10 games left, Sharks just two points out
Published on March 23, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Rewind the Tape:
3.20.09 - Worcester 1 - Bridgeport 2 - Arena at Harbor Yard
The Sharks kicked off their four game road trip with their first visit to Bridgeport this season and fell 2-1 in a tight hockey game. Riley Armstrong tied the game at 1-1 with a power play goal early in the third period for his team leading 23rd goal of the season. Former Holy Cross Crusader James Sixsmith recorded the game winning goal at 6:17 of the third period to drown the Sharks. Worcester outshot the Sound Tigers 38-22 and Tom Cavanagh extended his point streak to eight games (4-6-10). Thomas Greiss made 20 saves in net.
3.21.09 - Worcester 0 - Lowell 3 - Tsongas Arena
For the first time this season on the road, the Sharks were shutout in Lowell by a 3-0 score in a game that featured several fights and 94 penalty minutes. Jeff Frazee made 43 saves in net for the Devils for the shutout while Rod Pelley scored the game winner on his bobblehead night. Worcester went 0-6 on the power play as Larose, Desjardins, McLaren, Moore, and Westgarth all picket up major penalties for fighting.
3.22.09 - Worcester 0 - Springfield 2 - Mass Mutual Center
Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves in net to shutout the Sharks 2-0 in Springfield on Sunday. It was the 2nd time in franchise history the Sharks had been shutout in consecutive games. Dan DaSilva fired six shots on goal while Thomas Greiss made 20 of 21 stops in net for the Sharks in his 6th straight start in goal.
Sharks in the Atlantic...
The Sharks (34-33-1-2) swim in a 5th place in the Atlantic Division with 71 points, 15 points behind the first place Hartford Wolf Pack. Worcester is just two points behind the Pirates for the 4th and final playoff spot and three points behind the Monarchs for 3rd. The 6th place Devils are one point behind the Sharks in a very choppy Atlantic Division.
Shark Bites:
*Worcester has just 10 games remaining in the regular season (5 at home, 5 on the road).
*The Sharks fired 113 shots on goal this weekend but only found the back of the net once. Worcester has not scored a goal in 1:58:47 of action and were shutout for the 15th time in the franchises history on Sunday in Springfield.
*Thomas Greiss has made six straight starts in net for the Sharks including his 2nd back to back 3in3 weekend. Greiss is 2-4-0 in those six starts despite allowing just 12 goals.
*Tom Cavanagh had a professional high eight game point streak (4-6-10) snapped in Lowell on Saturday before being recalled to San Jose on Sunday morning.
*Currently on recall to San Jose, Sharks Captain Ryan Vesce is currently 10th in the AHL in points with 68 (22-46-68) and tops in overtime goals (4) and game winning goals (9).
*Rookie Frazer McLaren is 3rd among AHL rookies with 19 fighting major penalties and 4th in pims (149). Frazer tied a franchise record with his 19th fighting major of the season against Leblond in Lowell on Saturday. Brad Staubitz also had 19 tilts last season.
*The Sharks have set a franchise record with 74 fighting major penalties this season through 70 games. 16 different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (19), Brett Westgarth (14), Mike Moore (10), Brad Staubitz (10), Jason Demers (2), Andrew Desjardins (5), Jamie McGinn (2), James McEwan (2), Tom Cavanagh, Dan DaSilva, Kyle McLaren, Brendan Buckley (2), TJ Fox, Cory Larose (2), Matt Jones and Riley Armstrong. The Sharks had 68 fighting majors last season and 54 in 2007-08.
*Worcester has been outscored 51-73 in the first period but has outscored their opponents in the second period (66-65) and the third period (71-64).
*Patrick Traverse is 12th in the AHL defenseman scoring race with 37 points (8-29-37). Traverse is currently having the best offensive season in his 15th professional season.
*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.37) and 1st in shots against per game (26.49).
*The Sharks have the best winning percentage (.727) in the AHL in games that are decided after regulation. Worcester is 6-1 in overtime and 2-2 in the shootout.
*The Sharks have scored the first goal of the game in 30 of their 70 games and are 22-7-0-1 when scoring the first tally of the game. (.750)
*The Sharks are 17-3-0-1 when leading after twenty minutes and 22-2-0-1 when leading after forty.
Coming and goings from the shark tank:
3/17 The Worcester Sharks loaned Michael Wilson and P.J. Fenton to Phoenix (ECHL).
3/19 The San Jose Sharks recalled Ryan Vesce from Worcester.
3/20 The Worcester Sharks recalled P.J. Fenton from Phoenix (ECHL).
3/22 The San Jose Sharks recalled Tom Cavanagh from Worcester.
Sharks:
o Goals Armstrong (23)
o Game Winners Vesce (9)
o Assists Vesce (46)
o Points Vesce (68)
o Power play Points Vesce (5-17-22)
o Shots Armstrong (188)
o PIM F. McLaren (149)
o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (19)
o Plus/Minus Moore (+13)
o Wins Greiss (22)
o G.A.A. Greiss (2.62)
o Save % Greiss (.900)
o Shutouts Dakers (1)
Coming Up:
The Worcester Sharks finish up their four game road trip with a 7p.m. start in Bridgeport on Tuesday.
On Friday, March 27th, the Sharks host the Springfield Falcons at 7:05p.m. at the DCU Center.
All student tickets are just $9 and the game will also be shown live on Charter TV-3 and the NHL Network. Find out how you can participate in an "officials seminar" before the game as former NHL referee Paul Stewart, NFL referee Jim Mello, NCAA basketball referee Bill Laubenstein, and ECAC hockey supervisor Bill Stewart will hold a discussion. Contact Marina Riva at 508.929.0500 for more information.
On Saturday, March 28th , the Shark host the Lowell Devils at 7:05p.m. on "Be a Leader" Night presented by the Law Firm of Abigail Williams & Associates. The Sharks will be wearing a special "Be a Leader" jersey which will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds to benefit Injury Free Coalition for Kids. Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to throw on the ice after the Sharks score their first goal to benefit Project Smile. Members of the Worcester Tornadoes and the Boston Breakers will be on hand to sign autographs during the first intermission. Three lucky fans will have the opportunity to win $38,000 compliments of Piccadilly Pub restaurants. Help Finz celebrate his birthday with other mascots on this action packed evening! Pick up your Family Fun Pack with a ticket, hot dog, and soda for just $15.25 each when buying a minimum of four tickets!
The Sharks finish off the busy week with a 4:05p.m. Sunday battle in Providence against the Bruins.
The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now! Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, 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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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
