NHL Western Conference Finals - Game 3

SAN JOSE 4 VANCOUVER 3 - Vancouver leads series 2-1.

Goals:

VAN- Alex Burrows (5), Dan Hamhuis (1), Kevin Bieksa (4)
SAN- Patrick Marleau 2 (7), Ryane Clowe (5), Dan Boyle (3)

Notes:

The Sharks opened up a 3-0 lead in the first period with a pair of goals from Patrick Marleau and a power play goal from Ryane Clowe. The Sharks had three power play goals in the game on ten power play opportunities. Vancouver also scored two power play goals... Patrick Marleau tied Logan Couture for the team lead in postseason goals with 7. The 31 year old Marleau is just 2 goals shy of tying his personal career high for playoff goals set in 2006. Marleau has spent his entire 13 year NHL career with San Jose... All of Vancouver's goals came in the third period, but their comeback fell a goal short... Antti Niemi made 27 saves for his 24th career postseason win... Sharks captain Joe Thornton had 3 assists giving him 14 in this year's postseason. Following the game, Thornton lead all players in assists (14) and points (17). Henrik Sedin had an assist for Vancouver giving him 13, good for second best in the NHL. Thornton's career playoff high had been 12 points set last year for San Jose... Dan Hamhuis followed up his 3 assist game in Game 2 with his first 2011 playoff goal in Game 3. Hamhuis scored just 6 goals in 64 regular season games and entered play last night with just one postseason goal in 43 career playoff games, all with Nashville... Game 4 will be Sunday afternoon in San Jose. The Sharks had never won a home game in the Conference Finals before last night.