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Wednesday, Jan. 19 9:00pm ET
Nabokov stops 39 shots in first start | |||||
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BOX SCORE
DENVER (AP) -- Evgeni Nabokov is anonymous no more -- at least in Colorado. Nabokov, in his first career start for San Jose, made 39 saves to help the Sharks forge a scoreless tie Wednesday night with the Avalanche. "I had never heard about him," Colorado center Peter Forsberg said. "He stood in there the whole game. I thought he would get tired, but he kept on playing." A native of Kazakhstan, Nabokov had played just 52 minutes in relief since being recalled from Cleveland of the International Hockey League on Dec. 30. His inexperience hardly showed. "I never could imagine that this was my (first start in an) NHL game and I would get a shutout," Nabokov said. "I was hoping and guessing I could play in the NHL, so I guess my dream came true." Nabokov had played in two previous games in a relief role, facing 19 shots and allowing one goal in 51 minutes of action. Despite Nabokov's heroics, Colorado was able to run its home unbeaten streak to 10 games (8-0-2) on the strength of a relentless offensive attack. The Avalanche outshot San Jose 39-15 -- including 7-1 in overtime. "We had the chances. There is no question about that," Colorado left wing Dave Reid said. "The puck didn't go in, but I don't know if anyone got frustrated because the chances kept coming. Everybody thought the next shot was going to be going in." Whether it was on a breakaway or a scramble in front of the net, Nabokov stopped everything that came his way, including Chris Drury's slap shot from just outside the crease 15 seconds into overtime. "I hate to say I was right, but there were no reservations about playing (Nabokov)," San Jose coach Darryl Sutter said. Though rarely tested, Colorado's Patrick Roy made key saves at the end of regulation and in overtime to earn his 47th career shutout as the Avalanche extended their shutout streak to 161 minutes, 40 seconds. "Defensively we're playing very well. The guys are really sharp," Roy said. "I didn't see too many shots in the second and the third (periods)." Both teams had a chance to win in regulation, but Drury hit the left post on a two-on-one with 2:50 remaining and Jeff Friesen was turned away by Roy from just outside the crease with 25 seconds left. "I didn't think he was going to get across that fast," Friesen said. "I just didn't get it up fast enough. It's an opportunity you've got to bury." Nabokov's impressive night continued in overtime as San Jose survived a power play and nearly stole a victory when Vincent Damphousse led a two-on-one break only to be stopped by Roy with 1:14 left. It was Colorado's first scoreless game since Dec. 14, 1998, against St. Louis. San Jose's last 0-0 contest was Nov. 7, 1997 against Toronto. Playing without captain Joe Sakic, out with the flu, Colorado failed to score in the game's first minute for the first time in four games, but the Avalanche were the clear aggressors throughout. San Jose, content to playing a restricted, tight-checking game, killed five power plays, mainly behind the strong play of Nabokov. Forsberg was denied three times as his career-high 12-game point-scoring streak came to an end. | ALSO SEE NHL Scoreboard San Jose Clubhouse Colorado Clubhouse Roundup: Flu puts end to Avs captain's scoring streak
RECAPS Boston 4 Atlanta 3
San Jose 0
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