The sellout crowd today at the HP Pavilion witnessed old-school hockey at its best when the San Jose Sharks defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime.

A total of 116 penalty minutes were called in today’s Western Conference game, including four game misconducts.

While Christian Ehrhoff’s overtime goal raised some cheers after the game, it was Sharks’ enforcer Scott Parker climbing over the glass divider separating the two teams that brought the fans to their feet. 

“It was kind of old school,” said head coach Ron Wilson.  “[Rob Zettler] grabbed Parksy and I did too to pull him down, and all you worried about is getting a punch in the head or someone throwing something at you.”

Nearly seven minutes into the second period, Jordin Tootoo instigated Parker in the middle of Sharks’ zone.  Parker nudged an elbow into Tootoo who dove and drew an elbowing penalty.  The call by the official riled up Parker both on the ice and in the penalty box. 

After being called for the elbow on Tootoo, Parker exchanged punches over the glass with defenseman Brendan Witt. 

“Our bench was fired up because of that,” said Wilson.

Parker denied to comment after the game.

“Well, Parker came over the glass and your first reaction is one of disbelief,” said Predators’ head coach Barry Trotz.  “I don’t like that trade off.  Parker is a marginal player for San Jose and Witt is really starting to do some good things for us.  Parker takes the cheap shot and our guys are right there to back up Witt.”

Just as the Predators’ bench backed up Witt, so too did the Sharks when their teammate was in trouble. 

In the first period, Witt tripped up Sharks’ forward Milan Michalek.  After the trip, a cluster of players gathered towards the bench and the gloves came off.  This time, Steve Bernier was protecting Michalek from the onslaught of punches from Scott Nichol.

Michalek and Nichol both received game misconducts on that play.

“That was a cheap shot,” said Bernier.  “That was a good time for me to stick up for my teammate.  I did my job.”

Both Bernier and Michalek had three points in Thursday’s match against the Edmonton Oilers.

With all the fighting and rough play that you might have seen during former head coach Darryl Sutter’s era, the Sharks returned back to Wilson’s playbook and managed to pick up the overtime win.

After Mark Smith put the Sharks ahead 2-1 on his powerplay goal at 12:13 in the third period, it seemed like the game was over.

But known for hurting the Sharks throughout his career, Paul Kariya tied up the game with 11 seconds left in regulation, picking up his second goal on the night.

In overtime, the Sharks were fortunate to take advantage of a tripping penalty called on David Legwand.  At 2:56 in overtime, Sharks’ forward Joe Thornton fed a pass to Ehrhoff who wristed a shot through Predators’ goalie Tomas Vokoun. 

“I had the lane at that time and I didn’t know how quick the guy is going to come back and take my shot away,” said Ehrhoff who picked up his fourth goal of the season.  Ehrhoff led both teams with 10 shots.

Thornton picked up his first of two assists on Jonathan Cheechoo’s goal midway through the second period.  Thornton currently shares the scoring lead with New York Rangers’ Jaromir Jagr with 92 points.  Cheechoo leads the team with 37 goals on the season.

The Sharks will host division rival Los Angeles Kings on Monday at 7:30 p.m.