Sports stats



Lowell Spoils Sharks Homecoming in Overtime

February 22, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER, MA - While a snowstorm raged outside, the Lowell Devils turned up the heat on the Worcester Sharks inside the DCU Center on Friday night, as the Sharks fell in overtime by a 2-1 score despite holding a significant advantage in shots on net.

Back on home ice for the first time in three weeks and just the second time in over a month, Worcester had no trouble producing chances in the opening frame, but it was the Devils who struck first via the power play. With Dan Spang in the box for hooking, Lowell blueliner Richard Matvichuk fed teammate Nicklas Bergfors in the left wing corner. Bergfors slotted a pass to linemate Patrick Davis, who beat Sharks netminder Dmitri Patzold to the short side at 15:26 for his seventh goal of the year. Worcester wasted no time in answering back, however, taking advantage of a mistake from Devils backstop Frank Doyle just over a minute later. The goaltender attempted to play the puck behind his own net, only to have it wrapped around the right wing boards by Worcester's Brad Staubitz. The puck found the stuck of Marc Busenburg at the blue line, and the defenseman's shot was redirected by Dennis Packard past Doyle, who was never able to fully recover on the play. Packard's sixth goal of the year gave Staubitz his 10th assist and Busenburg his 5th in just 16 games.

The Sharks ended the period on their second power play and managed four shots, but Doyle was equal to the task, bringing his first period save total to 16.

Neither team generated much offense out of the intermission, with just two combined shots in the opening eight minutes of the second period. Each team was able to put together a quality chance later in the period during a crazy half-minute of action near the end of the frame. Mike Iggulden created a turnover deep in the Lowell zone and fed Graham Mink, whose one-timer from between the circles forced a quick pad save from Doyle. The Devils took the rebound and rushed down ice, with centerman Rod Pelley firing a shot off the far upright that very nearly caromed across the goal line.

A scoreless middle frame expired with Worcester picking up a bench minor for too many men on the ice. Coupled with matching minors from a moment prior, the Sharks were tasked with killing off a 4-on-3 power play to open the third. Worcester allowed three shots but Patzold remained strong to preserve the tie. The teams split chances over the remainder of regulation but were unable to break through, forcing the game into overtime.

Lowell was efficient in the extra frame, finding the back of the net after just 20 seconds. Defenseman Mark Fraser fired a shot into traffic that was knocked down in front of the net, but Stephen Gionta cleaned up the loose puck to net his 13th goal of the season and hand Worcester their fourth overtime loss, two of which have come at the hands of the Devils.

The Sharks continue their homestand with two more home contests this weekend. Worcester will entertain the Portland Pirates at 7:05pm Saturday before lacing up for a rare 8:05pm Sunday evening start the following night against the Springfield Falcons. On Saturday, three lucky fans will shoot for a chance to win a Pontiac Solstice courtesy of Diamond Chevrolet. Sunday is a Papa Gino's Family Value Night, with a family four-pack of tickets plus an extra large pizza available for just $48. For more information on these and other promotions or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or visit sharksahl.com.

NOTES: Packard's goal was his first since Jan 11th @ Providence, a 15 game span... Packard now has 6 goals on the year, 3 of them against Lowell... Worcester's penalty kill was a perfect 11 for 11 over two games in Norfolk prior to allowing Lowell's first period power play goal tonight... Worcester held a double-digit advantage in shots on net for the fourth straight game, but have been outscored 13-5 over that stretch... Both goaltenders were in net for the full 60:20... Doyle has played in all six games against Worcester this year, and is now 3-3-0 with a 3.19 GAA in those contests... Power plays: Worcester: 0 for 3, Lowell 1 for 2 ... Niche Hospitality Group Three Stars: Mezcal 3rd Star: Packard (1g), Bocado 2nd Star: Gionta (GWG), Block 5 1st Star: Doyle (33 saves, Win).

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Worcester Sharks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central