After one of the wildest weekends in franchise history, the Sharks look to continue the stretch run with some crucial wins against a trio of Atlantic Division rivals. Worcester heads to Hartford on Friday, Lowell on Saturday, and Providence on Sunday in yet another “3 in 3” weekend. The Sharks are only 10 points out of a playoff spot, and with all 11 games down the stretch being against divisional opponents, there is still time for a run into the Calder Cup Playoffs!

 

On Friday, it looked like the game was over when Bridgeport scored an empty net goal with less than one minute remaining to make it 4-2. Only 18 seconds later, Ashton Rome scored to cut it to 4-3 and Tom Walsh found the back of the net with less than three seconds remaining for the unbelievable 4-4 score. The Sound Tigers added an overtime goal, and came away with the 5-4 win. All was not lost, though, as Worcester did come away with an all-important point.

 

Albany scored the first two goals on Saturday and the Sharks couldn’t regroup, falling 3-2 to the River Rats on Guns N’ Hoses Night! Before the game, the hoses came out with a win in the annual charity tilt. 

 

The Sharks return home on Friday, Apr. 4 for a 7:05 p.m. showdown with the Portland Pirates! Bald is Beautiful Night is two days later when the Sharks host the Springfield Falcons at 4:05 p.m. For more information on ticket packages and promotions, or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500, check out the new www.sharksahl.com, or order through Ticketmaster.

 

For more previewing the X’s and O’s of the weekend, check out the game notes below!

 

 

 

•Despite dropping the last two games, the Worcester Sharks are still only ten points out of the playoff picture and look to bite into the deficit starting this weekend.

•There are 11 games remaining, meaning 22 points are still on the table.

•With the number of games remaining coupled with games in hand, and four head-to-head tilts against the teams they’re chasing, pieces are in place for a memorable run.

•The Sharks hit the road for three-straight games against divisional foes.

•On Friday, they travel to Hartford for their final regular season showdown with the Wolf Pack. Lowell is Saturday’s destination, as they look to duplicate the 6-1 final scores that they’ve achieved in their last two games at the Tsongas Arena. The weekend comes to a close on Sunday when Worcester heads to Providence for the final time; the Bruins and Sharks do face off once more (on April 9 at the DCU Center).

 

•Defenseman Marc Busenburg was a standout at the University of Connecticut from 1996-2000.

 

•Defenseman Brennan Evans played for the Lowell Lock Monsters (the Carolina Hurricanes’ affiliate at the time) from 2003-05.

•Five players attended Boston schools, which is within a half hour drive from Lowell: Tom Cavanagh (Harvard), J.D. Forrest (Boston College), Dennis Packard (Harvard), Dan Spang (Boston University), and Tom Walsh (Harvard)

 

•Forward Tom Cavanagh grew up just outside of Providence in Warwick, R.I. and attended Toll Gate High School.

•Teammate Dennis Packard played with the Providence Bruins last season, recording 18 goals on 6 goals and 12 assists.

•Newly-acquired veteran defenseman Brian White also played for the Bruins from 2002-04 and in ten playoff games in 2007.

 

•All three games will be carried over the radio on the Worcester Sharks’ flagship station WTAG (580 AM). The voice of the Sharks, Eric Lindquist, calls the action starting with the pregame show starting one half hour before the games. The games can also be seen on the B2 Network.

 

•There are no home games this weekend, but five still remain on the docket for the 2007-08 regular season!

•For this season’s complete promotions list, please check out the promotions calendar.

 

•For more information on ticket packages and promotions, or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500, check out the new www.sharksahl.com, or order through Ticketmaster.

 

•Please click here for the complete edition of the Coaches Corner article found on page 8 of “The Assist” game program (version 5).

•The Sharks (27-31-5-6) currently stand in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with 65 points, seven behind Springfield for fifth and ten behind Manchester for the fourth and final playoff spot.

•Manchester overtook Springfield for fourth with a 4-2 win over the Falcons on Easter Sunday.

•Worcester does own two games in hand on Manchester and Springfield.

•The Sharks still face the Falcons three more times and the Monarchs once more.

 

•Wednesday: Worcester 4, Bridgeport 2

•Friday: Bridgeport 5, Worcester 4 (OT)

•Saturday: Albany 3, Worcester 2

 

•Game Summary: After Friday night’s dramatic conclusion, a two goal deficit in the third period seemed to be another miracle in waiting.  But the Worcester Sharks only closed half the gap this time, falling by a 3-2 count to the Albany River Rats on Saturday night at the DCU Center.

•An Albany goal with only one second remaining in the first period effectively served as the back-breaker. Instead of heading into the first intermission with a one-goal deficit, the Sharks were trailing 2-0.

•The devastating goal was only one night after the Sharks scored with less than three seconds remaining in the game against the Sound Tigers.

•Every game in the season series against Albany was extremely close.

•The Sharks’ three losses to the River Rats were by a single goal, including a Mar. 1 shootout defeat.

•Worcester was able to salvage one game of the season-series, 5-3, on Mar. 7.

 

•Behind his four points (2g, 2a) last week, Mike Iggulden set a new career-high with 59 points (24g, 35a). His previous high was 57 (30g, 27a), set last season.

•Red-hot Dennis Packard also owns a new career-high with 10 goals, 14 assists, and 24 points.

 

•Along with last week’s two-consecutive four goal games came a number of point streaks for individual players.

•Dennis Packard is leading the way with a five-game streak. He started with a goal on Mar. 15 at Springfield and had an assist on the 16^th vs. Hartford, a goal on the 19^th vs. Bridgeport, an assist on the 21^st vs. Bridgeport, and a goal on the 22^nd vs. Albany.

•Mike Iggulden is on a three-game point streak.

•Tom Cavanagh is on a three-game assist (and point) streak. The assist streak ties a season-best.

•Tom Walsh scored goals in consecutive games (Wednesday and Friday) for the first time this season. He added an assist on Sunday good for a three-game point streak.

•T.J. Fox also has a two-game assist streak and Ashton Rome has a two-game goal streak.

 

•Ashton Rome had a weekend to remember.

•After being held pointless for 20 games, he broke it in dramatic fashion by scoring third-period goals on both Friday and Saturday.

•Friday’s crucial tally cut the Sound Tigers’ lead to 4-3 and looked like it would be meaningless until Tom Walsh tied the score with less than three seconds remaining.

•It looked like it was déjà vu on Saturday when he cut the Sharks’ deficit to one, 3-2, but this time, the team couldn’t come all the way back.

 

•The Sharks have earned points in Dimitri Patzold’s last six games in net (3-0-2-1).

•In that stretch, Patzold has stopped 144 of 156 shots sent his way good for a .923 save percentage.

•His GAA (2.68) and save percentage (.905) lead the team.

•Last Wednesday was the first game that Patzold has won when allowing more than one goal.

•In total, he has given up seven goals in his seven wins this season.

•The Sharks were able to spread the offensive wealth across the two-games against Bridgeport.

•On Wednesday, nine of 17 skaters (53%) registered a point, while on Friday, 10 of 17 (59%) recorded points.

•Oren Eizenman picked up his first-career AHL point (an assist) as part of Friday’s miraculous comeback.

•Even on Sunday, the Sharks only had two goals, but six different players registered points.

•After two power play goals on Wednesday and none over the weekend, the Sharks have now gone 13 games with either multiple goals (5 times) or no goals (8 times) on the man advantage.

 

•Worcester has gained points in 10 of the last 14 games (6-5-1-2 record).

 

•3-2 is now the most common final in the Sharks’ season. With Saturday’s loss, Worcester’s record dropped to .500 in 3-2 final scores.

•The Sharks have a winning record when the scoreboard shows seven final scores: 4-2, 3-1, 3-2, 2-1, 5-4, 6-1, and 5-3.

•Below includes a list of the frequency of each score, followed by the Sharks’ record in those games.

 

3-2       10        3-3-2-2

4-3       9          2-4-1-2

4-2       7          4-3-0-0

2-1       7          4-1-1-1

3-1       5          3-2-0-0

5-4       5          3-0-1-1

5-3       5          3-2-0-0

3-0       3          1-2-0-0

4-1       3          1-2-0-0

6-1       3          2-1-0-0

5-1       2          1-1-0-0

5-2       2          0-2-0-0

6-3       2          0-2-0-0

4-0       1          0-1-0-0

6-0       1          0-1-0-0

7-1       1          0-1-0-0

2-0       1          0-1-0-0

6-4       1          0-1-0-0

7-4       1          0-1-0-0

 

•The Sharks have been outshot in two of the last three games after outshooting their opponent for nine of the previous 10 games. In total, the team has still outshot its opponent in 10 of the last 13 games and 16 of the last 21.

•Derek Joslin’s first-period goal on Friday was only his second scored even strength (seven have come on the power play).

•Oren Eizenman tallied an assist on Friday, his first-career AHL point.

•As reported in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Friday marked the first time that a Worcester franchise has given up an empty net and overtime goal in the same game. It spans 1,029 games, which includes when the IceCats called the DCU Center home.

 

•With a recent revival, the Wolf Pack (43-19-2-7, 95 points, second Atlantic Division) have retaken a five-point cushion over Portland for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Pierre Parenteau leads the Wolf Pack attack with 72 points (31g, 41a). Andrew Hutchinson (60 pts: 16g, 44a) and Greg Moore (58 pts: 24g, 34a) are right behind. Four players have over 100 penalty minutes led by Josh Gratton (185) followed by Dane Byers (180), Hugh Jessiman (144), and Jake Taylor (123). Miika Wiikman serves as the primary goaltender with a 19-7-3 record, .918 save percentage, and 2.30 GAA.

 

Oct. 27            Hartford 2 at Worcester 1

Nov. 2             Worcester 3 at Hartford 4

Nov. 30           Hartford 4 at Worcester 2

Dec. 8              Hartford 7 at Worcester 1

Jan. 16             Worcester 2 at Hartford 5

Jan. 25             Worcester 1 at Hartford 3

Mar. 16            Hartford 4 at Worcester 1

 

Goals               11                    29

Shots               202                  212

Power Play     4-25 (16%)     11-34 (32%)

 

Worcester:  Tom Cavanagh and Patrick Traverse 4 points each (2g, 2a), Mike Iggulden 3 points (3g), Lukas Kaspar 3 points (2g, 1a), Nate Raduns 3 points (3a), Dennis Packard and Graham Mink 2 points (2a), Craig Valette and Brad Staubitz 2 points (1g, 1a) … Thomas Greiss (0-3-0, 3.71 GAA, .885 save pct), Dimitri Patzold (0-1-0, 5.00 GAA, .828 save pct)

 

Hartford: Alex Bourret 9 points (4g, 5a), Pierre Parenteau 7 points (4g, 3a), Greg Moore 6 points (4g, 2a), Andrew Hutchinson 6 points (6a), Thomas Pock and Artem Anisimov 5 points (1g, 4a), Dane Byers 5 points (4g, 1a), Ryan Callahan 5 points (2g, 3a) … Miika Wiikman (4-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .954 save pct)

Goals For                   2.71- 17th                    3.24-3rd

Goals Agst                 3.25- 25th                    2.51- 5th

Shots For                   29.90- 13th                  31.80- 3rd

Shots Agst                29.07- 12th                  27.32-7th

PP                                16.6%- 16th                 21.2%- 2nd

PK                                78.9%- 27th                 82.6%- 19th

PIMS                            17.4-24th                     20.5-8th

•Despite the Sharks losing every game of the season series, Worcester has been in nearly every contest. Two of the games were won by one goal while two others were two-goal differentials.

•The score in the last meeting on Mar. 16 wasn’t indicative of how close the game actually was. The Sharks were trailing by only one (2-1) after two periods and the Wolf Pack didn’t extend their lead until the 13:04 mark of the third period.

•Miika Wiikman was dazzling in the last meeting, making 39 saves on 40 shots to shut down the Sharks’ attack.

•The Sharks and Wolf Pack only face off against each other eight times. Worcester plays everyone else in the division ten times.

•This is the last game of the season series.

 

•A very defensive team, Lowell (22-38-7-4, 55 points, seventh Atlantic Division) stands 10 points behind the Sharks and is filled with veterans such as Richard Matvichuk and Grant Marshall. The Devils are led on offense by AHL All-Star Peter Vrana who has 51 points (15g, 36a). Barry Tallackson has 41 points (21g, 20a), Marshall has 36 (5g, 31a), and Noah Clarke has 31 (14g, 17a). The Devils don’t have any players with over 100 penalty minutes (Pierre-Luc Leblond leads with 80). Frank Doyle leads the way between the pipes with a .898 save percentage and 3.15 GAA. Dave Caruso, who was impressive to start the season, has hit a rough stretch, but still has a .906 save percentage, 2.96 GAA and 5-6-0 record in 11 games.

Oct. 20             Lowell 1 at Worcester 2

Dec. 18            Worcester 5 at Lowell 3

Dec. 27            Worcester 3 at Lowell 4 (OT)

Dec. 30            Lowell 4 at Worcester 3

Feb. 6              Worcester 6 at Lowell 1

Feb. 22            Lowell 2 at Worcester 1 (OT)

Mar. 8              Lowell 3 at Worcester 2 (SO)

Mar. 14            Worcester 6 at Lowell 1

 

Goals               28                    19

Shots               249                  207

Power Play      6-30 (20%)    8-31 (26%)

 

Worcester:  Mike Iggulden 11 points (4g, 7a), Brad Staubitz 7 points (2g, 5a), Dennis Packard, Riley Armstrong, and Tom Cavanagh 6 points (3g, 3a), Tom Walsh 6 points (6a), Patrick Traverse 5 points (5a) … Dimitri Patzold (2-1-1, 1.47 GAA, .934 save pct), Thomas Greiss (1-1-0, 3.49 GAA, .881 save pct)

 

Lowell: Grant Marshall 6 points (6a), Stephen Gionta 6 points (3g, 3a), Peter Vrana 6 points (2g, 4a), Ivan Khomutov 5 points (2g, 3a), Nicklas Bergfors 4 points (1g, 3a) … Frank Doyle (3-3-0, 3.18 GAA, .899 save pct), Dave Caruso (1-1-0, 3.84 GAA, .864 save pct)

Goals For                   2.71- 17th                    2.30-29th

Goals Agst                3.25- 25th                    3.38- 27th

Shots For                   29.90- 13th                 27.44- 24th

Shots Agst                29.07- 12th                  31.59-25th

PP                                16.6%- 16th                19.0%- 7th

PK                                78.9%- 27th                78.8%- 28th

PIMS                           17.4-24th                     13.4-29th

•After this Friday’s game, the teams still meet once more, on Apr. 12 at the DCU Center.

•The road team has won the last five meetings, including the Sharks’ last two 6-1 wins at the Tsongas Arena.

•Dimitri Patzold has enjoyed success against the Devils, posting a 2-1-1 record, 1.47 GAA and .934 save pct. He has gained a point in all four games (two wins, an overtime loss, and a shootout loss).

•Seven (2g, 5a) of Brad Staubitz’s 17 points (4g, 13a) have come against Lowell, including his Gordie Howe hat trick (1g, 2a, and a fight) on Mar. 14.

•It was déjà vu the last two times the Sharks were at the Tsongas Arena (Feb. 6 and Mar. 14) as the following happened in both games: Worcester led 2-1 after one period, 5-1 after two, and 6-1 at the final horn.

•The Bruins (48-16-3-3, 102 points, first Atlantic Division) have stood atop the division for the majority of the season and are cruising into the Calder Cup Playoffs, four points ahead of Chicago for the most points in the whole league. The Bruins’ scoring attack is led by Pascal Pelletier 66 points (33g, 33a) followed by Jeff Hoggan with 58 (28g, 30a) and  Martins Karsums with 55 (15g, 40a). A trio of players has over 100 penalty minutes: Steve MacIntyre (161), Sean Curry (131), and Matt Hendricks (116). All-Star Tuukka Rask owns a 27-11-1 record in goal with a 2.34 GAA and .905 save pct. Jordan Sigalet has proved to be a very serviceable backup with an 8-5-1 record, .895 save pct, and 2.64 GAA.

Oct. 21            Providence 3 at Worcester 5

Nov. 16           Worcester 2 at Providence 5

Nov. 24           Providence 5 at Worcester 4 (SO)

Jan. 5              Providence 3 at Worcester 4 (SO)

Jan. 11            Worcester 3 at Providence 0

Jan. 19            Providence 4 at Worcester 3

Feb. 3              Worcester 3 at Providence 6

Mar. 9              Worcester 1 at Providence 2 (SO)

 

Goals              25                      28

Shots               235                   277

Power Play     4-34 (12%)      4-30 (13%)

 

Worcester:  Riley Armstrong, Ashton Rome, and Dan Spang 6 points (2 goals and 4 assists each), Dennis Packard 5 points (2g, 3a), Brad Staubitz 5 points (1g, 4a), several players with 4 points … Dimitri Patzold (1-1-1, 2.61 GAA, .927 save pct), Thomas Greiss (2-1-1, 3.12 GAA, .911 save pct)

 

Providence: Jeff Hoggan 9 points (6g, 3a), Brett Skinner 8 points (8a), Martins Karsums 7 points (3g, 4a), Pascal Pelletier 7 points (4g, 3a), Wacey Rabbit 6 points (3g, 3a) … Jordan Sigalet (2-0-0, 2.34 GAA, .923 save pct), Tuukka Rask (1-2-0, 3.25 GAA, .873 save pct)

 

Goals For                   2.71- 17th                    3.51-2nd

Goals Agst                 3.25- 25th                    2.64- 9th

Shots For                   29.90- 13th                  34.14- 1st

Shots Agst                 29.07- 12th                  25.21-1st

PP                                16.6%- 16th                 16.8%- 15th

PK                                78.9%- 27th                 83.0%- 17th

PIMS                            17.4-24th                     19.1-14th

•The last three times that the Sharks traveled to Providence (Mar. 9, Feb. 3, and Jan. 11), Worcester has scored the first goal of the game and has led heading into the third period. The Sharks finished with a 1-1-0-1 record in those three games.

•Worcester has had success against All-Star goaltender and top prospect Tuukka Rask. Rask is 1-2-0 against the Sharks this season.

•The Sharks have enjoyed decent success against the Bruins this year, picking up eight points in eight games.

•Despite the Bruins leading the AHL, the Sharks have faired better against them (3-3-0-2) than Hartford (0-7-0-0) and Portland (2-4-1-1).

 

•A number of Sharks players and executives have (and will celebrate) birthdays in March.

•Current Players: Jonathan Tremblay (3^rd), Patrick Traverse (14^th), Derek Joslin (17^th), Tom Cavanagh (24^th).

•Former Worcester Players: Tomas Plihal (28^th), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (30^th).

•Account Executives: Ryan Clark (19^th), Tim Wegner (23^rd), Kaitlin Kohatanycz (24^th).

 

 

•Four Sharks players attended Ivy League Institutions.

•Tom Cavanagh, Dennis Packard, and Tom Walsh all went to Harvard while Mike Iggulden attended Cornell.

 

•Graham Mink scored only 11 seconds into the Mar. 7 game vs. Albany, the quickest goal in a Sharks game (and in a period) this season.

•There have been 10 other times (5 for the Sharks, 5 for the opponent) that a goal has been scored within the first minute of a period (not including overtime):

•Brendan Bell (San Antonio): 17 seconds into the second period on Nov. 9.

•Derek Joslin: 22 seconds into the second on Nov. 23 at Manchester.

•Lukas Kaspar: 29 seconds into the third on Dec. 18 at Lowell.

•Brendan Mikkelson (Portland): 58 seconds into the first on Dec. 21.

•Stephen Gionta (Lowell): 27 seconds into the second on Dec. 27.

•Brian Boyle (Manchester): 40 seconds into the third on Jan. 4.

•Kaspar: 54 seconds into the first on Jan. 18 vs. Portland.

•Mink: 39 seconds into the second on Feb. 2 vs. Manchester.

•Devin Setoguchi: 36 seconds into the third on Feb. 6 at Lowell.

•Kyle Wanvig (Norfolk): 25 seconds into the second on Feb. 15.

 

•Tom Walsh scored one of the most unbelievable goals in franchise history on Friday vs. Bridgeport. The goal came with less than three seconds remaining to tie the score at four.

•The following day, Albany tallied a first period goal with only one second remaining in the first period.

•Dan Spang scored a crucial insurance goal on Mar. 19 with only 53 seconds remaining in the second period.

 

•With his fight against Norfolk on Mar. 5, Dan Spang became the 13th player on the team’s current roster that has been assessed a fighting major.

•Along with Spang, Patrick Traverse, Brad Staubitz, Tom Cavanagh, T.J. Fox, Craig Valette, Ashton Rome, Graham Mink, Derek Joslin, Dennis Packard, Jonathan Tremblay, Mike Iggulden, and Brennan Evans have all picked up fighting majors.

•Staubitz and Evans have both had fighting majors in nine games this season.

•Those who haven’t been involved in any fights are: Tom Walsh, Nate Raduns, Mike Morris, Riley Armstrong, Lukas Kaspar, J.D. Forrest, Marc Busenburg, Oren Eizenman, and Brian White.

•The team has 60 fighting majors this season led by Staubitz’s 18.

 

•The Sharks scored 11 power play goals in a six games span from Feb. 27-Mar. 7.

•Ever since, the unit has continued to enjoy spurts of success with two goals on Mar. 14 at Lowell and two on Wednesday vs. Bridgeport. The Sharks were unable to score a power play goal over last weekend.

•The man advantage will be a crucial component in success down the stretch.

•Current scoring leaders are: Iggulden (29 pts: 7 g, 22a), Graham Mink (21 pts: 12g, 9a), Tom Cavanagh (17 pts: 8g, 9a), and Derek Joslin (16 pts: 7g, 9a) continue to lead the way.

•The Sharks are home for an extended stretch and even after playing 14 of the last 18 at home, will still play five of the final 11 games at the friendly confines of the DCU Center. Worcester is 14-14-3-4 at home and 13-17-2-2 on the road.

 

•On Mar. 19, the Sharks signed veteran defenseman Brian White.

•The team inked Oren Eizenman to a Professional Tryout Agreement on Mar. 16.

•Right around the NHL’s trade deadline, roster moves came fast and furious for the (NHL’s and AHL’s) Sharks.

•San Jose acquired veteran goaltender Brian Boucher to serve as backup to Evgeni Nabokov, allowing Thomas Greiss to return to Worcester.

•San Jose recalled forward Devin Setoguchi.

•The organization also assigned netminder Taylor Dakers to Phoenix (ECHL).

Worcester Sharks General Manager Wayne Thomas has announced the players on the team's Clear Day Roster. Each American Hockey League team submits a Clear Day roster to the league consisting of a maximum of 22 players. According to AHL by-laws, only those players listed on a team's Clear Day roster are eligible to compete in the remainder of the 2007-08 AHL regular season and in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, unless emergency conditions arise as a result of recall, injury or suspension.

 

Thomas Greiss, Dimitri Patzold

 

Marc Busenburg, Brennan Evans, J.D. Forrest, Derek Joslin, Dan Spang, Brad Staubitz, Patrick Traverse, Tom Walsh

 

Riley Armstrong, Tom Cavanagh, T.J. Fox, Mike Iggulden, Lukas Kaspar, Graham Mink, Mike Morris, Dennis Packard, Nate Raduns, Ashton Rome, Devin Setoguchi, Craig Valette

 

Sharks forward Jonathan Tremblay is considered "in residence" for the remainder of the regular season and Calder Cup Playoffs. Tremblay may be added to the active roster in the event of emergency conditions.

 

Teams may also add signed junior players or players on amateur tryout contracts, only after their respective junior or college seasons are complete. A complete list of all 29 AHL team Clear Day rosters may be found here.

 

•Introducing…Sharks TV! You can now see highlights, promo videos, and more from the comfort of your own home! To start “flipping the channels”, please click here.

 

•With the NCAA hockey’s version of “March Madness” fast approaching, another type of madness filters to the AHL level. Once the college hockey season concludes, many seniors look to continue their playing careers right away. For those who are drafted, they must sign with the team that selected them, but those who are undrafted are free to sign with any team. To read about who you could see donning Teal and Gold, please click here.

 

•The Worcester Sharks have announced that forward Riley Armstrong will shave his head on ice following the team’s April 6 game vs. Springfield as part of BALD IS BEATIFUL NIGHT sponsored by Jeffrey Robert Salon of Worcester. Armstrong has been growing out his hair to raise awareness for Locks of Love. For more information on how you can take part, please click here.

 

•The Worcester Sharks have announced two separate specialty jersey nights in which fans have the opportunity to bid on game-worn jerseys of their favorite Sharks players. The Sharks debuted alternate jerseys on Feb. 29 as well as a special St. Patrick’s Day Jersey on Sunday, Mar. 16. There is still time to bid on the St. Patrick’s Day jerseys!  For more information, please click here.

•The 2nd Annual Evening with the Worcester Sharks at Bocado Restaurant presented by Bay State Savings Bank on Tuesday, March 25th to support Champions for Children was a tremendous success! To read more about the outstanding charity event, please click here!

 

•The Worcester Sharks and Devereux have teamed up for a unique opportunity benefiting a worthy cause. Fans have the opportunities to pledge a certain dollar amount per Sharks goal scored during the nine home games in March, with all the proceeds supporting Devereux. If the pledge is $1 per goal and the Sharks score 30 goals during the nine home games, the final donation will be $30. Flat donations are also accepted. To read more and find out how you can help, click here.

 

•To read about what the Sharks are up to in the community, check out the most recent Community Notebook.

 

•American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the Worcester Sharks and the city of Worcester have been awarded the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic. The event will take place at the DCU Center in January, 2009. The 2009 event in Worcester will mark the fourth time since it was revived in 1995 that the AHL All-Star Classic will take place in New England. The AHL All-Star Game was last held in Massachusetts in 1959 at the Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield.

•The All-Star banner was raised to the rafters of the DCU Center prior to the Sharks game vs. Portland on February 23.

•San Jose had an equally crazy game as Worcester on Tuesday, Mar. 25. Phoenix held the 2-0 lead heading into the third period, but the Sharks scored four goals (to the Coyotes’ two) in the final stanza to force OT, before losing in the extra session.

•One Worcester alumni stood out: Marc Edouard Vlasic had a goal and assist in the defeat.

•Behind red-hot Joe Pavelski’s 17^th goal of the season, San Jose beat Minnesota 4-3, on Mar. 19 to extend their streak of gaining points to 13 games.

•Despite losing to Edmonton in overtime on Mar. 16, San Jose did extend its point streak to 12 games led by Pavelski’s assist on the team’s only goal.
•Led by Pavelski’s 16th goal of the season, San Jose came away with a 2-1 win over Nashville on Mar. 11.

•Tomas Plihal scored on a penalty shot in San Jose’s 3-2 shootout win over Minnesota on Mar. 9. It was Plihal’s second goal of the season (and career).

•On Mar. 7, a pair of players that saw time in Worcester, Devin Setoguchi and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, assisted on Patrick Marleau’s second period goal against Chicago. The goal proved to be the game-winner in San Jose’s 3-2 victory.

•Former Worcester Shark Steve Bernier was traded from San Jose to Buffalo for Brian Campbell at the NHL trade deadline. Bernier scored two goals and added an assist in his Sabres debut the following day.

•Garrett Stafford was recalled from the AHL’s Grand Rapid Griffins by Detroit on Feb. 23 and made his NHL debut with the Red Wings against the Vancouver Canucks, recording one shot on goal.

•Eight players have played for both Worcester and San Jose this season.

• Thomas Greiss has appeared in three games and owns a 0-1-1 record with a 3.26 GAA and .860 save pct … Dimitri Patzold played in three games with a .800 save pct … Marc-Edouard Vlasic who played in one game for Worcester over the NHL All-Star Break, has 14 points (2g, 12a) … Tomas Plihal has played in 18 games, scoring two goals and adding an assist … Mike Iggulden made his NHL debut in February against the New York Islanders before being reassigned to Worcester … Devin Setoguchi has 11 goals and 6 assists in 42 games in San Jose … Lukas Kaspar has appeared in three games, putting five shots on goal …Sandis Ozolinsh has 3 goals and 13 assists.

 

•Warwick, R.I. native Tom Cavanagh was featured on WPRI Channel 12 on Mar. 9 at 11:30 p.m. as part of the Sunday Sports Wrap.

•The following evening, Cavanagh was also featured as this week’s Hometown Sports Hero on Fox Providence at 10:45 p.m.

•Stay updated with sharksahl.com for links to the video once it becomes available!

•In every game preview, sharksahl.com will feature a different player. This week, get an inside look at Dan Spang who is one of only four Sharks to have played in every game this season!

 

 

2007-08 with Worcester: Tallied a power play goal on 3/19 vs. Bridgeport … Scored a goal vs. San Antonio on 3/12 … Tallied an assist on “Dan Spang autographed card night” on 3/8 vs. Lowell … Had first fighting major of season (Smolenak) on 3/5 vs. Norfolk … Tallied an assist vs. Norfolk (3/2) … Assisted on Devin Setoguchi’s shorthanded goal in the first period against Springfield (2/27) … Broke 14-game pointless drought and 19-game goalless drought when he found the back of the net vs. Springfield (2/24) … Three game assist streak (1/16-1/19) …  Picked up an assist on Ashton Rome’s third period goal vs. Providence (1/19) … Sprung Lukas Kaspar on a breakaway that he finished for a 1-0 lead over Portland (1/18) … Tallied an assist at Hartford (1/16) … Made a beautiful pass to spring Devin Setoguchi on a breakaway, leading to a goal vs. Providence (1/11) … Got the Sharks on the board vs. Providence (1/5) in a 4-3 shootout win, earning the No. 1 star of the game … Tallied an assist vs. Manchester (1/4) … Picked up a pair of assists vs. Manchester (12/29) … Scored the overtime game-winner on 12/22 at Portland …. Recorded two assists vs. Providence (11/24) … Scored goals in back-to-back games vs. Springfield (11/12) and Providence (11/16) … Goal against Springfield was first of season … Has played every game this season.