The San Jose Sharks defeated the Washington Capitals 2-0 on Wednesday night. While the first two periods went scoreless from both sides the third period showed which team was supposed to carry the lead. The key player in the victory was goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who saved 25 shots and helped the Sharks improve to a record of 8-0-1 over the last nine games. Three of those wins came from their games on the east coast, which Niemi highlights instead of taking the praise all for himself. “I think we kept doing what we did in Boston,” he said. “People kept blocking shots and playing really tight in front of the net.”
It was also Niemi’s forth shutout of the season. When asked if this was because he felt more comfortable on the ice than last year he did not give a clear answer but did reply that he has gathered more time on the ice, meaning more experience. Last year he was the goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks, which won the Stanley Cup. “I think I’m feeling probably better right now, feeling more patient,” he said. “Last year I still hadn’t played too many games in the NHL, so I feel much more comfortable now.”
