Jones foils Pittsburgh’s party plans
Goalie keeps Sharks’ Cup hopes alive
Thousands of PittsPITTSBURGH burgh Penguins fans gathered in and around Consol Energy Center with the hope of celebrating the city’s first major sports championship won at home in 56 years, and San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones ruined the party.
Jones made 44 saves, including 17 in a brilliant second period, to lead the Sharks to a 4-2 win that extends the Stanley Cup Final to a Game 6 on Sunday in San Jose.
“He kind of just took the game over after we got the lead,” Sharks forward Chris Tierney said.
The Sharks seemed to gain confidence with every save Jones made.
“It’s relaxing to have a guy like that bail you out so many times. Guys feel confident making plays in their end and not panic, because if they make a mistake he will bail them out,” Tierney said.
Even with Bill Mazeroski in attendance, the Penguins were unable to earn the first Pittsburgh title in a big four sport at home since Mazeroski smacked a Game 7 home run to give the Pirates a World Series triumph against the New York Yankees in 1960.
Just before game time, tickets for this game were still being listed on Stubhub for more than $1,000.
Pittsburgh fans were anticipating a memorable game, and it turned out to be only memorable for the Sharks and Jones, who had won a Stanley Cup as a backup goalie for the Los Angeles Kings.
“He’s a big-game player,” Tierney said. “I’m sure he will bring the same the next two games.”
Still trailing 3-2 in the best-ofseven series, the Sharks have won both of their games on the strength of Jones’ goaltending. Jones had a .952 save percentage when the Sharks won an overtime game in San Jose and was at .957 Thursday to beat the Penguins, who had a packed arena and another estimated 20,000 fans drinking in the atmosphere outside the arena.
The Sharks are trying to become the second team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the Cup.
If they do, Jones likely would end up as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He has a .933 save percentage in the first five games in the Final.
Jones made 13 saves in a wild first period and 14 in the third. His best save of the night came with 4:49 left in the second period when he extended his pad to thwart a shot by Nick Bonino that was headed into an open net. Jones stopped Patric Hornqvist on a breakaway shortly thereafter.
“We just couldn’t find that third goal,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.
The Sharks had been looking for their top players to step up, and Logan Couture responded with a goal and two assists to trigger the offensive attack.