Worcester Sharks at Providence Bruins
Dunkin Donuts Center – Providence, RI
November 21, 2009
Joe Callahan’s late strike leads Sharks to victory in Providence
Dwight Helminen ties score to set up Callahan’s heroics
PROVIDENCE, RI- Dwight Helminen tied the score midway through the third period and defenseman Joe Callahan scored a power play goal with just 1:58 left to propel the Sharks to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Bruins in Providence on Saturday night.
Brandon Mashinter had two points (1-1-2) and Alex Stalock was superb in net (32 saves) for the Sharks as Worcester broke out of a franchise long seven game losing streak.
Nick Petrecki and Guillaume Lefebvre picked up fighting majors at :55 seconds of the first period to set the tone early between the two divisional rivals. The Bruins held the play early and scored a power play goal with a quick entry into the Sharks zone and a score by rookie Jamie Arniel at 6:27. The Sharks tied the score at 1-1 after a blast by defenseman Danny Groulx from on top of the left circle was deflected in by Brandon Mashinter (5th goal) at 10:05. Worcester outshot the Bruins 14-11 through twenty minutes in a 1-1 hockey game.
The Bruins struck just :13 seconds into the 2nd period as Kirk MacDonald’s snap shot from the right circle found its way through a screen and past Stalock. The majority of the good scoring chances in the 2nd period came off the stick of the Bruins as Stalock made several big saves to keep the score close through forty minutes of play. Worcester trailed 2-1 after two periods of play.
The Sharks tied the score at 2-2 after a great individual effort by Dwight Helminen (3rd goal) at 11:35. Helminen stick handled his way around the Bruins defense down low and fired a snap shot past Sabourin. Kirk MacDonald was whistled for holding at 16:27 after he took down Nick Petrecki deep in the Sharks zone. On the ensuing power play, Adam McQuaid failed to clear the puck out of the zone for the Bruins and Mashinter found Joe Callahan at the right point. Callahan skated in and fired a bomb from on top of the right circle that broke through past Sabourin at 18:02 to give Worcester their first lead of the game. The goal was Callahan’s first of the season and gave Worcester the come-from-behind victory.
With the win, the Sharks record rises to 9-10-0-1 (19 points) on the season.
Notes: Three stars: (3) Brandon Mashinter (1-1-2), (2) Kirk MacDonald (1-0-1), (1) Joe Callahan (GWG)….Before the game, the Sharks signed forward Trent Campbell to a PTO and wore #42 – Campbell had nine points (3-6-9) in 12 games with South Carolina in the ECHL – Trent dressed in 16 games last year in Worcester (2-5-7)…. Ryan Vesce was recalled by San Jose this morning…. Steven Zalewski extended his point streak to four games (2-3-5) with an assist in the first period….Alex Stalock made 32 saves for the Sharks and Dany Sabourin made 28 saves for the Bruins… Worcester went 1/3 on the power play…Providence went 1/3 on the power play…Final shots were 33-31 in favor of the Bruins…. Worcester is now 2-1-0-0 vs. the Bruins in the ten game season series.
On Sunday, the Sharks host the Norfolk Admirals at 3:05p.m. Join us after the game for the 4th annual Hat & Mittens Holiday Skate presented by BayState Savings Bank! Fans are encouraged to bring new winter hats, mittens, and scarves and then skate with the Sharks during a postgame skate! (skate rentals are not available) Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino’s! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket! With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino’s locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.
Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:
· Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
· Significant savings off box office ticket prices
· Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)
Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.
All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.
