Sharks Collapse in Game's Final Minutes and Fall 5-4 in OT
March 30, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Worcester, MA- The Worcester Sharks (29-28-2-6, 66pts) were defeated by the St. John's IceCaps (29-33-1-4, 63pts)by the count of 5-4 in overtime on Saturday evening in front of 4,143 fans at the DCU Center. With the overtime loss, the Sharks are now seven points behind the 8th place Hershey Bears in the Eastern Conference playoff picture with two games in hand and 11 games remaining.
The Sharks led 4-2 late in the third period but the IceCaps forced overtime and birthday boy Ben Maxwell scored his 2nd of the game just 23 seconds into overtime. Goaltender Thomas Greiss made 22 saves in his first AHL game since Apr 10, 2009 for Worcester as the Sharks wasted a three point night by Bracken Kearns (2-1-3) and a third period penalty shot score by Jon Matsumoto. Rookie Daniil Tarasov added three assists and Peter Sivak also score for Worcester.
Each team scored in the opening frame as Peter Sivak (3rd) gave the Sharks an early 1-0 lead at 3:29 with a bullet from 55 feet past goalie Eddie Pasquale. The IceCaps countered at 14:41 as Jason Gregoire (10th) beat goaltender Thomas Greiss on a shorthanded breakaway strike to tie the score at 1-1. Worcester outshot St. John's 14-9 in the opening frame.
Each team would score again in the second period with Aaron Gagnon (11th) extending his point streak to 12 games at 1:41 to give the IceCaps a 2-1 lead. Veteran Bracken Kearns (18th) tied the game at 2-2 late in the period after a nice cycle behind the St. John's net at 17:26.
The Sharks grabbed a 4-2 lead early in the third period as Jon Matsumoto (14th) scored on a penalty shot at 5:40 after he was hauled down by Patrick Cullity. Bracken Kearns (19th) extended the Sharks lead to 4-2 at 7:33 after he tipped a centering pass by Sebastian Stalberg past Pasquale. Worcester had several chances to go ahead 5-2 after Adam Comrie hit the post and Eddie Pasquale made some big saves. Salem, MA native Will O'Neill (2nd) gave the IceCaps some life at 17:16 after his shot from 50 feet found its way through a screen and past Greiss. With Pasquale off for the extra attacker, Ben Maxwell (9th) deflected a shot from the point with 53 seconds left to tie the score at 4-4.
In overtime, Ben Maxwell (9th) fired a shot from 40 feet that beat Thomas Greiss up high as the IceCaps came all the way back for the 5-4 overtime win for their 4th straight win.
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