need to get an early lead and build from there”. They wasted no time in accomplishing that, and were all over the Penguins in the first 4 minutes. Their momentum, however, would quickly shift the other way when Dainius Zubrus took a delay of game penalty. Pittsburgh quickly converted when Evgeni Malkin directed a shot into the net off of Justin Braun’s leg at 4:44.

         It only took the Penguins 22 seconds to tie the game. Nick Bonino sent a shot towards the net that bounced off the body of Carl Hagelin to beat Jones. In a crazy turn of events, four goals were scored in the first 5:06 of the game. It was on pace for a 25-24 score. However, things really settled down for practically the rest of the game. Melker Karlsson would give the Sharks the lead again when he shot the puck under Murray’s arm after receiving an amazing pass from Logan Couture at 14:47.

         Pittsburgh would have the majority of scoring chances for the rest of regulation, but Martin Jones stood his ground to keep the puck out. The Penguins would pull Murray with 90 seconds remaining to try to tie the game. The Sharks stymied the attempt when Joe Pavelski patiently deposited the puck into the empty net to seal it at 18:40.

         The game ended with the Sharks being outshot 22-46. Without the heroics of Jones, the Penguins likely would have walked out with the Stanley Cup. The resilient Sharks now have chance to force a 7^th and deciding game when they return home to the “Shark Tank” for game 6 on Sunday evening.