Eklund’s OT goal completes hat trick, helps Los Gatos native earn first NHL win
William Eklund scores three times and Los Gatos' Devin Cooley earns first NHL win as San Jose Sharks beat St. Louis Blues
SAN JOSE – William Eklund scored at the 3:56 mark of overtime to complete his first career hat trick as the San Jose Sharks beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Saturday at SAP Center.
Eklund came down the ice on a 2 on 1 and fired a shot past Blues goalie Joel Hofer, giving goalie Devin Cooley, a Los Gatos native, his first NHL victory.
The Sharks took a 2-0 lead into the third period as forward William Eklund scored twice on the power play goals and Cooley made 22 saves in the first 40 minutes.
But Jordan Kyrou scored at the 3:21 mark of the third period on the power play, and Brayden Schenn scored an even strength goal with 2:29 left in regulation time to tie the game.
The Sharks drew some inspiration from Cooley, but also from forward Luke Kunin, who buried Blues winger Jake Neighbours along the boards in front of the St. Louis bench. He then fought defenseman Justin Faulk and after the scrap ended, implored his teammates to pick up the pace.
Kunin’s fight came at the 13:47 mark of the second period, and the Sharks received the power play after Faulk received an extra two minutes for instigating.
The Sharks took advantage, as Eklund took a pass from Henry Thrun and rifled a one-timer past Blues goalie Joel Hofer at the 14:42 mark. Eklund also scored at the 16:59 mark of the second period after a scramble in front of the St. Louis net.
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