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Three big wins propel Sharks into 4th place in Atlantic

March 30, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Rewind the Tape:

3.24.09 - Worcester 5 - Bridgeport 3 - Arena at Harbor Yard

The Sharks exploded for four goals in the first period, two on the power play and held off a late Sound Tigers attack in a 5-3 win in Bridgeport on Tuesday. P.J. Fenton scored two goals while Steven Zalewski, Matt Fornataro, and Andrew Desjardins each tallied for the Sharks. Thomas Greiss was brilliant in net making 47 saves in goal for Worcester while Jason Demers added two assists.

3.27.09 - Worcester 3 - Springfield 2 - DCU Center

Dan DaSilva scored two goals, including the game winner at :21 seconds of the third period as the Sharks won their 2nd straight game on Friday with a 3-2 win vs. Springfield. Trailing 2-1 late in the 2nd period, Lukas Kaspar fired a rocket from the left circle on the power play to tie the score. Thomas Greiss made 25 saves in goal while Trent Campbell and Andrew Desjardins each had two assists.

3.28.09 - Worcester 0 - Lowell 1 - DCU Center

For the 2nd straight Saturday, Lowell netminder Jeff Frazee shut out the Sharks as he made 33 saves to keep the Devils playoff hopes alive. The Sharks went 0-8 on the power play and had two goals waved off in the third period on "Be a Leader" night. Thomas Greiss made 20 saves in goal in his 9th straight start. Alexander Vasyunov scored the only goal of the game just 2:30 into the first period in a wacky hockey game at the DCU Center that saw the Devils have a power play before the opening faceoff.

3.29.09 - Worcester 4 - Providence 2 - Dunkin Donuts Center

For the first time since January 11, 2008, the Sharks defeated the Bruins 4-2 at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Sunday. The Sharks trailed 2-0 early in the second period before Frazer McLaren backhanded in a rebound past Kevin Regan at 6:04 of the 2nd for his 6th goal of the season. Worcester scored three times in the third period with Dan DaSilva picking up the game winner with a beautiful deflection past Kevin Regan at 15:58. Trent Campbell capped the comeback with his 2nd goal of the night with an empty netter at 19:55. Thomas Greiss was solid with 26 saves while Jason Demers and Andrew Desjardins each picked up two assists.

Sharks in the Atlantic...

The Sharks (37-34-1-2) swim in a 4th place in the Atlantic Division with 77 points, 13 points behind the first place Hartford Wolf Pack. Worcester is just two points behind the Pirates for the 3rd spot and 11 points behind the Bruins for the 2nd spot. The 5th place Monarchs are one point behind the Sharks and the Devils are just three points out in a very choppy Atlantic Division. The Wolf Pack are the only team in the division to have clichéd a playoff birth.

Shark Bites:

*Worcester has just 6 games remaining in the regular season (3 at home, 3 on the road).

*The Sharks come-from-behind victory in Providence was their 4th win in 34 tries when trailing after two periods (4-30-0-0). All four victories have come on the road.

*The "Grind Line" (DaSilva, Campbell, and Desjardins) has been getting it done for the Sharks. Dan DaSilva has five points (3-2-5) in his last three games, Andrew Desjardins has five points (1-4-5) in his last three games, and Trent Campbell has four points (2-2-4) in his last three games.

*Thomas Greiss has made ten straight starts in net for the Sharks including his 3rd straight back to back 3in3 weekend. Greiss is 5-7-0 in his last 12 starts with a 2.18 gaa and a .920 save %.

*Tom Cavanagh scored his first NHL goal in a 3-2 San Jose Sharks victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday.

*Currently on recall to San Jose, Sharks Captain Ryan Vesce is 13th in the AHL in points with 68 (22-46-68) and tops in overtime goals (4) and game winning goals (9).

*Rookie Frazer McLaren is 3rd among AHL rookies with 20 fighting major penalties and 4th in pims (166). Frazer set a franchise record with his 20th fighting major of the season against Hans Benson on Friday. Brad Staubitz had 19 tilts last season.

*The Sharks have set a franchise record with 75 fighting major penalties this season through 74 games. 16 different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (20), Brett Westgarth (14), Mike Moore (10), Brad Staubitz (10), Jason Demers (2), Andrew Desjardins (5), Jamie McGinn (2), James McEwan (2), Tom Cavanagh, Dan DaSilva, Kyle McLaren, Brendan Buckley (2), TJ Fox, Cory Larose (2), Matt Jones and Riley Armstrong. The Sharks had 68 fighting majors last season and 54 in 2007-08.

*Worcester has been outscored 56-77 in the first period but has outscored their opponents in the second period (69-68) and the third period (75-65).

*Patrick Traverse is 12th in the AHL defenseman scoring race with 39 points (8-31-39). Traverse is currently having the best offensive season in his 15th professional season.

*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.23) and 2nd in shots against per game (26.76).

*The Sharks have the best winning percentage (.727) in the AHL in games that are decided after regulation. Worcester is 6-1 in overtime and 2-2 in the shootout.

*The Sharks have scored the first goal of the game in 32 of their 74 games and are 24-7-0-1 when scoring the first tally of the game. (.766)

*The Sharks are 18-3-0-1 when leading after twenty minutes and 23-2-0-1 when leading after forty.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

3/30 The San Jose Sharks signed Joe Loprieno from Merrimack College and Nick Petrecki from Boston College.

*The San Jose Sharks currently have Tom Cavanagh, Jamie McGinn, Brad Staubitz, and Ryan Vesce on recall from Worcester.

Sharks:

o Goals Armstrong (23)

o Game Winners Vesce (9)* franchise record

o Assists Vesce (46)* franchise record

o Points Vesce (68)

o Power play Points Vesce (5-17-22)

o Shots Armstrong (199)

o PIM F. McLaren (166)

o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (20)* franchise record

o Plus/Minus Demers, Moore (+12)

o Wins Greiss (25)

o G.A.A. Greiss (2.57)

o Save % Greiss (.903)

o Shutouts Dakers (1)

Coming Up:

The Sharks have just six games remaining this season as the push towards the playoffs continues!

4/1 @ Springfield

4/3 @ Albany in Glens Falls

4/4 @ Manchester

4/8 vs. Portland

4/10 vs. Manchester

4/11 vs. Providence

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.SharksAHL.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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