Jackson LaCombe scored his first career NHL goal in a game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center. However, the Anaheim Ducks were unable to find an equalizer in the late third period and lost the game 5-3. This loss marks Anaheim’s fourth in their last five games, bringing their season record to 15-29-1 and 9-13-0 on the road.
LaCombe’s goal came late in the second period and tied the game. During this five-minute stretch, a total of five goals were scored, making the score 3-3. Adam Henrique and Mason McTavish also contributed goals for the Ducks, while Troy Terry recorded two assists. Goaltender John Gibson made 14 saves.
On the Sharks’ side, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Kyle Burroughs, Fabian Zetterlund, Jan Rutta, and Tomas Hertl scored goals. This victory ended a four-game losing streak for the Sharks and improved their season record to 11-31-4. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood saved 32 out of 35 shots from the Ducks.
There was a contentious moment in the game when it appeared that the Sharks had taken the lead in the first period. However, after an Anaheim challenge, it was determined that the play was offside, nullifying the goal. The Ducks dominated the first period, outshooting the Sharks 13-2.
The first goal of the game came in the final five minutes of the second period. It was scored by Vlasic, who tapped in a backdoor feed from captain Logan Couture. This goal was immediately followed by LaCombe’s unique first NHL goal, which was a cross-ice pass from Henrique. Initially, it appeared that the goaltender had stopped the puck, but upon review, it was determined that the puck had snuck between the goaltender and the near-side post, resulting in LaCombe’s first NHL goal and tying the game.
