Smith makes 33 saves, 2 more in shootout to outduel Niemi in Coyotes' 1-0 win over Sharks
San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi, of Finland, stops a shot on goal against the Phoenix Coyotes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
2013-02-09 18:55:00
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Mike Smith made 33 saves through overtime and then turned aside two more shots in the shootout to carry the Phoenix Coyotes to a 1-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
The only offence in the entire game was provided by Phoenix's Mikkel Boedker and Radim Vrbata, who both netted shootout goals against Sharks goalie Antti Niemi.
Smith, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season, made several acrobatic saves, including one in the shootout. Smith has 21 career NHL shutouts.
Niemi was nearly as flawless, stopping 21 shots before the shootout to earn his first shutout of the season and 20th in the NHL.
The Sharks entered the game with one power-play goal in their previous 21 opportunities, and went 0-for-4. Phoenix came with four goals in 23 chances before an 0-for-3 performance.
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"We're playing the defending champs and you can tell they're not going to beat themselves. That team, just from them going all the way, you can see it over there. There's no panic…You can tell that's a machine over there and we've got to be at our best."
- San Jose's Scott Gomez on the Los Angeles Kings. Los Angeles leads the series 2-1.
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