Thursday, 09.10.2009 / 1:33 AM / News

By San Jose Sharks Staff

Three games and three wins. That was the story for San Jose during their annual rookie games with the Anaheim Ducks this year. San Jose sealed the sweep with a 5-2 victory Wednesday night at Sharks Ice.

“Winning is the best thing, no matter what level,” said Daniel Erlich, who score a goal and added three helpers. “We came in a few days ago with a bunch of guys we didn’t know and we win and everyone is happy.”

San Jose had a balanced attack on the evening with five different players lighting the lamp. The scorers included Michael D’Orazio, Marc Cantin, Erlich, Corey Quirk and Joe Loprieno.

Erlich was happy to find the back of the net in the last contest.

“I was waiting for that,” said Erlich. “The scouts and coaches told me only way the only way to score was to shoot the puck.”

Defensively San Jose allowed just two goals on the night and only three in all.

“The goalies only allowed three goals in three games,” said Roy Sommer, Worcester’s Head Coach and the man behind the bench for the tournament. “There were a few break downs and the goalies came up big.”

The coaching staff went back to tryout netminder Thomas Heemskerk from the Everett Silvertips for a second game and he rewarded them with a second victory.

Heemskerk wasn’t necessarily expecting a second start, but was happy with the nod.

“I was excited to get the call again,” said Heemskerk. “I was sitting in my room last night and Wayne (Thomas) called and said to get ready.”

Heemskerk liked working with a little more wiggle room than he had in the 2-1 shootout victory in Game 1 that saw eight rounds of shootouts.

“They definitely opened things up and got the goals early,” said Heemskerk. “It is easy to play when you get a few more goals.”

FANS
Erlich was impressed with the hundreds of fans that packed the bleachers each night.

“The fans were great,” said Erlich. “They gave us our momentum.”

FIGHTS
The night was filled with several fights, six to be specific, but the Sharks hopefuls showed they were ready at every turn.

“We weren’t the bigger team, but we competed hard and that was the difference in the game,” said Sommer.

“Obviously there will be fights when guys are trying to make the team,” said Erlich. “Everybody did a great job of sticking up for each other.”

And by sticking up for each other and playing well, a few on the roster definitely improved their chance at a position in the Sharks main camp beginning this weekend.

“Todd (McLellan) came in and said they were being evaluated the moment they stepped on the ice on Saturday,” said Sommer. “During the games, the guys competed and a lot will be coming to the main camp.”

Which is the goal of everyone at rookie camp.

SCORESHEET
The scoresheet from Game 3 can be found at:
http://stats.liahl.org/oss-scoresheet?game_id=48632&mode=display

MAIN CAMP
The Sharks will open up their main camp on Sunday. Players will report for physicals on Saturday and will take part in a myriad of photo shoots in preparation for the season, but there will be no on ice portion. Saturday is also a day where parking would be limited anyway due to a San Jose Giants game and the San Jose State football game.