Worcester Sharks vs. Portland Pirates
Cumberland County Civic Center –Portland, ME
December 21, 2008
Sharks not merry after 3-2 loss in Portland
Worcester had 2-0 lead before the Pirates score three in a row
PORTLAND, ME — The Portland Pirates scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Sharks 3-2 in a snowy Portland on Sunday afternoon.
Sharks’ rookie Matt Fornataro would strike at 10:32 of the first period with his first goal in a Sharks uniform shuffling a loose rebound past Jhonas Enroth after a shot by Patrick Traverse from the right point. Portland netminder Jhonas Enroth made two excellent saves in the first period, the first on Matt Jones on a rebound attempt, the second on Steven Zalewski after he was set up with a great pass from Lukas Kaspar. The Sharks took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, out shooting the Pirates 14-7.
The Sharks would take a 2-0 lead after veteran defenseman Patrick Traverse fired a rocket from on top of the left wing circle top shelf on a 4on3 power play with assists from Ryan Vesce and Cory Larose. Worcester would have several chances to make it 3-0 but Enroth was strong in net. The Pirates would get on the board at 16:55 as Colin Murphy would find room between the pads of Taylor Dakers after a rush up the middle to cut the lead in half, 2-1. Lukas Kaspar would have a breakaway on a power play, but Enroth would rob Lukas with a nice glove save. The Pirates out shot the Sharks 16-15 in the 2nd period as Worcester took a one goal lead into the third period.
Former Shark Mathieu Darche would jam home a rebound to open the third period just 70 seconds in to tie the game at 2-2. Eight minutes later, Marek Zagrapan would deflect a shot past Dakers to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. The Sharks would pull Taylor Dakers in the final minute but could not tie the game.
The loss drops Worcester’s record to 16-14-0-0, while the win improves the Pirates to 17-9-1-2.
NOTES: Three Stars: (3) Taylor Dakers, (2) Marek Zagrapan, (1) Jhonas Enroth … Attendance was announced 2,992 but only 667 through the turnstiles due to the snow storm…This afternoon’s game was the 4th of ten meetings between the Worcester Sharks and the Portland Pirates this season as they battle for the Unum Cup. Worcester out shot the Pirates 43-37. Taylor Dakers made 34 saves in net for Worcester. Jhonas Enroth made 41 saves in net for Portland… The Sharks went 1-5 on the power play while Pirates went 0-4.
The Sharks will enjoy a holiday break before hosting the Providence Bruins on Friday, December 26th at 6:05p.m. at the DCU Center.
All games can be heard live on 580 & 94.9 WTAG as well as online through AHL Live by following the link on the Sharks website, www.sharksahl.com.
Be sure not to miss any of the action of the 2008-09 Worcester Sharks season and buy your tickets today! Fans can also purchase tickets to the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications. Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, contacting the Worcester Sharks office at 508.929.0500, or by crashing the net at www.sharksahl.com.
Home of the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications
