National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Florida 3, San Jose 2
When: 10:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Referees: Francis Charron, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Kiel Murchison, Jay Sharrers
Attendance: 17562

Panthers 3, Sharks 2: Roberto Luongo turned aside 52 shots, including 28 in the third period, as visiting Florida held on to snap San Jose’s six-game winning streak.

Brandon Pirri recorded a goal and an assist in a 17-second span in the second period for the Panthers, who are 2-0-1 in their last three contests. Quinton Howden and Scott Upshall also scored goals in the middle session for Florida and Luongo improved to 3-2-1 since being acquired from Vancouver at the trade deadline.

Brent Burns had a goal and an assist while Martin Havlat also scored for the Sharks, whose 29 shots in the third was a franchise record for any period. Antti Niemi made 21 saves and saw his five-game win streak come to an end as San Jose remained tied with Anaheim atop the Pacific Division with 97 points.

Havlat opened the scoring 4:02 into the second period, hammering a home a shot from the slot after Burns’ pass was deflected to him. Pirri forged a tie at 11:23 when his shot hit Niemi and popped over him before trickling over the line for his third goal in five games.

Howden swept in the rebound of Pirri's shot shortly thereafter and Upshall beat Niemi with a one-timer from the right circle with 14.8 seconds left in the second. The Panthers killed off four power plays in the third period before Burns brought the Sharks within a goal with 3:03 to go.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Howden has three goals and four points in four games since being recalled from San Antonio of the American Hockey League. … Florida LW Garrett Wilson made his NHL debut, recording three hits in 8:07, and 2013 Calder Trophy winner C Jonathan Huberdeau missed the game an upper-body injury he sustained Sunday against Vancouver. … San Jose C Joe Thornton had an assist on Burns’ goal for his 1,184th career point, tying Rod Brind’Amour for 46th on the all-time scoring list.
Top Game Performances
 
Florida   San Jose
Brandon Pirri 2 Points Brent Burns 2
Brandon Pirri 1 Goals Brent Burns 1
Brandon Pirri 1 Assists Brent Burns 1
N/A Power Play Goals Martin Havlat 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Roberto Luongo .963 Save Percentage Antti Niemi .875
Roberto Luongo 52 Saves Antti Niemi 21
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Florida 24 3 0-2 5-6 12 34
San Jose 54 2 1-6 2-2 4 46
Upcoming Games
  • San Jose will play their next game at home against Anaheim. The Sharks have a W/L % of .652 after a win and .625 after a loss.
  • Florida will play their next game on the road against Phoenix. The Panthers have a W/L % of .308 after a win and .419 after a loss.