Sharks’ gaffe spoils comeback bid in loss to Nashville Predators

SAN JOSE — It’ll be a night that San Jose Sharks center Patrick Giles will remember forever.

Goalie Alexandar Georgiev, though, might want to forget it as soon as possible.

Giles scored his first NHL goal Tuesday, the first of two the Sharks scored in 14 seconds in the third period of their game against the Nashville Predators to erase a two-goal deficit.

But just 2:36 after Collin Graf tied the game, a Sharks giveaway right next to their own net resulted in a Kieffer Bellows goal that gave the Predators the lead for good, as they held onto a 3-2 win before an announced crowd of 10,523 at SAP Center.

On the game-deciding play, Georgiev played the puck beside his net but lost control as he tried to get it to defenseman Mario Ferraro. Instead, Filip Forsberg came in and stole the puck, and got it out front to Bellows, who scored his first of the season.

Georgiev allowed three goals on the first 18 shots he faced, as the Sharks lost their third straight game and fell to 0-2-0 on their eight-game homestand that continues Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Bellows goal spoiled a feel-good night for Giles, acquired from the Panthers last week in the trade that sent Nico Sturm to Florida.

Giles’ goal at the 3:42 mark of the third period, came after a nice forecheck from the Sharks’ fourth line, with Barclay Goodrow and Carl Grundstrom collecting the assists.

The goal, and point, was Giles’ first in the NHL in 11 career games.

The Sharks were down 2-0 after they allowed second period power play goals to Filip Forberg and Steven Stamkos,

With Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro serving a tripping penalty, Forsberg, with a perfect snipe over goalie Alexandar Georgiev’s left shoulder, scored at the 8:11 mark of the second. Just 7:06 later, with Goodrow also in the penalty box for tripping, Stamkos beat Georgiev with a shot from near the faceoff dot for a 2-0 Nashville lead.