Wolf Pack top Sharks, 2-0

Published on April 16, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. _ When last seen on the XL Center ice, Dane Byers was limping to the Wolf Pack bench with a torn ACL in his right knee on Halloween night.

Byers felt spooked after sustaining the injury when he collided with teammate Tommy Pyatt while heading to the bench late in a loss to the Worcester Sharks.

As fate would have it, Byers returned after missing 71 games against the same Sharks and scored the clinching goal to back Matt Zaba's 38-save shutout in the Wolf Pack's 2-0 victory in the opener of the best-of-seven Atlantic Division semifinals before 2,109 at the XL Center Thursday night. Game 2 is Saturday at 7 p.m. at the XL Center.

"I'm thrilled for him because of how incredible he has worked and the level of commitment he has made," said Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander, who often skated with Byers after practice to test his left wing's recovery. "He was so hungry to play and a nice injection into the lineup."

Byers talked with Gernander about returning last weekend and got final approval to play after tests on Tuesday proved he wouldn't be at risk if he went back in the lineup. He scored the Wolf Pack's second goal when he made a hit in his own zone, got the puck to Mike Ouellette and then finished at the other end, half-fanning on a pass by Jordan Owens that trickled through Thomas Greiss' legs at 7:20 of the third period.

"I had a little nerves to start off, but (Gernander) put me in early and often and got my head off other things," Byers said. "It was 51/2 months of rehab that wasn't easy, but it was nice to be back with the boys. It was great that the team did so great all season to give me this opportunity to come back, so I'm fortunate for that.

"Trying to keep up with two speedy guys like Owens and Ouellette was a challenge, but I like challenges."

Zaba was especially challenged in the second period, when the Sharks had an 18-7 shot advantage, including six shots on a power play plus one by Ryan Vesce that hit the post. But Zaba was focused from the start of his first AHL playoff start and ended up with the Wolf Pack's first shutout in the playoffs since Al Montoya beat Providence 1-0 on April 26, 2007.

"I just wanted to make sure I started off on the right foot and gave the guys a chance to win," said Zaba, a major reason that the Wolf Pack rallied from last place in December to win the Atlantic Division title. "I really wanted to have a strong first five minutes to get my confidence and the team's confidence going, just show them that I was going to be battling for them."

Zaba was beaten only by a disallowed goal by former Wolf Pack center Corey Larose because of a high stick with 4:10 left. That came less than a minute after Zaba flicked out his left pad to stop Dan DaSilva's rebound.

Greiss (23 saves) made a stunning stop 3:12 into the game when Dave Urquhart's slap shot from the left circle hit the Sharks goalie in the mask. Greiss then made a solid save off Greg Moore with 8:05 left in the first period, and moments later, Mike Moore (no relation) was denied by Zaba off a centering pass from Lukas Kaspar.

Despite the Sharks' onslaught in the second period, the Wolf Pack took a 1-0 lead at 4:19 off a brilliant three-way play. Corey Potter passed from the left point to the right post to Dale Weise, who shoveled the puck through the crease to Artem Anisimov, the team's leading scorer during the regular season, who flipped it into the open side of the net.

The Sharks, who won six of their last seven games to grab the fourth and final playoff spot, then all but tied the score with their six shots during their fourth power play, including bang-bang bids by Larose and Patrick Traverse before Vesce hit the post.

Then during the Wolf Pack's third power play, Zaba made a brilliant glove save on backhander in front by Tom Cavanagh, who also had just returned from the San Jose Sharks with Vesce.

Greiss kept the Sharks close when he stopped Brodie Dupont off a feed from Anisimov at 4:55 of the third period, but Byers' end-to-end effort sealed the Wolf Pack victory in their 12th consecutive playoff opener.

Before the game, AHL manager of hockey operations Bill Scott presented Wolf Pack captain Greg Moore with the Emile Francis Trophy for the team winning the Atlantic Division title.

Pyatt (personal reasons) and All-AHL right wing and Wolf Pack second-leading scorer P.A. Parenteau (injury) might return Saturday.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2009


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