Fri Apr 11 01:01:11 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Nabokov's shutout leads Sharks over Flames; series tied 1-1

---

San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Evgeni Nabokov made 21 saves to pick up his sixth career playoff shutout, as the San Jose Sharks blanked the Calgary Flames, 2-0, to even their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series at one game apiece.

Joe Pavelski and Torrey Mitchell lit the lamp for the second-seeded Sharks, who rebounded from a 3-2 loss in Game 1.

Mikka Kiprusoff gave up two goals on 43 shots for the Flames, who will host Game 3 at the Saddledome on Sunday.

Pavelski opened the scoring at the 4:56 mark of the second period. With the clubs skating 4-on-4, Patrick Marleau threw the puck up high to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who rifled a shot that went wide of the net, but caromed off the end boards right to the stick of Pavelski. Pavelski then wheeled around at the left circle and fired a shot that slid between the pads of Kiprusoff.

Following Pavelski's tally, the Sharks had a chance to break the game open with six consecutive power plays, including a pair of lengthy two-man advantages. They finally broke through when Mitchell jammed home a loose puck with 1:51 remaining in the middle stanza.

Nabokov made eight saves in the third period to preserve the shutout.

Game Notes

San Jose finished 1-for-10 on the power play, while the Flames went 0- for-4...The Sharks outshot the Flames 27-3 in the second period.