First place Sharks rule Atlantic after four straight wins - WOR Sharks Weekly 3.15.10

Published on March 15, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Top 3!

#1 Andrew Desjardins grabs four points (2-2-4) in 6-2 win vs. Hershey on March 15!

#2 T.J. Trevelyan scores two goals in back to back wins on Wednesday and Friday!

#3 Derek Joslin extends point streak to SIX games with a goal and assist in win over the Bears!

Last Week: (3-0-0-0) 6pts, 3gp

Wed. 3/10 W Hartford Wolf Pack 4 @ Worcester SHARKS 6

Fri. 3/12 W Binghamton Senators 4 @ Worcester SHARKS 6

Sun. 3/14 W Hershey Bears 2 @ Worcester SHARKS 6

Next Week:

Wed. 3/17 Worcester SHARKS @ Albany River Rats - 7:00 p.m.

Sat. 3/20 Providence Bruins @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.

Sun. 3/21 Worcester SHARKS @ Lowell Devils - 4:00 p.m.

Rewind the Tape:

3.10.10 - Worcester 6 - Hartford 4 - W - DCU Center

It took five attempts, but the Sharks finally collected their first victory of the season against the Hartford Wolf Pack and did so in dramatic fashion as they came from behind to win, 6-4. T.J. Trevelyan provided the heroics, scoring with just under two minutes remaining in regulation. Trevelyan, a Wolf Pack nemesis all season, now has five goals against Hartford, including two on the night. Captain Ryan Vesce added a goal and an assist for the Sharks while Danny Groulx had an empty-net goal and was a +4 on the evening. Frank Doyle made 34 saves in net in the victory for his 2nd straight win.

3.12.10 - Worcester 6 - Binghamton 4 - W - DCU Center

T.J Trevelyan scored a goal early in the first period and added an empty netter as the Sharks defeated the Binghamton Senators 6-4 at the DCU Center in Worcester on Friday night for their third straight victory and their 40th win of the season. Trevelyan took over the Sharks scoring lead with a total of 23 goals and Danny Groulx added three points (1-2-3) as the Sharks swept the Senators in the two game season series. 13 different Sharks players recorded at least one point and Alex Stalock made 32 saves for his AHL leading 34th victory in net.

3.14.10 - Worcester 6 - Hershey 2 - W - DCU Center

The Worcester Sharks defeated the league leading Hershey Bears 6-2 at the DCU Center Sunday afternoon behind four points from Andrew Desjardins and 31 saves from Alex Stalock to notch their fourth straight victory. Andrew Desjardins assisted on the first two goals of the night and scored the last two for the Sharks to power the team to a victory over the Bears. Dan DaSilva had three assists and Derek Joslin chipped in with a goal and an assist. Mike Moore netted the game winner on a penalty shot and was +4.

Sharks in the Atlantic:

The Sharks are currently swimming in 1st place with 87 points (41-20-2-3) in the Atlantic Division through 66 games, six points ahead of the second place Pirates and 11 points ahead of the third place Manchester Monarchs and Lowell Devils. Worcester has a 14 point edge over the 5th place Sound Tigers and a 20 point advantage over the 6th place Wolf Pack. The 7th place Bruins (66 points) trail Worcester by 21 points while the 8th place Springfield Falcons (58 points) round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

Magic Number: 11

The Sharks magic number is 11 points to clinch a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division! Any combination of Worcester Sharks points gained + points lost by the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th spot teams in the division ... then the Sharks clinch a playoff spot for the 3rd time in four seasons!

400 WINS!

*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1st, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 400 win plateau.

AHL COACHING WINS - ALL-TIME

1. Fred "Bun" Cook 1937-56 19seasons 1,171GP 636 WINS

2. Frank Mathers 1956-85 18seasons 1,256GP 610 WINS

3. John Paddock 1981-2009 15seasons 1,107GP 585 WINS

4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 12th season 946GP 434 WINS

*Worcester Sharks Head Coach Roy Sommer, who plays a major role in developing players for the San Jose Sharks, is currently the longest-tenured coach (12th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 434-397-56-59.

*In Coach Sommer's first AHL victory.... The Kentucky Thoroughblades defeated the Albany River Rats 6-4 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on October 17th 1998. Coincidentally, Assistant Coach David Cunniff recorded an assist as a member of the River Rats in the hockey game.

*Assistant Coach David Cunniff has joined Coach Sommer in 280 of the 434 victories (65%).

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2009-10 season: Captain Ryan Vesce (2nd year), Assistant Captains Derek Joslin (2nd year) and Mike Moore (1st year).... T.J. Trevelyan, Joe Callahan, Steven Zalewski, Frazer McLaren, and Dwight Helminen have also worn the "A" on their jerseys.

*From east to west..... The Sharks already have 12 players that have seen action to both the AHL and NHL this season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, Demers, McCarthy, and Helminen). The Sharks had 11 players accomplish that feat last season. Logan Couture, Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero, Jason Demers, and Frazer McLaren have each recorded their first NHL goals this season. Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell are currently (March 15) on recall to San Jose. The Worcester Sharks have had 65 CALL-UPS this season to San Jose.

*You always remember your first..... Dennis McCauley (10/10), John McCarthy (10/9), Brandon Mashinter (10/9), Logan Couture (10/10), Dean Strong (10/30), and Nick Petrecki (1/23) have all scored their first professional regular season goals this season.

*47.... Since a 3-1 loss in Portland on November 20th, the Sharks are 33-10-2-2 in their last 47 games with 70 of a possible 94 points. (.744)

*Quickest to 31 wins... the Sharks hit the 31 win plateau in game #49 this season on February 5th. The Sharks hit 31 wins on March 6th last season in game #61, on April 12th in game #79 in 2007-08, and on March 16th in game #67 in 2006-07.

*55 shots... the Sharks set an AHL high this season with 55 shots on goal vs. the Bruins on Saturday, January 9th... the highest total in Sharks history... The Sharks had 21 shots in the 1st, 15 in the 2nd, and 19 in the 3rd...Danny Groulx had ten shots in the game and Benn Ferriero had eight.

*8 goals.... The Sharks scored eight goals for the first time in franchise history in Springfield in an 8-4 victory over the Falcons on Wednesday, February 3rd. Dennis McCauley had three goals, Danny Groulx 2, while Benn Ferriero, T.J. Trevelyan, and Nick Petrecki also scored goals for the Sharks. Worcester fired 38 shots on goal and scored three power play goals in the game.

*The Comeback.... The Sharks trailed 5-1 with just over 23 minutes left against the Pirates on Sunday, January 10th before scoring FIVE unanswered goals to win in overtime.... The four goal deficit victory tied a Sharks record.

*Road Warriors!.... the Sharks are 15-6-0-1 in their last 22 road games!

*Best PP on Road... the Sharks boost the best power play on the road this season at a 21.9% rate. Overall, the Sharks power play ranks 5th in the AHL (20.4%).

*PK climbing the ladder!... Worcester has killed off 49-of-55 penalties in their last 15 games as the penalty kill is now 81.3% good for 21st in the AHL... the Sharks PK went 14-for-15 last weekend.

*These Sharks know how to score!... Worcester is 2nd in the AHL averaging 3.50 goals per game! The Sharks have 11 players with over 10 goals this season and three with at least 20 goals... The Sharks have scored six goals in each of their last three games.

*Don't allow FOUR!... Team Teal is 35-3-0-0 in games when they allow three goals or less!

*Home Cooking!.... the Sharks are 18-4-2-1 in their last 25 games at the DCU Center...the Sharks are 23-10-2-1 at the DCU Center this season!

*Kick off the New Year!... the Sharks finished January with a 9-2-2-0 record... good for their best month in franchise history!

*Sharks rule the Atlantic... the Sharks have 30 WINS in Atlantic Division games (30-15-2-2) the 3rd most wins in the AHL against their own division.

*4th BEST in AHL... the Sharks have the 4th best winning percentage in the AHL with a .659 clip; trailing the Bears (.780), Bulldogs (.716), and Chicago (.672).

*Firsts this Week... Andrew Desjardins recorded his first four point games (2-2-4) in win over Bears on Sunday. Mike Moore scored the first penalty shot goal by a Sharks player in over three years ( Grant Stevenson vs. Hannu Toivonen in 6-1 loss to Bruins on March 2, 2007). Kevin Henderson recorded his first professional fighting major (Nightingale) against Hartford on Wednesday.

*Stole it from Bill Ballou...the Sharks have scored a goal in 11 consecutive periods... John McCarthy registered the 10,000th shot in team history at 5:06 of the first period against the Bears on Sunday.

*Desjardins likes going FIRST... Andrew Desjardins leads the Sharks with SEVEN first goals this season... Andrew has 16 goals this season to surpass his eight goal total last season, his first in the AHL.

*Double D's...Dan DaSilva has established AHL career highs in goals (15), assists (25) and points (40) in his first full season with the Sharks!

Double T's... T.J. Trevelyan is tops on the club with 23 goals (23-14-37) despite missing 17 games to injury (broken jaw)... T.J. has 15 goals in his last 19 games to pace the Sharks offensively.

*Groulx leading the way... Defenseman Danny Groulx is having a career year for the Sharks this season leading the AHL with 54 points from the blue line. The eight year professional had 40 points (6-34-40) in 80 games last season in Rockford which was, until this season, his highest point total since he had 112 points (29-83-112) in 68 games with Victoriaville in the QMJHL in 2001-02.

*Throw the Hats! The Sharks have two hat tricks in a six game span! Dennis McCauley in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb 3 and Dan DaSilva in Manchester on Feb 14. Worcester had gone 68 games without a hat trick (P.J. Fenton) between hat tricks before McCauley found the back of the net three times on the 3rd.

*Point per game.... The Sharks have THREE players averaging a point per game.... Couture (1.28pts per game), Benn Ferriero (1.07), and Ryan Vesce (1.18).

*First period advantage.... Worcester is outscoring their opponents 62-48 in the first period, 77-74 in the 2nd , and lead 87-73 in the third period. The Sharks are 22-3-0-2 when leading after twenty minutes of play this season.

*Extra, Extra.... The Sharks are 3-2 in OT this season (McGinn, Couture, and Helminen) after going 7-1 last year in the overtime period.

*Young Guns....The average age of the Sharks roster is 23 (Currently the youngest team in the AHL as of Feb 25) which includes 12 rookies, five 2nd year players and two third year players. At the age of 29, Frank Doyle is the oldest while Nicholas Petrecki at 20 years old and seven months is the youngest.

*Massachusetts... The Sharks have FIVE players born and raised in Massachusetts (John McCarthy - Andover, Corey Quirk - Brockton, Dennis McCauley - Billerica, Joe Callahan - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex)

*Streakers... Derek Joslin has a SIX game point streak (2-6-8)...Dan DaSilva FOUR games (1-5-6)... John McCarthy THREE games (2-2-0), Benn Ferriero THREE games (0-3-3)... Andrew Desjardins THREE games (3-3-6).

*Logan among rookies... Despite only playing 42 games, Couture is 2nd in the AHL in rookie scoring with 53 points (20-33-53)... 1st among rookies with 20 goals....4th among rookies with 33 assists... Logan became the first Sharks rookie in team history to record 20 goals in a season.

*Logan among everyone... Logan leads the AHL with NINE game winning goals in just 42 games played.

*Who's your BF?.... Benn Ferriero currently ranks 3rd in the AHL among rookies with 48 points (19-29-48) in just 45 games played this season... and leads all rookies with three shorthanded goals.

*Between the pipes.... Rookie Alex Stalock leads the AHL with 35 wins and 1st in minutes played with 3086 and 3rd in saves with 1316...only 11 goalies have won 40 games in the AHL and just once in the last 45 years (Ryan Miller won 40 with Rochester in 2004-05)... Stalock has surpassed Thomas Greiss (30 wins in 2008-09) for most wins by a Sharks goaltender in a season in franchise history. Stalock looks to become the first rookie goaltender in AHL history to record 40 wins.

*Need to score 1st... Worcester is 28-6-0-2 (.806) in 36 games they have scored the first goal of the game... the Sharks are just 13-14-2-1 when allowing the first goal... the AHL average winning percentage is .741% when scoring the first goal of the hockey game.

*All four years....Defenseman Derek Joslin is the only Sharks player to suit up in all four seasons in Worcester.

*Can't score if you don't shoot.... The Sharks are 1st in the AHL with 35.92 shots per game, including a franchise record 55 shots on goal against the Bruins on Saturday, January 9th.... Danny Groulx is 1st among AHL defensemen with 206 shots on goal.

*Keep it close... the Sharks are 18-5-2-3 in one-goal hockey games... the Sharks are 23-16-0-0 in games decided by two or more goals.... The Sharks are 5th in the AHL with 18 one-goal victories with nine of those coming on the road.

*Follow the leaders.... Danny Groulx is 1st in the AHL among d-men with 44 assists, 1st in shots with 206, and 1st in points (10-44-54).... Logan Couture leads the AHL with nine game winning goals, 2nd in rookie scoring (20-33-53) and 1st among rookies with 20 goals scored. Rookie Alex Stalock is 1st in the AHL with 35 wins and 1st in minutes played (3086).... Benn Ferriero leads all AHL rookies with THREE shorthanded goals and is 3rd in rookie scoring with 48 points (19-29-48) in just 45 games played and 4th in power play points with 20, and John McCarthy is 3rd among rookies with a +27 rating and 18th with 33 points (10-23-33)... Steven Zalewski is 16th in the AHL point scoring race (21-36-57) in 65 games.

*Mr. Dependable.... Sharks defenseman Danny Groulx has played in 174 straight games... he dressed in all 80 games last season in Rockford.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 140 straight games for Worcester breaking the record held by Derek Joslin (114 games).

*Mr. 1000! On Friday, February 19th in Binghamton, Worcester Sharks Head Equipment Manager Vinny Ferraiuolo suited up for his 1000th game as an Equipment Manager in Professional Hockey. Vinny is in his 13th season as an equipment manager, his 5th as head equipment manager with the San Jose Sharks top affiliate in the AHL.

*10-10 Vision.... Sharks rookie forward Brandon Mashinter has 18 goals and 13 fighting major penalties.... The only Sharks player ever to have double digits in both categories over the course of a season.

*9 and 8.... After setting a Worcester Sharks record last season with 21 fighting major penalties, Frazer McLaren has nine fights in the AHL and eight fights in the NHL this season.

*Hey Shorty it's your birthday!... the Sharks have scored the 12th most shorthanded goals this season with NINE (Ferriero 3, Zalewski 2, Couture 1, Desjardins 1, McGinn 1, Wilson 1)

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have 64 fighting major penalties this season through 66 games... (Brandon Mashinter 13, Dennis McCauley 9, Brett Westgarth 2 with Worcester - 9 total, Frazer McLaren 9, Nicholas Petrecki 7, Joe Loprieno 4, John McCarthy 3, Mike Moore 4, Steven Zalewski 2, Joe Callahan 1, Andrew Desjardins 5, Dan DaSilva 2, Jamie McGinn 1, Derek Joslin 1, and Kevin Henderson). The Sharks had 78 fighting majors last season, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

*Olympics... FOUR former Worcester Sharks played in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Thomas Greiss and Dmitri Patzold for Germany, Doug Murray for Sweden, and Joe Pavelski for USA.

*All-Stars!....

Logan Couture, Danny Groulx, and Alex Stalock represented the Sharks in the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic held January 18th and 19th at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Former AHL All-Stars for the Worcester Sharks include: Mathieu Darche (2007), Mike Iggulden (2008), Derek Joslin (2009), and Ryan Vesce (2009).

*Team Record Breaking Season?

*Closing in on 42!... The Sharks record for most wins in a season is 42 set in 2008-09... Worcester needs just two wins in their remaining 14 games to surpass that total.

*Closing in on 93!... The Sharks record for most points in a season is 93 points set in 2006-07... Worcester needs just six points in their next 14 games to surpass that total.

*16 more goals!... The Sharks have 231 goals scored this season (3.5 goals per game). The team record for most goals in a season is 247 back in 2006-07.

*Home Cooking!.... The Sharks are 23-10-2-1 at the DCU Center this season ! Worcester had a franchise best 24 wins at home in 2006-07... The Sharks have four home games remaining this season.

*Road Warriors!... The Sharks are 18-10-0-2 on the road this season! Worcester had a franchise best 19 wins on the road last season.... The Sharks have 10 road game remaining this season.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

03/14/2010 Jason Demers (D) Worcester ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

03/12/2010 Jason Demers (D) Worcester DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

03/07/2010 Ryan Vesce (C) Worcester ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Trevelyan (23)

o Game Winners Couture (9)

o Assists Groulx (44)

o Points Zalewski (21-36-57)

o Power play Points Zalewski (9-16-25)

o Shots Groulx (206)

o PIM McLaren (114)

o Fighting Pen. Mashinter (13)

o Plus/Minus McCarthy (+27)

o Wins Stalock (35)

o G.A.A. Stalock (2.62)

o Save % Stalock (.907)

o Shutouts Stalock (2)

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 43-15-10 with 96 points this season and are currently in 1st place in the Pacific Division and have the 2nd most points in the NHL. The Sharks have a 7 point lead over the 2nd place Phoenix Coyotes in the Pacific.

Jamie McGinn has ten points (8-2-10) in 46 games played...Brad Staubitz has three goals and three assists along with 92 penalty minutes through 38 games.... Former Worcester Shark Devin Setoguchi has 29 points (16-13-29) through 56 games... Torrey Mitchell has a goal and five assists in 42 games... Thomas Greiss is 6-4-1 with 2.51 GAA and a .916 save%.

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Kalamazoo Wings are 36-18-5-3 with 80 points this season in the ECHL and currently in 2nd place in the North Division trailing the first place Cincinnati Cyclones by one point.

Mitch Versteeg has 18 points (5-13-18) in 53 games... Dean Strong has 11 goals and 14 assists in 24 games played... Louis Liotti has a goal and ten assists in 45 games... and Will Colbert has 9 points (4-5-9) in 27 games played.

Coming Up:

The First Place Worcester Sharks play three games this week!

On Wednesday, the Sharks travel to Albany to battle the red hot River Rats at 7pm.

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Providence Bruins at the DCU Center on Ryan Vesce Bobblehead Night presented by WTAG! The first 3,000 fans will receive a Ryan Vesce bobblehead compliments of WTAG. During the game, there will be a silent auction for the game worn All-Star jerseys worn by Logan Couture, Danny Groulx, Alex Stalock, Ryan Vesce, and Derek Joslin! Purchase your Family Fun Pack today, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 sodas for only $65! Each addition person is just $16.25 per person.

On Sunday, the Sharks close out the week with a 4pm tilt against the Devils in Lowell.

The Sharks are already taking deposits for their 5th season in Worcester! Jump in today and save over 30% off box office prices! Find out how to get the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs for FREE by calling the Sharks front office 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 and 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2010


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