Published:  4/26/06

The offensive support from the defense allowed the San Jose Sharks to take a 2-1 series lead over the Nashville Predators tonight. Christian Ehrhoff and Tom Preissing contributed to the game with a combined five assists, allowing the Sharks to surpass the Predators 4-1.

After tonight’s performance, both players share the lead with four assists among defenseman throughout this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“It’s nice to get credited for a good defensive play,” said Ehrhoff. “I’m certainly happy about my three assists but more importantly we got the win.”

Ehrhoff nudged a pass to a streaking Patrick Marleau after Sharks’ defenseman Kyle McLaren stepped onto the ice after serving a tripping penalty midway through the second period. Marleau easily skated by Predators’ defenseman Brendan Witt and sent a soft wrist shot past Chris Mason.

“The first one got everyone going,” said Jonathan Cheechoo about Marleau’s goal. Ehrhoff’s second assist came on a second attempt of the same play. With nearly two minutes remaining in the second period, Ehrhoff tried to feed a pass to Milan Michalek who was parked in front of the net, but managed to get a shot off that found Steve Bernier knocking in the rebound.

 “I had the same shot before and tried to get it to Smitty [Mark Smith] in the front for a reflection,” said Ehrhoff. “The second one I just wanted to get on net and after the deflection by the defenseman, the puck found the tape on Bernier’s stick.”

Preissing and Ehrhoff connected again, this time feeding Cheechoo with a pass that he carried into the zone and went five-hole on Mason. “I think [Mason] wanted the first and third one back,” said Predators’ head coach Barry Trotz. “We spent a lot of time in our zone.”

Cheechoo’s second goal of the playoffs gave the Sharks some breathing room and allowed for an aggressive offense; an offense that saw Marleau knocking in his own rebound for the fourth and final goal of the night.

“Patty had one of his best games of the season,” said Sharks’ head coach Ron Wilson. “He was focused. Obviously he scored a couple of goals but it was all the little things he did.” The Sharks will host Game 4 this Thursday at 7:30 p.m.