First Place Sharks Swim Into Final Weekend With Atlantic Division Title In Sight - Worcester Sharks

April 5, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Top 3!

#1 Sharks hit the 100 point plateau for the first time in franchise history!

#2 John McCarthy records three points (1-2-3) in first period to pace Sharks to a 5-3 win at Hartford on Wednesday!

#3 Derek Joslin strikes on the power play in third period to force overtime in Lowell on Saturday!

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

Wed. 3/31 W Worcester SHARKS 5 @ Hartford Wolf Pack 3

Fri. 4/2 L Worcester SHARKS 1 @ Providence Bruins 3

Sat. 4/3 OTL Worcester SHARKS 2 @ Lowell Devils 3 - OT

This Week:

Wed. 4/7 Worcester SHARKS @ Hartford Wolf Pack - 7:00 p.m.

Fri. 4/9 Hartford Wolf Pack @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.

Sat. 4/10 Providence Bruins @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.

Sun. 4/11 Worcester SHARKS @ Portland Pirates - 4:00 p.m.

Rewind the Tape:

3.31.10 - Worcester 5 - Hartford 3 - W - XL Center

Sharks rookie John McCarthy scored a goal and added two assists in the first period to pace the Sharks to a 5-3 win in Hartford at the XL Center on Wednesday night to close out the month of March with an 11-4-0-0 record. Frank Doyle was great in net for Worcester, collecting his 6th win of the season making 26 saves in goal and Cory Quirk scored his 19th goal of the season for the game winner. Kevin Henderson, Andrew Desjardins and Dan DaSilva also scored for Worcester. The Sharks collected their franchise record 22nd road win of the season, a record 99 points on the season, and their 10th win in their last 12 games.

4.2.10 - Worcester 1 - Providence 3 - L - Dunkin Donuts Centers

T.J. Trevelyan scored his team leading 26th goal of the season but the Sharks could only manage one goal on 49 shots as they fell 3-1 in Providence at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Friday night. Dany Sabourin made 48 saves in net for the Bruins and the Sharks allowed two power play goals for the first time in 12 games. Nick Schaus recorded an assist in his first professional game while Alex Stalock made 23 saves in the loss for the Sharks.

4.3.10 - Worcester 2 - Lowell 3 - OTL - Tsongas Center

The Sharks battled back and forced overtime with a late third period power play goal by Derek Joslin but fell 3-2 in overtime in Lowell at the Tsongas Center on Saturday night. Dennis McCauley scored his 10th goal of the season in a feisty affair that could be a preview of the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. Alex Stalock made 28 saves in the loss. With the point in overtime, the Sharks reached the 100 point plateau for the first time in franchise history.

Sharks in the Atlantic:

The Sharks are currently swimming in 1st place with 100 points (47-23-3-3) in the Atlantic Division through 76 games, one point ahead of the second place Pirates, 7 points ahead of the third place Manchester Monarchs, and 16 points ahead of the fourth place Lowell Devils. The Sharks have an 18 point cushion over 5th place Sound Tigers, a 23 point edge over the 6th place Wolf Pack and a 24 point advantage over the 7th place Bruins. The 8th place Springfield Falcons (63 points) round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

Playoffs:

The Sharks have clinched a playoff spot for the 3rd time in four seasons! The Sharks have clinched at least 2nd place in the Atlantic Division and will host Game 1 of the Atlantic Division semi-finals at the DCU Center on Wednesday, April 14th at 7pm. (opponent yet to be determined)

400 WINS!

*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1st, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 400 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 1981-2009 15seasons 1,107GP 585 WINS

4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 12th season 956GP 440 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 (12th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 440-400-57-59.

*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 286 of the 440 victories (65%).

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2009-10 season: Captain Ryan Vesce (2nd year), Assistant Captains Derek Joslin (2nd year) and Mike Moore (1st year).... T.J. Trevelyan, Joe Callahan, Steven Zalewski, Frazer McLaren, and Dwight Helminen have also worn the "A" on their jerseys.

*From east to west..... The Sharks already have 12 players that have seen action to both the AHL and NHL this season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, Demers, McCarthy, and Helminen). The Sharks had 11 players accomplish that feat last season. Logan Couture, Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero, Jason Demers, and Frazer McLaren have each recorded their first NHL goals this season. Jamie McGinn, Torrey Mitchell, Logan Couture, and Jason Demers are currently (April 5) on recall to San Jose. The Worcester Sharks have had 67 CALL-UPS this season to San Jose.

*You always remember your first..... Dennis McCauley (10/10), John McCarthy (10/9), Brandon Mashinter (10/9), Logan Couture (10/10), Dean Strong (10/30), Nick Petrecki (1/23), Kevin Henderson (3/21), and Tony Lucia (3/27) have all scored their first professional regular season goals this season.

*57.... Since a 3-1 loss in Portland on November 20th, the Sharks are 39-13-3-2 in their last 57 games with 83 of a possible 114 points. (.728)

*Quickest to 31 wins... the Sharks hit the 31 win plateau in game #49 this season on February 5th. The Sharks hit 31 wins on March 6th last season in game #61, on April 12th in game #79 in 2007-08, and on March 16th in game #67 in 2006-07.

*55 shots... the Sharks set an AHL high this season with 55 shots on goal vs. the Bruins on Saturday, January 9th... the highest total in Sharks history... The Sharks had 21 shots in the 1st, 15 in the 2nd, and 19 in the 3rd...Danny Groulx had ten shots in the game and Benn Ferriero had eight.

*8 goals.... The Sharks scored eight goals for the first time in franchise history in Springfield in an 8-4 victory over the Falcons on Wednesday, February 3rd. Dennis McCauley had three goals, Danny Groulx 2, while Benn Ferriero, T.J. Trevelyan, and Nick Petrecki also scored goals for the Sharks. Worcester fired 38 shots on goal and scored three power play goals in the game.

*The Comeback.... The Sharks trailed 5-1 with just over 23 minutes left against the Pirates on Sunday, January 10th before scoring FIVE unanswered goals to win in overtime.... The four goal deficit victory tied a Sharks record.

*Road Warriors!.... the Sharks are 19-9-1-1 in their last 30 road games!

*5th Best PP on Road... the Sharks boosts the 5th best power play on the road this season at a 19.4% rate. Overall, the Sharks power play ranks 11th in the AHL (18.7%).

*The PP with Logan and Demers... the Sharks power play is 41-166 (24.7%) with Logan Couture in the lineup and 18-150 (12%) with OUT him in the lineup... the Sharks are 17-61 (27.9%) with Couture and Jason Demers both in the lineup... and 42-255 (16.5%) without BOTH of them not in the lineup.... Worcester has 41 power play goals in Logan's 42 games but just 18ppg in the 34 games without Couture.

*PK climbing the ladder!... Worcester has killed off 82-of-92 (89%) penalties in their last 26 games as the penalty kill is now 82.0% good for 18th in the AHL.

*These Sharks know how to score!... Worcester is 3rd in the AHL averaging 3.41 goals per game! The Sharks have 12 players with over 10 goals this season and three with at least 20 goals.

*Don't allow FOUR!... Team Teal is 40-4-1-0 in games when they allow three goals or less!

*Home Cooking!.... the Sharks are 20-4-2-1 in their last 27 games at the DCU Center...the Sharks are 25-10-2-1 at the DCU Center this season!

*Kick off the New Year!... the Sharks finished January with a 9-2-2-0 record (20 points).

*March Madness... the Sharks went 11-4-0-0 (22 points) in the month of March, including 5-0-0-0 at home! Good for the most productive month in franchise history!

*Sharks rule the Atlantic... the Sharks have 33 WINS in Atlantic Division games (33-16-3-2).

*4th BEST in AHL... the Sharks have the 4th best winning percentage in the AHL with a .658 clip; trailing the Bears (.786), Bulldogs (.727), and Chicago (.656).

*Firsts this Week... John McCarthy was the first Sharks player this season to have three points in a period (first period 1-2-3) in Hartford on Wednesday....Nick Schaus and James Marcou each recorded their first professional point (assist) in their first professional games on Friday in Providence.... Matt Irwin played his first professional game in Providence on Friday.

*Stole it from Bill Ballou... John McCarthy registered the 10,000th shot in team history at 5:06 of the first period against the Bears on March 14... John McCarthy's goal :10 seconds into the 2nd period on March 20th against the Bruins was the fastest the Sharks have scored to open a period.

*Desjardins likes going FIRST... Andrew Desjardins leads the Sharks with NINE first goals this season... Andrew has 19 goals this season to surpass his eight goal total last season, his first in the AHL.

*Double D's...Dan DaSilva has established AHL career highs in goals (19), assists (31), and points (50) in his first full season with the Sharks!

Double T's... T.J. Trevelyan is tops on the club with 26 goals (26-16-42) despite missing 17 games to injury (broken jaw).

*Groulx leading the way... Defenseman Danny Groulx is having a career year for the Sharks this season ranking 1st in the AHL with 62 (11-51-62) points from the blue line. The eight year professional had 40 points (6-34-40) in 80 games last season in Rockford which was, until this season, his highest point total since he had 112 points (29-83-112) in 68 games with Victoriaville in the QMJHL in 2001-02.

*Throw the Hats! The Sharks have two hat tricks in a six game span! Dennis McCauley in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb 3 and Dan DaSilva in Manchester on Feb 14. Worcester had gone 68 games without a hat trick (P.J. Fenton) between hat tricks before McCauley found the back of the net three times on the 3rd.

*First period advantage.... Worcester is outscoring their opponents 69-56 (+13) in the first period, 87-84 (+3) in the 2nd , and lead 97-83 (+14) in the third period. The Sharks are 26-3-0-2 when leading after twenty minutes of play this season.

*Extra, Extra.... The Sharks are 3-3 in OT this season (McGinn, Couture, and Helminen) after going 7-1 last year in the overtime period.

*Young Guns....The average age of the Sharks roster is 23 (Currently the youngest team in the AHL as of Feb 25) which includes 15 rookies, five 2nd year players and two third year players. At the age of 29, Frank Doyle is the oldest while Nicholas Petrecki at 20 years old and seven months is the youngest.

*Massachusetts... The Sharks have FIVE players born and raised in Massachusetts (John McCarthy - Andover, Corey Quirk - Brockton, Dennis McCauley - Billerica, Joe Callahan - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex)

*Streakers... the Sharks have won FIVE straight games at the DCU Center.... Frank Doyle has won FOUR straight starts in goal.

*3 Top Rookies... Worcester has three of the top ten rookie point scorers in the AHL this season... Couture (3rd), Ferriero (5th), and McCarthy (10th).

*Logan among rookies... Despite only playing 42 games, Couture is 3rd in the AHL in rookie scoring with 53 points (20-33-53)... 6th among rookies with 20 goals....7th among rookies with 33 assists... Logan became the first Sharks rookie in team history to record 20 goals in a season.

*Logan among everyone... Logan is 2nd in the AHL with NINE game winning goals in just 42 games played.

*Who's your BF?.... Benn Ferriero currently ranks 5th in the AHL among rookies with 50 points (19-31-50) in just 55 games played this season... and leads all rookies with three shorthanded goals... and is perfect in the shootout (4-for-4).

*Between the pipes.... Rookie Alex Stalock leads the AHL with 37 wins and 1st in minutes played with 3386 and 5th in saves with 1465...only 11 goalies have won 40 games in the AHL and just once in the last 45 years (Ryan Miller won 40 with Rochester in 2004-05)... Stalock has surpassed Thomas Greiss (30 wins in 2008-09) for most wins by a Sharks goaltender in a season in franchise history. Stalock looks to become the first rookie goaltender in AHL history to record 40 wins.... and currently has the most wins ever by an AHL rookie netminder.

*Need to score 1st... Worcester is 32-6-0-2 (.825) in 40 games they have scored the first goal of the game... the Sharks are just 15-17-3-1 when allowing the first goal... the AHL average winning percentage is .746% when scoring the first goal of the hockey game.

*All four years....Defenseman Derek Joslin is the only Sharks player to suit up in all four seasons in Worcester.

*Can't score if you don't shoot.... The Sharks are 1st in the AHL with 35.93 shots per game, including a franchise record 55 shots on goal against the Bruins on Saturday, January 9th.... Danny Groulx is 1st among AHL defensemen with 247 shots on goal.

*Keep it close... the Sharks are 21-5-3-3 in one-goal hockey games... the Sharks are 26-19-0-0 in games decided by two or more goals.... The Sharks are 4th in the AHL with 20 one-goal victories with ten of those coming on the road.

*Follow the leaders.... Danny Groulx is 1st in the AHL among d-men with 51 assists, 1st in shots with 247, and 1st in points (11-51-62).... Logan Couture 2nd in the AHL with nine game winning goals, 3rd in rookie scoring (20-33-53) and 6th among rookies with 20 goals scored. Rookie Alex Stalock is 1st in the AHL with 37 wins and 1st in minutes played (3386).... Benn Ferriero leads all AHL rookies with THREE shorthanded goals and is 5th in rookie scoring with 50 points (19-31-50) in just 55 games played and 4th in power play points with 20, and John McCarthy is 3rd among rookies with a +31 rating and 10th with 41 points (14-27-41).

*Mr. Dependable.... Sharks defenseman Danny Groulx has played in 184 straight games... he dressed in all 80 games last season in Rockford.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 150 straight games for Worcester breaking the record held by Derek Joslin (114 games).

*Mr. 1000! On Friday, February 19th in Binghamton, Worcester Sharks Head Equipment Manager Vinny Ferraiuolo suited up for his 1000th game as an Equipment Manager in Professional Hockey. Vinny is in his 13th season as an equipment manager, his 5th as head equipment manager with the San Jose Sharks top affiliate in the AHL.

*10-10 Vision.... Sharks rookie forward Brandon Mashinter has 19 goals and 13 fighting major penalties.... The first Sharks player ever to have double digits in both categories over the course of a season... Dennis McCauley accomplished the same feat after his 10th goal of the season in Lowell on Saturday to go along with his 10 fighting majors.

*10 and 8.... After setting a Worcester Sharks record last season with 21 fighting major penalties, Frazer McLaren has ten fights in the AHL and eight fights in the NHL this season.

*Hey Shorty it's your birthday!... the Sharks have scored TEN shorthanded goals this season (Ferriero 3, Zalewski 2, Couture 1, Desjardins 1, McGinn 1, Wilson 1, McCarthy 1)

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have 70 fighting major penalties this season through 76 games... (Brandon Mashinter 13, Dennis McCauley 10, Brett Westgarth 2 with Worcester - 8 total, Frazer McLaren 10, Nicholas Petrecki 8, Joe Loprieno 4, John McCarthy 3, Mike Moore 5, Steven Zalewski 2, Joe Callahan 1, Andrew Desjardins 6, Dan DaSilva 3, Jamie McGinn 1, Derek Joslin 1, and Kevin Henderson 1). The Sharks had 78 fighting majors last season, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

*Olympics... FOUR former Worcester Sharks played in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Thomas Greiss and Dmitri Patzold for Germany, Doug Murray for Sweden, and Joe Pavelski for USA.

*All-Stars!....

Logan Couture, Danny Groulx, and Alex Stalock represented the Sharks in the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic held January 18th and 19th at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Former AHL All-Stars for the Worcester Sharks include: Mathieu Darche (2007), Mike Iggulden (2008), Derek Joslin (2009), and Ryan Vesce (2009).

*Awards!

*Logan Couture and Alex Stalock were named to the AHL All-Rookie team. Worcester was the only team in the AHL to have two players named to the squad.

*Danny Groulx was named to the First Team AHL All-Star.

*Mike Moore was named the Sharks "Man Of the Year" for his dedication to the Worcester community over the course of the season.

*Team Record Breaking Season!

*47 Wins... The Sharks record for most wins in a season was 42 set in 2008-09... Worcester has 47 wins this season, with the 43rd coming in Lowell on Sunday, March 21st.

*100 points.... The Sharks record for most points in a season was 93 points set in 2006-07... The Sharks have 100 points with four games to go!

*259 goals!... The Sharks have 259 goals scored this season (3.41 goals per game). The team record for most goals in a season was 247 back in 2006-07.

*Home Cooking!.... The Sharks are 25-10-2-1 at the DCU Center this season ! Worcester had a franchise best 24 wins at home in 2006-07... The Sharks have two home games remaining this season.

*Road Warriors!... The Sharks are 22-13-1-2 on the road this season! Worcester had a franchise best 19 wins on the road last season.... The Sharks have 2 road games remaining this season.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

No transactions this week.

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Trevelyan (26)

o Game Winners Couture (9)

o Assists Groulx (51)

o Points Zalewski (11-51-62)

o Power play Points Zalewski (9-16-25)

o Shots Groulx (247)

o PIM McLaren (143)

o Fighting Pen. Mashinter (13)

o Plus/Minus McCarthy (+31)

o Wins Stalock (37)

o G.A.A. Stalock (2.64)

o Save % Stalock (.908)

o Shutouts Stalock (3)

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 48-20-10 with 107 points this season and are currently in 1st place in the Pacific Division and 1st place in the Western Conference. The Sharks lead the Phoenix Coyotes by five points in the Pacific Division with three games remaining before the playoffs.

Jamie McGinn has 12 points (9-3-12) in 56 games played...Brad Staubitz has three goals and three assists along with 110 penalty minutes through 47 games.... Former Worcester Shark Devin Setoguchi has 34 points (19-14-31) through 67 games... Torrey Mitchell has two goals and seven assists in 53 games... Logan Couture has three points (4-3-7) in 22 games... Thomas Greiss is 7-4-1 with 2.69 GAA and a .912 save%.

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Kalamazoo Wings finished the regular season 42-20-6-4 with 94 points in the ECHL and 1st place in the North Division. The Wings open up the Kelly Cup playoffs at home on Tuesday against the Reading Royals in the best of five game series.

Matt Jones has 28 points (17-11-28) in 35 games...Mitch Versteeg has 20 points (5-15-20) in 63 games... Dean Strong has 16 goals and 21 assists in 34 games played... Louis Liotti has a goal and 12 assists in 52 games... and Will Colbert has 9 points (4-5-9) in 37 games played.

Coming Up:

The First Place Worcester Sharks finish off the regular season with four games this week!

On Wednesday, the Sharks travel to Hartford for a 7pm battle against the Wolf Pack to close out their season long seven game road trip.

Catch the final two regular season home games and CHEER ON the Sharks as they swim towards the CALDER CUP playoffs!

On Friday, April 9th, the Sharks host the Hartford Wolf Pack at the back end of a home-and-home series. Olympic Silver medalist, Erica Lawler from the US Women's hockey team will be honored as the "Leader of the Month" in part of the "Be A Leader" program presented by the Law Firm of Abigail Williams & Associates. Erika will sign autographs during the first intermission! Before the game, the Worcester Junior Wildcats Selects will face the Nichols College Men's Club Team in the finals of the Worm Pot. Representatives from the AHL will hand out the ALL-Rookie Team Award to Alex Stalock and Danny Groulx will collect his First Team All-Star trophy in a pregame ceremony. The FINALS for the 3rd annual Worcester Sharks Youth Hockey Shootout will take place during the first intermission as youth hockey (mites-bantams) players will battle for the best shooter and goaltender in Worcester County! Friday night's game will be shown LIVE on Charter TV3 with a 7pm faceoff.

On Saturday, April 10th, the Sharks close out their regular season home schedule as they host the Providence Bruins at the DCU Center of Fan Appreciation Night at 7pm. Doors will open at 4pm as the Boston Bruins Alumni will take the DCU Center ice with proceeds to benefit the "Why Me" organization of Worcester. The Alumni game begins at 4:30pm. A PARTY on the PLAZA will take place from 5:30-7pm with table games, face painters, the WXLO street team, and FINZ will be hanging out with some of his other mascot friends! One lucky fan will win a 32" flat screen television and the Sharks will be raffling off other great prizes in part of Fan Appreciation Night! Saturday night is your FINAL chance to root on the Sharks before GAME ONE of the Calder Cup playoffs at the DCU Center on Wednesday, April 14th (opponent yet to be determined). Purchase your Family Fun Pack today, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 sodas for only $65! Each addition person is just $16.25 per person.

The Sharks close out the regular season in Portland on Sunday at 4pm.

2010 Playoff tickets are on sale now! As of now, only the first two Sharks home games in the first round are on sale "Games A & B". Season ticket holders will get the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs for FREE by placing a deposit on season tickets for the 2010-11 Sharks season by April 10th. Ticket strips for the first round (possible four games) and the entire playoff package (possible 16 games) are on sale now. Save up to 20% off Box Office prices by purchasing the first round or the entire playoff package today! For more information call the Sharks front office at 508-929-0500.

The Sharks are already taking deposits for their 5th season in Worcester! Jump in today and save over 30% off box office prices! Find out how to get the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs for FREE by calling the Sharks front office 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

- Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center

- Significant savings off box office ticket prices

- Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 and 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 April 5, 2010


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