12,810 Fans Cheer on the Sharks into Playoff Spot with Two Home

March 19, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


The Worcester Sharks chomped four out of a possible six points in three games last week. The Sharks finished a five game home stand (2-3-0-0) on Friday in front of another sellout crowd at the DCU Center with a 5-2 win over the Providence Bruins. After a long bus drive to Wilkes-Barre Scranton, PA after the win over the Bruins, the Sharks dropped a 4-1 decision to the Penguins on Saturday night before returning home to beat the Sound Tigers 5-2 in a penalty filled affair on Sunday.

The Worcester Sharks player of the week nominee was rookie forward James Livingston. James scored his 6th goal of the season, added three assists, picked up a fighting major, and was +4 in three games last week.

If the playoffs were to start today, the 8th seeded Sharks (67pts) would face the 1st place Norfolk Admirals (in a best of 5 first round series).

Few things to know....

* The Sharks currently sit in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division, 16 points behind the first place St. John's IceCaps, two points behind the 2nd place Monarchs, two points ahead of the 4th place Pirates, and four points ahead of the 5th place Bruins.

* The Sharks currently have 13 games remaining (7 home, 6 away) in their regular season schedule and hold the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference.

* The Sharks welcomed 12,810 fans to the DCU Center at two home games last week highlighted by 7,787 fans on Friday in an exciting 5-2 win over the Bruins.

* The Worcester Sharks lead the AHL with 108 fighting majors through 63 games shattering the franchise record of 81 set last season. Catch a cool YOUTUBE video HERE of the Sharks in action!

* Tough guy Jimmy Bonneau is one fight away from tying Frazer McLaren's team record of 21 fighting majors (2008-09) in a season.

* "The Sheriff" Frazer McLaren is now just one penalty minute away from tying Brad Staubitz for the franchise record in career penalty minutes with the Worcester Sharks. Frazer has 461 penalty minutes in 184gp with Worcester while Staubitz had 462 penalty minutes in 162gp.

* Sebastian Stalberg, the younger brother of Viktor Stalberg of the Chicago Blackhawks, scored his first professional goal in his first professional game on Sunday vs. the Sound Tigers.

* Andover, MA native and BU alum, John McCarthy leads the Worcester Sharks with 39 points (16-23-39) in 52 games this season. Brandon Mashinter also has 16 goals.

* The Worcester Sharks welcomed over 2,000 job seekers during the 2nd annual Worcester Sharks Job Fair on Friday. Check out the news report from NECN by clicking HERE.

* The Sharks begin a three game road trip in Albany on Wednesday night at 7pm and will also make stops in Manchester and Bridgeport before returning home to host the Portland Pirates on March 30 at 7:30pm.

Top 3... Last Week!

1. James Livingston recorded three assists and was #3 in the Sharks 5-2 win over the Bruins on Friday!

2. Tony Lucia scores twice, picks up his first professional fighting major, adds assist, and was _4 in three games last week!

3. Brandon Mashinter scores his 16th goal, adds assist, was +2, fired a team high eight shots on goal, and was the #1 star in the Sharks 5-2 win over the Sound Tigers on Sunday!

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

Fri. 3/16 W Providence Bruins 2 @ Worcester SHARKS 5

Sat. 3/17 L Worcester SHARKS 1 @ Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins 4

Sun. 3/18 W Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5 @ Worcester SHARKS 2

This week:

Wed. 3/20 Worcester SHARKS @ Albany Devils - 7pm

Sun. 3/25 Worcester SHARKS @ Manchester Monarchs - 3pm

Rewind the Tape:

3.16.12 - Worcester 5 - Providence 2 - W - DCU Center

Five different goal scorers lit the lamp for Worcester and James Livingston added three assists as the Sharks defeated the Providence Bruins 5-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 7,787 at the DCU Center on Friday during Heroes Night. Jack Combs scored in his second straight game and Nathan Moon scored the first Sharks power play in nine games while Tyson Sexsmith made 19 saves in the victory. Brian O'Hanley scored the game winner in the third period and Marek Viedensky and Tony Lucia added late insurance goals in the win. Click HERE to watch the highlights.

3.17.12 - Worcester 1 - Wilkes-Barre / Scranton 4 - L - Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

John McCarthy scored his team leading 16th goal of the season but it was the only Sharks score as Worcester fell 4-1 to the WBS Penguins in front of a sellout crowd of 8,183 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Saturday Night. Alexandre Picard recorded a hat trick for the Penguins as the Sharks allowed three power play goals in a feisty game that saw four fights and a combined 68 penalty minutes.

3.18.12 - Worcester 5 - Bridgeport 2 - W - DCU Center

The Sharks scored four goals in the second period on 19 shots to lead the way to a 5-2 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in front of a crowd of 5,023 at the DCU Center on Sunday during IceCats Night.

Brandon Mashinter, James Livingston, Tony Lucia, and Sebastian Stalberg scored goals in the middle frame for the Sharks while Tim Kennedy added an empty netter late in the third period to seal the victory for Worcester. Harri Sateri made 33 saves in net for Worcester in a game that saw four sets of fighting majors and 86 combined penalty minutes. Click HERE to watch the highlights.

Sharks in the Atlantic: The Sharks are swimming in 3rd place with 67 points (28-24-4-7) in the Atlantic Division through 63 games, which is 16 points behind the first place St. John's IceCaps (63gp), two points behind the 2nd place Manchester Monarchs (65gp) and two points ahead of the 4th place Portland Pirates (64gp). The Sharks have a four point edge over the 5th place Bruins (63pts in 65gp), 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.

*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.

*500 WINS!.... With a 3-2 shootout victory in Hershey on February 11, 2012, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 500 win 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 1,103GP 506 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: 506-457 -49 -47-44. (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 352 of the 506 victories (70%).

*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, Jimmy Bonneau, Benn Ferriero, Brandon Mashinter, Mike Connolly, Matt Pelech, and Andrew Murray have also worn the "A" this season.

*From east to west..... The Worcester Sharks have had 8 players (11 call-ups) receive at least one call up this season to San Jose... Currently; James Sheppard, Tommy Wingels, Benn Ferriero, Andrew Desjardins, 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 represented 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.

*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 a NHL call up to San Jose on Jan 4 and scored his first NHL goal on Jan 15 at Chicago.

*Breaking down February... the Sharks went 4-7-0-1 (9ts in 12gp) in February with 28 GF and 36 GA. PP was 11-for-53 (20.7%), opponents PP was 7-for-52 (13.4%), and Worcester had 24 fighting majors in the month.

*Breaking down March.... The Sharks are 4-4-0-1 (9pts in 9gp) in March with 27 GF and 26 GA. PP is 2-for-32 (6.3%), opponents PP is 8-for-41 (19.5%), and Worcester has 14 fighting majors this month.

*Breaking down the last 13... Worcester has 13 games remaining (7 home, 6 away) this season. Opponents: Manchester (x3), Portland (x2), Providence, Adirondack, Albany (x2), Bridgeport, Hershey, Springfield, and St. John's.

*Experience up front... forward Andrew Murray joined the Worcester Sharks on Feb 7 after skating in 39 games with the San Jose Sharks (1-3-4) this season. The 30-year-old native of Selkirk, Manitoba has skated in 220 NHL games in his career (24-16-40) with Columbus and San Jose. He has three 10+ goal seasons with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL. Murray scored his first goal with the Worcester Sharks on Feb 12 and has three points (2-1-3) in eight games with Worcester. Murray has missed the last 11 games due to injury

*TRADE!... The San Jose Sharks traded Worcester Sharks defenseman Sean Sullivan to Florida in exchange for center Tim Kennedy on Jan 26. Sullivan had suited up in 105 Worcester Sharks games and compiled 59 points (17-42-59) and 53 penalty minutes. Kennedy brings 112 NHL games of experience, was a National Champion with Michigan State in 2007, and was on the AHL All Rookie Team in 2008-09 with the Portland Pirates. Tim has 21 points (7-14-21) in 22gp with Worcester.

*TRADE 2!... The San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche agreed to a trade on Feb 27 sending Jamie McGinn, Mike Connolly, and Michael Sgarbossa to Colorado in exchange for Daniel Winnik, T.J. Galiardi and a 7th round pick.

*Loaned!... Worcester Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock was loaned to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) on March 3. Stalock posted a 1-1-0 record with a 2.51 GAA and a .909 save % with Worcester this season. The 24-year-old native of South St. Paul, MN had a 5-1-0 record in six starts for the Stockton Thunder along with a 2.83GAA and a .914 save percentage before his call up to Worcester on Feb 13. The Worcester Sharks Team MVP during the 2009-10 season, Stalock has compiled a 59-37-6 all-time record with the Worcester Sharks and a 1-0-0 career record with the San Jose Sharks. Before his 2-1 victory over the Springfield Falcons on Feb 19, 2012, Stalock had not played a game with Worcester since a season ending injury on Feb 4, 2011 vs. the Manchester Monarchs. Alex Stalock was named to the 2009-10 AHL-All Rookie Team and an AHL All-Star in 2010 with Worcester. The Sharks currently has All-Star Tyson Sexsmith and rookie Harri Sateri on their roster as the Sharks continue to battle for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Stalock is 1-0-0 with Peoria.

*First Half... the Sharks finished the first half of the season after a 3-2 loss in Providence on Jan 22. Worcester went 19-12-3-4 with 45 points in 38gp for a .592 win percentage; the 2nd best first half record in franchise history. Worcester had a .639 win percentage with 51pts in 40gp in 2009-10, the year they won the Atlantic Division.

*1 Goal Games... 13 of the last 27 games for Worcester have been decided by a single goal. The Sharks are 13-7-4-7 overall in 1 goal games this season

*OT again? The Worcester Sharks are 3rd in the AHL with 17 games (26.9%) that have gone into overtime. The Sharks are 4-4 in OT and 2-7 in the shootout. The Sharks have the 3rd lowest win percentage in games that end in overtime or the shootout (.353%).

*Nice Crowd... the Worcester Sharks had their 2nd biggest crowd in franchise history on Jan 21, 2012 in a 3-2 overtime win over Bruins at the DCU Center. The Sharks welcomed 8,840 fans through the gates in the exciting win. The Sharks have has 11 crowds over 5,000 fans this season, including a sellout crowd (7,787) on March 16.

*Huge Crowd... the Worcester Sharks welcomed a franchise record 10,170 fans at the DCU Center on Feb 24 for the GRONK PUCK SPIKE.

*Worcester/Manchester Rivalry... the Sharks and Monarchs have already slugged it out through eight of 12 games this season. The two teams have combined for 429 penalty minutes in the nine games (205WOR, 224 MCH) and 21 sets of fighting major penalties. Worcester is 2-4-2-1 vs. Manchester this season with the next meeting coming in Manchester on March 25.

*Road Warriors... the Sharks have taken a point in 22-of-32 road games this season (13-10-4-5) 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 won two straight home games...the Sharks have had four fighting majors in two straight games... John McCarthy (1-2-3) and Tim Kennedy (1-3-4) each have three game point streaks and Brandon Mashinter has a two game point streak (1-2-3).

*Leaders among us... Jimmy Bonneau is 3rd in the AHL with 20 fighting majors...Curt Gogol is 1st among AHL rookies with 135 penalty minutes and 1st with 17 fighting majors...Nathan Moon is 2nd among rookies with 134 penalty minutes and 5th with 10 fighting majors...Tyson Sexsmith is 5th in the AHL with a 2.25GAA... Matt Irwin is 13th with 34 points (8-26-34), 2nd in power play goals with 7, and 2nd in shots with 172... Matt Pelech is 3rd among AHL defensemen with 14 fighting majors.

*Penalty Shots.... 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-8 in franchise history on penalty shots.

*PP Specialist...Matt Irwin's seven 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 13 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 added four fighting majors. Doherty recorded his first professional point (assist) in his 37th pro game in Manchester on Jan 28.

*Score first... the Sharks have scored FIRST 28 times in 63 games this season (19-4-2-3); Curt Gogol 3,Benn Ferriero 4, Nathan Moon 2, Mike Moore 2, Tommy Wingels 1, John McCarthy 3, Matt Irwin 1, Sena Acolatse 1, Tony Lucia 1, Brodie Reid 1, Brandon Mashinter 3, Jack Combs 3, Mike Connolly 1, Jimmy Bonneau 1, and Andrew Murray 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), Marek Viedensky (Dec 11 at STJ vs. empty net), and Sebastian Stalberg (Mar 18 vs. BRI vs. Poulin)

*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... Sebastian Stalberg became just the 6th Sharks player to score in his professional debut joining Joe Pavelski, Nate Raduns, Tony Lucia, Cam MacIntyre, and Curt Gogol (Thanks Bill Ballou, Worcester TG)

*Sharks in the Atlantic... Worcester is 14-16-3-4 in the Atlantic Division this season.

*Good when leading... the Sharks are 15-3-1-1 when leading after the 1st period of play and 15-3-0-2 when leading after the 2nd period of play this season.

*Leads tough to come by... The Sharks have had the lead just 20 times in 63 games heading into the third period. The 2nd fewest in the AHL.

*Tied after 2 periods.... The Sharks have been tied 20 times in 63 games heading into the third period, the most in the AHL. Worcester is 11-4-2-3 in those games. (11 wins tied for most in AHL).

*5 National Champions... The Sharks have five players that have won the NCAA Division 1 Championship.... John McCarthy was co-captain for Boston University in 2009, Benn Ferriero and Nick Petrecki with Boston College in 2008, Tim Kennedy with Michigan State University in 2007, and Ben Guite with Maine in 1999.

*These Sharks have teeth!.... Worcester is 1st in the AHL in penalty minutes averaging 21.25 penalty minutes per game and are 1st with 108 fighting major penalties. Manchester is 2nd with 76 fighting majors.

*100 club... The Worcester Sharks are the only team in the AHL with four players with over 100 penalty minutes this season. Curt Gogol (135), Nathan Moon (134), Jimmy Bonneau (146), and Matt Pelech (127) have all hit the century mark already this season for Worcester.

*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 243 games for Worcester accumulating 352 penalty minutes... Moore surpassed Lukas Kaspar on Jan 15 for the most games played by a Worcester Sharks player with 217.

*Sherriff McLaren... Sharks tough guy Frazer McLaren was assigned back to Worcester on Jan 22 from San Jose. #10 ranks 2nd all-time in Worcester Sharks history with 461 penalty minutes (44 FM) in 184 games. Brad Staubitz holds the top stop with 462 pims in 162 games.

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

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

*Young Guns... the Sharks have dressed 16 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, Jack Combs, Chad Costello, Ian O'Connor, and Sebastian Stalberg)

*Great Start to the Weekend.... The Sharks are 9-4-2-2 on Friday nights this season.... A perfect way to kick off the weekend!

*Super Sunday... the Sharks went 14-4-0-2 on Sunday afternoon games in 2010-11 and are 8-3-0-3 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 eight players with NHL experience totaling 622 games led by veteran Andrew Murray with 220... breakdown of the rest... Ben Guite 175, Tim Kennedy 112, John McCarthy 51, Frazer McLaren 39, Mike Moore 6, Matt Pelech 5, Brandon Mashinter 13.

*2 Gordie Howe Hattricks.... 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... Mash followed up with another on Feb 4 at St. John's with a fighting major vs. Garth Murray at 18:36 of the first period, an assist on Mike Connolly's goal at 6:15 of the third period, and a empty net goal at 19:54 of the 3rd period. Mash is tied for the team lead in goals with 16.

*10/10.... Worcester Sharks rookie forward became just the third player in Worcester Sharks history to record at least 10 goals and 10 fights in a season joining Brandon Mashinter (twice) and Dennis McCauley. Moon has 11 goals and ten fighting majors with 13 games to go this season.

*Like Father, Like Son... Rookie Curt Gogol is 2nd on the Sharks with 135 penalty minutes and 2nd with 17 fighting majors through 43 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 20 fighting majors in 48 games this season for the Sharks. Bonneau is one fight away from tying Frazer McLaren for the most fighting majors in one season (21 in 2008-09). Jimmy has 90 fighting majors in 237 AHL games along with 699 penalty minutes.

*Acolatse can throw... Worcester Sharks rookie defenseman Sena Acolatse has been quite impressive in his first seven 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, Andre Deveaux, J.D. Watt, and Garth Murray 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 108 fighting majors this season (franchise record) good for 1st in the AHL... 18 different players dropped the mitts this season for the Sharks this season: (Jimmy Bonneau 20, Curt Gogol 17, Nick Petrecki 3, Cam MacIntyre 5, Nathan Moon 10, Brandon Mashinter 6, Mike Moore 6, Frazer McLaren 4, Sena Acolatse 7, Taylor Doherty 4, Matt Pelech 14, Tommy Wingels 2, Ryan Del Monte 3, James Livingston 3, John McCarthy 1, Sean Sullivan 1, Tony Lucia 1, and Brodie Reid 1)... 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: 28-24-4-7, 67 points - 3rd in Atlantic

Win percentage: .532% - 17th in AHL

Home Record: 15-14-0-2

Away Record: 13-10-4-5

Attendance: 140,737 through 31 games at DCU Center 4,540 average) - 23rd in AHL

Goals Scored: 168, 2.67 goals per game, 22nd in AHL

Goals Allowed: 172, 2.73 goals against per game, 10th in AHL (2nd in Eastern Conference)

Shots per game: 33.24 - 3rd in AHL

Shots allowed per game: 28.92 - 7th in AHL

Score 1st: 19-4-2-3 when scoring first (.768%)

1 goal games: 13-7-4-7 in one goal games

PP: 16.5%, 20th in AHL (44-267)

PK: 83.6%, 10th in AHL (45-274)

SHG - 4 shorthanded goals scored

SHGA - 6 shorthanded goals allowed

PIMS - 21.25 penalty minutes per game, 1st in AHL

Fighting Majors: 108- 1st in AHL (franchise record)

OT Games - 17 - (4-4 record in OT)

SO Games - 9 - (2-7 record in SO)

Roster Players - the Sharks have used 37 players this season

Goalies - the Sharks have used 4 goaltenders this season

Players receiving call-ups to San Jose - 9 (Sheppard, Sexsmith, Braun, Ferriero, McLaren, Irwin, Niittymaki, Wingels, McCarthy)

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

Call-ups to San Jose - 11 different call-ups to San Jose this season

Coming and goings from the Shark Tank: Date

Player

Team

Transaction

03/12/2012

Sebastian Stalberg (RW)

Worcester

ADD Signed to ATO

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Mashinter and McCarthy (16)

o Game Winners Wingels (4) - currently in San Jose

o Assists Irwin (26)

o Points McCarthy (16-23-39)

o Power play Points Irwin (7-12-19)

o Shots Irwin (172 shots)

o PIM Bonneau (146)

o Fighting Pen. Bonneau (20)

o Plus/Minus Lucia (+8)

o Wins Sexsmith (13)

o G.A.A. Sexsmith (2.25)

o Save % Sexsmith (.919)

o Shutouts Sateri (2)

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 36-25-10 with 82 points through 71 games and currently in 9th place in the Western Conference; one point behind the 7th place Coyotes (73gp) and one point behind the Avalanche (74gp). Former Worcester Sharks playing for San Jose: Joe Pavelski (25-26-51), Logan Couture (30-27-57), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (4-17-21), Torrey Mitchell (8-10-18), Douglas Murray (0-4-4), Andrew Desjardins (3-10-13), Jason Demers (2-9-11), Justin Braun (2-8-10), and Tommy Wingels (3-4-7). Thomas Greiss is 8-7-1 with a 2.36 GAA and .914 save %.

Week ahead: (all times EST)

Mon., Mar 19 at 10pm vs. Anaheim

Tue., Mar 20 at 10:30pm at Los Angeles

Thu., Mar 22 at 10:30pm vs. Boston

Sat., Mar 24 at 10pm vs. Phoenix

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Stockton Thunder are 32-29-1-4 in 66 games this season with 69 points, which is good for 5th pl ace in the Western Conference and have clinched a playoff spot. Thomas Heemskerk is 13-12-0 with a 3.27 GAA and a .893 save % for the Thunder.

Week Ahead: (all times EST)

Wed., Mar 21 at 10pm at Ontario

Fri., Mar 23 at 10:30pm vs. Bakersfield

Sat., Mar 24 at 10:30pm vs. Bakersfield

Coming Up:

The Sharks head for the road for three straight games beginning on Wednesday night at 7pm as the Sharks visit the Devils in Albany.

After a rare Friday and Saturday night off, the Sharks will renew their heated rivalry with a 3pm start with the Monarchs in Manchester on Sunday.

The Sharks still have plenty of exciting promotions upcoming including a John McCarthy autograph card giveaway, the MSCHA High School All-Star Game, Faith and Family Night with a special visit from the Power Team, the Boston Bruins Alumni Doubleheader, Fan Appreciation Night and MORE!

Score a family fun pack today for only $74! Four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for a portion of the price! Available only through the Sharks front office for every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games this season!

Enjoy a Worcester Sharks Experience Pack! The Sharks are offering groups to partake in a Sharks hockey experience with many interactive activities; including friends and family skates on the DCU Center ice before or after a game, the high FIN tunnel (high-fiving players as they take the ice), singing the National Anthem, intermission performances, and more.

Marina Riva, Jonathan Forsberg, Jason Jones, Chris Curtis, and Kristyn Galante are ready to take your orders and answer your questions today! Season Tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now by 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.



American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2012


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