Sharks Defeat Avalanche, 2-1, After Shootout

If it wasn't for a late tip-in goal by the San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton, the Avalanche would have been on their way to a 1-0 victory. Instead, Thornton did have that goal, which sent the game into overtime. And after five minutes of OT, the teams went to a shootout. On the first penalty shot, San Jose's Ryan Clowe scored on a wristshot from about 10 feet out. Five shooters and no other goals later, David Jones had one last try to keep the Avalanche in the contest. He failed, and the Avalanche lost the shootout, 1-0, and the game, 2-1.

Erik Johnson scored the first goal of the game at 1:18 in the third, and the Avalanche were only minutes away from winning before Joe Thornton had that lucky tip-in to tie the game at one.

Avalanche goalie Brian Elliott was in line for the shutout victory before the Thornton goal, stopping 34 of 35 shots. Antti Niemi faced only 19 shots and stopped 18 of them.

The Avalanche (26-30-8, 60 points) extended their losing streak to four games now and are winless in 14 of their last 15 games. However, they did gain a point, for what little comfort that provides. They are off until Saturday when they host the Edmonton Oilers. The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. MT.

Avalanche Vs. Sharks: Colorado Now In Spoiler Mode

You can now close the book on the 2010-2011 Colorado Avalanche. All hope of a surprise playoff berth for a second straight year are now out the window as injuries and bad luck have crippled a team that started the season with great expectations. Now, Avalanche fans watch without any expectation for playoff success, but with plenty of hope for the new faces on the team. Brian Elliott, acquired in the Craig Anderson trade with Ottawa, will get yet another start in net tonight -- a part of his audition for a role with the team next year as a backup. Erik Johnson continues to help the defense and special teams improve, and Jay McClement has been a joy to watch on the penalty kill.

At this point in the season, it's better for us as fans to root for our team to lose close games and gain a better draft pick for June than to go on a hot streak and disrupt their currently excellent draft position. It's a difficult pill to swallow for loyal fans, but a necessary one. (Remember the last time this happened, the Avalanche drafted a certain player named Matt Duchene. Temporary failure now can have long lasting ramifications on a franchise's future.)

With that mindset, Colorado continues their West Coast road trip against the scalding San Jose Sharks, who have vaulted themselves into solid playoff contention. Goalie Antti Niemi, who signed a four year extension with San Jose earlier today, has been a key cog in their second half emergence. Top forwards Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have also been their usual stellar selves.

So what should Colorado fans hope for? How about another exciting game, on par with Sunday's loss at Anaheim. Close play, exciting finish...ahd another loss to improve draft stock. It's the reality we are currently living in.

Brian Elliott starts in net, as does Antti Niemi for San Jose.

Puck drops at 8:30 p.m. MST.