San Jose Coach: Sharks Cheated in Loss to Kings
Todd McLellan, the head coach for the San Jose Sharks, is known for not mincing his words, especially following a tough loss.
On Monday, the feisty coach was true to form after San Jose was defeated by the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of the quarterfinal best of seven series in the Western Conference.
The Kings defeated the Sharks 4-1. McLellan stated after the game that the Sharks were simply cheated. What McLellan was referring to was the goal that broke a tie between the teams late in the game.
Justin Williams a right wing for Los Angeles scored to break the tie with just eight minutes remaining in regulation. His goal opened the floodgates for two more quick goals over the last eight minutes.
Now San Jose has become the ninth team in the NHL to win the first three games of a seven game series and then lose three straight.
Robyn Regehr a Kings defenseman shot the puck into traffic in front of the Sharks goal and into goalie Alex Stalock’s pads. The Sharks net minder had trouble locating the puck beneath him.
Williams, who had been battling with a defender from San Jose in front of Stalock, shoved his stick blade between Stalock’s pads, which caused the goalie and puck to slide in the crease backwards.
Matt Irwin a defenseman for San Jose attempted to save the puck from passing the goal line. However, it appears he inadvertently pushed it across. Following a review, the goal was allowed and the game’s momentum shifted over to Los Angeles.
McLellan called that play the turning point in the game.
Stalock was starting for the first time in the series. He replaced Antti Niemi the Sharks No. 1 goalie who struggled in straight losses in Games 4 and 5
Stalock said that if he had not been pushed by Williams the puck most likely would not have gone in the net. Williams said after the game that he thought the goal might be disallowed.
The Sharks and Kings have a long history, when the two play, of feeling cheated. In 2012, Ryane Clowe a former forward for the Sharks used his stick to stop a rush by Los Angeles, while he sat on the bench in a game that was tied late in regulation.
San Jose eventually won the game in a shootout, which had playoff implications tied to it.
Jonathan Quick the goalie for the Kings gave up 16 goals in Games one through three of the series. However, Quick has only allowed one goal over the past two games. Quick knows so many different things have and still could happen in the rivalry between the two NHL teams.
He knows how raucous the fans in San Jose will be when they face off in Game 7 to decide this first round series.
Quick said they won Game 5 last week in San Jose and knows they can win Game 7. With Game 6 out of the way and the controversy over the tiebreaking goalie fading, both teams are preparing to take the ice again in Game 7 to decide the series.
