The San Jose Sharks stopped the Colorado Avalanche from winning as Joe Pavelski scored two power-plays goals and brought his team to a 4-2 win Thursday night.
Scott Nichol and Logan Couture added the other two goals for the Sharks as they managed to score a win on North American ice for the first time in the current season.
Sharks goalie Antero Niittymaki, who was filling in for Antti Niemi, stood like a rock all night for the team as he made a total of 29 saves.
Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau assisted Pavelski in both of his goals, which were also his first during the current season. The Avalanche were unable to score any goal in the third thus keeping the lead 3-1. The drought came to end when Milan Hejduk scored early in the third using power play with John-Michael Liles on assist, who also managed to have one assist in all seven games, earning him a franchise record.
The Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson had 30 saves in what was his repeat performance as he helped his team clinch a playoff series last spring. Kyle Cumiskey was the other scorer for the Avalanche and helped in cutting the Sharks' lead to 4-2.
The defeat came for Colorado on their home ground as they returned after spending a 10-day schedule where they finished 3-2. Colorado F Brandon Yip played the game after sitting out two earlier ones because of a groin injury, and RW David Jones sat out because of bruised forearm.
