SAN JOSE, Calif. — Michael Misa, the San Jose Sharks’ highly touted rookie, scored at 1:40 of overtime Sunday, lifting his team to a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center. The goal, Misa’s fourth of the season, secured the Sharks’ second consecutive win after a challenging stretch that saw them lose five straight.
Misa’s game-winner came after he received a drop pass from William Eklund, navigated a check from Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury, and then beat Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with a wrist shot.
“First shift I ever got in OT and tried to build the most of it,” Misa said, according to NHL.com. “Eklund made a nice drop pass to me, and I figured I’d just wheel in there and see what happens.”
Will Smith scored the Sharks’ regulation goal, tying the game at 1-1 early in the third period. The goal, Smith’s 18th of the season, was assisted by Macklin Celebrini, who leads the team with 54 assists.
Alex Nedeljkovic, making his first start since January 31, was crucial in the win, stopping 27 of 28 shots faced. Morgan Barron scored the lone goal for the Jets, beating Nedeljkovic over the glove hand in the first period.
Hellebuyck, who recently backstopped the United States to Olympic gold, finished with 31 saves in the loss. The Jets have now lost four of their last five games, including a 5-4 overtime defeat to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky praised Misa’s performance, stating he has “earned” his increased ice time. “He’s earned it by the way he’s played,” Warsofsky said, as reported by NHL.com. “That’s something we talked way back in training camp. You earn your ice, you earn your spot on this team. He certainly has earned the ice he’s getting.”
The Sharks, who had struggled with forechecking in the second period, according to the Mercury News, improved their overtime record to 12-4 with the victory. Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel expressed frustration with his team’s start to the third period, calling it “embarrassing.”
Both teams return to action Tuesday night, with the Jets hosting the Chicago Blackhawks and the Sharks welcoming the Montreal Canadiens.
