By Marc Lachance

Sharks Game Day: December 26th, 2006

Tonight the Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks) will host the Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers) at the DCU Center. This will be the 5th meeting this season with the Wolf Pack, with Worcester having a record of 2-1-1-0.

“It’s always tough after Christmas to get back into the working mode,” said Traverse on the holiday break. “But for us it’s a big game,” he continued.

Tonight is also Family Night, as families can purchase FUN PACKS, which include: 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs or popcorn, and 4 sodas for only $52!

The two clubs last met on December 15th, with Worcester pulling out an exciting 5-4 win in overtime. Tom Cavanagh and Riley Armstrong would each score in the first, as the two teams were tied up after one period of play. In the second, Tomas Plihal would score a power play goal to make it a one-goal game going into the final stanza. The Sharks went 3 for 6 on the power play and had 37 shots on net in the game. Grant Stevenson would tie the game up on the power play midway through the third period with his 6th goal of the season. Garret Stafford would be the hero as he scored the game winner just 3:15 into the extra session. The teams will meet again on January 7th in Connecticut’s capital.

Players to watch for:

WORCESTER:
Mathieu Darche- leads the team with 11 power play goals.
Tom Cavanagh- leads the team with 2 short-handed goals this season.

HARTFORD:
Ryan Callahan- is 4th in the AHL rookie-scoring category with 19 goals.
Daniel Girardi- leads the team with 18 assists.

NOTES: The division leading Portland Pirates are back at the DCU Center on Saturday. It’s another chance to enter to win a Sharks replica jersey! Just stop by the Fan Relations table to enter to win by guessing the shots on net. The Sharks are currently 2-0-0-1 against the Pirates this season in their quest for the first UnumProvident Cup. After the game, be sure to stay around for post-game FIREWORKS to help ring in the New Year!

Hartford’s defenseman, Marvin Degon, is from the town of Millbury. In 4 games against the Worcester Sharks he has picked up a goal and an assist.

Justin Kurtz is happy that he was signed to a Standard Player Contract last week.

“It was nice to get it done,” said Kurtz, “I know I’m here for the year and I can concentrate on that.”
Kurtz scored the game-tying goal with just over 5 minutes left in the third period in Saturday’s game against the Lowell Devils. He was originally signed by the Sharks to a 25 game PTO on October 17th.

The Sharks recalled forward Josh Prudden from Fresno of the ECHL today. “It’s great to be called up,” said Prudden “especially since it’s close to home.” In 5 games this year for the Sharks, he is a +5 and has recorded 5 assists.

Get to Know ’em:
If you could change one rule about the game what would it be?

Justin Kurtz: “Probably the icing, because a lot of teams now just get over the red line and fire long passes. Even if the guys don’t make the pass, it’s an attempted pass, so they waive it down every time. All you do is go back for the puck all the time.”

Josh Prudden: “That’s a tough one, I would probably change the stick rule, so we could use any stick we want.”

Lukas Kaspar: “The rules changed pretty much, but for me, I like the rules now. It’s much better than before.”

Patrick Traverse: “The new rules, they help me a lot. I’m the kind of guy that uses my skating a lot. I’m not a big guy so I don’t hit hard and with the new rules, they took all that strength part away from the game, so it helped me a lot.”