Thornton lifts Sharks past Blackhawks, 5-3

2010-12-30 21:28:00 PST Chicago, IL 60600, United States — (12-30) 21:28 PST Chicago (AP) --

The San Jose Sharks rebounded after blowing yet another lead.

Joe Thornton broke a tie on a deflection at 7:13 of the third period and San Jose beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Thursday night to snap a two-game losing streak.

Thornton, parked in front of the crease, redirected Marc-Edouard Vlasic's shot from the left point past Marty Turco 7 seconds after a San Jose power-play ended.

The goal restored the Sharks' lead at 4-3. They had lost a 3-1 advantage in the final minute of the second period when Chicago's Troy Brouwer and Brian Campbell scored 22 seconds apart.

San Jose bounced back and played solidly in the third, however.

"We were pretty positive," Thornton said. "It's a 3-3 game. We're in Chicago with 20 minutes to win the game. "It was pretty upbeat (in the dressing room) and I think that's probably why we won this game."

Ryane Clowe's empty-net goal with 48 seconds left sealed the victory.

San Jose lost 5-3 in Minnesota on Wednesday night despite leading 3-2 after two periods. On Thursday, the Sharks avoided a repeat outcome.

"I think we all left the bench extremely frustrated (after the second period)," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. "We couldn't enter the third playing that way, so we talked about it.

"We mentioned the players were getting tested for whatever reason. We needed to man up and get out there and try to find a way to overcome it."

Scott Nichol, Benn Ferriero and Dany Heatley also scored for the Sharks.

San Jose goalie Antti Niemi made 26 saves in his first appearance at the United Center since backstopping the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup last spring. He improved to 3-0 against his former club, and the Sharks won their third straight against Chicago, which had swept them from the Western Conference finals last spring.

"Whether it's revenge or not, this is a good team and we know each and every time we have to play our top game to beat them," Heatley said. "We were prepared tonight.

Patrick Sharp also scored for Chicago, which lost it second straight despite the quick second-period comeback.

It was an OK game, but it's disappointing," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Our recent losses, the third period we're tied and we're looking like we're getting something out of the game and we come up with air.

"If we want to become a playoff team and a better team, these are the points we have to have."