Fists Fly in 4-2 Loss to Norfolk

Published on February 15, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


NORFOLK, VA - In a penalty-filled affair, the Worcester Sharks lost their third straight game, 4-2, to the Norfolk Admirals at the Scope on Friday evening.

A Karl Stewart second-period hit on T.J. Fox sparked a pair of brawls in the third, including one off the opening face-off which included both starting goaltenders. In total, the teams combined for 166 penalty minutes (93 for the Sharks, 73 for the Admirals).

With Springfield losing, the Sharks remain seven points behind the Falcons for fourth place and are now five behind the Manchester Monarchs for fifth.

The Sharks took the quick lead 4:29 into the first period on Tom Walsh's second goal of the season. After 41 shots without finding the back of the net on Wednesday, Worcester converted on its second attempt on Friday. Walsh was on top of the left face-off circle along the boards when he threw a puck toward the net. It found its way through traffic and past Norfolk goaltender Jonathan Boutin for the 1-0 lead. Dennis Packard and Mike Iggulden picked up the assists on the play.

Midway through the first period, it looked like Norfolk would tie the score, but Kyle Wanvig's shot hit the post. Worcester goaltender Thomas Greiss turned the puck over, leading to an attempt by Wanvig at the left wing circle that hit the inside of the far post to temporarily preserve the 1-0 advantage.

The Admirals would not be denied at 13:19 of the first, as they tied the score at one. Boutin's save on a Lukas Kaspar shot sprung Norfolk on a 3-on-2. Blair Jones head manned the rush on the left wing side. He passed to Norm Milley in the right wing circle who subsequently fired in the direction of the net. The third man on the 3-on-2, Mario Scalzo, was stationed in front of the goal, and tipped it past Greiss for his fifth of the season.

Norfolk had the 13-8 shot edge after one period.

Wanvig was in the right place in the right time at 0:25 of the second period to give the Admirals their first lead of the game at 2-1. Patrick Traverse had the puck in the Sharks' defensive zone and left it for Fox. Fox passed behind the net, but only Norfolk players were there. The puck was thrown in front where two Admirals, including Wanvig, were stationed. He subsequently scored his 16th of the season against a helpless Greiss as Adam Henrich and Stewart were credited with the assists on the play.

Heading into the game, the Sharks' power play was struggling, having gone two-for-48 over the last 11 games. On its first power play of the game at 7:03, it looked like Worcester would break the trend and tie the score at two, but Boutin came up with his biggest saves up to that point. First, Spang was denied on the far side post and the rebound bounced to Derek Joslin. Joslin put a long wrist shot through traffic which was ticketed for the back of the net, but Boutin had other ideas. He made the strong glove save while in a split to once again deny the Sharks on the man advantage.

The Sharks had their second power play at 10:47 of the second when Jones took a tripping minor. On the man advantage, Norfolk had three odd-man rushes on the shorthand, but Greiss came up big to preserve the one-goal deficit. He couldn't keep the Admirals from taking the 3-1 lead at 12:57 though, as Paul Szczechura scored his 11th. As Jones got out of the box, he carried it into the far corner. He stopped and curled, feeding the puck in front to Szczechura who made the tip into the open net. Junior Lessard picked up the other assist on the play.

Norfolk upped its lead at 16:28 off another odd-man break. Riley Armstrong made a blind pass along the right wing side that went right to a Norfolk player, springing a 3-on-2 the other way. Milley, Justin Keller, and Jones, passed back and forth until Milley was able to finish for his 14th of the season.

Despite being outscored 3-0 in the second, the Sharks had the 13-9 second period shot advantage while Norfolk held the 22-21 lead through two.

In the second period, Fox was clocked by Stewart. The Sharks didn't react until the opening face-off of the third period, a full-scale five-on-five brawl was started. Iggulden went after Stewart before everyone else converged, sparking the fracas. Henrich squared off with Brennan Evans while Wanvig and Fox dropped the gloves, as did Traverse and Justin Fletcher. Both goaltenders, Greiss and Boutin, left their creases and joined the fray. Packard also received a roughing penalty for the Sharks. Evans and Henrich along with Wanvig and Fox were not penalized, despite their involvement in the scuffle.

Only 1:26 later at 1:32, more rough stuff happened as Devin Setoguchi went after Scalzo and pounded him to the ice. Tom Cavanagh then squared off with Radek Smolenak, in a toe-to-toe bout.

It wouldn't end as at 14:43, Scalzo and Armstrong had a scrap. Scalzo took exception to an Armstrong slash and started the scuffle. He received a double minor, while Armstrong only received two minutes, giving Worcester the power play. The Sharks would answer less than a minute into the man advantage, as Nate Raduns scored his 11th of the season from the left wing circle, assisted by Fox and Graham Mink.

The Sharks attempted the furious comeback, as Raduns put a high shot on net with the extra attacker, but Marc Denis made the big glove stop to preserve the 4-2 victory.

Worcester finished with the 40-28 shot advantage, the second-consecutive game its put 40 shots on net.

The Sharks finish their six-game road swing tomorrow evening with another showdown against Norfolk. Worcester returns to the DCU Center on Friday, Feb. 22, for a 3-in-3 weekend, with all three games on home ice. Friday's match up features Lowell, with Portland skating into town on Saturday and the Springfield Falcons wrapping up the weekend with an 8:05pm start on Sunday the 24th. To learn more about ticket packages and other promotions, crash the net at sharksahl.com or call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500.

NOTES: Ashton Rome was in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 3 at Providence. Marc Busenburg played for the first time since Feb. 6 at Lowell ... Tom Walsh's goal was his first since Dec. 16 at Manchester ... The goal was the Sharks' first in 72:40 of action ... The 166 penalty minutes for both teams, and 93 for the Sharks were both a franchise record ... Of special note, in the brawl off the opening faceoff in the third period, Patrick Traverse was spirited, easily winning the bout against Justin Fletcher ... The brawl was the second of the season for the Sharks, the other coming 11/24 vs. Providence ... The final attendance figure was 4,050 ... Greiss had 18 saves on 22 shots and Dakers had 6 saves on 6 saves for the Sharks while Boutin stopped 20 of 21 for Norfolk and Denis stopped 18 of 19 ... Power plays: Worcester: 1 for 6, Norfolk: 0 for 6 ... Niche Hospitality Group 3 Stars: Mezcal 3rd star - Scalzo (1g), Bocado 2nd star - Jones (3a), Block 5 1st star - Boutin (20 saves on 21 shots)

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American Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2008


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