Panthers 3, Sharks 2
Defenseman Jason Garrison scored to snap a tie with just over two minutes remaining in the third period and Tomas Vokoun finished with 28 saves as the Florida Panthers skated to a 3-2 home triumph over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.
Chris Higgins leveled the contest midway through the third period and Mike Santorelli also tallied for Florida (24-24-7), which snapped its three-game losing skid with its third win in 12 outings.
Marty Reasoner notched a pair of assists as the Panthers ended a five-game losing skid at the BankAtlantic Center.
With the game tied at 2-2, Higgins' shot on goal was denied by Antti Niemi. Garrison alertly collected the loose puck and wired it home from the point for his third goal of the season with 2:01 remaining in the third period.
Joe Pavelski collected a goal and an assist, defenseman Kent Huskins scored for the second time in three games and Torrey Mitchell notched a pair of assists for San Jose (30-21-6), which suffered its second straight loss after winning a season-best five in a row.
The loss proved costly as the Sharks failed to pull into a tie with the idle Dallas Stars (31-19-6) atop the Pacific Division.
Niemi finished with 19 saves to fall to 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts.