La Voz

Media Credit: Steven Cabana Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brett Lebda gets knocked into the boards by Sharks forward Ryan Clowe late in the third period. Clowe knocked in two goals Friday night.

Posted: January 5, 2007

As a collective unit, the San Jose Sharks routed the Detroit Red Wings 9-4 Friday night and sealed the season series-winner with an outstanding nine unanswered goals.

The Sharks broke a franchise record with six powerplay goals. The same squad held the previous record. They scored five powerplay goals at home on Oct.19 against the Red Wings.

Sharks captain Patrick Marleau skated away with his own record. Marleau surpassed former Sharks captain and fellow linemate Owen Nolan for the most franchise points. After his four-point performance last night, Marleau now holds the record for 493 franchise points.

Despite records being broken and victories to be won, the Sharks first period performance was a site for sore eyes, falling 3-0 in the first period.

"The reason I pulled Nabby [Evgeni Nabokov] was psychological," said Sharks head coach Ron Wilson. Vesa Toskala replaced Nabokov after allowing three goals on 12 shots on net.

You could say it worked.

After the early defensive breakdown, the Sharks managed to fight back with nine unanswered goals.

"Mike Grier wanted the team to score a goal before the end of the period," said Wilson.

The first goal for the Sharks came from an unexpected individual. Defenseman Josh Gorges netted his first goal of the season.

"It was long awaited," said Gorges. "Now the team can stop harassing me about it."

Gorges knocked in a shot pass Red Wings' netminder Dominik Hasek. The goal stood after being sent for review of a possible high stick deflection by Sharks' forward Mike Grier.

"Mike was telling me he didn't touch it," said Gorges, reflecting on the goal.

However, the onslaught started in the second period when Jonathan Cheechoo knocked in his 13th goal of the season. After the Sharks patiently passed the puck around the perimeter, Pavelski fed Cheechoo with a cross-ice pass that eventually lit the lamp.

Both Ryan Clowe and Grier found the back of the net twice. Clowe's first goal came on an open rebound that he nicely managed to tuck past Hasek. His second of the night came in the third period after being tripped up by a Red Wings' defenseman. Clowe's second goal marked the sixth powerplay goal on the night for the Sharks.

Grier's second goal was also one of significance. After demolishing Red Wings defenseman Danny Markov on a clearing attempt, Grier managed to get into position and knock in Marleau's centering pass. After Grier's goal, Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock finally pulled Hasek from the net. Prior to tonight's game, Hasek led the league with a 1.80 goals-against-average. The most Hasek has given up in one game was when he gave up four against the league-leading Ducks of Anaheim.

Despite 15 different players putting a point on the scoreboard for the Sharks, center Joe Thornton again was strong, picking up four assists on the night and earning him the second star of the game. Prior to the game, the Sharks recognized Thornton as the Seagate Technology Player of the Month.

The Sharks will continue the second of the three-game homestand when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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