New Year...Same Result vs. Monarchs

January 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Worcester, MA. - The Worcester Sharks (13-14-3-1, 30pts) opened up the 2015 calendar year with a 2-1 loss to the first place Manchester Monarchs (24-7-1-1, 50pts) in front of 3,061 fans at the DCU Center on Friday evening.

Willie Coetzee scored the only goal for the Sharks after the Monarchs grabbed a 2-0 lead at 7:24 of the third period. JF Berube made 22 saves for his 9th straight win as Zach O'Brien and Sean Backman found the back of the net for Manchester as the Monarchs improved to 6-0-0-0 vs. the Sharks this season. Troy Grosenick was solid in net for Worcester turning aside 31 shots in the one goal loss.

Neither team found the back of the net in a quick moving and fast paced opening period that saw Manchester outshoot Worcester 12-9. Monarchs forward Sean Backman had the best chance of the first period with a snap shot from the right circle that rang off the far post and scooted through the crease and past Troy Grosenick.

Manchester grabbed a 1-0 lead at 12:00 of the second period after Jordan Weal kept a puck in the Sharks zone and sent a bouncing puck past Matt Taormina to Zach O'Brien in the right circle. O'Brien (8th) cut across the top of the Worcester crease and flipped a backhander past a sprawled out Troy Grosenick for the only score through 40 minutes of play. JF Berube had 17 saves through two periods of play for the Monarchs.

The Monarchs grabbed a 2-0 lead as Sean Backman (7th) fired home a rebound from close quarters on the power play at 7:24 of the third period. Worcester finally got on the board at 13:23 as Willie Coetzee (2nd) found a loose puck on top of the Monarchs crease and ruined the shutout opportunity for JF Berube. Jeremy Langlois had the best chance late for Worcester from in tight but Berube shut the door for the 2-1 Monarchs win.

The Sharks overall record falls to 13-14-3-1, 30pts, and 8-6-2-1, 19pts at the DCU Center this season.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Willie Coetzee (1-0-1) 2nd star: JF Berube (22 saves, W) 1st star: Sean Backman (GWG, 6 shots)... Final shots were 33-23 in favor of Worcester... JF Berube made 22 saves on 23 shots for Manchester and improved to 9-1-2 all-time vs. Worcester....Troy Grosenick made 31 saves on 33 shots in for Worcester... .... Worcester went 0-for-2 on the power play while Manchester went 1-for-3... Petter Emanuelsson (inj), Taylor Doherty (inj), Eriah Hayes (inj), Jimmy Bonneau, and Andrew Blazek did not dress for Worcester.... Matt Tennyson, Micheal Haley, and Melker Karlsson are still with the SJ Sharks ....Chris Tierney returned to Worcester after his most recent recall from the SJ Sharks and picked up an assist for Worcester.... Manchester is now 19-1-3 vs. Worcester in the last 23 meetings and 6-0-0-0 vs. Worcester this season.

Coming up.... Worcester will head to Springfield on Saturday for a 7pm date vs. the Falcons and close out the busy week with a 3:05pm start in Providence on Sunday.



American Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2015


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