This was another great bounce back game by the Bolts as they played well for the majority of the game. The Bolts capitalized on their chances and got ahead early. As for the Sharks, they could not shut down the Bolts offense or get much past Vasy. The Bolts picked up a big win heading into the long break by a score of 6-3, let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts got off to a quick start in this one quickly putting pressure on the Sharks. It didn’t take long for the Bolts to capitalize as Mathieu Joseph snapped one into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Both teams then exchanged some shots but neither goaltender was letting up much. Then on a play in front, the net Alex Killorn took a sharks player down with him as he grabbed his stick while falling. Killorn would receive 2 min for holding the stick and send the Sharks to their first power play of the night. The Bolts did a great job of killing this one off though as they did not let the Sharks ever get much set up in the offensive zone. Both teams then continued to go back and forth looking to get the next goal but with each sides netminders making clean stops neither team could grab the edge. The Sharks picked up most of the shots over the next few mins but the Bolts seemed to be getting better quality chances as the game went on. The Bolts would then soon strike again as Alex Killorn found a huge rebound and he ripped a shot that rang off the post and then in to give the Bolts a 2-0 lead. Time then soon began to wind down and it would seem the Bolts would head into the locker room up by 2 after the first. But then with under 2 min to go Palat was called for interference and the Sharks would get their second power play of the night. Evander Kane who has been taking shots all night ripped one past Vasy to pull them within 1 just before the period came to a close.

Goals: 2-1 Tampa Bay

Shots: 16-7 San Jose

Second Period

The Sharks wanted to jump on the Bolts quickly and that’s just what they did. Just 58 seconds into the period Evander Kane once again snapped a shot right past Vasy to tie this game at 2. The Sharks good times wouldn’t last long though as Joakim Ryan would head off for 2 min as he was called for slashing. The Bolts got a few nice looks but the Sharks were able to fend them off and this game remained tied at 2. The Bolts kept on pushing though and on a pass to Stamkos who rifled one just wide, Yanni Gourde FINALLY found the rebound and smacked it home to take back the lead 3-2! the Sharks then put themselves into another sticky situation as Kevin Labanc was called for cross-checking to give the Bolts their second power play of the night. When the Sharks has killed just over half of the penalty Logan Couture was called for tripping to give the Bolts a short 5 on 3. The Sharks were able to kill off the first penalty, but then just seconded later Hedman flew into the zone and snapped a shot right into the back of the net for a 4-2 Bolts lead! Both teams then hunkered down and went back and fourth looking to score the next goal but, found no such luck. The period would then soon come to a close and the Bolts would head into the final 20 up by 2.

Goals: 4-2 Tampa Bay

Shots: 29-20 San Jose

Third Period

Goals: 6-3 Tampa Bay

Shots: 39-26 San Jose.

3 Stars