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Sharks battle hard to end 5 game skid
10/26/1991 2147 EST
San Jose wins their first game in 5 thanks to a 3 point night from their star winger, Stephane Richer.
It was a see-saw affair through much of the evening in New Jersey, but the Sharks pulled a win out of their tough Eastern road trip which had already seen them lose in Hartford and Buffalo.
The Devils got it started with a Claude Lemieux wristshot past Sharks’ netminder Berthiaume at 1.07 of the first, before the Sharks’ offense took over. Richer, Bergland and Brisebois (pictured) struck leaving the Devils trailing by 2 at the end of the first.
The lead held up thru the second period as Paul Ysebaert made it a one goal affair at 7.22 of the middle frame.
The punch and counter-punch of the third period saw the Devils and Sharks trade chances and goals. Kirk Muller’s goal at 6.10 of the third tied it up before Stephan Lebeau and David Volek’s goals pulled the Sharks ahead for good. Ysebaert would tally one more before Gilchrist iced the game with an empty netter.
“This was a real battle out there. They didn’t want to lose and we were tired of losing” said Coach Fyvie of the game. “We made a couple of adjustments to our blueline pairings and it seemed to pay-off.” Referring to the Brisebois for Diduck swap amongst the top two pairs on the backend. Brisebois responded to the ‘demotion’ by netting 2 points. Diduck thrived on the added icetime as he registered an assist. The new pairs are expected to remain for the time being. “We like Muni with Diduck - they can really shut down the opposition for us and Hawgood and (Brisebois) are great at moving the puck”.
All in all San Jose led in the shot department too by 35-23. The Shark’s powerplay went 2-6 and the Devils went 2-8.
The Sharks’ tour of the Eastern seaboard continues Oct 29 with games against the Islanders, Flyers, Nordiques and Maple Leafs. The Devils enjoy a further 4 games on their current homestand. They host the Canucks on Oct 29th.
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