January 2010 Goes Down As Best Month In Sharks History

Published on February 1, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Top 3!

#1 Alex Stalock stops Guillaume Desbiens on a penalty shot with 2:47 remaining in third period to secure victory over the Moose on Friday!

#2 Benn Ferriero scored twice, including third period goal to force overtime in 4-3 loss to Devils on Sunday!

#3 Danny Groulx extended point streak to SIX games (1-8-9) with a power play goal on Sunday vs. the Devils!

Last Week: (2-0-1-0) 5pts, 3gp

Wed. 1/27 W Manitoba Moose 1 @ Worcester SHARKS 3

Fri. 1/29 W Manitoba Moose 3 @ Worcester SHARKS 5

Sun 1/31 OTL Lowell Devils 4 @ Worcester SHARKS 3 - OT

Next Week:

Wed. 2/3 Worcester SHARKS @ Springfield Falcons - 7:05 p.m.

Fri. 2/5 Lowell Devils @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.

Sat. 2/6 Providence Bruins @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.

Sun. 2/7 Worcester SHARKS @ Providence Bruins - 2:05 p.m.

Rewind the Tape:

1.27.10 - Worcester 3 - Manitoba 1 - W - DCU Center

The Sharks defeated the Moose 3-1 at the DCU Center on Wednesday night for their 4th straight victory. Alex Stalock was superb in net making 29 saves for his AHL leading 25th victory. Brandon Mashinter, Benn Ferriero, and Steven Zalewski scored for Worcester and Danny Groulx extended his point streak to four games (0-7-7) with an assist. Nikita Kashirsky scored his first goal of the season (in three games) in a Moose uniform and Cory Schneider made 29 saves on 31 shots in the loss for Manitoba.

1.29.10 - Worcester 5 - Manitoba 3 - W - DCU Center

The Sharks tracked down the Moose for the second time in three nights and in the process extended their win streak to five games by a final score of, 5-3. John McCarthy's third period goal turned out to be the game-winner and Alex Stalock came up big stopping Guillaume Desbiens on a penalty shot with 2:47 remaining in the third period to secure the victory. Brandon Mashinter, Frazer McLaren, Jamie McGinn, and Dwight Helminen tallied goals for the Sharks and Danny Groulx extended point streak to five games with an assist. Thirteen different skaters for the Sharks had at least one point in the hockey game.

1.31.10 - Worcester 3 - Lowell 4 - OTL - DCU Center

The Sharks trailed 2-0 and 3-2 before Benn Ferriero's 2nd goal of the game at 7:00 of the third period forced overtime in a 4-3 loss to the Devils at the DCU Center on Sunday. Danny Groulx scored a power play goal to extend his point streak to six games and Steven Zalewski added two assists for the Sharks. Alex Stalock made 27 saves in net for the Sharks as their five game win streak was snapped.

Sharks in the Atlantic:

The Sharks are currently swimming in 2nd place with 62 points (29-14-2-2) in the Atlantic Division through 47 games trailing the first place Manchester Monarchs by three points (Sharks have three games in hand) and tied with the Devils (Sharks have three games in hand). The Sharks lead the 4th place Pirates by seven points and the 5th place Sound Tigers and Wolf Pack by ten points. Worcester has a 13 point advantage over the 7th place Bruins (49 points) and a 20 point edge over the 8th place Springfield Falcons (42 points) in a very choppy Atlantic Division. The Sharks have played the fewest games in the division.

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 927GP 422 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: 422-391-56-58.

*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 265 of the 422 victories (62%).

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 ELEVEN players that heave seen action to both the AHL and NHL this season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, Demers, and McCarthy). 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. Torrey Mitchell is currently (Feb 1) on recall to San Jose. The Worcester Sharks have had 52 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), and Nick Petrecki (1/23) have all scored their first professional regular season goals this season.

*28.... Since a 3-1 loss in Portland on November 20th, the Sharks are 21-4-2-1 in their last 28 games with 45 of a possible 56 points. (.803)

*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.

*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 8-2-0-1 in their last ELEVEN road games.

*Home Cooking!.... the Sharks are 13-2-2-0 in their last 17 games at the DCU Center.

*Kick off the New Year!... the Sharks end January with a 9-2-2-0 record... good for their best month in franchise history!

*PK on the rise... the Sharks penalty kill went 14-for-15 (93%) in three games this weekend and even scored a shorthanded goal!

*Sharks rule the Atlantic... the Sharks have 23 WINS in Atlantic Division games (23-12-2-2) the 2nd most wins in the AHL against their own division.

*3rd BEST in AHL... the Sharks have the 3rd best winning percentage in the AHL with a.660 clip; trailing the Bears (.792), and the Bulldogs (.690).

*Firsts this Week... the Sharks won their first two meetings in their first two games against a Canadian club on Wednesday and Friday against the Moose.

*Desjardins likes going FIRST... Andrew Desjardins leads the Sharks with SIX first goals this season... Andrew has 12 goals this season to surpass his eight goal total last season, his first in the AHL.

*Point per game.... The Sharks have THREE players averaging a point per game.... Couture (1.36pts per game), Benn Ferriero (1.19), and Ryan Vesce (1.14). Jamie McGinn (.941) and Zalewski (.978) are close behind.

*First period advantage.... Worcester is outscoring their opponents 44-35 in the first period, even with 50-50 in the 2nd and 53-55 in the third period. The Sharks are 16-2-0-1 when leading after twenty minutes of play this season.

*Extra, Extra.... The Sharks are 3-2 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 (4th youngest team in the AHL on opening night) which includes 13 rookies, five 2nd year players and two third year players. At the age of 28, Danny Groulx is the oldest while Nicholas Petrecki at 20 years old and six 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)

*Everyone is Streaking... Ryan Vesce has a FIVE game point streak (3-6-9)...Couture FOUR games (4-2-6)....Groulx SIX games (1-8-9).... Zalewski THREE games (1-4-5)... Ferriero FOUR games (3-3-6)....McGinn TWO game point streak (1-1-2)... Desjardins a TWO game fighting major streak...the Sharks have points in SIX straight games (5-0-1-0).

*Logan among rookies... Couture leads the AHL in rookie scoring with 45 points (18-27-45). 1st among rookies with 18 goals....3rd among rookies with 27 assists.

*Logan among everyone... Couture is 10th in the AHL in points scored (18-27-45).... Logan leads the AHL with EIGHT game winning goals in just 33 games played.

*Between the pipes.... Rookie Alex Stalock leads the AHL with 26 wins and 2nd in minutes played with 2231 and 4th in saves with 914.

*Need to score 1st... Worcester is 20-3-0-1 in 24 games they have scored the first goal of the game... the Sharks are just 9-11-2-1 when allowing the first goal... the AHL average winning percentage is.757% 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 35.96 shots per game, including a franchise record 55 shots on goal against the Bruins on Saturday, January 9th.... Danny Groulx is 2nd among AHL defensemen with 140 shots on goal....Worcester has outshot their opponents in 23 of their last 26 games.

*Keep it close... the Sharks are 16-3-2-2 in one-goal hockey games good for 37 of their 61 points... the sharks are 13-11-0-0 in games decided by two or more goals.... The Sharks lead the AHL with 16 one-goal victories with seven of those coming on the road.

*Follow the leaders.... Danny Groulx is 1st in the AHL among d-men with 29 assists, 2nd in shots with 140, and 2nd in points (5-29-34).... Logan Couture leads the AHL with eight game winning goals, 1st in rookie scoring (18-27-45), 1st among rookies with 18 goals scored, and 11th in the AHL point scoring race in just 33 games played... Rookie Alex Stalock is 1st in the AHL with 26 wins and 2nd in minutes played (2231).... Benn Ferriero leads all AHL rookies with TWO shorthanded goals and is 7th in rookie scoring with 31 points (13-18-31) in just 26 games played, and John McCarthy is 6th among rookies with a +15 rating... Steven Zalewski is 11th in the AHL point scoring race (17-28-45) in 46 games... Brandon Mashinter is 20th among AHL rookies with 24 points (14-10-24).

*Mr. Dependable.... Sharks defenseman Danny Groulx has played in 155 straight games... he dressed in all 80 games last season in Rockford.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 121 straight games for Worcester breaking the record held by Derek Joslin (114 games).

*10-10 Vision.... Sharks rookie forward Brandon Mashinter has 14 goals and TEN fighting major penalties.... The only Sharks player every to have double digits in both categories over the course of a season.

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have 42 fighting major penalties this season through 47 games... (Brandon Mashinter 10, Dennis McCauley 7, Frazer McLaren 6, Nicholas Petrecki 5, Joe Loprieno 3, John McCarthy 1, Mike Moore 1, Steven Zalewski 1, Joe Callahan 1, Andrew Desjardins 3, Dan DaSilva 2, Jamie McGinn 1, and Derek Joslin). The Sharks had 78 fighting majors last season, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

*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).

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

01/31/2010

Derek Joslin (D)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

01/31/2010

Jason Demers (D)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

01/30/2010

Derek Joslin (D)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

01/30/2010

Jason Demers (D)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

01/30/2010

Louis Liotti (D)

Worcester

ADD Recalled from loan to Kalamazoo (ECHL)

01/29/2010

Jason Demers (D)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

01/29/2010

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

01/29/2010

Will Colbert (D)

Worcester

ADD Recalled from loan to Kalamazoo (ECHL)

01/27/2010

Jason Demers (D)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

01/27/2010

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Couture (18)

o Game Winners Couture (8)

o Assists Groulx (29)

o Points Couture (18-27-45), Zalewski (17-28-45)

o Power play Points Zalewski (6-9-15)

o Shots Groulx (140)

o PIM Mashinter (84)

o Fighting Pen. Mashinter (10)

o Plus/Minus McCarthy (+15)

o Wins Stalock (26)

o G.A.A. Stalock (2.55)

o Save % Stalock (.906)

o Shutouts Stalock (1)

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 36-10-9 with 81 points this season and are currently in 1st place in the Pacific Division and have the most points in the NHL. The Sharks have a 10 point lead over the 2nd place Phoenix Coyotes in the Pacific.

Brad Staubitz has two goals and three assists along with 65 penalty minutes through 25 games.... Former Worcester Shark Devin Setoguchi has 21 points (13-8-21) through 43 games... Torrey Mitchell has a goal and an assist in 29 games... Thomas Greiss is 5-3-0 with 2.58 GAA and a.915 save%.

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Kalamazoo Wings are 23-13-4-1 with 51 points this season in the ECHL and currently tied for 1st place in the North Division with the Cincinatti Cyclones

Matt Jones has 27 points (17-10-27) in 29 games along with two hat tricks.... Mitch Versteeg has ten points (1-9-10) in 33 games... Dean Strong has two goals and three assists in four games played.

Coming Up:

The Sharks play FOUR games this week including two games at the DCU Center!

On Wednesday, the Sharks travel to Springfield to battle the Falcons at the Mass Mutual Center at 7p.m.

On Friday, the Sharks host the Devils at 7:05p.m. and GUARANTEE a victory! 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. College students are just $9 when purchased at the Box Office the day of the game with a student ID! The game will be shown live on Charter TV3. If the Sharks do not win, everyone will be invited back to a future Sharks game for FREE!

On Saturday, the Sharks host the third of three high school hockey double headers presented by the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Saint Johns and Saint Peter-Marian will battle before the Sharks host the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. Glen "Big Baby" Davis (Uno Uno) from the Boston Celtics will join in on the fun and sign autographs! 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. College students are just $9 when purchased at the Box Office the day of the game with a student ID!

On Sunday, the Sharks wrap up their busy week with a 2:05p.m. game in Providence against the Bruins.

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2010


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