Nabokov returns, Sharks win in OT to continue dominace over Hawks
posted 2:12 am Thu November 27, 2008
(Sports Network) - Joe Thornton scored the game-winner 45 seconds into overtime as the San Jose Sharks extended their winning streak over Chicago to 13 straight games with a 3-2 decision.
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Rob Blake and Patrick Marleau each scored in regulation for San Jose, which extended its overall win streak to five and moved to 12-0-1 at home this season.
Evgeni Nabokov, who returned from a seven-game absence due to a lower-body injury, made 24 saves to get the win.

Jonathan Toews registered both of Chicago's goals, while Cristobal Huet allowed two goals on 15 shots in replacing Nikolai Khabibulin, who saved 24- of-25 shots before exiting with an undisclosed injury. The loss snapped the Blackhawks' three-game win streak.
After Marleau's wrap-around goal tied the game, 2-2, at the 8:16 mark of the third, the goaltenders forced an extra five-minute period.
Quickly into the extra session, Chicago gave up the puck in the defensive zone. Ryane Clowe gathered the disc at the right circle and centered it to a streaking Thornton, who went top shelf with the game-winner just 45 seconds in.
Blake's one-timer on the power play gave San Jose a 1-0 lead with 17 ticks left in the opening period.
Toews tied it single-handedly, skating through the defense and beating Nabokov from the left circle with 7:17 remaining in the second frame.
A mere 23 seconds into the third Toews tipped in Cam Barker's pass to take the lead with the man advantage.
Game Notes
Brian Boucher filled in admirably for Nabokov while he was out, posting a 5-1-1 record in the seven-game span...San Jose hasn't lost to the Blackhawks since October 7, 2005. The Hawks haven't won in San Jose since March 17, 2003, losing eight straight after a tie on October 23, 2003...Clowe had two assists in the win.
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