1/23/2013
A couple Edmonton Oiler young guns got their first career NHL goals, and the San Jose Sharks scored 6 times in the first period in a tough home opener Tuesday night at Rexall Place.
Nail Yakupov and Justin Shultz both netted their first career NHL goals, and Taylor Hall helped out with one of his own as the Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the San Jose Sharks 6-3.
"The crowd was amazing and I love playing here. It's always fun to score. But our first period was bad." Yakupov mentioned after the game.
"I would have liked it to be a more important goal and a better result, but it's still good to get that first goal," said Justin Schultz.
An early two man advantage for the Sharks early in the first period put San Jose up 2-0 less than 5 minutes into the game. Yakupov responded for the Oilers on the power play, but that’s the closest they got as San Jose responded with 4 more goals to end the first period 6-1.
Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk was pulled after the first period, giving up 6 goals on 17 shots. Yann Danis replaced him in net going the rest of the way stopping 14 shots.
"It's just disappointing. We obviously can't start that way as a team and I can't start that way personally," said Dubnyk.
Oilers rookie defenceman Justin Schultz scored his first career goal on a 5-on-3 in the second period, Taylor Hall got his first of the season in the third for the Oilers, but that was as close as they got.
"Sometimes it's better to lose like this than lose by a goal. We certainly see what we need to improve," said Coach Krueger.
Next up for Edmonton is a home match up against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings Thursday night. (ad/mp/gb)
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