With 42 saves, Chicago goalie stops San Jose
CHICAGO — Jean-Francois Berube had a good time in his return to the NHL — at the Sharks’ expense.
Berube made 42 saves in his first start for Chicago, and the Blackhawks beat San Jose 3-1 on Friday night.
“It was fun,” Berube said. “I’m just going out there and enjoying the moment.”
Berube, recalled from the minors last week, appeared in one previous game for Chicago this season, in relief of Anton Forsberg on Dec. 6. He hadn’t started in the NHL since Feb. 19, 2017, as a member of the New York Islanders.
“It’s been a while,” Berube said. “I felt comfortable from the moment the puck was dropped. Just have to build on it, keep working on little details and try to improve my game as much as possible.”
Berube lost a bid for his first NHL shutout when Timo Meier scored his 15th goal on a screened shot with 7:51 left in the third period.
Martin Jones stopped 33 shots for the Sharks, who were coming off a 7-1 loss at Nashville on Thursday night.
The Sharks and Blackhawks, long-time Western Conference rivals, met for the first of three games this season.
“You know, we had the shots, the looks,” said Sharks forward Joe Pavelski, who twice hit the post with a shot. “I think at times we didn’t get enough bodies to the net, which is something we’re addressing a little bit here and there.”
Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said his team got what it deserved, regardless of who was in net for Chicago.
“If your insinuation is that this is a gimme for us because they’ve got an inexperienced goalie in net, that’s ridiculous,” DeBoer said. “Every team you play has a chance to beat anyone on any given night.”