Patrick Sharp takes responsibility for Game 2 penalties
TAMPA – This was not the impact Patrick Sharp wanted to have in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Chicago Blackhawks sniper has now gone 11 games without a goal, his last tally coming on May 3 against the Minnesota Wild. While he’s picked up five assists in that stretch, including a secondary helper on Teuvo Teravainen’s power-play goal in Game 2 on Saturday night, Sharp is among the most disappointing offensive players in the Blackhawks’ run to the Cup Final.
Meanwhile, in Game 2, Sharp took back-to-back penalties in the third period, at 4:59 for slashing and at 7:17 for high-sticking.
“Tough timing,” said coach Joel Quenneville. “We just got a big goal and to kill four minutes … maybe a little tired on the latter part of the kill. Did an outstanding job on the first one and almost got through the second one.”
Jason Garrison of the Lightning scored on that second power play, as the fatigued Blackhawks’ penalty gave up the eventual game-winner in the 4-3 victory.
“I guess I gotta be less careless with my stick. I didn’t think I made too much contact on the first one. But I’m not arguing with the call. I can’t be putting our penalty kill in a situation like that,” said Sharp after the loss.
“They both were unintentional. We were battling and I guess my stick came up and clipped him. I didn’t mean to do it. It happens. I’ll take responsibility. It’s tough to put your penalty kill in a situation like that.”
And it was tough for Sharp to watch the Lightning convert on a chance that he gave them.
“Whether you’re in the box or on the bench, it’s a tense time in the game, it puts a lot of stress on your penalty killers. More times than not they do the job. But back-to-back like that is tough,” he said.
Sharp was one of the six Blackhawks on the ice at the end of Game 2, trying to score a late goal and send the game into overtime. Instead, the Blackhawks were only able to generate one shot on goal.
“I think we were organized. It’s a matter of getting pucks to the net. But they have five guys on the ice that protect their net,” he said.
So it’s back to Chicago for the Blackhawks and Patrick Sharp, still trying to find a way to make an impact on the positive side of the score sheet.
It won’t be easy.
“They’re a good team. Check well, play at a high pace, protect their net,” he said.
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