Matsumoto's Late Game-Winner Lifts Sharks over Monarch

December 28, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Worcester, MA- The Worcester Sharks (15-11-1-2, 33pts), in their eleventh straight one goal game (6-4-0-1), defeated the Manchester Monarchs (14-13-2-2, 32pts) 2-1 on Friday evening in front of 5,008 fans at the DCU Center. The Sharks return to action and host the Providence Bruins on Saturday night at 7pm at the DCU Center.

Jon Matsumoto (7th) scored with 3:55 left in regulation on a wrap around for the game winning goal. Matsumoto and James Sheppard each chipped in with a goal and an assist in the Shark's 2-1 victory. Harri Sateri was solid in net, stopping 22 of 23 Manchester shots, including 11 in the third period, to secure the win for Worcester.

After a flurry of chances early, the Sharks were able to get on the board first at 12:06 on a great individual play by James Sheppard (8th), who burned a Manchester defenseman and tucked it over Peter Mannino's right shoulder, giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, Sena Acolatse (4th FM) got the better of Manchester's Andy Andreoff (5th FM) when they dropped the mitts in a long tilt at center ice. The Sharks came out flying, outshooting the Monarchs 18-7 in the first period of play.

The physical play started to pick up in the second period, resulting in Mike Brennan (2nd FM) and Richard Clune (14th FM) dropping the gloves in a good bout at 9:39. Manchester evened the score 1-1 at 16:21, when Jake Muzzin (2nd) one-timed a shot from just above the left faceoff dot over the right shoulder of Harri Sateri. The Sharks had a number of good scoring chances in the period, particularly when Tim Kennedy was robbed point blank by Peter Mannino, who looked to be down and out, on a shot that was labeled for the top shelf.

The line of Jon Matsumoto, James Sheppard, and Brodie Reid paid dividends once again, coming through with late-game heroics for the second time in three games. After a long shift of getting after the Monarchs on the fore-check, Jon Matsumoto (7th) got the puck behind the Manchester cage, who dangled around a Manchester defenseman and slipped one past Peter Mannino on a wrap around, giving the Sharks a 2-1 lead at 16:05. This proved to be the decisive goal, as the Sharks were able to hang on late.

The Sharks overall record improves to 15-11-1-2 (33pts in 29gp) and 6-5-1-1 on home ice.



American Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2012


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.

OurSports Central