Sharks see-sawed their way to three points last week
February 23, 2009
Sharks see-sawed their way to three points last week
Worcester plays eight of their next nine games at the DCU Center, including three this week!
Last Week: (1-1-1-0) 3pts, 3gp
Fri. 2/20 Worcester SHARKS 2 @ Springfield Falcons 1 OT – MassMutual Center
Sat. 2/21 Worcester SHARKS 2 v. Providence Bruins 4 – DCU Center
Sun. 2/22 Worcester SHARKS 3 @ Lowell Devils 4 OT – Tsongas Arena
This Week:
Wed. 2/25 Worcester SHARKS v. Lowell Devils 7:05 p.m.
Fri. 2/27 Worcester SHARKS v. Portland Pirates 7:05 p.m.
Sat. 2/28 Worcester SHARKS v. Springfield Falcons 7:05 p.m.
Rewind the Tape:
2.20.09 – Worcester 2 – Springfield 1 OT – Mass Mutual Center
Riley Armstrong deflected in the puck past Devan Dubnyk after the initial shot from on top of the right circle off the stick of Jason Demers with just: 44 seconds left in overtime to defeat the Falcons 2-1 on Friday night. Tom Cavanagh gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead 6:21 into the first period. Charles Linglet tied the score at 1-1 early in the second period before Riley’s heroics in the extra frame. Thomas Greiss made 29 saves in net and the Sharks improved to 5-0 in overtime. The Sharks ended their seven game road trip 2-5-0-0.
2.21.09 – Worcester 2 – Providence 4 – DCU Center
The Sharks returned home after three weeks on the road in front of a capacity crowd at the DCU Center on “Hero’s Night” but the Bruins spoiled the party as the Sharks fell 4-2 on Saturday night in front of 7,008 fans in Worcester. After the Bruins took a 2-0 lead, rookie Jamie McGinn would score two straight goals to tie the score at 2-2 at 2:25 of the third period. But the Bruins would score on the very next shift as Jeremy Reich deflected in a puck past a sprawled Taylor Dakers at 2:46. Thomas Griess would then relieve Dakers but the Sharks couldn’t solve the Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask. An empty net goal sealed the victory for Providence.
2.22.09 – Worcester 3 – Lowell 4 OT – Tsongas Arena
With 4th place on the line, the Sharks lost in overtime for the first time this season as rookie Michael Swift scored for the Devils on a delayed penalty call with just :22 seconds remaining past Thomas Greiss. The Sharks led 2-1 after Riley Armstrong and Mike Moore scored back to back goals midway through the first period. After the Devils made the score 3-2 early in the second period, Sharks captain Ryan Vesce scored a power play goal on a rebound past Ryan Frazee after an initial shot by Matt Fornataro. Jamie McGinn was denied a five game goal scoring streak as Frazee stopped McGinn on a breakaway chance midway through the third period. With the loss, the Sharks fell to 5-1 in overtime and trail the Devils by one point for 4th place.
Sharks in the Atlantic…
The Sharks (28-25-1-2) swim in 5th place in the Atlantic Division with 59 points, ten points behind the first place Providence Bruins. Worcester is just one point behind the Devils for 4th place. The Sharks stand six points behind the Hartford Wolf Pack for 2nd place and are four points behind the 3rd place Pirates. The Manchester Monarchs trail the Sharks by just two points in a very choppy Atlantic Division.
Shark Bites:
*The Sharks had 7,008 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday on “Hero’s Night” for the best crowd of the season and currently have a 16-9-0-1 record at home this season.
*The Sharks finished January with a 9-3-0-1 record with 19 points in 13 games including 6-1-0-0 at home but are just 2-6-1-0 in February.
*Sharks Captain Ryan Vesce is currently 8th in the AHL in points with 56 (18-38-56) and tops in overtime goals (4) and game winning goals (7). Vesce had a franchise-high 17 game point streak (9-18-27) snapped in Springfield on Friday and has 44 points (17-27-44) in his last 35gp.
*Lukas Kaspar scored his 2nd NHL goal in a win over the LA Kings on Thursday before returning back to Worcester on Saturday. Kaspar has shined offensively in Worcester, as he has 20 points in his last 21 games (7-13-20).
*The Sharks have 61 fighting major penalties this season through 56 games. 16 different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (16), Brett Westgarth (11), Mike Moore (9), Brad Staubitz (8), Jason Demers (2), Andrew Desjardins (3), Jamie McGinn (2), James McEwan (2), Tom Cavanagh, Dan DaSilva, Kyle McLaren, Brendan Buckley, TJ Fox, Cory Larose, Matt Jones and Riley Armstrong.
*The Sharks have scored the 6th most shorthanded goals in the AHL with nine, but have allowed the 2nd most against with 11.
*Worcester has been outscored 43-64 in the first period but have outscored their opponents in the second period (51-50) and the third period (58-52).
*Patrick Traverse is 10th in the AHL defenseman scoring race with 31 points (7-24-31). Traverse is currently having the best offensive season in his 15th professional season.
*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.68) and 1st in shots against per game (26.23)
*Riley Armstrong leads the Sharks with 155 shots on goal.
*Frazer McLaren is 3rd among AHL rookies with 16 fighting major penalties and 6th in pims (118).
*Steven Zalewski ranks 2nd among AHL rookies with 147 shots on goal and 18th in rookie scoring with 32 points (11-21-32).
*Jamie McGinn had a four game goal scoring streak (6 goals) snapped on Sunday in Lowell. McGinn leads the Sharks with five first goals.
*The Sharks have the 4th best winning percentage (.700) in the AHL in games that are decided after regulation. Worcester is 5-1 in overtime and 2-2 in the shootout.
*The Sharks have scored the first goal of the game in 25 of their 56 games and are 19-5-0-1 when scoring the first tally of the game.
Roster Moves:
The Sharks have made several roster moves this week.
*San Jose reassigned Ashton Rome to Phoenix (ECHL) on Wednesday.
*Worcester loaned Dan DaSilva to Phoenix (ECHL) to Phoenix on Saturday.
*San Jose recalled Brad Staubitz on Wednesday and loaned him back to Worcester on Saturday.
*San Jose loaned Derek Joslin, Lukas Kaspar, and Jamie McGinn to Worcester on Saturday.
Top Sharks:
o Goals Armstrong (19)
o Game Winners Vesce (7)
o Assists Vesce (38)
o Points Vesce (56)
o Power play Points Vesce (4-14-18)
o Shots Armstrong (155)
o PIM F. McLaren (118)
o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (16)
o Plus/Minus Moore (+11)
o Wins Greiss (18)
o G.A.A. Greiss (2.71)
o Save % Greiss (.897)
o Shutouts Dakers (1)
Coming Up:
The Worcester Sharks play eight of their next nine games at the DCU Center in Worcester including three games this week!
On Wednesday, the Sharks host the Lowell Devils on “Dollar Dog Wednesday” at 7:05p.m. as the two teams battle for 4th place in the Atlantic Division!
On Friday, the Sharks host the Portland Pirates at 7:05 p.m. on “Go Red Night.”
Show your support for the American Heart Association! Tim “Dr. Hook” McCracken from the hit movie Slap Shot will be on hand to sign autographs. All student tickets are just $9 and the game will also be shown live on Charter TV-3!
On Saturday, the Shark host the Springfield Falcons at 7:05 p.m. on “Faith Night.” Pick up your Family Fun Pack with a ticket, hot dog, and soda for just $15.25 each when buying a minimum of four tickets! The first 3,000 fans will receive a Brad Staubitz autographed collector’s card. Stay after the game for a postgame concert by “Brother’s Keeper”!
The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now! Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, contacting the Worcester Sharks office at 508.929.0500, or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.
All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHLcom.
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