Setoguchi Powers Sharks Past Avalanche, 4-0
SAN JOSE (AP) ― Devin Setoguchi recorded his first career hat trick and Ian White recorded a point in his first game with San Jose as the Sharks beat Colorado 4-0, handing the Avalanche their 10th straight loss Saturday night.
Ryane Clowe also scored for the Sharks, who have worked themselves back into the playoff picture by winning their eighth in 10 games. The Sharks moved into the fourth spot in the Western Conference.
White, the newly acquired defenseman from Carolina and playing for his third team this season, assisted on Setoguchi's second goal.
Antii Niemi made 25 saves to record his fifth shutout of the season and the 12th of his career. Colorado's Peter Budaj was under siege all night, stopping 29 of 33 shots.
San Jose scored three times in the first period, two on power plays.
The Avalanche are 0-9-1 over their past 10 games, their longest winless streak since relocating to Denver from Quebec for the 1994-95 season.
Setoguchi scored his first goal 6:29 into the game after taking a pass from Jason Demers and splitting two defenders for an unhindered shot at the net.
Setoguchi scored a power-play goal about eight minutes later, redirecting a rebounded shot from White off the boards with Budaj caught looking the wrong way.
He completed the hat trick with less than 2 minutes remaining to play after winning a battle for the puck along the boards and sprinting, without any interference, straight to the net.
Notes: Sharks C Scott Nichol left with an injury in the first period. ... D Doug Murray recorded his second assist in 24 games for the Sharks. ... The Avalanche were 0 for 3 on power plays and are 1 for 25 in their past 10 games.
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