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Michalek upstages Toews' debut as Sharks down Blackhawks

Oct 11, 2007 - 4:33 AM By Rory Spears PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- It was going to take something special to upstage Jonathan Toews' NHL debut.

Milan Michalek scored two power-play goals - the second with less than four minutes remaining in the third period - to lead the San Jose Sharks past the Chicago Blackhawks, 2-1, on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Toews, who was playing in his first NHL game since being selected third overall in the 2006 draft, scored on just the fourth shift of his career. After taking a pass just inside the blue line from defenseman Brent Seabrook, Toews fought off a high stick from Sharks blue-liner Matt Carle before breaking loose and coming in alone on goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.

"I got a lucky bounce and the puck just came to me," Toews said. "It was nice to put it away, but not enough for us to win."

Carle was called for a delayed penalty, but Chicago never got to the power play as Toews beat Nabokov to the glove side with a wrist shot at 13:43 of the first period. In what may have a been a glimpse of the future, he was set up on the play by 2003 first-round selection Seabrook and Patrick Kane, the first overall pick this past June.

"It's nice to get the first one right away," Toews said. "Sometimes, if things don't happen for me, I start to try and force things. Now, that won't be a problem."

Toews had been sidelined since Chicago's second preseason game when he broke the index finger on his right hand.

"After all the time off, I was ready to go," Toews said. "So I had no excuses tonight. I felt good out there skating-wise."

However, the story of the game was Michalek and the Sharks' ability to keep a full complement of players on the ice. However, it wasn't until Chicago center Tuomo Ruutu was called for the Blackhawks' eighth and final penalty that San Jose could grab a lead.

"It was nice to finally score," Michalek said. "In our first three games, I had chances and just didn't score."

The eight penalties were twice the amount called on the Sharks, in part leading to a 32-17 shot advantage for San Jose.

"We had numerous chances and didn't convert (before Michalek's first tally)," Sharks coach Ron Wilson said. "But this was the best game I have seen Khabibulin play against us."

After Ruutu was whistled for hooking at 15:27 of the third period, Michalek took advantage 62 seconds later, when he was slid the rebound of Carle's shot past goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

San Jose broke through in the second period on the power play to even the game at 1-1. With Toews off for hooking, Michalek scored his first goal of the season at 10:28, beating Khabibulin between the pads from inside the right faceoff circle.

"(Patrick) Marleau made a great pass to me," Michalek said. "From there, all I had to do was put it between Khabibulin's pads."

Chicago successfully killed a four-minute power play for San Jose early in the third period after Seabrook received minors for hooking and high-sticking. The Sharks only were able to get one shot on Khabibulin during the man advantage.

San Jose center Jeremy Roenick remained stuck on 497 career goals after failing to score against his former team.

"I really didn't come in thinking about getting three (goals) tonight," Roenick said. "After getting beat in our last game pretty good, I just wanted to help this team get two points. The 500th goal will come soon enough."