Sateri's First Pro Shutout Highlighted Busy Week

Published on January 9, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Shark Snap Shot:

The Worcester Sharks chomped three out of a possible eight points in four games last week. The Sharks began the New Year with a 4-0 loss in Bridgeport on Monday before their 3-in-3 weekend. Worcester grabbed a point in a 4-3 shootout loss in Springfield on Friday, dropped a 5-2 decision in front of a sellout crowd at the DCU Center to the Bruins on Saturday, and concluded the week in style with a 5-0 victory over the Pirates on Sunday. The Worcester Sharks player of the week nominee is rookie goaltender Harri Sateri; as he recorded his first professional shutout on Sunday, making 25 saves in a 5-0 win over the Pirates. If the playoffs were to start today, the Sharks would have the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference with 41 points through 35 games.

Few things to know....

- Worcester Sharks captain Mike Moore can tie Lukas Kaspar (216gp) for the franchise record for most games by a member of the Worcester Sharks on Friday in Providence.

- Head Coach Roy Sommer is just 5 WINS away from 500 in his AHL career.

- The Worcester Sharks have a fighting major in 21 straight games (45 FM during streak) and lead the AHL with 62 fighting majors this season.

- Skate with the Sharks in Fitchburg on Tuesday night at the Wallace Civic Center 5:20-7:10pm

- The Sharks will host their first "Pucks and Paws" Game on Sunday vs. the Syracuse Crunch at 3pm. All dog tickets are $10 with $5 going directly to the Worcester Animal Rescue League

Top 3... Last Week!

1. Harri Sateri makes 25 saves for his first professional shutout and was #1 star in a 5-0 win over the Pirates on Sunday!

2. Brodie Reid scores twice on Sunday to extend his point streak to three games (3-1-4) to cap of a terrific week offensively!

3. Defenseman Sean Sullivan scores in the final minute to force OT in Springfield and rides a three game point streak (2-2-4)!

Last Week: (1-2-0-1) 3pts, 4gp

Mon. 1/2 L Worcester SHARKS 0 @ Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4

Fri. 1/6 SOL Worcester SHARKS 3 @ Springfield Falcons 4

Sat. 1/7 L Providence Bruins 5 @ Worcester SHARKS 2

Sun. 1/8 W Portland Pirates 0 @ Worcester SHARKS 5

This week:

Fri. 1/13 Worcester SHARKS @ Providence Bruins - 7:05pm

Sun. 1/15 Syracuse Crunch @ Worcester SHARKS - 3pm

Rewind the Tape:

1.2.12 - Worcester 0 - Bridgeport 4 - L - Webster Bank Arena Bridgeport netminder Kevin Poulin faced just 21 shots in his first shutout of the season as the Sharks fell 4-0 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena on Monday afternoon to ring in 2012. Harri Sateri made 29 saves for Worcester and snapped a personal four game win streak as Worcester fired a season low 21 shots on goal in the loss.

1.6.12 - Worcester 3 - Springfield 4 - SOL - Mass Mutual Center Defenseman Sean Sullivan scored with 41 seconds left in the third period with the extra attacker for Worcester to force overtime but the Sharks fell to 0-4 in the shootout in a wild 4-3 shootout loss to the Springfield Falcons at Mass Mutual Center on Friday night. Brodie Reid and John McCarthy also scored for the Sharks and Tyson Sexsmith kept Worcester in the game with 34 saves, including seven in the overtime period. Cam Atkinson scored twice, had the game winner in the shootout, and fought Sean Sullivan in the overtime frame for Springfield.

1.7.12 - Worcester 2- Providence 5 - L - DCU Center The Providence Bruins charged out to a 5-0 lead and never looked back as the Sharks dropped their 4th straight game (0-3-0-1) in a 5-2 loss to the Providence Bruins in front of 7,257 fans at DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday night. Sean Sullivan and Mike Connolly scored late goals for Worcester and Jimmy Bonneau extended the Sharks fighting major streak to 20 games with his 12th and 13th fighting majors of the season in the loss.

1.8.12 - Worcester 5 - Portland 0 - W - DCU Center Rookie Harri Sateri made 25 saves for his first professional shutout and rookie Brodie Reid scored his first two professional power play goals as the Sharks broke a four game (0-3-0-1) skid in a 5-0 victory over the Portland Pirates at the DCU Center on Sunday afternoon. John McCarthy, Mike Connolly, and James Livingston also scored for Worcester as the two teams combined for 72 penalty minutes and three fights. The shutout was the first of the season for Worcester and the second straight game the Pirates were shutout.

Sharks in the Atlantic: The Sharks are swimming in 3rd place with 41 points (17-11-3-4) in the Atlantic Division through 35 games, which is six points behind the first place St. John's IceCaps (34gp) and three points behind the 2nd place Manchester Monarchs (38gp). The Sharks are four points ahead of the 4th place Portland Pirates (37 points in 36gp) and five points ahead of the Providence Bruins (36 points in 38gp), to round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

Coaching Milestones....

*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1, 2009, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 400 win plateau.

*500 WINS!.... Coach Roy Sommer is just 6 wins away from 500 in his AHL coaching career.

*1000 GAMES... With the 3-1 victory at Springfield on January 14, 2011, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 1,000 games 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 1981-2010 16seasons 1,125GP 589 WINS

4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 14seasons 1,075GP 495 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 (14th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record is now: 495-444 -49 -46 -41. (W-L-T-OTL-SOL)

*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 341 of the 495 victories (68%).

*ECHL... Coach Sommer also has 176 wins in the ECHL coaching in five seasons with Roanoke Valley and Richmond.

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2011-12 season: Mike Moore was named the Sharks 4th captain in team history on Feb 11, 2011 and was named captain again before the start of the 2011-12 season. Alternate captains for this season: veteran forward Ben Guite and forward John McCarthy. Tommy Wingels, Sean Sullivan, Jimmy Bonneau, and Benn Ferriero have also worn the "A" this season.

*From east to west..... The Worcester Sharks have had 5 players (7 call-ups) receive at least one call up this season to San Jose... Currently; Tommy Wingels, Benn Ferriero, Andrew Desjardins, Frazer McLaren, Justin Braun, Jamie McGinn, Logan Couture, Jason Demers, Joe Pavelski, Marc-Edourd Vlasic, and Doug Murray are all former Worcester Sharks that are currently playing with the San Jose Sharks.

*All-Stars... Defenseman Matt Irwin and rookie netminder Tyson Sexsmith will represent the Worcester Sharks at the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic in Atlantic City on Jan 29-30.

All-Star Selections for Worcester through the years:

2007 - Mathieu Darche

2008 - Mike Iggulden

2009 - Derek Joslin and Ryan Vesce

2010 - Logan Couture, Danny Groulx, and Alex Stalock

2011 - Jonathan Cheechoo and Justin Braun

*AWARDS...Tommy Wingels was selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 18, 2011. In four games last week Wingels recorded four goals, two assists and a plus-6 rating as the Sharks closed out a seven-game road swing having earned 11 of a possible 14 standings points. Wingels recorded 10 points (seven goals, three assists), including four game-winning goals, and a plus-11 rating during the Sharks' seven-game road stretch from Dec. 4-18, helping Worcester to a 5-1-0-1 mark in that time. In recognition of his achievement, Wingels will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Sharks home game.

*Tommy Wingels take 2... Tommy Wingels became just the third Worcester Sharks player in franchise history to record 10 goals in a month (joining Mathieu Darche and Graham Mink). Tommy finished the month of December with 10 goals, three assists, and +5 in 14 games. Wingels recorded four game winning goals in the month of December and fired 53 shots on goal. Tommy was rewarded with and NHL call up to San Jose on Jan 4.

*Sean Sullivan climbing the ladder... Sean Sullivan ranks 7th in the AHL among defensemen with 22 points (5-17-22) in 26 games for Worcester. "Sully" has been on fire of late for Worcester, recording 15 points (3-12-15) and +8 in his last 12 games.

*Breaking down December... the Sharks finished 10-3-0-1 (21 points in 14gp) in December with 46GF and 35GA. PP went 9-for-57, opponents PP is 8-for-46. Worcester had 32 fighting majors in the month.

*Breaking down January... the Sharks are 1-2-0-1 (3 points in 4gp) in January with 10 GF and 13GA. PP is 3-for-14, opponents PP is 2-for-20. Worcester has 7 fighting majors this month.

*2011... the Sharks finished the calendar year with a 36-28-11 record. (83 points in 75 games)... the Sharks most successful calendar year was 2010 when the Sharks recorded 100 points (45-25-10) in 80 games.

*McCarthy liked December... Worcester Sharks points leader, John McCarthy, had a terrific December. J-Mac recorded 14 points (6-8-14) in 14 games with a +3 rating and 41 shots on goal.

*Worcester/Manchester Rivalry... the Sharks and Monarchs have already slugged it out through seven of 12 games this season. The two teams have combined for 317 penalty minutes in the seven games (147 WOR, 170 MCH) and 14 sets of fighting major penalties. Worcester is 2-3-1-1 vs. Manchester this season.

*Killer Start... Jack Combs scored on his first shift as a member of the Worcester Sharks in Albany on Dec 16 and added another goal later in the first period. The native of St. Louis, MS led the ECHL with 37 points (17-20-37) in 23 game with Colorado before he was signed by Worcester on Dec 14. The 23-year-old has 11 points (5-6-11) in 12 games for Worcester!

*Road Warriors... the Sharks have taken a point in 14-of-18 road games this season (8-4-3-3) and finished with a 5-1-0-1 record on their season long seven game road trip. (12/4-12/18/11)

*Streakers!.... Worcester has a fighting major in 21 straight games (45 FM)... Mike Connolly (2-2-4), Sean Sullivan (2-2-4), John McCarthy (2-1-3), and Brodie Reid (3-1-4) are all riding three game point streaks.

*3rd period success!... the Sharks are outscoring their opponents 40-27 in the third period this season (+13).... But, getting outscored 30-35 in the second period (-5).

*Leaders among us... Jimmy Bonneau leads the AHL with 14 fighting majors...Curt Gogol is 2nd among AHL rookies with 86 penalty minutes and 1st with 10 fighting majors...Nathan Moon is 3rd among rookies with 83 penalty minutes...Tyson Sexsmith is 3rd in the AHL with a 21.5 GAA... Sean Sullivan is 7th in the AHL d-men scoring race with 22 points (5-17-22) and Matt Irwin is 10th with 20 points (7-13-20), 4th in among AHL d-men with seven goals, 1st in power play goals with six, and 3rd in shots with 101.

*OT Penalty Shot... On November 16, Springfield goaltender Manny Legace faced Worcester forward Mike Connolly on a penalty shot 52 seconds into overtime and saved both the attempt and the game, as just over a minute later the Falcons won, 3-2, on a goal by Alexandre Giroux. Since the 1992-93 season, there have been 27 penalty shots taken in overtime of an AHL game (including four in the playoffs); goalies have stopped 25 of them.

*Penalty Shots take 2.... Sean Sullivan scored a rare penalty shot shorthanded goal by a defenseman vs. Mike McKenna in the 2nd period in a 5-2W at Binghamton on Dec 17. Worcester is now 3-for-7 in franchise history on penalty shots.

*PP Specialist...Matt Irwin's six power-play goals have put him in good position to set some team records, but he is not there yet. The record for most power-play goals in a season by a Sharks defenseman is nine, done by Garrett Stafford in 2006-07. The career record is 16, done by Derek Joslin. Irwin had six last year, so has 12 for his career.

*Tallest Shark.... Worcester Sharks rookie defenseman Taylor Doherty is the tallest player in team history standing at 6'7" 230lbs. Taylor has a +8 rating for the 2nd best mark on the club.

*Score first... the Sharks have scored FIRST 16 times in 35 games last season (12-1-2-1); Curt Gogol 2,Benn Ferriero 4, Nathan Moon 2, Mike Moore 1, Tommy Wingels 1, John McCarthy 2, Matt Irwin 1, Sena Acolatse 1, Tony Lucia 1, and Brodie Reid 1.

*First Pro Goals this season... Curt Gogol (Oct 9 @ PRO vs. Khudobin), James Livingston (Oct15 vs. ALB vs. Frazee), Mike Connolly (Oct15 vs. ALB vs. Frazee), Nathan Moon (Oct 21 @ PRO vs. Khudobin), Sena Acolatse (Nov 1 vs. STJ vs. Pasquale), Brodie Reid (Nov 5 vs. STJ vs. Pasquale), and Marek Viedenski (Dec 11 at STJ vs. empty net)

*100 AHL goals.... Veteran Ben Guite scored his first goal as a member of the Worcester Sharks in a 6-1 win over the Devils on October 15. The goal turned out to be his 100th AHL goal in his career. Ben also has 19 NHL goals in 175 career NHL games.

*Great first impression... Curt Gogol became just the 5th Sharks player to score in his professional debut joining Joe Pavelski, Nate Raduns, Tony Lucia, and Cam MacIntyre. (Thanks Bill Ballou, Worcester TG)

*Sharks in the Atlantic... the Sharks had a 29-20-4-7 record against Atlantic Division prey last season and are 7-9-2-2 in the division this season.

*Good when leading... the Sharks are 9-1-1-1 when leading after the 1st period of play and 9-0-0-2 when leading after the 2nd period of play this season.

*5 National Champions... The Sharks have five players that have won the NCAA Division 1 Championship.... Mike Connolly was co-captain for Minnesota-Duluth in 2011, John McCarthy was co-captain for Boston University in 2009... Benn Ferriero and Nick Petrecki with Boston College in 2008... and Ben Guite with Maine in 1999.

*These Sharks have teeth!.... Worcester is 2nd in the AHL in penalty minutes averaging 21.46 penalty minutes per game and are 1st with 62 fighting major penalties. Hershey is 2nd with 44 fighting majors

*2 Men Down.... John McCarthy became just the 2nd Worcester Sharks player to score a shorthanded goal while the Sharks were two men down. "JMac" scored at 8:32 of the first period in a 3-2 win over Bridgeport on Nov 11. Steve Zalewski had the other 3-on-5 score in Houston on 11/22/08.

*200/300... Worcester Sharks captain Mike Moore became just the 2nd player in Sharks history to hit 200 games and 300 penalty minutes this season joining Riley Armstrong. #8 has played in 215 games for Worcester accumulating 308 penalty minutes... Moore will tie the franchise record for most games played on Friday in Providence. (Lukas Kaspar played in 216 games with the Worcester Sharks)

*Sherriff McLaren... Sharks tough guy Frazer McLaren was called up to San Jose on November 26 after a conditioning assignment in Worcester. #10 ranks 2nd all-time in Worcester Sharks history with 435 penalty minutes (42 FM) in 178 games. Brad Staubitz holds the top stop with 462 pims in 162 games.

*Thanks Ballou... the Worcester Sharks are 4-6-1-0 when they fire 47 or more shots on goal during a game.

*Massachusetts!... the Sharks have four players born from Massachusetts (John McCarthy - Andover, Benn Ferriero - Essex, Sean Sullivan - Braintree, and Brian O'Hanley - Quincy) In addition, assistant coach David Cunniff hails from South Boston.

*Hockey East Alumni!... the Worcester Sharks have eight players currently from Hockey East Schools (Irwin - UMass-Amherst, Ferriero - BC, McCarthy - BU, Sullivan - BU, Reid - NU, O'Hanley - BC, Guite - UMaine, Petrecki - BC)

*Young Guns... the Sharks have dressed 13 rookies already this season. (Curt Gogol, Nathan Moon, Brodie Reid, James Livingston, Mike Connolly, Taylor Doherty, Tyson Sexsmith, Harri Sateri, Sena Acolatse, Tony Lucia, Marek Viedensky, Brian O'Hanley, and Jack Combs)

*Super Sunday... the Sharks went 14-4-0-2 on Sunday afternoon games in 2010-11 and are 4-2-0-1 on Sundays this season.

*I'll take a draft... Nine Worcester Sharks players were drafted by the San Jose Sharks. (Braun, Doherty, Lucia, McCarthy, O'Hanley, Petrecki, Sateri, Sexsmith, and Viedensky,)

*NHL Experience.... The Sharks have five players with NHL experience totaling 240 games led by veteran Ben Guite with 175... breakdown of the rest... John McCarthy 41, Mike Moore 6, Matt Pelech 5, and Brandon Mashinter 13,

*Gordie Howe Hattrick.... Worcester Sharks winger Brandon Mashinter recorded a Gordie Howe Hattrick in the Sharks 4-3W vs. the Whale at the DCU Center on Dec 30th. Mash recorded an assist on Tony Lucia's goal at 5:20 of first period, fighting major vs. Jared Nightingale at 19:54 of the second period, and the game winning goal at 17:04 of the third period. It was the first time a Sharks player had recorded a Gordie Howe Hattrick since Mash did it vs. Lowell on Nov 11, 2009.

*Like Father, Like Son... Rookie Curt Gogol leads the Sharks with 86 penalty minutes and 10 fighting majors through 27 games... his father Brent racked up 892 penalty minutes in 157 professional games in the IHL, CHL, EHL, and the AHL including 380 pims in 1978-79 in 57 games with the Flint Generals.

*Major Bonneau... Worcester Sharks tough guy Jimmy Bonneau has racked up 14 fighting majors in 26 games this season for the Sharks. Jimmy has 84 fighting majors in 221 AHL games along with 647 penalty minutes.

*Acolatse can throw... Worcester Sharks rookie defenseman Sena Acolatse has been quite impressive in his first five professional hockey fights this season. The 5-11, 205 pounder and native of Hayward, CA native has fought Richard Clune, Brett Hextall, Dane Byers, Stephane Veilleux, and Andre Deveaux so far this season. Sena led the Prince George Cougars in WHL with 15 fighting majors in 66 games last year, and also added 15 goals.

*Worcester record... the Sharks are on pace to surpass the Worcester IceCats team record of 126 fighting majors in 1997-98. A few players from the 97-98 squad include Terry Virtue, Jamal Mayers, Justin Hocking, Tyler Willis, and Reed Low.

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have 62 fighting majors this season good for 1st in the AHL... 16 different players dropped the mitts this season for the Sharks this season: (Jimmy Bonneau 14, Curt Gogol 10, Nick Petrecki 1, Cam MacIntyre 4, Nathan Moon 7, Brandon Mashinter 4, Mike Moore 2, Frazer McLaren 2, Sena Acolatse 5, Taylor Doherty 2, Matt Pelech 5, Tommy Wingels 2, Ryan Del Monte 1, James Livingston 1, John McCarthy 1, and Sean Sullivan)... The Sharks had 81 fighting majors last season, 73 fighting majors in 2009-10, 78 fighting majors in 2008-09, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

Season by the numbers...

Record: 17-11-3-4, 41 points - 3rd in Atlantic

Win percentage: .586% - 12th in AHL

Home Record: 9-7-0-1

Away Record: 8-4-3-3

Attendance: 67,761 through 17 games at DCU Center 3,986 average) - 25th in AHL

Goals Scored: 98, 2.80 goals per game,18th in AHL

Goals Allowed: 93, 2.66 goals against per game, 8th in AHL

Shots per game: 33.91 - 3rd in AHL

Shots allowed per game: 28.43 - 7th in AHL

Score 1st: 12-1-2-1 when scoring first (.844%)

1 goal games: 8-3-3-4 in one goal games

PP: 16.7%, 19th in AHL (26-156)

PK: 84.0%, 7th in AHL (24-150)

SHG - 4 shorthanded goals scored

SHGA - 4 shorthanded goals allowed

PIMS - 21.46 penalty minutes per game, 2nd in AHL

Fighting Majors: 62 - 1st in AHL

OT Games - 10 - (3-3 record in OT)

SO Games - 4 - (0-4 record in SO)

Roster Players - the Sharks have used 30 players this season

Goalies - the Sharks have used 3 goaltenders this season

Players receiving call-ups to San Jose - 6 (Braun, Ferriero, McLaren, Irwin, Niittymaki, Wingels)

NHL debuts - 0 Worcester players made their NHL debuts this season

Call-ups to San Jose - 7 different call-ups to San Jose this season

Coming and goings from the Shark Tank: Date

Player

Team

Transaction

01/05/2012

Alex Bourret (RW)

Worcester

ADD Signed to PTO

01/04/2012

Tommy Wingels (RW)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Wingels (13) - currently in San Jose

o Game Winners Wingels (4)

o Assists Sullivan (17)

o Points McCarthy (10-16-26)

o Power play Points Irwin (6-6-12)

o Shots Irwin (101 shots)

o PIM Bonneau (94)

o Fighting Pen. Bonneau (13)

o Plus/Minus Sullivan (+9)

o Wins Sateri and Sexsmith (8)

o G.A.A. Sexsmith (2.15)

o Save % Sexsmith (.923)

o Shutouts Sateri (1)

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks have won four straight games and are 23-11-4 with 50 points through 38 games and currently in 1st place in the Pacific Division. Former Worcester Sharks playing for San Jose: Joe Pavelski (16-13-29) Logan Couture (16-13-29), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (3-12-15), Torrey Mitchell (4-5-9), Douglas Murray (0-3-3), Andrew Desjardins (3-4-7), Jamie McGinn (8-7-15), Jason Demers (2-9-11), Justin Braun (1-4-5), Frazer McLaren (0-0-0), and Tommy Wingels (0-1-1). Thomas Greiss is 5-4-0 with a 2.22GAA and .922 save %.

Week ahead:

Tue., Jan 10 at 7:30pm at Minnesota

Thu., Jan 12 at 8:30pm at Winnipeg

Sat., Jan 14 at 7pm at Columbus

Sun., Jan 15 at 7pm at Chicago

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Stockton Thunder are 15-13-1-3 in 32 games this season with 34 points, which is 12 points behind the first place Las Vegas Wranglers (35gp) and five points behind the 2nd place Ontario Reign (33gp) in the Pacific Division. Thomas Heemskerk is 8-5-0 with a 3.22 GAA and a .894 save %.

Week Ahead:

Thu., Jan 12 at 11:15pm at Alaska

Fri., Jan 13 at 11:15pm at Alaska

Sat., Jan 14 at 11:15pm at Alaska

Coming Up:

On Friday, January 13, the Sharks head to Providence to square off against the Bruins at 7:05pm.

After a rare Saturday night off, the Sharks return home on Sunday to host the Syracuse Crunch.

On Sunday, the Sharks close out the weekend with a 3pm start at the DCU Center vs. the Syracuse Crunch!

The Sharks host their first ever Pucks and Paws Game presented by the VCA Animal Hospital! Bring your dog to the game! Dog tickets just $10, with $5 to be donated to the Worcester Animal Rescue League.

Doors will open at 11:30am on Sunday for the 2nd annual High School Hockey Faceoff between Auburn and Wachusett! Enjoy two hockey games for the price of one ticket!

With every Sunday home game this season, Kid's tickets are just $5 presented by Southwick's Zoo. Receive a free child's admission to Southwick's Zoo with the purchase of a full priced adult and kid's ticket!

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American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2012


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