Tkachuk scores twice for Flames in 3-2 win over Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Teen-ager Matthew Tkachuk stayed up late thinking he would be scratched. When he did hear he would play, he got ready in a hurry.

Tkachuk recorded his first two-goal game, including the game-winner with 4:21 to play, and the Calgary Flames handed the San Jose Sharks their first home loss of the season, 3-2 on Thursday night.

Troy Brouwer and Tkachuk scored in a 93-second span late in the second period as the Flames ended a two-game slide.

“I woke up this morning not really expecting I was playing,” Tkachuk said. “I got the news I was playing and got fired up pretty quickly. I was running on adrenaline tonight, that’s for sure.”

Brent Burns and Melker Karlsson scored for the Sharks, who were the last team in the league to lose at home.

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“We didn’t play our best game, far from it, but when you give up one at the end like that, it hurts,” Burns said. “We had three power plays in the first 10 minutes. You want to score one of those for sure.”

Chad Johnson stopped 26 of 28 shots in his fourth appearance for the Flames. Martin Jones recorded 19 saves for the Sharks.

“From my standpoint, I wouldn’t say it was an easy game but it was a lot better than my last one,” Johnson said. “We took away the middle and there weren’t many breakaways or 2-on-1s or 3-on-2s.”

The Flames caught a break when Jones kept his eyes on Michael Ferland, who carried the puck behind the net. A quick pass to Brouwer caught the goalie off guard and it was an easy score.

Tkachuk made it 2-0 soon after, taking a pass from Deryk Engelland and firing it past Jones.

“I’m glad he got himself a couple for his confidence,” Flames coach Glen Gulutzan said. “He played a solid game. It was a good feeling on the bench.”

Burns scored on the power play 35 seconds into the third period.

Karlsson tied the game midway through the final period, redirecting a shot from Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Tkachuk scored the game-winner, getting a nice pass from Michael Frolik and out-manoeuvring Jones.

“We’re putting ourselves in a position to get two points,” Gulutzan said. “We persevered when it got dicey.”

The Flames had been held to four shots in the period before the goal.

NOTES: Joe Thornton recorded his 1,350th point to take over sole possession of 27th place on the all-time list. … Brouwer ended a 6-game goalless streak. … Ferland has points in six of his last nine games. … Frolick has recorded a point in four consecutive games. … The Sharks have trailed twice at home this year.

UP NEXT:

Flames: Continue their trip at the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Sharks: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday before heading out on a six-game trip.

Rick Eymer, The Associated Press