First Shutout In Franchise History Highlights Weekend

January 14, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Rewind the Tape:

1.11.08 - Worcester 3 - Providence 0 - Dunkin Donuts Center

Behind strong goaltending by Dimitri Patzold and Devin Setoguchi's first AHL goal, the Worcester Sharks defeated the Providence Bruins for the second-consecutive game, 3-0, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. The Sharks rode the momentum from Saturday's thrilling shootout win by jumping out to the quick 2-0 lead and handing the first-place Bruins only their sixth regulation loss of the season. Patzold, in his return to Worcester after being sent down from San Jose, finished the night with 25 saves, recording the first shutout in franchise history and his fifth-career AHL shutout.

1.12.08 - Worcester 3 -Albany 4 - Times Union Center

Despite coming back from deficits on two occasions, the Worcester Sharks dropped a back-and-forth affair, 4-3, to the Albany River Rats at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. All seven of the goals were scored within two offensive outbursts in the contest. Four were recorded in a 7:09 span in the second period, breaking a scoreless tie, while three were tallied in a 5:45 span of the third. In the end, a strong goaltending effort by Albany goaltender and NHL veteran John Grahame, along with timely goals, led to the River Rats coming out on top in the first meeting of four between the two teams.

Sharks in the Atlantic...

The Sharks (17-14-3-2) swim in sixth place with 39 points in the Atlantic Division, three points behind Manchester for fifth and five points behind the Falcons for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Sharks have played an AHL low 36 games which is four less than Manchester and six less than Springfield. The Sharks trail the Providence Bruins by 24 points for the top spot in the Atlantic.

Sharks Bites:

* F Mike Iggulden is tops on the team with 15 goals, 22 assists, 37 points, and 89 shots, and will represent the Sharks in the 2008 AHL-All Star Classic in Binghamton, NY later this month.

* After recording first goals in both games last weekend, the Sharks have lit the lamp first in eight out of the last nine contests dating back to 12/22. The Sharks are 4-3-2-0 in those nine games.

*Devin Setoguchi has turned it up of late. After his first five AHL games without picking up a point, he has tallied eight (1g, 7a) in the last six games and six (1g, 5a) in the last four. He scored his first-career AHL goal on Friday, picking the top right corner of the goal on a breakaway to give the Sharks a 2-0 advantage.

*With Saturday's defeat to Albany, it marked the first time the Sharks have lost in regulation on the road when scoring the first goal (5-1-1-0).

*On Friday, the Sharks picked up their first win without Captain Graham Mink. They had been 0-5

*Riley Armstrong scored in both games over the weekend. After missing six games due to injury (12/22-1/2), he has come back with a vengeance, scoring a goal in three of his first four games back.

*Dennis Packard scored against his former team, the Providence Bruins, on Friday, which knocked AHL All-

Star goaltender Tuukka Rask out of the game in favor of backup Jordan Sigalet.

Roster Moves:

The San Jose Sharks reassigned goaltender Dimitri Patzold to Worcester and recalled goaltender Thomas Greiss on Tuesday, January 8. Patzold saw action in three games at the NHL level, recording a 5.51 GAA and .800 save percentage in 44 minutes backing up All-Star goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. Patzold was drafted by the Sharks in Round Four (#107 overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

* Top Sharks:

o Goals Iggulden (15)

o Assists Iggulden (22)

o Points Iggulden (37)

o PIM Staubitz (92)

o Fighting Pen. Evans (7)

o Plus/Minus Raduns (+10)

o Wins Greiss (12)

o G.A.A. Patzold (2.69)

o Save % Patzold (.920)

Worcester to host the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic!

American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the Worcester Sharks and the city of Worcester have been awarded the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic. The event will take place at the DCU Center in January, 2009. The 2009 event in Worcester will mark the fourth time since it was revived in 1995 that the AHL All-Star Classic will take place in New England. The AHL All-Star Game was last held in Massachusetts in 1959 at the Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield.

Coming Up:

The Sharks wrap up their three-game road trip on Wednesday evening in Hartford before returning to the DCU Center for an action-packed weekend vs. Portland on Friday and Providence on Saturday. Lukas Kaspar collector's cards will be given away to the first 3,000 fans on Friday. The Sharks will feature their black alternate jerseys for another Black Friday, and free massages will be available on the concourse, courtesy of the Salter School of Massage Therapy. Also, Baystate Financial Services will be holding a coat drive before the game. All fans that donate a new or lightly used coat will receive a ticket voucher for a future Sharks game.

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Bruins and the first 3,000 fans will receive a Joe Thornton bobblehead doll compliments of News Talk 580 WTAG. New England Revolution midfielder Shalarie Joseph and Mascot Slyde will also attend to help celebrate "Massachusetts Youth Soccer Night." Sharks players will sign autographs during the second intermission as part of Saturday Night Signings. Opening face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. After the game, visit Boston Billiard Club as Worcester Sharks players will serve as celebrity bartenders.

For more information on these and other promotions, or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or check out the new www.sharksahl.com.

All games can be heard live on 580 WTAG, as well as online through B2 Networks, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.sharksahl.com. Friday's game vs. the Pirates will air live on Charter's Channel 3.

Last Week: (1-1-0-0) 2pts 2gp

Fri 1/11 WORCESTER SHARKS 3 @ Providence Bruins 0

Sat 1/12 WORCSETER SHARKS 3 @ Albany River Rats 4

This Week:

Wed 1/16 WORCESTER SHARKS @ Hartford Wolf Pack 7:00 p.m.

Fri 1/18 WORCESTER SHARKS vs. Portland Pirates 7:05 p.m.

Sat 1/19 WORCESTER SHARKS vs. Providence Bruins 7:05 p.m.



American Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2008


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