First Place Sharks Can't Solve Pack
Published on February 20, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Hartford, CT - Dwight Helminen and Cory Quirk scored late in the third period, but the damage had already been done in the first, as the Sharks fell to the Wolf Pack 4-2 at the XL Center on Saturday night. Dale Weiss scored two first period goals for the Wolf Pack as they broke a franchise record five game losing streak.
The loss broke a four game winning streak for Worcester as the Sharks finished their road trip 4-2-0-0 and begin a three game home stand vs. the 2nd place Pirates on Wednesday.
The Wolf Pack scored three goals on their first seven shots on goal just 9:13 into the opening period. Derek Couture (8th) scored on a rebound chance in the crease after the initial shot by Jared Nightingale broke off Alex Stalock's pads at 5:41. After a turnover in the Sharks zone Dale Weise (17th) was set up in front of the net by Brodie Dupont at 6:22 to give the Wolf Pack a 2-0 lead. Dale Weiss (18th) struck again, this time on a shorthanded rush down the right side at 9:13 as his snap shot from the right circle beat Stalock blocker side to give Hartford a three goal advantage after twenty minutes of play.
Neither team found the back of the net in a physical second period. Steven Zalewski had the best chance for Worcester as he hit the post after a give-and-go with Benn Ferriero. John McCarthy and Jared Nightingale dropped the mitts at 3:25 in an entertaining bout in the Wolf Pack zone. The Sharks trailed 3-0 after two periods of play.
Corey Locke (23rd) gave Hartford a 4-0 lead after he kept in a clearing attempt and fired a rocket from the left circle at 12:28. The Sharks spoiled Matt Zaba's shutout attempt as Dwight Helminen (10th) scored at 17:32 and Cory Quirk (6th) fired the puck off the crossbar and in at 19:23 as Hartford held on for the 4-2 victory.
Worcester's record falls to 35-17-2-2 (74 points) in the Atlantic Division with a three point advantage over the Pirates and Monarchs.
Notes: Three Stars: (3) Jared Nightingale (0-1-1) (2) Matt Zaba (31 saves), (1) Dale Weise (2-0-2)...Before the game, the Sharks signed goaltender Frank Doyle to a PTO, Doyle had been playing with the Alaska Aces in the ECHL... Ryan Vesce, Joe Callahan, Michael Wilson, Logan Couture, and Frazer McLaren were out of the lineup due to injuries.... Alex Stalock made 19 saves for Worcester...Matt Zaba had 31 saves for the Wolf Pack...Final shots were 33-23 in favor of the Sharks... the Sharks are now 0-4-0-0 against the Wolf Pack this season with four games to go in the eight game season series... the Sharks have not allowed a power play goal in their last five games (17-for-17) The first place Sharks return home on Wednesday to host the Portland Pirates at 7:05p.m. at the DCU Center on $1 Dog Wednesday.
American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2010
- Hogs post back-to-back wins over San Antonio - Rockford IceHogs
- Rivermen Offense Erupts in Second, Win 5-3 - Peoria Rivermen
- Late goal burns Sound Tigers as Heat prevail, 1-0 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Six-goal first period fuels 7-1 Wolves win - Chicago Wolves
- Rampage unable to hold off Rockford - San Antonio Rampage
- Wolf Pack win over Sharks - Connecticut Whale
- Falcons Earn Point In Norfolk - Springfield Falcons
- Bernier Protects And Serves - Manchester Monarchs
- Pirates plunder Amerks for franchise-record 11th straight win - Rochester Americans
- Admirals Down Falcons in Shootout - Norfolk Admirals
- Second Period Dooms Griffins in 5-3 Loss - Grand Rapids Griffins
- First Place Sharks Can't Solve Pack - Worcester Sharks
- Heat shut out Tigers - Abbotsford Heat
- Devils Edged Out By Penguins, 1-0 - Albany Devils
- Pirates Set New Franchise Record With 11th Straight Win - Portland Pirates
- P-Bruins Fall To Monarchs 4-0 - Providence Bruins
- River Rats Suppress Phantoms 2-1 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Rats Win Time Warner Cable Cup - Albany River Rats
- AHL Record Crowd Of 21,508 Sees Crunch Beat Binghamton - Syracuse Crunch
- Moose Blanked By Marlies, 2-0 - Manitoba Moose
- AHL Record Crowd Of 21,508 For Historic Day In Syracuse - AHL
- Game Night: Amerks Host Portland At Blue Cross Arena - Rochester Americans
- River Rats Guys Night Out - Albany River Rats
- Puska On Pucks to Air Special at AHL Outdoor Classic - OSC Original by Denis Puska
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