SAN JOSE, Calif., April 14 (UPI) -- Jonathan Cheechoo had two goals and an assist to clinch a playoff spot for San Jose in a 5-3 win over Vancouver Thursday night.
Matthew Carle had a goal and an assist and Joe Thornton added three assists in the win for the Sharks, who clinched a playoff spot and moved into the fifth spot in the Western Conference with 97 points, one ahead of Anaheim, which lost to Edmonton.
Evgeni Nabokov stopped 17 shots and added an assist in the win for San Jose, which is on a season-high, seven-game winning streak.
Todd Bertuzzi had a goal and two assists and Ed Jovanovski added a goal and an assist for the Canucks, who have dropped their last three games and are now eliminated from NHL playoff contention. Alexander Auld stopped 23 shots in the loss.
