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Niemi leads Sharks over Ducks

Jan 5, 2012 - 6:31 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Antti Niemi made 16 of his 26 saves in the third period, backstopping the San Jose Sharks to a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.

Brad Winchester and Benn Ferriero scored 27 seconds apart in the second period for the Sharks, who have earned at least a point in nine of their last 10 games (6-1-3).

San Jose snapped a four-game losing streak against the Ducks.

"I'd like to think our guys are beginning to believe us as coaches, that three is our number," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said. "We have to work both offensively and defensively towards that, that every play is important on both sides of the puck. When guys believe that and buy into that they tend to play more consistent."

Jonas Hiller stopped 33-of-36 shots for Anaheim, which has dropped the first three of a six-game homestand and seven of eight overall.

Despite a 12-3 edge in shots in the first period, the Sharks trailed 1-0 on a goal by Corey Perry.

Winchester fired home a wrister from the top of the left circle to pull San Jose even at the 16:23 mark of the middle stanza. A diving Ferriero scored from in tight to put the visitors on top.

Joe Pavelski provided some insurance in the third period. Patrick Marleau created a turnover in the neutral zone and Hiller turned away a high shot by Joe Thornton, but Pavelski buried the rebound at 12:43.

"It's a tough way to end the third period," Perry said. "We had (16) shots in the third period and two posts. We had our chances. Then, they get the third one and that one hurts. Those are the ones we want to have back. We want to bury our chances as well."

Game Notes

Both teams went 0-for-4 on the power play...Anaheim forward Jason Blake returned to the lineup after missing 34 games with tendon damage above his left wrist...Perry has 399 career points.