Sharks 5 Flames 4
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Pavelski scored for the first time in nine games, Joe Thornton had his first point in four games and the San Jose Sharks held on to beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 Saturday night.
Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture also scored for the Sharks, who have won three of four.
Jay Bouwmeester, Mark Giordano and Jarome Iginla had goals for the Flames, who have lost six of seven.
Antti Niemi started for the second time since Oct. 27, recording 28 saves for his second win in six decisions. Ex-Shark Miikka Kiprusoff took the loss despite 31 saves.
Pavelski, the team’s leader in shots, missed on his previous 67 attempts before connecting in the second period on a rebound.
Couture had a season-high three points, adding a pair of assists.
The Flames, playing the second of back-to-back road games, took a penalty in the opening minute of play. That led to Thornton’s sixth goal of the season eight seconds into the power play.
Thornton positioned himself to receive a nice pass from Jason Demers and was able to beat Kiprusoff.
Clowe added his third goal of the season midway through the first period with an assist from Pavelski on a give-and-go.
Dan Boyle chipped a puck over the glass six seconds into the second period to create a 5-on-3 advantage for the Flames — Dany Heatley took a boarding penalty late in the first period — and Giordano took advantage with some crisp passing from Ian White and Iginla.
Pavelski’s goal gave the Sharks a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
Bouwmeester scored midway through the final period and Couture responded with his sixth goal five minutes later.
Iginla scored with 37 seconds remaining.
Notes: The Flames gave up the first goal for the second time in 12 games and fifth overall . . . Clowe’s assist on Pavelski’s goal was the 100th of his career . . . Flames C Brett Sutter, briefly jailed on suspicion of assault after getting into a fight outside a Scottsdale bar early Thursday, was a healthy scratch for the 12th straight game . . . Boyle has five points in his last four games.