Sharks tip Niedermayer, Ducks 2-1

0 Comments | USA TODAY, December, 2007 | by A.J. Perez

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Gone was the scruffy salt-and-pepper beard and the captain's "C" that Scott Niedermayer wore when the Anaheim Ducks hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in June.

But as a shot zoomed toward the San Jose net with 30 seconds left in regulation, it certainly looked like the same old Niedermayer. That volley from just beyond the crease ricocheted off the post Sunday, and the Sharks went onto earn a 2-1 shootout victory at Honda Center.

"It was a close call," said Niedermayer, who spent much the last six months contemplating retirement. "I thought there was chance it might go. I just didn't make the shot."

Joe Thornton scored the clincher in the shootout, sending the Ducks to their third consecutive loss.

"It was a big...