Worcester Sharks vs. Philadelphia Phantoms

Wachovia Spectrum – Philadelphia, PA

February 2, 2008

 

 

 

By: Justin Lafleur                                                                                                                                                         Click Here for the Boxscore

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Worcester Sharks couldn’t overcome three consecutive Philadelphia goals and a late power play tally proved to be too little too late as the Sharks fell, 3-2, on Friday evening at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA.

 

NHL veteran and Philadelphia netminder Brian Boucher did not allow any goals over a 55:14 span and finished with 26 saves on 28 shots. Sharks goaltender Dimitri Patzold made 19 saves on 22 shots.

 

The Sharks started the first period flying, with a goal less than five minutes into the game. Nate Raduns, playing his first game since Jan. 18, made his presence felt when he capitalized for his ninth goal of the season at 4:21. He broke up the left wing side and let go a wrist shot at the left wing circle that beat Boucher glove side for the 1-0 lead. Tom Cavanagh picked up the only assist on the play.

 

Patzold started the period strong, keeping the Phantoms off the scoreboard despite numerous outstanding opportunities. Philadelphia finally beat Patzold at 12:53 when Kyle Greentree scored his 13^th of the season. After an initial shot went over the net, the rebound bounced right back in front and Greentree capitalized. Jonathan Matsumoto and Pete Zingoni were credited with the assists.

 

The teams went into the locker room tied at one. Worcester held the 10-9 shot advantage after one period.

 

Despite no goals in the second period, there were plenty of chances. Seven minor penalties were called (four on the Phantoms, three on the Sharks), as Worcester earned two 5-on-3 man advantages. The Sharks couldn’t break out of their power play drought though, failing to convert on both opportunities.

 

Worcester held the 8-6 second period shot advantage and had the 18-15 lead after two stanzas.

 

Only 2:01 into the third period, the Phantoms took their first lead of the game. Sharks center Mike Iggulden was shaken up after crashing into the boards. Lars Jonsson followed by going coast-to-coast on the left wing side. He took a tough angle shot from the left wing side that snuck past Patzold for the 2-1 advantage. Denis Tolpeko and Denis Gauthier picked up the assists.

 

Philadelphia made it a two-goal advantage 2:03 later at 4:04 when Greentree scored his second goal of the game and 14^th of the season. Off a turnover, he broke in the right wing side and unleashed a hard slap shot from over 45 feet away. It beat Patzold to his blocker side just inside the post.

 

After a plethora of penalties, the Sharks found themselves on an abbreviated 6-on-3 advantage. Graham Mink made the Phantoms pay, scoring his tenth of the season with 24.9 seconds remaining in regulation. Riley Armstrong and Derek Joslin had the assists on the play.

 

Worcester took the ensuing faceoff and put good opportunities on goal, but Boucher was there to close the door, preserving the 3-2 win.

 

The Sharks return to the DCU Center tomorrow evening to face the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. with the first 3,000 fans in attendance receiving a hand-signed Graham Mink Collector’s Card. Fans are encouraged to come to the arena early, as Saint John’s and Saint Peter-Marian will square off in the First Annual High School Hockey Classic with a 4:00 p.m. contest prior to the Sharks vs. the Monarchs. Tickets to the classic are only $10.50 and get fans into the Sharks game as well!

 

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. All games can be heard live on 580 WTAG, as well as online through B2 Networks, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.sharksahl.com.

 

NOTES: Nate Raduns was back in the lineup for the first time since Jan. 18 vs. Portland. He has been battling an injury since a hit on Jan. 5 vs. Providence … Raduns’ first period tally was the first goal in franchise history against Philadelphia. The teams did not face each other last season and the Phantoms shut out the Sharks, 3-0, on Nov. 3 this season … Jonathan Tremblay saw action for the second time in the last 11 games … With the Sharks’ late power play goal, they broke a five game drought without a power play goal. Heading into the game, they had misfired on 21 man advantages over the previous five games … Philadelphia’s Pete Zingoni took a major penalty at 17:10 of the third period. After Ashton Rome had a big hit at center ice, Zingoni came over with and threw punches at Rome, earning a ten minute miscount, five minute fighting major and two minute instigating minor. Rome was only assessed a two minute roughing penalty … At one point in the third period, three players from each team were in their respective penalty boxes … The final attendance figure was 5,571 … Patzold had 19 saves on 22 shots for the Sharks while Boucher stopped 26 of 28 for Philadelphia …  Power plays: Worcester: 1 for 8, Philadelphia 0 for 3