Worcester, MA- Mark Letestu scored the game winning goal and John Curry held off a late third period charge as the Sharks fell to the Penguins 2-1 at the DCU Center on Saturday night to break a five game home winning streak.The Sharks got off to a slow start as the Penguins struck twice in the first period. The scoring started at 16:36 when Ben Lovejoy put one home with a great wrist shot from the right circle that rang off the post and in past Alex Stalock during 4on4 play. The Penguins struck again when Mark Letestu buried a rebound at 18:15 on a power play. On the ensuing faceoff, Sharks forward Brandon Mashinter fought Penguins forward Wade Brookbank in an entertaining bout. Final shots in the period were 10-7 in favor of the Penguins.
Worcester cut the lead in half in the second period when Steven Zalewski banged home a rebound past Penguins goaltender John Curry at 7:44. Zalewski buried the puck past Curry after a great first effort by T.J. Trevelyan. The Penguins led 2-1 after forty minutes of play.
The Sharks played a solid third period but were not able to score the equalizer. John Curry held the fort down making 14 saves in the final period to secure the victory for the Penguins.
With the loss, the Sharks fall to 8-4-0-1 (17 points) on the season. The Sharks conclude their four game home stand on Wednesday as they host the Lowell Devils at 1:05 p.m.
Notes: Three stars: (1) Penguins forward Mark Letestu, GWG (2) Sharks forward Steven Zalewski, G (3) Penguins goaltender John Curry, 30 saves....Alex Stalock made 32 saves for the Sharks Worcester went 1/6 on the power play.......Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went 1/5 on the power play.... Final shots were 34-31 in favor on the Penguins... John McCarthy fought Keven Veilleux at 7:46 of the 2nd period, with each receiving their first professional fighting majors.... The Sharks five game win streak at home was broken; their record is seven games in 2006... the Sharks fell to 1-4-0-0 all-time vs. the Penguins.
Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:
* Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
* Significant savings off box office ticket prices
* Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)
Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by 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.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
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.