SPORTS> North America
Sharks beat Red Wings 4-2 after second period burst
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-31 14:39
LOS ANGELES - The San Jose Sharks scored three second-period goals to beat the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-2 on Thursday and improve to 9-2-0, their best ever start.

In a clash of the two top teams in the Western Conference, Patrick Marleau sparked San Jose's run with his sixth goal of the season at 7:01 in the second period.

Jamie McGinn and Ryan Clowe followed up with scores to give the Sharks three unanswered goals in just under three and a half minutes after Detroit had taken an early lead in the game.

Joe Pavelski added a goal 6:08 into the third as San Jose notched its fifth win in its last six contests.

San Jose coach Todd McLellan, who served as Detroit's assistant the previous three seasons, won his first meeting against his former team.

Detroit right wing Marian Hossa gave the defending Stanley Cup champions a 1-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game before San Jose came to life in the second.

Brian Rafalski beat Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, who finished with 25 saves, to give Detroit a late consolation goal with 32 seconds left on the clock.