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Sharks beat Coyotes, keep up with competitive West

Mar 27, 2011 - 7:29 AM Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Logan Couture scored two goals and dished out an assist, as the San Jose Sharks took down the Phoenix Coyotes, 4-1, in a key Pacific Division battle.

Ryane Clowe had a goal and two assists for the Sharks, who extended their lead in the division to four points over Phoenix. San Jose also joined Detroit in a third-place tie in the Western Conference with 97 points.

Joe Pavelski also lit the lamp for San Jose, which got 26 saves from Antti Niemi. The Sharks have won five of their past six games.

"To get 30 goals is definitely something I never thought was possible but it's been a great year," Couture said. "There are nights when the puck's going to find you and I had a chance for three or four tonight. After that first goal, I knew it was going to be a good night."

Mikkel Boedker scored the lone goal for the Coyotes, who sit fourth in the West. Ilya Bryzgalov made 28 saves in defeat.

San Jose went ahead for good at the 3:35 mark of the middle stanza. Pavelski slid a pass to Joe Thornton, whose shot was stopped by Bryzgalov. Pavelski chipped in a bouncing rebound for a 2-1 lead.

Clowe's wrister from the slot with 4:43 left made it a 3-1 game, then Couture's shot from the point at the 12:13 mark of the third accounted for the final margin.

The Sharks drew first blood at the 5:06 mark of the first period. Clowe's shot from the right circle set up a rebound in front. Couture found the loose puck and jammed it past Bryzgalov.

Boedker tied the game just over a minute later. A left faceoff win led to Derek Morris' shot from the right point and Boedker put home the rebound.

"We weren't good enough in any area," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. "They kind of controlled play and we have to be better."

Game Notes

San Jose has won eight in a row against Phoenix, including four meetings this season. The clubs will both close out their regular-season schedules with a home-and-home series on April 8-9.