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Thornton, Sharks look to continue rolling in second half

Jan 26, 2007 - 3:53 PM San Jose (32-16-0) at Edmonton (23-21-4) 9:00 pm EST

EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) -- All-Star Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks hope to continue climbing the Pacific Division standings in the second half.

The red-hot Sharks look to open the season's second half on a winning note Friday when they visit the Edmonton Oilers in a Western Conference battle.

San Jose has won seven of its last nine games and trails first-place Anaheim (30-12-8) by just four points in the division standings.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner and a starter in Wednesday's All-Star Game, Thornton leads the Sharks with 47 assists and 60 points this season. Fellow All-Star Patrick Marleau also enjoyed an outstanding first half, scoring a team-high 22 goals.

While Thornton and Marleau have been great, reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner Jonathan Cheechoo has not lived up to expectations. The right wing scored 56 goals last season but has just 16 tallies in 42 games this season.

The defending Western Conference champions, the Oilers currently are on the outside of the postseason picture, trailing Minnesota (25-20-4) by four points for the eighth and final playoff berth.

Edmonton has won both meetings with the Sharks this season, including a 3-2 victory in San Jose on January 10.