Kahkonen Spectacular, But Sharks Lose to Wolf in His NHL Debut 3-1

The San Jose Sharks visit the Calgary Flames tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Noah Gregor gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead, but they lost to Gilroy native Dustin Wolf in his NHL debut 3-1.

Preview/Lines #81: Gilroy Native Dustin Wolf To Make NHL Debut Against Sharks

Period 1

Thrun almost hits Hertl in front, good feed, opening shift.

Couple draws in, looks like Hertl is at center and Couture at wing.

Gregor goal: Very nice stretch pass by Simek, and Gregor does a great job following up his initial shot by converting rebound. Stone can’t keep up. Hard to believe, just Simek’s second assist this year. Fifth goal in eight games for Gregor, granted there was hat trick in there. But he’s making a statement to stay.

Kahkonen with a couple big saves, puck rolls on Thrun maybe, bad pass, Flame alone in front. Then Toffoli in front when Hertl can’t exit properly. Then bang-bang Huberdeau in front.

Zetterlund (no) goal: Poor Zetterlund. Second goal that he’s had taken away as a Shark, still hasn’t scored as a Shark. In Thrun’s NHL debut, it looked like Zetterlund might have got a deflection, but instead, Ferraro got the point shot goal.

Lorentz still on PP1, providing net front.

Flames 7-3 Slot Shots over San Jose Sharks, Kahkonen the reason why Sharks have lead.

Period 2

MacDonald-Thrun-Labanc-Gregor-Robins on PP2.

6 in: Zetterlund appears to be skating well tonight, good set-up to Benning there, then disturbed on forecheck.

8 in: Not Thrun’s sharpest effort, NZ turnover.

10 in: Rough shift for Sturm, he had a couple chances to move it behind Kahkonen, but Flames on top of him. Coronato had a Grade-A chance that Kaapo denied.

Zadorov goal: Peterson had the puck on the wall, gave it to Benning, not sure what happened, but turnover. Then Backlund forechecks Svechnikov to prevent a clean San Jose Sharks exit. Maybe Svechnikov could’ve use a little subtle interference from Peterson to prevent Backlund beeline. Zadorov walks down slot unmarked.

3 left: Nice give-and-go exchange with Knyzhov and Simek.

2 left: Sturm, in a fire drill down low, maybe prevents a goal by blocking a shot down low.

Then Robins with a gorgeous no-look behind-the-back pass to Bordeleau net front. Bordeleau can’t convert.

Period 3

Peterson on forecheck on Weegar behind Wolf, disrupts, lands right in front for Couture, big save.

Zadorov goal: Seeing-eye, it seems like. Not terribly defended, from distance, good traffic.

Couture hasn’t taken a draw all night.

9 left: Gorgeous saucer exit pass from Thrun to Hertl. Very nice touch.

6 left: Peterson can’t get away from Lindholm, but Hertl hits Couture in slot, good save by Wolf. He’s had a solid NHL debut.

Zadorov hat trick: I’m sure, the Sharks, season going as it has been, are delighted to stand around, minute left, while hats are picked up after Zadorov empty net hat trick. No hate, fun milestone for Zadorov, go for it of course, but I’m sure the Sharks want to get the hell out of there. By the way, Karlsson’s league-leading 21st empty net goal allowed.

I think it’s five other players second to Karlsson with 18, including old friend Timo Meier.