O’Connor Scores Game-Winner, Canucks Beat Sharks 2-1

The Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in overtime on a penalty shot goal from forward Drew O’Connor.

O’Connor has been with the team for less than a week, but he scored the second penalty shot winner in franchise history (the first was Ben Hutton).

“I was trying to catch my breath. I was a little gassed from that sprint up the ice, so just trying to settle down, think of what I wanted to do and just to shoot it,” O’Connor said.

The group has had one full practice together and Head Coach Rick Tocchet can already see that O’Connor is coachable and is a difference-maker for the team.

“Obviously the speed, he really adds a lot to our team and that was obviously a big goal for us,” Tocchet said.

There were gritty performances from players up and down the lineup and Tocchet was pleased the everyone contributed.

“It was one of those games, I don't think we gave them a lot, but when we did, Demmer was there. He made some great saves for us. Sometimes in an 82-game schedule, you’re going to have these games, you have to grind it and find a way to win,” Tocchet said.

Thatcher Demko extended his career record against the Sharks to 13-0, another soild and spectacular start following his elite play against the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday night.

Goals

With no goals by either team in the first two periods, Dakota Joshua broke the ice in the third period on the power play, off a deflection net front from Pius Suter’s shot.

“I thought Dak, his last three, four games is coming like his old self; he's got some jump,” Tocchet said.

With under two minutes left in the game and Sharks’ goaltender Vitek Vanecek out of his crease, San Jose forward Tyler Toffoli dug deep for a goal to force overtime.

In overtime, Filip Chytil and O’Connor played two-on-one, Chytil feeding O’Connor for a breakaway, drawing a penalty from Macklin Celebrini.

With a chance to win the game, O’Connor beat Vanecek and the Canucks went home with two points from a 2-1 win.

Up Next

The Canucks are back at Rogers Arena for their final game before the 4 Nations break as they matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, February 8th at 4 p.m. PT.