San Jose Sharks’ Defenceman Dan Boyle just added his name to the short list of culprits responsible for the worst own-goals in NHL playoff history.
Let’s set the scene. It’s Scoreless after 60 minutes between the Sharks and Avalanche in Game 3 of their opening round series tied 1-1. San Jose is completely dominating the game, outshooting Colorado 50-16 through regulation, but unable to beat Avs goalie Craig Anderson, who’s standing on his head.
Then, sess than a minute into the extra frame, Boyle – from his own corner – attempts to fire the puck around the boards. Seems harmless enough, until the puck deflects off Avs F Ryan O’Reilly’s stick, somehow sending it straight on goal from an impossible angle and straight into his own net, past a befuddled Evgeni Nabokov. Game winner. Avs lead the series 2-1.
Gives new meaning to the term, “Shark Tank”.
San Jose’s bench boss summed it up best post-game. “We didn’t beat their goalie,” Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. “We found a way to beat ours.”
Things continue to go from bad to worse for the Sharks during these playoffs. Already playing with a giant gorilla on their back due to poor playoff performances in seasons’ past, this year’s Western Conference champions have been plagued in the postseason so far by suspect goaltending, complete lack of production from their top line (0 goals combined in 3 games for Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and injured F Dany Heatley) and now horrible, horrible luck.
For TSJ, I’m not loving the Sharks’ chances to come back in this series.
WORST OWN-GOALS IN NHL PLAYOFF HISTORY
So where does Boyle’s gaffe rank all-time for own-goals in NHL playoff history?
He joins an elite group of goats that includes former Edmonton Oilers defenceman Steve Smith and his infamous own-goal from the 1986 playoffs vs. Calgary, along with Ottawa’s Chris Phillips, who scored the eventual Stanley Cup Game-winning goal into his own net during the 2005 Cup Finals vs. Anaheim (at 1:48 mark of the video).
Which leads us to today’s poll – Based on style (or lack thereof), strangeness and importance, in your opinion, which is ‘The Worst Own-Goal in NHL Playoff History”? Vote Now!!!
Other Related Items Worth Reading:
No Way, San Jose (NHL Fanhouse)
Sharks’ Boyle Stunned By Final Play (Denver Post)
Sharks Lose A Heart Breaker In Overtime As Avalanche Take 2-1 Series Lead (Fear The Fin)
Other Strangely-Related Items Worth Reading:
Boyle to Coach At Colorado (ESPN)
This goal is bad but nothing like the Smith goal. Let’s see where the momentum goes now because if the Sharks can not shake this off when the series is over they will probably point to this event as a series breaker.
The neat twist on this one is it’s the only goal of the game and it’s in overtime. But a game 7 is a game 7, you have to give the Smith goal the top prize.
Chris Phillips’ own-goal is undeniably #1. Stanley Cup FINALS… the eventual game-winning goal. Turned a 3-2 deficit late in the 2nd into a 4-2 game over situation, killing any chance the Sens might’ve had in coming back in the game and series. The biggest choke on the biggest stage.