By Abby Hensel
Sharksahl.com Staff

Worcester, Mass. - The Sharks won their first home game of their inaugural season topping the Portland Pirates by a score of 4-2. Forward Mathieu Darche recorded two goals for the home team while forwards Joe Pavelski, Graham Mink and Lukas Kaspar all registered two points on the night. The win upped Worcester’s record to 4-2-0-2, and handed the Pirates their first regulation loss of the season. The Sharks now lead the Unum Provident Cup 2-1.

The Pirates jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 6:25 of the first when Clay Wilson scored his second goal of the season on the power play. Wilson let off a snap shot from the point that made its way through traffic in front of the net and beat Sharks netminder Nolan Schaefer on the glove side.

The Sharks got it back when forward Riley Armstrong scored his third marker of the season on a nifty goal of his own at 12:22 of the first period. Armstrong took a breakaway pass from Lukas Kaspar and went in on a breakaway where he pumped faked and beat Pirates goaltender Michael Leighton top shelf over the glove. Schaefer was credited with the other assist, becoming the first goaltender of the season to record a point.

Just 1:14 into the second period, Worcester forward Mathieu Darche registered his team leading ninth goal of the season. With a crowd in front of the net, Leighton first stopped shots from Mink and Pavelski before Darche was left with an open net on the far side, where he easily put the puck home to put the Sharks on top 2-1.

Worcester expanded its lead to two with a power play goal by Darche. Portland’s keeper, Leighton, appeared to have the puck stopped between his legs, but when no whistle blew, Darche poked it past him and the puck trickled over the goal line at 8:29. Pavelski and Mink assisted on the goal.

Just 34 seconds later, Kaspar and forward Mike Iggulden skated in on a two-on-one and decided to take the shot himself instead of passing. This decision paid off when his shot beat Leighton on the stick side giving the Sharks the 4-1 lead. The unassisted goal came at 9:03 of the second period.

Pierre Parenteau added another for the Pirates with a shot that got past Schaefer on a scrum in front of the net at 5:52 of the third period. Kent Huskins and Zenon Konopka assisted on the goal that made the game 4-2.

Schaefer made 35 saves for his third win of the season for the Sharks, while Leighton of the Pirates took the loss with 16 stops.

The Sharks next home game is Saturday, October 28, 2006 vs. the Manchester Monarchs at the DCU Center. The puck drops at 7:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the game. There will also be an autograph session with two Sharks players following the game in the DCU Center Box Office Lobby for “Saturday Signings.” To purchase tickets to the game, please click here.