500 Is Sweet in Hershey Shootout Slugfest
February 11, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
HERSHEY, PA - Tim Kennedy tied the game late in the third period and Tyson Sexsmith turned aside all seven Bears shooters in the shootout in a 3-2 victory over the Hershey Bears in front of a sellout crowd at the Giant Center on Saturday night.
Brodie Reid had the game winner in round 7 of the shootout as Worcester Sharks head coach Roy Sommer (500) joins Fred "Bun" Cook (636), Frank Mathers (610), and John Paddock (589) as the only four coaches in AHL history to win 500 games. The Sharks finish their 3-in-3 weekend with a 3pm start vs. the Pirates at the DCU Center on Sunday on PINK in the RINK.
The two most penalized teams in the AHL lived up to their reputations as the two clubs combined for 67 penalty minutes and three sets of fighting majors. The Sharks set a franchise record with their 82nd fighting major in the contest.
A real nasty first period led to 43 penalty minutes and the ejection of Bears captain Boyd Kane. AHL penalty minute leader Joel Rechlicz (13th FM) cross checked Matt Pelech in the face (8th FM) which led to a near line brawl at 9:12. Just over three minutes later, Boyd Kane (2nd FM) ran Curt Gogol from behind and then was sent to the ice by Jimmy Bonneau (17th FM) at 12:54. The Sharks scored on the ensuing major power play, as Jack Combs (10th) slid home a loose puck at the side of the net past Dany Sabourin at 17:09 assisted by Nathan moon and Chad Costello. The Bears would strike right back with a power play marker of their own, as Chris Bourque (23rd) fired a rocket from 50 feet through traffic and past Tyson Sexsmith at 18:52. The Sharks outshot the Bears 13-6 in the first period of play.
The two heavyweight combatants brawled at center ice at 2:52 in a fight of the year candidate as Jimmy Bonneau (18th FM) and Joel Rechlicz (14th FM) did not disappoint with a lengthy battle for the only real action in a scoreless second period. The two teams headed into the 2nd intermission tied at 1-1 with Worcester holding a 23-17 shot advantage.
Each team scored late in the third period as the Bears grabbed their first lead at 17:59 as Cody Eakin (10th) stuffed home a loose rebound after a turnover in the Sharks zone. Tim Kennedy (4th) scored his first goal as a member of the Worcester Sharks just 46 seconds later while the Sharks were on the power play and pulled Tyson Sexsmith for the extra attacker. A blast from the point missed the net and Jack Combs swung the bouncing puck across the crease to a wide open Kennedy for the tying score at 18:44 to force overtime.
Neither team found the back of the net in overtime or the first six rounds of the shootout. Brodie Reid scored for the Sharks in round 7 and Patrick McNeill was stopped by Sexsmith to seal the 3-2 victory.
Worcester's record improves to 22-15-4-5 (53pts in 46gp) and 12-6-4-3 on the road.
Notes: FIVE GUYS BURGERS Three Stars: 3rd Star Chris Bourque (1-0-1) 2nd star: Dany Sabourin (29 saves, SOL) 1st star: Brodie Reid (GWG in Shootout)... Final shots were 32-24 in favor of Worcester... Dany Sabourin made 29 saves on 31 shots for Hershey; Tyson Sexsmith made 22 saves on 24 shots for Worcester....Worcester went 2-for-6 on the power play while Hershey went 1-for-6...Ben Guite (inj),Tony Lucia (inj), Brian O'Hanley (scr), Frazer McLaren (inj), and Cam MacIntyre (inj) did not dress for Worcester... with the three fights, Worcester continues to lead the AHL with 82 fighting majors through 46 games (team record was 81 in 2010-11)... Worcester is now 7-3-1 all-time vs. the Bears, the two teams will meet again April 15th at the DCU Center... Brodie Reid has both of the shootout game winning goals for the Sharks.
Coming up...
On Sunday, the Sharks host the Portland Pirates at 3pm. For the first time in team history, the DCU Center Ice will be colored PINK and the Sharks will wear commemorative PINK jerseys sponsored by Patriot Buick GMC to benefit the Cup Crusaders and to support breast cancer awareness and research.
The PINK jerseys will all be auctioned off through raffle, Chinese auction, silent auction, a post-game live auction, and a select few via an online auction; with proceeds to benefit the Cup Crusaders.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a Worcester Sharks PINK in the RINK t-shirt courtesy of Patriot Buick GMC and the Sharks will be selling PINK mystery autograph pucks with proceeds to benefit the Cup Crusaders.
Before the Worcester Sharks host the Portland Pirates at 3pm, the St. John's high school varsity hockey team will battle St. Peter-Marian at 12pm in the 5th annual High School Hockey Showdown. Doors at the DCU Center will open at 11:30am with one ticket good for both games!
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 February 11, 2012
- Mancari Shoots Wolves Past IceHogs 6-2 - Rockford IceHogs
- Rivermen Keep Charlotte in Check - Peoria Rivermen
- Sound Tigers Rout Falcons 8-1 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Late Goal Stuns Griffins in 5-4 Loss to Houston - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Mancari Earns 400th Career Point in Wolves' 6-2 Win - Chicago Wolves
- Crunch Drop 4-1 Decision to Albany - Syracuse Crunch
- Amerks Come up Short in 4-1 Loss to Rampage - Rochester Americans
- Checkers Routed in Peoria - Charlotte Checkers
- Aeros win 5-4 - Houston Aeros
- 500 Is Sweet in Hershey Shootout Slugfest - Worcester Sharks
- Early Power Plays Make the Difference - Adirondack Phantoms
- Pielmeier, Special Teams Lift Devils to Victory - Albany Devils
- Repik Strikes Twice in 4-1 Rampage Win Over Amerks - San Antonio Rampage
- Sharks Slide Past Bears in Shootout - Hershey Bears
- Whale defeat Manchester - Connecticut Whale
- Admirals Score Early and Often in Sweep of Phantoms - Norfolk Admirals
- Penguins Stun Pirates in Overtime - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Florida Panthers Recall Colby Robak - San Antonio Rampage
- Amerks Donate Equipment to Rochester's Citywide Floor Hockey League - Rochester Americans
- Bruins Assign Kampfer to Providence - Providence Bruins
- Bulldogs Battle Marlies to a 5-1 Loss - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Tonight's Rematch Against Chicago Sold Out - Rockford IceHogs
- AHL Hall of Famer Joe Crozier to Attend Seneca Casinos Legends Night - Rochester Americans
- Sabres Recall Zack Kassian from Rochester - Rochester Americans
- Marlies Sign Martens - Toronto Marlies
- Episode 30 Features Eric Ballard and Craig Bommer - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Ian Cole Recalled by St. Louis - Peoria Rivermen
- Ducks Return Guenin to Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Heat Vs Barons Game Preview - Abbotsford Heat
- Jets Re-Assign Gagnon to IceCaps - St. John's IceCaps
- IceCaps Release Lunden from PTO - St. John's IceCaps
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