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Ducks beat Sharks, take Pacific Division crown

Apr 10, 2014 - 6:33 AM Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrick Maroon scored twice in a three-goal second period, as the Anaheim Ducks clinched the Pacific Division title with a 5-2 decision over the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center.

Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey also lit the lamp for the Ducks, who have won two in a row and finish up their season at Los Angeles Saturday and at home Sunday against Colorado.

"We can be happy for a little bit, and then get back to getting ready for LA on Saturday," Perry said of clinching the division. "We can enjoy this one and enjoy the things we've accomplished so far, but there's a lot more to be done."

John Gibson followed up his first NHL shutout with a 36-save win, as Anaheim pulled ahead of idle St. Louis for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Jason Demers and Logan Couture provided offense for the Sharks, who are locked into a first-round matchup against the Kings. Antti Niemi took the loss, allowing three goals on 19 shots in almost 30 minutes of action. Alex Stalock finished with nine saves.

"We played a heck of a game," San Jose's Joe Thornton said. "We were in their end for the majority of the night. A couple of soft goals, we lose the game. That's all."

Maroon gave the hosts a 2-1 lead with his marker at 3:32 of the second period, but after Anaheim failed to click on a power-play chance, Couture ripped a shot under the crossbar for a 2-2 game at 7:23.

Maroon then provided a lead the Ducks never relinquished, on a shot between the crook of Niemi's arm to give the Ducks a lead again at 9:35. Anaheim went to intermission ahead by a 4-2 score as Beleskey welcomed Stalock to the game with a quick wrister at 16:46.

Stalock was called to the bench with 2:44 to play after Ducks defenseman Bryan Allen was sent off for slashing, but he was sent back into his crease shortly thereafter. After vacating his net once more, Silfverberg hit the short-handed clincher at 18:22.

Demers gave San Jose a 1-0 lead with 1:43 left in the opening period. when his right-circle shot dropped from Gibson's glove and slid home.

The Ducks evened things with 2.1 seconds left on Perry's rush on the left wing which resulted in the puck sliding through Niemi at the near post.

Game Notes

Anaheim won its third division title and second in as many seasons (2006-07, 2013) ... Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler returned after a 12-game absence due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee ... The former Disney property also surpassed the 2007 Stanley Cup winners for the most points in a single season in franchise history with 112 ... Gibson has stopped 54-of-56 shots through two games.