By Jamie Smock

MANCHESTER, NH – The Sharks gave a valiant effort, but in the end, the Manchester Monarchs prevailed in a 5-3 effort against the Sharks on Friday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Graham Mink scored twice for the Sharks in the loss, his third and fourth goals of the season.

Manchester scored the only two goals of the first period for a 2-0 lead after 20-minutes. Patrick O’Sullivan set up Ryan Murphy for a tap-in goal operating a perfect three-on-two attack for the Monarchs at the 3:26 mark of the first period. John Zeiler extended the lead to 2-0 converting on a face off win from Gabe Gauthier just past the midpoint of the period. Manchester led in shots-on-goal 14-4 at the 10-minute mark of the period, but sustained pressure from the Sharks swayed momentum in their favor as Worcester trailed in shots 15-12 after twenty minutes.

Manchester extended their lead to 3-0 at the 2:45 mark on Zeiler’s second goal of the night on a rebound off the shot of Gabe Gauthier. The Sharks responded with back-to-back goals finally solving Jason LaBarbera on a rebound goal from Ashton Rome and a tight-in deflection from Graham Mink. Both forwards scored their third goals of the season and the second period came to a conclusion with the Sharks trailing just 3-2. However, a penalty against the Sharks with one second remaining in the period gave the Monarchs a power play advantage to begin the third period.

The Monarchs took advantage of the power play to score the game’s winning goal. Bryan Schmidt converted the power play strike just 36-seconds into the third period and re-established the three-goal lead for Manchester. The Sharks received a gift from Manchester’s Konstantin Pushkarev, who took a five-minute elbowing penalty at the 13:22 mark of the final frame. Worcester converted for one score, again from Mink, but couldn’t grab the equalizer. An unassisted/ empty net goal from Tim Jackman insured the win for Manchester, who extended their Atlantic Division lead to three points.

Tomorrow night the Sharks return to home ice and host the Portland Pirates at 7pm. The night will feature post-game fireworks to help ring in the New Year. The Sharks are also holding a book drive for their “Reading is Cool” program. Fans are encouraged to donate used books at the game and the Sharks will distribute the books at local elementary schools in the community. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 580-WTAG and through the on-line broadband broadcaster for the AHL, B2 Networks. Fans can watch the game via B2 Networks at the team’s official web site, www.sharksahl.com. Tickets for the game are on sale now at the DCU Center Box Office or by clicking here.