Adam Cracknell has OT winner in Canucks’ 1-0 exhibition win over Sharks

NORTH SAANICH, B.C. – Adam Cracknell scored 1:39 into 3-on-3 overtime as the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks 1-0 on Monday night in NHL pre-season action.

It was something of a homecoming for Cracknell, who played minor and junior B hockey near North Saanich, B.C., which hosted the exhibition game.

“I had a lot of time there and just picked a corner,” said Cracknell. “I wasn’t passing it up, not here, not now. IT went in and counted and definitely a lot of smiles.”

The 30-year-old Cracknell signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canucks after splitting last season between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the American Hockey League. He has six goals and 11 assists over 82 career NHL games.

Jacob Markstrom and Richard Bachman split the 20-save shutout in net for the Canucks.

“It’s nice to get the feel of the puck early,” said Markstrom, who spent most of last season with Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in Utica, N.Y. “Obviously nice to get a real game with a different logo on the jersey. It’s always fun when these games start.”

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday at Rogers Arena in downtown Vancouver.