Blackhawks lead Sharks 1-0 after one period

By Chris Kuc

LISTEN LIVE: Blackhawks-Sharks on WGN-AM.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--The two best teams in the Western Conference -- maybe in all of hockey -- took to the ice Wednesday night in San Jose.

The Blackhawks lead the Sharks 1-0 after one period at HP Pavilion. Troy Brouwer's short-handed goal with 2 minutes 15 seconds remaining in the opening period gave the Hawks the lead.

With teammate Brent Seabrook in the box for holding Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith's clearing pass found Brouwer at center ice and the winger raced to the top of the right circle and fired a rocket over the glove of Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nobokov for his seventh goal of the season.

Winger Marian Hossa made his Hawks debut and played on a line with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The trio was the best line on the ice in the first as the Hawks controlled much of the play and out shot San Jose 8-5. The Sharks didn't record their first shot on goal until 9 minutes 22 seconds into the game.

Hossa did not have a shot on goal in 4:59 of play.

Cristobal Huet, who is riding a six-game personal winning streak, was up to the task in goal for the Hawks.