Worcester Sharks vs. Manchester Monarchs

Verizon Wireless Arena – Manchester, NH

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

By Corey Mills

 

The Sharks came into Monday night’s contest with the Manchester Monarchs at the Verizon Wireless Arena with five straight games decided by just one goal. The previous three one goal games came in losing efforts for the Sharks. The trend continued on Monday night, however, the Sharks got a thrilling last second goal by Lukas Kaspar to propel Worcester to a 3-2 win.

 

It did not take much time for the Sharks to get on the board. Sharks Captain Graham Mink took advantage of a 5 on 3 power play opportunity as he got a shot past Manchester Goalie Erik Ersberg at 4:19 of the first period with assists from Mike Iggulden and Devin Setoguchi.

 

Less than four minutes later, the Monarchs got revenge with a 5 on 3 goal of their own. Gabe Gautier scored his fourth straight goal against the Worcester Sharks at 8:00 into the first period. Gautier’s goal was assisted by Teddy Purcell and Peter Harrold.

 

The First intermission came roughly 2 minutes early when a hard check behind Monarchs goalie Erik Ensberg took out a sheet of glass. The finial 2 minutes of the first period was resumed after an early intermission.

 

A heavy weight battle clashed early in the second period when the 6’3” Jonathan Tremblay took on the 6’4” Kevin Westgarth. A hard left from Tremblay sent Westgarth to the ice. Both players received a major fighting penalty at 2:47 of the second period.

 

Brian Boyle cashed in on the 5 on 4 advantage against Worcester goalie Thomas Griess at 4:42 in the second period, Boyle was assisted by Peter Harrold and Gabe Gauthier. The goal gave Manchester their first lead of the game at 2-1.

 

Over ten minutes later, the Sharks capitalized on another 5 on 3 power play opportunity. Sharks Captain Graham Mink and assisted by Devin Setoguchi and Mike Iggulden at 16:52 in the second period

 

After a several great chances by both clubs in the third period, After great work by Mink to feed Tom Walsh at the point with seconds remaining, Walsh faked a shot and dished the puck over to Lukas Kaspar who then went top shelf to propel the Sharks to a victory with just 2.1 seconds remaining.

 

NOTES: The assist for Devin Setoguchi in the first period was his first point in the AHL…With two assists in the game, Mike Iggulden  now scored 33 points in 31 games…Thomas Griess made 21 saves in 23 shots… Erik Ersberg made 30 saves in 33 shots.

 

Worcester returns home to start a three game home stand with a Wednesday night tilt vs. the Hershey Bears at 7:05p.m.  The Sharks host the Monarchs on Friday, January 4^th on “Beat the Radio Guy in Karaoke Night,” and then host the Providence Bruins on Saturday, January 5^th at 7:05p.m.  The first 3,000 fans will receive a Sharks team photo and the entire team will be available after the game for an autograph session in the Charter Zone!

 

For more information on these and other promotions, or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or check out the new www.sharksahl.com.

                       

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