Demelo the Hero in 2-1 Overtime Win in Albany

January 24, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Albany, NY - The Worcester Sharks (22-15-3-2, 49pts) closed out the unofficial first half of the AHL season with a hard fought 2-1 overtime victory over the Albany Devils (20-14-4-5, 49pts) in front of 7,012 fans at the Times Union Center on Saturday afternoon.

Gus Young scored his first professional goal late in the second period while Tomas Hertl set up defenseman Dylan Demelo at 4:04 of sudden overtime for the victory. JP Anderson made 20 saves in net in his 4th straight start and Barclay Goodrow picked up his first professional fighting major for the Sharks as Worcester has won nine of their last ten games.

The tone was set during warmups after all 40 skaters came together at center ice before the opening faceoff. Worcester outshot the Devils 16-7 in the first period but AHL rookie netminder Scott Wedgewood stood tall between the pipes for the Devils.

Worcester finally got on the board with 59 seconds remaining in the second period on the Sharks 29th shot on goal. Rookie Gus Young fired a quick shot from the blue line along the left wall that deflected off a Devils stick in front and then past the Devils netminder. The Sharks took a 1-0 lead into the second intermission and held a 29-12 shot advantage through two periods.

A very physical third period featured several big checks and the first professional fighting major from Barclay Goodrow as he dropped the mitts with Dan Kelly midway through the period. Albany finally scored on their 6th power play after a shot from the point hit several skaters in front of the Worcester crease and Paul Thompson (22nd) fired a quick shot past the short side past JP Anderson at 15:51 to force overtime.

After a nice defensive play by Taylor Fedun in the Worcester zone, Tomas Hertl raced down the left wing and carried the puck behind the net and sent a wraparound pass to a charging Dylan Demelo (4th) for the winning score at 4:04 of overtime.

The Sharks overall record improves to 22-15-3-2, 49pts, and 9-8-2-2, 22pts on the road this season.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Gus Young (Goal, +1) 2nd star: Scott Wedgewood (38 saves) 1st star: Dylan Demelo (OTG)... Final shots were 40-21 in favor of Worcester... Scott Wedgewood made 38 saves on 40 shots for Albany ....JP Anderson made 20 saves on 21 shots in for Worcester.... Aaron Dell (called up from Allen) was the backup goalie... Worcester went 0-for-4 on the power play while Albany went 1-for-6... Petter Emanuelsson (inj), Troy Grosenick (ill), Eriah Hayes, Konrad Abeltshauser, Ryan Carpenter, and Jimmy Bonneau did not dress for Worcester... Matt Tennyson and Melker Karlsson are still with the SJ Sharks ....the Sharks are in a middle of a stretch of where they play nine of 11 on the road... Tomas Hertl (17th in 2012) and Mirco Muller (18th in 2013) were both drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 1st round of the NHL Draft...Willie Coetzee finished +2...two of Demelo's four goals have come in overtime... Worcester is now 4-3 in overtime this season.

Coming up....

The Worcester Sharks return to action on Friday with a 7:05pm start vs. the Bruins in Providence, RI.



American Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2015


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