Sharks tie Flyers 1-1 late after two periods

San Jose, Ca. - Marc Edouard Vlasic lit the lamp for the Sharks as they draw even with the Philadelphia Flyers 1-1 after two periods Tuesday night.

After a flurry of passes in the neutral zone following a turnover, Logan Couture came streaking down the right boards with a purpose.

He darted a pass across to Tommy Wengels who came open near the net for a chance, but instead passed quick to his left, where Vlasic was in stride for the top-shelf strike over Steve Mason's right shoulder, his 3rd goal this season.

Steve Mason never saw it coming.

San Jose nearly took a 2-1 lead into the break were it not for a failed power-play chance earlier in the middle frame.

Niklas Frossman was booked two minutes for tripping Tomas Hertl early on, at 1:57, putting the Sharks' 4th-best power-play against the Flyers' second-worst penalty kill unit.

Those numbers showed early and late, as Philadelphia struggled keeping Steve Mason free from the home side's charge. 

Brent Burns shot quick from the left circle off a cross-ice pass before the chance was pushed aside, and his pass seconds later inside to Joe Pavelski outside the crease was gloved by the goalie.

There was a scramble in the crease with seconds left in the advantage that found almost every man on the ice within two feet of the goal, though Mason persevered, pushing the puck free from the pack in the confusion.

That puck found Grossman, just free from the penalty box, breaking away from the scrum easily as the power-play ended and charged the Sharks net alone, but Niemi would secure the save after stretching out to reach the chance.

Matt Nieto faced Mason alone on a charge at the 15-minute mark when the puck slipped from some poor Flyers passing in the neutral zone, but his shot from very close range was pushed aside left.

Steve Mason stopped 18-of-19 for Philadelphia after a sleepy 6-shot first period.

Philadelphia played 5-on-4 hockey after Matt Read was interefered by Justin Braun at 9:50.

Captain Claude Giroux struck early, firing in front of Antti Niemi 15 seconds into the advantage, but was pushed wide. Giroux tried again with 1:10 left after taking a pass across from Brayden Schenn, but Niemi was there with the kick-save as the puck trailed back down the ice.

Antti Niemi saved 21-of-22 shots for the Sharks (11-10-4).

Tommy Wingels almost broke away at the 7-minute mark when he trailed down the right side, but Nick Shultz kept the center from the Philly net, putting his stick on the chance.

Sean Couturier opened scoring in the first period with a power-play goal for the Flyers, his 5th goal on the season and his first in 11 games for the team.

Philadelphia (8-12-3) last won on the road at Pittsburgh on Oct. 22nd and are suffering a 7-game losing streak.