By Brianna Huffmaster – Spear Editor | Macklin Celebrini on the ice during the Sharks home game against the Red Wings on Monday night (Photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of the Spear)
A short but very sweet homestand at SAP Center as the San Jose Sharks (6-10-4) defeated the Detroit Red Wings (7-9-2) 5-4 in overtime Monday night.
The game was an aggressive back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Detroit tied the game at four with three minutes remaining to force overtime.
But everything happens for a reason and it only took San Jose 46 seconds in overtime to seal the game by none other than No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
Celebrini’s wrist shot game-winner was the first of his NHL career. He was physical all night and led the team with six shots. The puck finally touched the net when it mattered most.
“To get put in that situation you want to come through for your team,” Celebrini said. “To get that goal is good for the group.”
The Sharks have been on the wrong end of the stick with overtime games so far this season.
Getting a win on home ice in a fast-paced game was what head coach Ryan Warsofsky wanted.
“For the majority of the game we pushed the pace,” Warsofsky said. “We took over parts of the third period that we have been talking about all year.”
Detroit scored first but this game proved it is how you finish and not how you start.
William Eklund led the Sharks with two goals while Tyler Toffoli and Luke Kunin recorded one goal each.
Another stat that showcased San Jose’s physicality on the ice was outshooting Detroit 34-20.
Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood recorded 17 saves on the night.
The Sharks have been displaying grit and determination all season with 12 out of their 20 matchups ending in one goal games.
“I think this year is different from years past,” Kunin said. “We’re never out of the fight.”
As the NHL is a quarter way through the season, the Sharks are still figuring things out as their rebuilding era continues but wins like this bring out the highest of highs for the squad.
“I think we’re starting to find how we need to play with our identity,” Warsofsky said. “We do some really good things at times, and at times we continue to learn and [get] better individually and collectively. But we’re getting there.”
After a week-long East Coast road trip prior to the one game homestand, San Jose goes back on the road to face the Dallas Stars (11-6-0) at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
