Magnus Chrona did everything he could to lead the San Jose Sharks to a victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.
But Jamie Benn spoiled the rookie goalie’s chance at his first NHL victory.
Chrona stopped five of six shootout attempts before Jamie Benn scored in the seventh round. Luke Kunin rang his ensuing shootout attempt off the crossbar, and the Sharks lost 3-2 in a hard-fought game at American Airlines Center.
Chrona finished with 36 saves.
San Jose, which has now lost six straight games, failed to capitalize on a power play in overtime after Miro Heiskanen was called for interference.
William Eklund and Filip Zadina both scored off assists from Kunin in the first two periods when Chrona had 28 saves, including 16 in the second period when the Sharks took a 2-1 lead.
The Sharks were outshot 12-0 in the first six minutes of the second period but took a 2-1 lead at the 17:08 mark. Zadina’s shot was deflected high over Jake Oettinger, and into the net — although it was not called a goal on the ice, An official review by the NHL, though, determined the bouncing puck completely crossed the goal line.
Two Sharks forwards had to briefly leave Saturday’s game. Mike Hoffman had to leave in the first period for repairs after he was caught in the face by Ryan Suter’s stick on a follow-through on a shot. He returned in the second period.
Fabian Zetterlund blocked a Roope Hintz shot with his skate/ankle from the point late in the second period and had to be helped off the ice to the Sharks’ dressing room. But he returned for the start of the third period.
The Sharks, after a 0-5-0 homestand, had one of their most energetic first periods since they returned from the NHL All-Star Break and their bye week in mid-February.
Eklund scored for the second straight game and now has 10 on the season.
On the play, after the Sharks broke out of their own zone, Eklund took a pass from Luke Kunin and put a shot on Stars goalie Oettinger, who made the first save. But Eklund followed up his shot and tucked the loose puck into the net.
Eklund is the fourth Sharks forward to reach double figures in goals this season, following Tomas Hertl, Zatterlund, and Anthony Duclair.
Six of Chrona’s 12 first-period saves came on the penalty kill. His most dazzling save might have been when a deflected Esa Lindell shot from near the boards bounced past him, before he used his stick to sweep it off the goal line and out of harm’s way.
Chrona was making his second career NHL start.
“It’s going to be fun,” Chrona said Saturday morning. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Chrona was recalled by the Sharks on Wednesday, one day after Mackenzie Blackwood was injured in a game against the New Jersey Devils. Blackwood was placed on injured reserve this week but is not expected to be out long-term.
Chrona, 23, made his first career NHL start on Dec. 28 against the Edmonton Oilers after Blackwood came down with an illness the day before and was unavailable to play. The night wasn’t fun for anyone in teal, as the Oilers scored four times on 12 shots in the first period before going on to a 5-0 win at SAP Center.
Kaapo Kahkonen relieved Chrona after the first period, and Chrona was back with the Barracuda on Dec. 30. In two career NHL appearances, Chrona, who made his NHL debut on Nov. 4 against Pittsburgh in a 10-2 Sharks loss, has a .724 save percentage and 9.50 goals against average.
Both Chrona and Sharks coach David Quinn feel the Swedish-born goalie has a better chance at success now than in the days after Christmas.
“Just a tough position,” Quinn said of the game against the Oilers. “It was short notice, you’re going into the fire against Edmonton, who had started to play really well.
“Much different circumstances now. We’ve had a chance to prepare, we’re not going back to back so this puts him in a much better position to have success.”
“I feel a little more acclimated,” Chrona said. “Get in tempo with the pace and the systems of the NHL. I feel a lot more confident than last time.”