The San Jose Sharks came out in remixed uniforms against the Calgary Flames, but the result on the ice felt all too familiar. They were better for stretches, sure. They just never put together the kind of complete game needed to flip the script, and they dropped a 2-1 decision at SAP Center.
Yaroslav Askarov did his part to keep things close, and Dustin Wolf was a major reason Calgary left with the win. The Gilroy native was on the verge of the Flames’ first road shutout since Dec. 21, 2023 before Sam Dickinson spoiled it late. Still, the Sharks couldn’t generate enough offense to fully cash in on the strong work they got in net.
San Jose spent part of the opening minutes killing a penalty after Barclay Goodrow was called for interference three minutes into the game. The Sharks got the stop they needed thanks to a big blocked shot and a key save from Askarov.
The tie didn’t last long. Nolan Allan’s breakout pass attempt turned disastrous when it went straight to Klapka, who entered the night with four goals in seven games against the Sharks. Klapka made no mistake from the slot and put Calgary ahead 1-0.
The second period started sluggishly for San Jose, with the pace and execution both off-kilter. But as the frame wore on, the Sharks settled in and began to look more dangerous. Dickinson, in particular, flashed his skill through the neutral zone with a couple of slick moves that led to a zone entry, another encouraging glimpse of what he can do when he gets moving.
The middle period also turned into a penalty-filled stretch. Klapka went to the box at 9:47, but the Sharks’ power play was interrupted when they were whistled for hooking and sent Will Smith off. Then, with four seconds left in Smith’s penalty, Goodrow was called again, this time for tripping Matt Coronato.
San Jose killed off both chances and kept it a one-goal game, then got a power play of its own when Calgary was hit with a bench minor for too many men on the ice late in the period. The Sharks had a solid look with the extra skater, but they couldn’t finish any of their chances and went to the third still trailing 1-0.
Early in the final period, Will Smith rang the inside of the post, coming painfully close to tying it. Then William Stromgren scored his first career goal at 9:14 to give Calgary a 2-0 cushion and quiet the building.
The Sharks answered a few minutes later when Dickinson finally got one past Wolf, ending the shutout bid and pulling San Jose back within one with just over eight minutes left. But that was as close as they got.
In Other News...
Sharks Roster Shuffle Puts One Young Prospect Back In Focus
The Sharks were busy reshuffling their depth chart ahead of the game against Vancouver, bringing up Filip Bystedt and defenseman Libor Hjek from the San Jose Barracuda while sending Luca Cagnoni back to the AHL. The moves came as the club also had to navigate a pair of upper-body injuries, leaving the roster thinner and opening another window for younger players to stay in the conversation.
For Bystedt, the recall is another reminder that San Jose still has eyes on its prospects as it tries to piece together a workable lineup. Hjeks stay was brief, lasting a week before he was sent back down without getting into an NHL game, but the churn around him has kept the focus on who might be next to get a look if the Sharks need more help from the Barracuda. [Read more 🡒]