La Voz

Media Credit: PHOTO BY Steven Cabana Ville Nieminen, newly acquired forward for the San Jose Sharks, raises his hand after scoring in the second period against the Pacific Division leading Dallas Stars. Nieminen's goal was his sixth of the season but his first as a Shark. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: PHOTO BY Steven Cabana Sharks' goalie Vesa Toskala can't stop Jere Lehtinen shot near the end of the first period. The goal was counted for after the officials reviewed it. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: PHOTO BY Steven Cabana As the puck goes in the net, Sharks' forward Milan Michalek collides with Dallas's goalie Marty Turco during the shootout of the Mar. 18 matchup in San Jose. Dallas eventually would win the game 4-3 after Antti Miettinen and Mike Modano scored during thei [Click to enlarge]

Recently acquired San Jose Shark Ville Nieminen described today's 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars the best.

 "We only played five solid minutes and it was towards the end of the second period," said Nieminen.  "We were kind of fortunate to have a point out of that game."

In a span of 79 seconds, the San Jose Sharks took the game away from the Dallas Stars and with a flick of the wrist Mike Modano calmed things down his 26^th goal of the season.  Modano's goal pushed the game into overtime and gave the Sharks another shootout loss.

The Sharks have lost the last seven shootouts with the only one coming on Oct. 28 against the Calgary Flames.  The Stars on the other hand are perfect in shootout, winning all ten of their petitions.

It seemed like the rest of the team was in agreement with Nieminen.

"One point is alright," said defenseman Kyle McClaren.  "It's not great, but we'll move on."

After scoring three goals consecutively at the end of the third period, the Sharks gave up the lead off a Modano goal that went top-shelf past Sharks' goalie Vesa Toskala.

"We got caught on the Modano goal, not knowing if we should go or not go and we got caught flat-footed, but it was a battle right down to the end," said head coach Ron Wilson.  "In the shoot-out, Cheechoo hits the crossbar, and if it goes in, we win.  Unfortunately, they ended up winning the shoot-out."

Only Milan Michalek scored in the shootout for the Sharks, while forwards Steve Bernier, Jonathan Cheechoo and Nils Ekman couldn't tally up a point.  Modano's and Antti Miettinen scored in the shootout for the Stars, as it was enough.

"You work hard for 65 minutes and in the end it almost feels like a loss," said Sharks' assistant captain Alyn McCauley.  "It nullifies the hard work you put in for the whole game."

After a four-line effort by the Sharks to shore up any effort of a comeback, Nieminen scored his first goal as a Shark and his sixth of the season.

"It was long overdue," said Nieminen.

Another first goal came, this time for Pat Rissmiller just 32 seconds later.  Rissmiller earned his first NHL goal after deflecting a Nieminen shot in the Stars' zone. Defenseman Josh Gorges tied up a Stars player allowing Nieminen to wrist in a shot towards Stars' goalie Marty Turco.

Speedy Michalek gave the Sharks their first lead of the game at 18:28 in the second period.  Michalek went backhand on Stars' goalie Marty Turco and gave San Jose its first and only lead.

The Stars continue to play solid hockey, especially with Turco in net.  He picked up his league leading 36^th win. 

The  Sharks will return tomorrow and finish off the final game of their six-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche at 5 p.m.

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