San Jose Sharks left wing Alexander Barabanov (94) puts in the game winner against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) and and right wing Sebastian Aho (20) during overtime at SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Nov 22, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Mary Walsh
SAN JOSE– The San Jose Sharks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime Monday. Kevin Labanc and Alexander Barabanov scored for San Jose and James Reimer made 22 saves for the win. Tony DeAngelo scored for Carolina and Antti Raanta made 25 saves in the loss.
The game looked like it might be the third this season in which the Sharks did not get a single power play. At the end of the second period, defenseman Erik Karlsson spoke to officials. That did not seem to make a difference, though the Sharks did finally get a call at the end of the third period.
On the lack of calls, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said:
“We haven’t got a lot of power plays lately but we certainly deserved a few more tonight than zero. So, it’s frustrating, and I try to tell the players to let me do the talking to the refs and you guys just concentrate on the game.”
After the game, Sharks forward Kevin Labanc said: “It was a pretty tight game for the full 60. You know, they weren’t really giving us much we were creating chances and those are the games that you gotta find a way.”
Labanc was did not play Saturday, as he was serving a one-game suspension for a slew foot in last Thursday’s game. Monday, however, he was all business. Asked to talk about his performance and that of his team, he said: “We did our job tonight and it’s a good two points.”
In a scoreless and penalty-free first period, Carolina out-shot the Sharks 8-7, but the Sharks won 69% of the face-offs. Alexander Barabanov took a hard hit midway through the period but he did return for the second.
Tony DeAngelo scored for Carolina at 1:16 of the second period. His shot flew down the slot through some traffic and past Reimer on the stick side. Assists went to Teuvo Teravainen and Seth Jarvis.
The Hurricanes out-shot the Sharks again in the second 10-8, and the face-offs were even at 50%. The Hurricanes had one power play and the Sharks penalty kill allowed two shots.
Kevin Labanc tied the game at 3:54 of the third. Jasper Weatherby corralled the puck as it came out of a board battle and pushed it up to Labanc. Labanc carried it a little deeper before taking the shot and beating Raanta on the far side.
The Sharks out-shot the Hurricanes 8-5 in the third, and won 57% of the face-offs. The Sharks penalty kill allowed no shots to the Carolina power play in the third. Their own power play did not begin until 19:38 and bled into overtime.
Alexander Barabanov scored for San Jose 1:42 into overtime, just after the Sharks power play ended. Tomas Hertl took two quick shots at the net from in close, before sneaking the puck under the goaltender, across the crease to Barabanov. Barabanov had a clear shot and he took it. Assists went to Hertl and Mario Ferraro.
The Sharks had three shorts in the extra frame, and won both of the face-offs. The Hurricanes managed one short-handed shot in overtime.
Scott Reedy made his NHL debut in the absence of Jonathan Dahlen, who was injured in Saturday’s game. Reedy had two blocked shots in 10:56 time on ice.
The Sharks next play on Wednesday, against the Ottawa Senators at 7:30 PM PT.
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