NHL: San Jose 3, Atlanta 1

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Jonathan Cheechoo scored the game-winner Saturday in a three-goal third period that lifted the San Jose Sharks to a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Flames.

In a contest that was scoreless after two periods, San Jose's Ryane Clowe scored his 21st goal just 30 seconds into the third. Cheechoo's ninth (power play) came at the 2:55 mark.

Atlanta closed to 2-1 on Bryan Little's 25th (power play) at 7:37, but Joe Thornton's 15th at 13:18 capped the scoring.

Goalie Evgeni Nabokov made 22 saves on 23 shots in the Sharks' third win in a row.

With 89 points, San Jose is a runaway leader in the Pacific Division.

Second place Dallas has just 65 points.

Goalie Kari Lehtonen surrendered three goals on 31 shots for the Thrashers, who ended a four-game road swing with their second straight loss.

The contest was the first meeting between the teams since March 22, 2007.