WORCESTER - It was another game with playoff implications and another game that earned two points for the Worcester Sharks toward the Atlantic Division standings. The win was the Sharks third straight to tie their season high win streak for the third time this season. Craig Valette scored the game-winner, while Thomas Greiss turned in another solid performance with 16 saves for his 19th win of the year.

With 2:13 remaining on the clock, Worcester took advantage of a U.S. Army power play and scored the only goal of the first period. Scott Ferguson, fresh off his 600th career AHL game, slid the puck across the blueline to his partner Garrett Stafford. Stafford uncorked a slap shot from the point that sailed over Albany netminder Tyler Weiman for his eighth goal of the season.

The Rats responded with a power play goal of their own 5:23 into the second stanza. Ryan Bayda tipped a Brett Carson shot from the point to knot the game at one apiece.

Craig Valette put the Sharks back up 2-1 on a rebound from Lukas Kaspar. Weiman made the initial save, but the puck bounced off Valette’s skate and into the net for his 11th of the year.

Albany refused to lie down and decided to make the third period interesting with another goal of their own just 2:11 in. Brad Parsons tipped a Johnny Boychuk shot from the point that beat Greiss high glove for his first of the year.

As always, Team Teal kept their head up and it paid off. Valette scored his second of the night and the Sharks go-ahead goal on a beautiful give-and-go play out of the corner with Grant Stevenson. Valette one-timed the pass and it instantly found the back of the Rats net over Weiman’s right shoulder.

The next team on the Sharks menu is Providence on Saturday, March 24. It’s Guns N’ Hoses Night at the Sharks and the concourse doors open at 4:30 p.m. so fans can cheer on the Worcester Fire Department versus the Worcester Police Department in the first annual charity game. Two dollars of all group tickets and tickets sold at the door will be donated to the “Save Our Summer” program. To get your tickets, visit the DCU Center Box Office Lobby, Sharksahl.com, or call the Sharks offices at 508.929.0500.