BREAKING: San Jose Sharks’ star rookie Macklin Celebrini led his team to a thrilling 5-4 victory against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center on December 25, 2023, despite suffering a face injury in the third period. Celebrini, who managed to return to the game, tallied a goal and two assists, marking his 10th three-point game of the season.
The Sharks, now 5-3 in their last eight games, saw crucial contributions from Mario Ferraro, Igor Chernyshov, William Eklund, and Zack Ostapchuk, who scored his first goal in a Sharks uniform. The game was tightly contested, with the Ducks pulling their goalie Petr Mrazek late in the third period, but Yaroslav Askarov stood tall, saving 39 shots to secure the win.
The drama unfolded in the third period when Celebrini was hit in the face by a deflected puck, causing him to collapse on the ice with 14:48 remaining. Fortunately, he returned to the ice with 6:13 left, sporting visible marks near his left eye, much to the relief of Sharks fans.
The first period was marked by a shaky defensive performance from San Jose, which recorded eight giveaways but still managed to secure a 2-1 lead by the end. Celebrini scored the second goal of the game, showcasing his ability to capitalize on turnovers.
With 13:47 left in the third, Ostapchuk extended the Sharks’ lead to 5-3, but a late goal from Ducks forward Troy Terry with just 4:02 remaining made for a tense finish. The Sharks successfully killed a late penalty against John Klingberg, preserving their victory.
This game not only highlights Celebrini’s emerging talent but also the Sharks’ resilience as they head into the holiday season with renewed momentum. Fans are eagerly anticipating their next match as the team looks to build on this win. Stay tuned for more updates as the Sharks aim for continued success in the coming games.
