EDMONTON, Alberta — As Canadians indulged in a coast-to-coast celebration of the game they love, the lone American team on the slate played the role of spoilers.
The Sharks stole the spotlight on Hockey Day in Canada, an annual celebration of Canada’s favorite sport, thumping the Edmonton Oilers in a 5-2 win. The Sharks were the only American team that participated in Saturday’s hockey smorgasbord, a showcase that also featured bouts between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Winnipeg Jets and the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks.
Joe Thornton padded his milestone collection yet again, tying Gordie Howe for ninth place on the NHL’s all-time assists list (1,049) with a pair of helpers and pulling even with Shane Doan and Johnny Bucyk on the league’s games played list by suiting up for his 1,540th career game.