Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Kings: Second period eaten up by the San Jose Sharks

LOS ANGELES — After starting the second period on such a high note Tuesday night, the Kings hit rock bottom before it ever ended.

The San Jose Sharks scored five goals in the second period to tie the score in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinal, then won it, 6-5, on Devin Setoguchi's overtime goal, sending a shell-shocked Staples Center crowd walking slowly to the exits.

In the opening minute of the second period, the Kings extended their lead to four goals against the second-seeded San Jose Sharks, but then seemed to throw their gears into neutral, becoming helpless to stem San Jose’s surge.

Patrick Marleau slipped one by Kings goalie Jonathan Quick to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Two minutes later, Dustin Penner went to the penalty box for an unnecessary roughing penalty at center ice. Ryan Clowe scored on the ensuing power play to cut the lead in half.

With about 6 ½ minutes remaining in the period, Logan Couture gathered in a cross-pass from Ian White and slammed it into the side of the net to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Kings then got some energy back when Ryan Smyth scored 13 seconds later to retake a two-goal lead, but the Sharks turned Staples Center into a library when Clowe scored with 1:25 left in the period, followed by Joe Pavelski's goal with 31 seconds showing on the clock, putting the game back at square one and leaving the crowd gasping.

The San Jose Sharks lost the second game of the series, 4-0, on Saturday night, then fell behind, 3-0, after one period of Game 3. They didn’t pack it in, however.

The Kings and their fans will have two days to regroup, as Game 4 is Thursday night back at Staples Center. [Reference]

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