Penguins Vs. Sharks Final Score: Ryane Clowe’s Shootout Goal Gives San Jose The Win

Antti Niemi lasted all of two minutes on Thursday night as the Pittsburgh Penguins took dead-aim on the San Jose Sharks’ net right out of the gates. After two goals -- the first of which came 24 seconds into the game -- Niemi’s night was over as Thomas Greiss took over. But even with the early slip-ups, San Jose managed to battle back, eventually forcing overtime and winning in a shootout.

The Sharks weathered the early storm, making it out of the first period down 2-0. In the second, Patrick Marleau cut the Penguins’ lead to one as San Jose began to claw back. Evgeni Malkin scored his second goal of the night midway through the period to answer, and San Jose headed into the third period down by two goals.

Ryane Clowe, the hero of the night, and Jamie McGinn each scored in the third period and the San Jose defense held as the Sharks forced overtime. Five scoreless minutes later, San Jose and Pittsburgh headed to a shootout that turned out to be another defensive struggle.

After both sides missed twice, Clowe netted the first, and only, goal of the shootout. Greiss stuffed Pascal Dupuis’ attempt to end the night, and the Sharks came all the way back to win in a shootout, 4-3.

For more on the game, check in with Penguins blog PensBurgh for the Pittsburgh perspective. Check in with Sharks blog Fear The Fin for things from the San Jose perspective.