Gauthier Erases 2-0 Lead, Stuns Sharks at Home
December 29, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
WORCESTER - Three goals from Gabe Gauthier, including an overtime game winner to cap the hat trick, erased a 2-0 Worcester lead as the Sharks fell to the Manchester Monarchs by a 3-2 score at the DCU Center on Saturday night.
The opening two periods produced steady positives for the home squad. After being held without a shot on net for the opening five minutes, a hooking call to Monarchs defensemen Jeff Likens gave the Sharks a chance to make up for lost time. Four shots later, Lukas Kaspar gave Worcester the lead on a power play tally at 7:10 of the first period, with assists coming from Tomas Plihal and Dan Spang. For Kaspar, the goal was his fifth in the last seven games. The Sharks shut down Manchester's top ranked power play twice in the period to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
A fast-moving second period was contested evenly until matching minor penalties to Graham Mink and Matt Moulson at 16:55 swung momentum in favor of the Sharks. Worcester outshot the Monarchs 4-0 over the final three minutes, with the fourth of those producing the second Sharks goal of the evening. Mink had his hand in on the tally, picking up his 13th assist on Josh Prudden's third goal of the season, with just 46.2 seconds remaining in the period.
Worcester held strong through most of the third period, until Gauthier caught fire with 3:11 remaining in regulation. The redliner scored his 10th and 11th goals to force the game into overtime, including a controversial shorthanded goal with 21 seconds remaining while Brian Boyle served a penalty for interference.
The Monarchs dominated in overtime, generating 10 shots on net before Gauthier capped the night by deflecting a shot from Likens past Greiss, who made 43 saves in the loss. Manchester netminder Erik Ersberg stopped 21 shots, but was not forced to make a single save in the overtime period.
The Sharks return to home ice tomorrow afternoon for a 4:05 pm matinee matchup with the Lowell Devils on Kids Club Night at the DCU Center. SpongeBob SquarePants will be on hand for the event, and family four packs of tickets, which includes a free extra large Papa Gino's pizza, are available for just $48. To order, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or crash the net at sharksahl.com.
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