February 26, 2010

                                                                                                                Abbotsford Heat v. Worcester Sharks

DCU Center – Worcester, MA

                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                               

WORCESTER, MA— The Abbotsford Heat scored three unanswered goals in the second period and hung on to defeat the Worcester Sharks, 5-4, in a shootout on “Be A Leader” night presented by Abigail Williams and Associates at the DCU Center Friday night. It was the first-ever meeting between the two organizations. 

 

Benn Ferriero had a goal and two assists, including a shootout tally and Danny Groulx added four assists, but it was Radek Smolenak’s shootout goal in the eight-round that sealed the deal for the Heat.

 

Logan Couture returned to the Worcester lineup after missing the previous 10 games due to a shoulder injury and made his presence known at the 10:07 mark of the first period. After Ferriero’s shot was misplayed off a carom by David Shantz, Couture (19) dove and poked a loose puck from the crease into the back of the net. Groulx, the AHL’s leading point-scoring defenseman collected the other assist. Abbotsford tied the game, 1-1, when former Sharks forward Riley Armstrong (11) blasted home a one-time pass from Staffan Kronwall. The Sharks capitalized two minutes later, at the 15:08 mark, on the power play. Once again, it was Couture, Groulx, and Ferriero linking up to put Worcester ahead, 2-1. Couture slid a pass across the tops of the circles and Ferriero (19) sniped one past Shantz. Alex Stalock denied Olivier Latendresse on a breakaway opportunity and the teams headed to the locker rooms with Worcester on top, 2-1. The Sharks outshot Abbotsford, 12-11.

 

Abbotsford, the most penalized team in the entire AHL, lived up to their name in the second period. In the span of 30 seconds, Abbotsford committed 21 minutes of penalties leading to an extended five-on-three power play for the Sharks. Worcester capitalized, 7:29 into the period, when Ryan Vesce’s (9) wrist shot snuck through the blocker side of Shantz. Vesce’s goal was his third in the two games since his return and was assisted by Groulx and Ferriero. The Heat responded at the 11:28 mark when Jason Jaffray backhanded one off the post behind Stalock and onto the stick of Mikael Backlund (14) who lit the lamp. Abbotsford pulled even, 3-3, at the 14:16 mark when David Van der Gulik (9) mustered one through traffic past Stalock. The Heat scored their third unanswered goal when Brett Sutter (8) banged home a loose rebound, 16:23 into the second period. Shots were even for the period, 13-13.

 

T.J. Trevelyan went coast-to-coast 8:10 into the third period, skated around a Heat defender, and shifted one past Shantz to tie the game, 4-4. It was Trevelyan’s 14^th goal of the season assisted by Groulx and John McCarthy. It turned out to be the only scoring of the period as Shantz and Stalock were equally tremendous down the stretch. The Heat held the shot advantage, 10-9.

 

Both teams had opportunities in overtime, but neither found the back of the net. Abbotsford outshot Worcester, 5-3 in the extra session.

 

Van der Gulik, Jaffray, and Smolenak scored in the eight-round shootout as the Heat captured the game with a shootout score of, 3-2.

 

Worcester gains a point and their record improves to 36-17-2-3 (77 points) and they remain atop the Atlantic Division standings.

 

Notes: Three Stars: (3) Staffan Kronwall (0-3-3), (2) Radek Smolenak (GW-Shootout Goal), (1) Danny Groulx (0-4-4)…Joe Callahan was the only injured scratch for Worcester…Worcester is now 2-3 in shootouts this season…It was just the fifth-time Worcester has lost when scoring first…Alex Stalock made 34 saves for Worcester …David Shantz made 33 saves for the Heat …Ryan Vesce has a SEVEN game point streak (6-6-12) and has goals in four straight games…Final shots were 39-37 in favor of the Heat…Prior to the game, Worcester signed goaltender Frank Doyle to an NHL contract…After the game, the Sharks auctioned off their specially-designed “Be A Leader” uniforms.

The series continues Saturday, as the Sharks and Heat meet for the second of four games this season on Special Olympics Night presented by Saint Vincent Hospital! The first 3,000 fans through the doors of the DCU Center will receive a 2009-2010 team photograph. After the game, the team will be on the ice for a full squad autograph session. Start time is set for 7:05 P.M. The Sharks will host several Special Olympics Athletes with opening ceremony torch lighting!

 

The Sharks are already taking deposits for their 5th season in Worcester! Jump in today and save over 30% off box office prices! Find out how to get the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs for FREE by calling the Sharks front office 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 and 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.