GLENDALE, Ariz., March 26 (UPI) -- Jonathan Cheechoo scored his ninth goal in as many games Friday night and Vesa Toskala made 30 saves, giving San Jose a 3-0 win over Phoenix.
It was Toskala's first shutout of the season.
Cheechoo has been an integral part of the recent surge by the Sharks, who moved five points ahead of idle Dallas in the race for the Pacific Division title.
He has posted four of his seven multi-goal efforts during a 6-1-1 run that followed a three-game losing streak.
In this one, he gave Toskala all the support he needed 2:17 into the game. After taking a pass from Vincent Damphousse, Cheechoo banged his own rebound past goaltender Brian Boucher for his 28th of the season, tying Patrick Marleau for the team lead.
Toskala posted the second consecutive shutout against Phoenix, stopping nine shots in the first period, 14 in the second and seven in the third for his second career blanking. The Finnish goalie's first shutout came on March 27, 2003 against Detroit.
