Sharks 2023-24 Game 2 Recap: Avalanche 2, Sharks 1 (SO) (10/14/23)

 The Sharks set the tone and controlled the tempo for most of the game, but things unraveled late in regulation as they would lose 2-1 in a shootout to the Colorado Avalanche. 

Despite the less-than-ideal end result, San Jose had plenty of great things going for them in tonight’s contest. The Sharks kicked things off with a bang as Thomas Bordeleau scores his first NHL goal off a deflection for the first goal of the game. Assists were credited to Matt Benning and Mike Hoffman, the latter’s first point as a Shark. 

The game managed to stay 1-0 Team Teal for most of regulation mainly due to the Sharks’ excellent penalty kill. However, late in the third period with less than two minutes remaining, it wouldn’t stay this way as Cale Makar would score to tie it at one to force bonus hockey. The difference-maker came in the skills competition, as Mikko Rantanen would score on his shootout attempt to win it for the Avs. 

The next biggest moment in this game was Mackenzie Blackwood’s first start in teal. Blackwood stopped a total of 51 shots in his Sharks debut, the most for a goalie making his debut with a team since the 1955-56 season and one shy of his career high. This is very impressive, and if he keeps this up, Mackenzie Blackwood should be the primary starter in net for Team Teal. 

In addition, Marc-Eduoard Vlasic exited the game after the first period due to what I believe is an undisclosed injury. Before this game, Mikael Granlund was placed on the IR and is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. In a corresponding move, Jacob Peterson was called up from the Barracuda. 

Overall, this game had an outcome all too familiar to this Sharks team, but there was plenty to be proud of. It was only a matter of time before Thomas Bordeleau would score his first NHL goal, and I’m stoked that he accomplished this huge feat in only the second game of the new season. Next up, the Sharks host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday at 7:30 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, San Jose Sharks PR, NHL App 

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