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Sharks Battle Back But Fall 4-3 to Sound Tigers

March 7, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Worcester, MA- The Worcester Sharks (31-20-4-2, 68pts) were defeated 4-3 by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (22-29-6-1, 51 pts) in what ended up being a tight one on Troy Grosenick bobblehead night in front of 4,428 fans on Saturday evening at the DCU Center.

Four players scored for Bridgeport in the 4-3 victory including Harry Zolniercyzk (1-1-2, +2), Carson McMillan (1-0-1, +1), Dustin Jeffrey (1-1-2, +2), and Sebastian Collberg (1-1-2, +2). Three power play goals were scored for Worcester by Micheal Haley (1-0-1, -1), Chris Crane (1-0-1, E), and Willie Coetzee (1-1-2, -1) in the loss. Worcester goalie Troy Grosenick made 21 saves on 25 shots, while Bridgeport's netminder Kevin Poulin stopped 39 on 42 shots from the Sharks for his 15th win of the season. The Sound Tigers snapped a 10-game losing streak with the victory.

Eight penalties were called in a chippy first period. Less than two minutes into the game, Sharks' defenseman Taylor Doherty and Sound Tigers' forward Colton Gillies got into a scuffle at center ice after Gillies kneed Sharks' forward Bryan Lerg. Each player received three penalties, but Gillies was tossed after being called for a game misconduct on the play. With 47.5 seconds left in the first frame, Bridgeport left winger Harry Zolniercyzk (17th) fired a slapshot from the left point that got past Sharks' goalie Troy Grosenick for the lone goal of the period. Despite outshooting Bridgeport 16-9, Worcester trailed 1-0 through twenty minutes.

At 4:01 of the second period, Bridgeport's center Carson McMillan (1st) flicked a backhander in the net on a rebound off Grosenick to give the Sound Tigers a 2-0 lead. The Sharks would get on the board at the 6:49 mark when left winger Micheal Haley (18th) pushed the puck in the net in front of the crease on a rebound after a shot down low by forward Willie Coetzee, bringing the Sharks within one. With 1:23 left in the frame, Bridgeport center Dustin Jeffey (19th) found the back of net at the bottom of the left circle after a quick feed from fellow forward John Persson, reinstating the Sound Tigers' two-goal advantage. Worcester outshot Bridgeport 13-7 in the period, but trailed 3-1 going into the second intermission.

At 6:11 of the third period, Bridgeport's right winger Sebastian Collberg (4th) lit up the lamp, scoring in front of the crease on a rebound to give the Sound Tigers a three-goal lead. Worcester got one back at the 15:03 mark when forward Chris Crane (1st) backhanded a puck after a face-off, which slowly slid past Sound Tigers' goaltender Kevin Poulin to make it 4-2 Bridgeport. The Sharks added a power play goal with 2:14 left in the period when Willie Coetzee (8th) ripped it from the slot after a behind-the-net pass from center Travis Oleksuk to get Worcester within one. The Sharks had some good looks late in the period but couldn't find the equalizer. Grosenick made 21 saves on 25 shots from Bridgeport as the Sharks outshot the Sound Tigers 42-25 but took the 4-3 loss.

The Sharks overall record falls to 31-20-4-2, 68pts and 18-9-2-1, 39 pts at the DCU Center this season.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Willie Coetzee (1-1-2, -1) 2nd star: Harry Zolniercyzk (1-1-2, +2) 1st star: Dustin Jeffrey (1-1-2, +2)... Final shots were 42-25 in favor of Worcester ... Kevin Poulin made 39 saves on 42 shots for Bridgeport ....Troy Grosenick made 21 saves on 25 shots for Worcester... Worcester went 3-for-6 on the power play while Bridgeport went 0-for-3...DeBlois, Schwartz, Langlois (inj.), Emanuelsson (inj), Bonneau (susp), did not dress for Worcester... the Sharks dressed seven defensemen...Taylor Fedun was recalled to San Jose after the game on Friday night...Chris Crane scored his first AHL goal...Sharks had season-high penalty minutes (25 minutes) and season-high power-play goals (3)...Worcester is 6-3-1-0 in their last ten and are 7th place in the Eastern Conference.

Coming up....

On Sunday, the Sharks head to Providence to take on the Bruins at the Dunkin' Donuts Center...puck drops at 3:05pm, as the Sharks close out their 3-in-3 weekend.

Worcester celebrates 20 years of AHL hockey! The 2014-15 season marks the 20th season of AHL action at the DCU Center in the city of Worcester. Over 3.8 million fans have attended either an IceCats (11 seasons) or Sharks (9th season) game in downtown Worcester since 1994.

Bring a group to sing the national anthem, book a fundraising event, host a birthday party, or have a blast in the high fin tunnel. Secure your personalized Sharks experience today! Group tickets for the 2014-15 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.

Socialize with the Worcester Sharks all year long! Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorcesterSharks, follow us on Twitter @WorcesterSharks, and download the Worcester Sharks App for free on your Droid or iPhone today!

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