TORONTO - The Worcester Sharks had one on-ice representative at the 2007 American Hockey League All-Star Classic and he certainly did not disappoint. Sharks leading scorer Mathieu Darche collected two assists and a plus one rating in the prestigious All-Star game as he and his Canadian comrades dropped a tough 7-6 decision to PlanetUSA with just 3.9 seconds left in the third period.

The Canadian All-Stars got off to a slow start, finding themselves down 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the opening frame on goals by PlanetUSA’s Brett Sterling and Kip Miller. The Canadian team chipped away though and quickly knotted the score at two apiece before first intermission.

Canada’s Alexandre Giroux scored from in front on a rebound to make it 2-1 at 13:49. Less than three minutes later, they struck again to make it 2-2. This time, Darche picked up the puck along the half boards and fed Norfolk Admirals forward Martin St. Pierre in the slot for the score.

In Worcester Darche is known for his scoring, but at 6:32 of the second period gritty left winger fed blueliner Sheldon Brookbank in front for a one-timer and a 3-2 Canadian lead. The goal gave Darche his second assist of the night.

Team Canada would make it 4-2 with a goal from in front by forward Jason Jaffray. The Canadian All-Star team grabbed a cushy lead with Alexandre Giroux’s second of the night on a breakaway to make it 5-2. PlanetUSA would, however, add two more before the break to make it 5-4 on goals by Drew Stafford and Brett Sterling.

PlanetUSA picked up where they left off and proved they were not going to roll over for the Canadians and at 10:49 Jay Motzko tied it at 5-5 for Team Blue.

The Canadians responded to the pressure just 26 seconds later and took back their lead to make it 6-5 on a goal by Darren Haydar.

Then 15 seconds after that, PlanetUSA took command of the game on a goal from Toronto’s own Erik Westrum to make it 6-6.

Then, just when everybody thought they were going to see a shootout decide the winner, PlanetUSA’s Ryan Callahan took advantage of a loose puck in front of Canadian netminder Curtis McElhinny and roofed the puck for the game-winner with a mere 3.9 seconds left on the clock. The time on the clock proved to be too little for Team Canada and the PlanetUSA All-Star team took the sweep in this year’s All-Star Classic.

The Sharks will get back to the grindstone on Friday night when the Bridgeport Sound Tigers come to the DCU Center for a 7:00 p.m. start time. You can catch all the action on Charter’s WCTR-3 live with Jamie Smock and Kevin Shea calling the action. You can also tune in to the “Voice of the Sharks” on Newstalk 580 WTAG. Tickets are available by visiting the DCU Center Box Office Lobby or by calling the Sharks offices at 508.929.0500.