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Clowe leads Sharks over Blackhawks in OT

Dec 12, 2010 - 8:14 AM San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Ryane Clowe scored in regulation before tallying with 1:08 left in overtime to lift the San Jose Sharks to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Antti Niemi made 28 saves for the Sharks, who have won both meetings with the defending Stanley Cup champions so far this season. Marc-Edouard Vlasic recorded two assists.

"It was one of those nights where I don't know if both teams had the polish or I don't know if they were as sharp as they wanted to be," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. "I know our team wasn't. The good sign is we found a way to fight through it."

Corey Crawford turned aside 28 shots for the Blackhawks, who had won five of their last six games. Jordan Hendry tallied the lone Chicago goal in defeat.

"It would have been a lot better with a victory, but of course you'll take a goal any way you can get it," Hendry said. "Would have been nice to win in overtime, though."

Both teams were active in the offensive zone in overtime, but couldn't cash in until Clowe one-timed a goal past Crawford.

Clowe got the Sharks on the board 9:16 into the first period. Jason Demers chased the puck down the right side of the ice and into the Chicago end, then centered a pass that Clowe re-directed past Crawford.

Chicago evened the game with 1:37 left in the first, when Hendry snuck a wraparound into the net.

Crawford made 17 saves in the final two periods, while Niemi stopped 16 shots.

Game Notes

Clowe has recorded four consecutive multi-point games. He also got his first two-goal game since January 19 of last season...San Jose hosts Dallas on Monday...The Blackhawks fell to 2-2 in overtime games, while the Sharks got their first OT win in five tries.