GLENDALE, Ariz., March 16 (UPI) -- Jonathan Cheechoo scored twice and Joe Thornton had a goal and three assists Thursday night as the San Jose Sharks beat Phoenix, 5-1.
Milan Michalek had three assists and Evgeni Nabokov stopped 20 shots for the Sharks, who have won five of their last six games and climbed into a tie with Minnesota and Dallas for the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference -- all with 89 points.
Travis Roche scored for Phoenix and Mikael Tellqvist allowed five goals on 27 shots for the Coyotes, who lost for the fifth time in their last six games.
Cheechoo started the scoring early on a feed from Thornton at 1:18 of the first period. He scored again at 4:18 of the second, picking up a loose puck and putting it past Tellqvist.
Guerin made it 3-0 a little more than four minutes later, scoring on a feed from Patrick Marleau.
