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Clowe keeps Sharks unbeaten at home

Nov 7, 2008 - 8:15 AM By Michael Duca PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Whatever San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan has told Ryane Clowe, his words have had quite a lingering effect.

Thanks to a recent pep talk from his first-year coach, Clowe continued his torrid stretch by scoring two goals in the third period and netting the decisive tally in the fourth round of the shootout as the Sharks edged the St. Louis Blues, 5-4, on Thursday.

"Sometimes, if you ask the player what kind of player they are, they will flat-out tell you," McLellan said. "And then you just ask them why they are not playing that way. Ryane is an intelligent man and a great asset to us. He just had to be reminded of what he did well, and it was very simple. He had most of the answers."

After scoring three times in 15 games last season, Clowe has tallied in seven of his last eight contests.

"My strength is getting the puck down low and holding onto it," Clowe said. "I was dishing it off too soon. I had a little chat with (McLellan) after (a 7-6 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers on October 22). He told me things he wanted me to do a little better.

"I knew where I was at and what (I needed) to improve on. Things are starting to go well now."

Defenseman Dan Boyle tallied in the third round of the bonus format and goaltender Evgeni Nabokov denied an attempt by David Perron before Clowe wristed the puck past 6-7 netminder Ben Bishop, giving the Sharks a 2-1 edge.

"A lot of times when I get in there on the shootout, I like to deke to my backhand, but (Bishop) is such a big goalie with such long legs, I thought I'd try to get him moving laterally and kind of open up under his blockers," Clowe said. "It was nice."

Nabokov then watched Patrik Berglund's wrist shot sail wide, sealing the victory.

On that shot, however, Nabokov suffered a lower body injury. The team declined to release any details, and his status for the Sharks' next game is uncertain.

In the first round, Joe Pavelski's attempt went wide and Andy McDonald gave St. Louis an early advantage with a shot that sailed past Nabokov. After Bishop stymied Jeremy Roenick, Brad Boyes failed to put away the game as his backhander missed the net.

David Backes gave the Blues a 4-3 lead midway through the third period, but Clowe struck for his second tally of the session with 99 seconds remaining to forge a tie.

"I was proud of their play in the third period," McLellan said. "I think we have to give credit to St. Louis. They played a tough game last night, and they were not going away. They had some real good legs, they worked real hard and made it hard for our club to come back. On our behalf, we worked pretty hard and stuck with it. There was no panic."

"I thought we were wearing them down pretty good," Clowe said. "It was a great character win. Down two goals, down twice in the third period, and being able to rally back. It says a lot. We've been pretty dominant in the third. We have not had to come back much. We've dictated the thirds all year. That was great to see. I am proud of the way the guys played."

Defenseman Rob Blake notched a power-play goal and an assist and Joe Thornton also scored for the Sharks, who improved to 8-0-0 at home this season and have won 13 consecutive contests at HP Pavilion. San Jose also has recorded at least one point in its last 17 home games.

"Great fans here," Backes said. "In this building, the fans are right on top of you. It is unbelievable here. ... It's a great atmosphere and the way that they feed off the crowd and keep coming at you. It is a winning thing they've got here, and it's evident in their record."

Keith Tkachuk ended a three-game scoring drought with a power-play goal, McDonald also scored and Lee Stempniak registered a tally and two assists for St. Louis, which lost its fourth straight.

"They found a way to get the two points, and that's what it's all about in this league," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "So we were certainly disappointed, but we had some guys who competed pretty hard tonight and I am sure it was a very entertaining game for the fans in the building tonight."

The Blues took a 3-2 lead and started a flurry of three goals by the two teams at 7:56 of the third, when McDonald skated around the back of the net and waited for Nabokov to commit low before lifting a shot over the goaltender's glove.

San Jose tied the game 67 seconds later as, from the doorstep, Clowe buried the rebound of Blake's shot from the point. But Backes put St. Louis back in front by beating Nabokov 95 seconds afterward.

Clowe forged another deadlock with less than two minutes remaining in regulation with his team-leading eighth goal.

"I think I was still getting chances (early in the season), but I was thinking too much," Clowe said. "New system, new coach, not a lot of time to figure out what they want to do. I was doing a lot of thinking."

Bishop turned aside 39 shots in just his second career start for the Blues. He was tested constantly as San Jose outshot St. Louis, 43-29, overall and by a 12-3 margin in the second period.

"I think the guys in front of me did a great job," Bishop said. "I was able to see most of (the shots) and I was just trying to keep the team in the game there. It was kind of a tough way to go out, but we will take the point."