Plauderecke » Anaheim after beginning the stretch with Wednesdays 4

San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Antti Niemi stopped 31 shots as the San Jose Sharks blanked the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Saturday night. Joe Thornton and Melker Karlsson each had a goal and one assist for the Sharks, who have won three straight and improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Antti Raanta made 18 saves for Chicago, which dropped two of three games in California. The Blackhawks were coming off Fridays 4-1 win over Anaheim after beginning the stretch with Wednesdays 4-3 loss to Los Angeles. Karlsson charged the crease to pounce on the rebound of a Matt Irwin shot. Raanta made another save on Karlsson, who sent the puck out front from the left side of the net. Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith tried to swat the puck away from Joe Pavelski and wound up putting it into an open net at 5:09 of the first period. Late in the second period with the Sharks on a power play, Niemi made a sequence of saves on Jonathan Toews. The San Jose goaltender received some help from Brent Burns in preserving the lead. He made some very tough saves in succession, Sharks coach Todd McLellan said about Niemi. Thornton scored an empty-net goal with 1:10 left in the third period as the Sharks posted their sixth win in the last seven home meetings with the Blackhawks. It was one of those games where you felt something was going to come eventually and it didnt happen, said Chicago coach Joel Quenneville. Game Notes San Jose concludes its season-high, seven-game homestand Monday against Edmonton ... The Blackhawks played the fourth of seven straight road games ... Chicago forward Daniel Carcillo served the final game of his six-game suspension for cross-checking Winnipegs Mathieu Perreault in the arm. Jerome Bettis Womens Jersey . Sam, who joined the Cowboys in early September, has spent the entire season on the practice roster. JuJu Smith-Schuster Steelers Jersey . Or maybe he already did. Clark hit his first homer, Wily Peralta pitched into the seventh inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 4-1 Wednesday night. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Franco-Harris-Jersey/ . - Jerome Verrier scored the winner 8:24 into overtime and Louis-Phillip Guindon stopped 46 shots as the Drummondville Voltigeurs edged the host Val-dOr Foreurs 4-3 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. Zach Gentry Womens Jersey . Austin does not believe the game-time temperature is going to be an advantage for either side heading into the Grey Cup. "We dont think about (the cold)," said Austin. "Im not even sure how you would determine an advantage. Mel Blount Steelers Jersey . On Saturday night, Winnipegs strong offense was again accompanied by some fantastic pitching which gave the Fish a commanding victory.Republic of Ireland boss Martin ONeill is taking nothing for granted for the World Cup Qualifier double-header against Georgia and Moldova amid a deepening injury crisis. Ireland launched their Group D campaign with a 2-2 draw in Serbia, but striker Daryl Murphy, whose strike secured a point in Belgrade, heads a list of players who will miss or remain doubts for Thursday nights visit of the Georgians to Dublin and the trip to Chisinau three days later. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?￡6.99. No contract. ONeill said: A reasonably decent friend of mine who knows nothing about football spoke to me a few days ago and he mentioned, If you can put six points on the board.... I nearly throttled him. Its not like that. These games are difficult for us.The level of difficulty has risen markedly in tandem with a casualty list which looks likely to rob ONeill of several players. Daryl Murphys late strike earned a point in Belgrade Newcastles Murphy is out with a calf problem while goalkeeper Keiren Westwood has a thigh injury, as has Anthony Pilkington, who is expected to miss out along with fellow midfielder Stephen Quinn (knee damage).In addition, winger Aiden McGeady is struggling with a hamstring strain and striker Kevin Doyle is nursing a sore ankle.Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has had a scan (groin) and ONeill is awaiting an assessment, but as a result of the catalogue of both confirmed and impending withdrawals, he has added 21-year-old Manchester City keeper Ian Lawlor and Aberdeen forward Adam Rooney, 28, to his squad. Extended stays OONeill and Keane sign new deals with Ireland ONeill said: It would help to have fit players.dddddddddddd Its not great, the quick turnaround - we fly out the next day to Moldova. But you have to curse your luck and get on with it.One man who could be available after missing the game in Serbia as he underwent groin surgery is Everton midfielder James McCarthy, although the Republic boss will not take any risks, with club manager Ronald Koeman having already voiced his fears over rushing the player back.ONeill said: Hes been recovering from the operation and has done a lot of work. Hes pretty optimistic, but well see how that goes over the next two days. Highlights from Group D as Serbia faced Republic of Ireland in the European Qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Rep Ireland latest Rep Ireland fixtures Rep Ireland stats Table Live on Sky ' ' '