Sharks 2021-22 Game 26 Recap: Sharks 5, Flames 3 (12/7/21)

 The Sharks’ offense came aplenty as they defeat the Calgary Flames 5-3 to get back in the win column. 

A few players had big performances in the win over the Flames, and the Sharks came back in the later half of this game to secure the win. The Flames scored first early in the first period, which was tipped in by Dillon Dube. The Sharks answered back minutes later via Tomas Hertl on the power play for his first goal of the game, in which Hertl puts it in off the rebound from Alexander Barabanov's initial shot. Brent Burns also assisted on the Sharks' game-tying goal in the first. Roughly three minutes later, Johnny Gaudreau puts the Flames back on top 2-1. 

Early in the second period, the Flames extended their lead to two on Adam Ruzicka's first NHL goal. Beginning in the later half of the middle frame, the Sharks scored four straight goals to come from behind and secure another statement win, which began with Erik Karlsson's seventh of the season from Logan Couture and Jasper Weatherby to get the Sharks back within one near the halfway point of the middle frame. This was followed by Logan Couture's game-tying goal late in the second deflecting the initial shot from Erik Karlsson on the power play and Tomas Hertl scoring his second goal of the game from Alexander Barabanov. Jonathan Dahlen also recorded an assist on the Karlsson goal. Tomas Hertl put the cherry on top of this game with an empty-netter late in the third for the hat trick, getting helpers from Logan Couture and Brent Burns. 

I should mention that late in the second period after the Sharks grabbed their first lead of the night, Milan Lucic laid a dangerous hit on Lane Pederson near the benches, which briefly sent Pederson to the dressing room. What made matters worse was that the refs didn't call a boarding penalty on Lucic, but luckily Pederson was able to return to the bench. Although this incident doesn't matter as much since the Sharks came out victorious, this was a cheap shot that Lucic shouldn't have gotten away with. 

Adin Hill made his fourth consecutive start in net and bounced back from his previous start in Columbus, recording 40 saves and the win. Kevin Labanc and Radim Simek were notable scratches against the Flames last night, as both players haven't been performing that well lately. 

In other news, the Sharks recently signed Brandon Coe to a standard entry-level contract. Coe has recorded 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points in 24 games so far with the North Bay Battalion in the OHL and is currently leading all major junior players in assists and points this season. 

This has been a great start to the Sharks' season-long seven-game homestand. Team Teal is looking to carry their current momentum into its next game against the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App, Sharks + SAP Center App