Wild 3, Sharks 2, SO

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Brian Rolston was more impressed by his goalie than with his game-winning goal.

Manny Fernandez was perfect in the shootout and Rolston scored the only goal to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.

"The biggest story of the game was Manny (Fernandez) stopping five shots in a row," Rolston said. "All we needed was one and I got it. This was a huge road win."

Marian Gaborik scored on a penalty shot with 5:01 remaining in regulation to tie the game.

"I had a break on him and I got it," Gaborik said. "Manny has been Mr. Consistent all year. He has made some unbelievable saves this year and he showed it again in the shootout."

Minnesota was awarded the shot when Sharks center Mark Smith covered the puck while it was resting close to the goal line.

"I tried to knock it out of there with my hand," Smith said. "I guess that was illegal. I'll take responsibility for that. It should never have been in front of the net in the first place."

Both teams missed four shots before Rolston beat Vesa Toskala. Fernandez, who made 21 saves, stopped Grant Stevenson's attempt to end the game.

"I had an idea of what I wanted to do when I went out there," Rolston said. "I faked the forehand and went backhand and it went under his arm."

Joe Thornton scored a goal less than two minutes into the final period to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead. Scott Thornton also scored for the Sharks, who were playing their second game in as many days.

Randy Robitaille scored for the Wild, who ended a four-game losing streak and beat the Sharks for the third time this season.

The Sharks were less then thrilled having to play at home less than 24 hours after beating Anaheim. Fatigue may have been a factor as the game wore on.

"Toward the end we were running out of gas but we got a point so I'm not disappointed," Sharks coach Ron Wilson said. "I'm not going to view this as a loss."

Robitaille gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead with 17:57 remaining in the first period, punching in his own rebound for his 12th goal of the year.

"I felt we had enough to win and we played well enough to win," Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said. "We had some excellent chances and their goalie was on top of his game."

Scott Thornton ended an 11-game scoreless streak with his ninth goal of the year with 15 minutes left in the second period to tie at 1. Doug Murray recorded his first NHL point and Steve Bernier was credited with his first NHL assist on the play.

Joe Thornton scored his 18th goal of the season at 18:46 of the third period. Jonathan Cheechoo skated hard toward the net drawing a couple of defenders. He left the puck for Thornton, who was trailing on the play, and Thornton slapped the puck past Fernandez.

Notes: Cheechoo has recorded points in 15 of his last 16 games. ... Wild C Marc Chouinard and C Mikko Koivu both returned to action after missing Tuesday's loss at Colorado. ... Sharks D Rob Davison missed the game with a sore neck.