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Sharks Maintain Consistent Lead to Edge Pirates 3-2

April 1, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Worcester, MA - The Worcester Sharks (34-30-3-1, 72pts) topped the Portland Pirates (24-33-2-8, 58pts) 3-2 before 1,544 fans Tuesday evening at the DCU Center in the final meeting of the season between these two teams. With the win, the Sharks are now five points behind the 8th place Norfolk Admirals for the final playoff spot in the East with eight games remaining.

The Sharks got on the board with a goal by Travis Oleksuk (17th) in the first, for a lead that would carry throughout the contest to the end. After a second Worcester tally by Freddie Hamilton (20th) early in the second period, Tobias Rieder of Portland lit the lamp for his first of two goals in the tilt for the Pirates. In the third period, Matt Pelech (3rd) netted the game-winner and Rieder scored again to bring the Pirates close, but the Sharks edged the Pirates by one goal as Troy Grosenick picked up his 17th win with 21 saves.

The Sharks tallied the lone goal of the opening 20 minutes of play to take a 1-0 edge over Portland. Worcester took the lead at 7:44 after they broke out of the defensive zone. Eriah Hayes floated a pass into the stick-side circle where Travis Oleksuk (17th) picked up the loose puck and drove across the slot, putting on a deek before Portland tender Louis Domingue before lifting the puck over his right shoulder. Worcester controlled the shots for the period, outshooting Portland 11-6 while Troy Grosenick kept the Pirates off the scoreboard with a solid performance between the pipes.

Each team registered a goal in the middle frame, as the Sharks maintained their one-goal lead after 40 minutes. Worcester doubled up its scoring early in the period, with a power play goal at 3:43, when Freddie Hamilton sent the puck from outside the glove-side post up to Matt Tennyson at the left point. Tennyson then returned the pass back down to Hamilton (20th) who back-doored Domingue for a 2-0 lead. Portland got up on the scoreboard, keeping the game close at 8:17, after Andy Miele delivered a puck from the right circle to Tobias Rieder (25th), who one-timed it through the five-hole of Grosenick. Worcester kept the upper-hand on Portland in shots, outshooting the Pirates 12-9.

The third period also resulted in a goal-a-piece as the Sharks carried their one-goal lead until the clock expired. Worcester added on their third tally, and what would serve to be the game-winner, at 6:32 when Mirco Mueller sent loose puck from along the left boards to the front of the net where Matt Pelech (3rd) deflected it behind Domingue. Mueller's assist marked his first point as a professional in his debut with the Sharks. The Pirates answered back at 9:31 when Tobias Rieder (26th) netted his second of the night. After two huge saves by Grosenick, the Sharks defense could not clear the puck out of danger as Rieder forced the puck free and across the goal line from inside the paint. In the final minute, the Pirates pulled Domingue for the extra attacker and once last effort to even the game, but came up short as the Sharks ran out the clock and took the game with a final of 3-2.

The Sharks' overall record improves to 34-30-3-1, 72pts and 17-13-0-1, 35pts at home.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Matt Pelech (1-0-1, GWG) 2nd star: Tobias Rieder (2-0-2) 1st star: Travis Oleksuk (1-1-2) ...Final shots were 35-23 in favor of Worcester...Louis Domingue made 32 saves on 35 shots for Portland...Troy Grosenick made 21 saves on 23 shots for Worcester....Worcester went 1-3 on the power play while Portland went 0-1...Sena Acolatse (inj), Brodie Reid (ill), John McCarthy (inj.), Daniil Tarasov (inj.) Rob Davison (AHL susp), Marek Viedensky (inj) and Nick Jones did not dress for Worcester...defenseman Nick Jones (Mercyhurst College) signed an ATO with Worcester before the game....The Sharks are 40-36-10 in 86 career matchups with the Pirates...Wearing #41 defenseman Mirco Mueller made his professional debut and picked up his first point off an assist to Pelech's goal...Oleksuk registered at least one point in Worcester's past 10 meetings with Portland, is on a four game point streak (3-3-6) and is 7-10-17 in the last 16 games...Five different Sharks picked up assists tonight including Hayes, Oleksuk, Tennyson, Mueller and Doherty.

Coming up...

The Sharks will finish out a four-game week with three consecutive contests this weekend.

On Friday, the Sharks play their final road game of the season in a 7:05pm battle vs. the Bruins in Providence, RI.

On Saturday, the Sharks begin a season ending seven game home stand by hosting the Hershey Bears at 7pm with the first 3,000 fans receiving a Tommy Wingels You Can Play bobblehead doll!

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Manchester Monarchs at 3pm during the 3rd annual Pucks & Paws game. The game will feature a cutest pooch contest, a pooch parade and a dog friendly area with water and relief station. Bring your pup along for a fun-filled afternoon, and don't forget to bring some treats! Sunday is also Faith & Family night, sponsored by The Q90.1. Kid's tickets are just $5 on Sundays presented by Hebert Candies!

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