Nash Hat Trick Hands San Jose Third Lose In a Row 11-20-10

Nash Hat Trick Hands San Jose Third Lose In a Row

“it just didn’t come together.”--- Dan Boyle

By Barbara Mason 11/20/2010
Bay Area Sports Drive

Saturday night the San Jose Sharks took on the Columbus Blue Jackets at HP Pavilion. Coming in off a couple of losses in overtime, the Sharks have got to find a way to finish games. In both of their last two games, one against the Avalanche and the other against the Stars San Jose had a two goal lead in the third period only to fall short in overtime.

The return of Joe Thornton has not spurred his line at all; in fact they have struggled since his return. It was more of the same Saturday night as the Blue Jackets took a one goal lead in the first period adding to it in the second for a 2-0 advantage. Rick Nash scored both times for the Blue Jackets. Columbus had their legs going in this game and coupled with creating turnovers the Blue Jackets had all the momentum on their side.

Through two periods, the Sharks couldn’t get much going. With 1:11 left in the second period San Jose went on the power play and very nearly scored their first goal of the evening in a flurry of shots on goal. They would start the third period with 49 seconds left on the power play.

The Shark got their legs going in the third period but were unable to find the net. The Blue Jackets nailed it shut when Rick Nash scored his third goal of the evening, an empty net. This was his fifth career hat trick. Columbus goalie Garon had a solid game making some tremendous saves and a lot of credit needs to go to the Blue Jackets defensive effort.

The problem for San Jose in their last two road games was finishing them. Their problem in Saturday night’s game was getting the puck in the net period. It was a tough night for the San Jose Sharks. They will have a few days off to regroup and try to get some confidence going before taking on the Chicago Blackhawks next Wednesday night.

“It was one of those nights from the onset that we were off and we were slow coming out of our end,” said Dan Boyle after the game. “That being said it was one of those nights where we could have won an ugly game. It was a tough night, a tough night,” he said. “I can only speak for myself, my legs weren’t there, my hands weren’t there. No matter how much you want, you try it just didn’t come together.”