Joel Ward is hoping to earn the respect of his teammates after signing as a free agent in the offseason. Judging by how he was showered with a dozen or so hats during a media scrum following his second career hat trick on Saturday, he’s well on his way.
Tommy Wingels and Joe Pavelski were behind the hi-jinx after Ward’s three-goal performance enabled the Sharks to end a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at SAP Center.
“I’m just trying to contribute,” said Ward, now the team leader with five early goals.