Sharks Are Feeling Special (Teams)

Published on November 8, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Shark Snap Shot

After squandering a late lead and falling in the shootout to Albany on Friday night at the DCU Center, the Sharks scored late and defeated the Monarchs 3-2 on Saturday. Jonathan Cheechoo (2-1-3) and James Marcou (0-3-3) led the way offensively with three points each as the Sharks power play continued to sizzle going 4-for-7 on the weekend.

Top 3!

#1! The Sharks extended their streak to six straight games without allowing a power play goal (18-for-18) and finished the weekend 4-for-7 on the power play.

#2 Sean Sullivan grabs the game winner on the power play late in the third period and adds an assist in Sharks 3-2 win vs. Manchester on Saturday!

#3 Jonathan Cheechoo scores a goal and adds and assist in 3-2 shootout loss to the Devils on Friday!

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

Fri. 11/5 SOL Albany Devils 3 @ Worcester SHARKS 2 - Shootout

Sat. 11/6 W Manchester Monarchs 2 @ Worcester SHARKS 3

This week:

Fri. 11/12 Worcester SHARKS @ Manchester Monarchs - 7:00pm

Sat. 11/13 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:00pm

Sun. 11/14 Norfolk Admirals @ Worcester SHARKS - 3:00pm

Rewind the Tape:

11.5.10 - Worcester 2 - Albany 3 - SOL - DCU Center

Jonathan Cheechoo scored a goal and added an assist but Matt Anderson force overtime and scored again in the shootout as the Sharks fell 3-2 in the shootout to the Albany Devils at the DCU Center in Worcester on Friday night. Tommy Wingels also scored for the Sharks and James Marcou added two assists while Carter Hutton made 37 saves in his 2nd straight start for Worcester. Mike Moore played very well defensively in his first game back from San Jose.

11.6.10 - Worcester 3 - Manchester 2 - W - DCU Center

Sean Sullivan scored the Sharks third power play goal of the game with exactly six minutes remaining in the third period to propel Worcester to a 3-2 victory over the Manchester Monarchs at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday night. Jonathan Cheechoo scored in his second straight game and Steven Zalewski added two assists in the victory. Alex Stalock made 18 saves in his 4th victory in net as the Sharks improved to 3-0-0-1 in their last four games.

Sharks in the Atlantic: The Sharks are swimming in 4th place with 13 points (5-3-1-2) in the Atlantic Division through 11 games, which is eight points behind the first place Portland Pirates, three points behind the 2nd place Falcons, and two points behind the 3rd place Monarchs. Providence (12 points), Hartford (11 points), and Bridgeport (10 points) round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

400 WINS and chasing 1000 games....

400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1, 2009 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 13th season 971GP 447 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 (13th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 447-405-58-61.

Coach Sommer will coach his 1,000th AHL game on January 11, 2011 when the Sharks host the Albany Devils.

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 293 of the 447 victories (65%).

Shark Bites:

Captains for the 2010-11 season: Captain Jay Leach (1st year), Assistant Captains on the road: Jonathan Cheechoo (1st year) and Nick Petrecki (1st year). Assistant Captains at home: Andrew Desjardins (1st year) and Sean Sullivan (1st year)

From east to west..... The Sharks had 12 players that saw action in both the AHL and NHL last season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, Demers, McCarthy, and Helminen). The Worcester Sharks have 1 CALL-UP this season to San Jose... Currently; Logan Couture, Jason Demers, Derek Joslin, Benn Ferriero, Frazer McLaren, John McCarthy, Jamie McGinn, Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Marc-Edourd Vlasic, and Doug Murray are all former Worcester Sharks that are currently playing with the San Jose Sharks.

Home openers... the Sharks are 2-1-1-1 in five home openers at the DCU Center, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins on Saturday. Worcester was the last team in the AHL to host their home opener, and October 23rd was the Sharks latest home opener on record. The Sharks lost in a shootout 5-4 to Portland in 2006, defeated Portland 3-2 in 2007, defeated the Bruins in overtime 3-2 in 2008, and lost to Lowell 7-5 in 2009.

Score first... the Sharks have scored FIRST four times in 11 games this season (4-0-0-0) after scoring first in 42-of-80 games last season (34-6-0-2).... Benn Ferriero has scored the first goal in three games and Jonathan Cheechoo has the other... Worcester and Providence are the only two teams that have a perfect record when scoring the first goal of the game.

Slim Margins... Eight of the Sharks 11 games have been decided by one goal this season... Worcester is 4-1-1-2 in those eight games.

Don't allow 4... The Sharks are 5-0-0-1 when they allow three goals or less in a game...BUT... Worcester is 0-3-1-1 when they allow four goals or more.

Give me Moore... Sharks defenseman Mike Moore returned to Worcester on November 5 after beginning the season in San Jose... #8 has played 145 games in a Worcester Sharks jersey (11th all-time) and has compiled 41 points (8-33-41) and 230 penalty minutes. His +28 is 4th best in Sharks history.

Who's your BF?... Sharks 2nd year forward Benn Ferriero has started his sophomore campaign on FIRE with 11 points (7-4-9) through nine games to lead the Sharks offensively. At the time of his call-up to San Jose on November 5, Benn was ranked 13th in the AHL point scoring race and is tied for the AHL lead with 7 goals.

Reunion of sorts...Jonathan Cheechoo returns to the Sharks organization in Worcester and will once again play for head coach Roy Sommer.... Coach Sommer coached Cheechoo in Kentucky and Cleveland in the AHL before his NHL days. Cheechoo had 56-63-119pts in 137 games under coach Sommer. "Cheech" ranks 1st in Worcester with 13 points (5-8-13) in 11 games this season.

On the Hunt... Sharks forward Garet Hunt made the Sharks opening night roster after a try-out during training camp. The 22-year-old from Maple Ridge, BC had 463 penalty minutes in 115 games in Stockton over the last two seasons... Hunt leads the Sharks with 35 penalty minutes (3 FM) in nine games with the Sharks this season.

Familiar Faces...16 players return to the 2010-11 roster from the regular season Atlantic Division championship team including four 20 goal scorers (DaSilva, Mashinter, Trevelyan, and Zalewski) and team MVP Alex Stalock.

56... The Sharks allowed a franchise record 56 shots on goal in Norfolk on Saturday, October 16th in a 7-2 loss to the Admirals... the previous high for most shots allowed in a game was on April 6, 2007 when the Sharks allowed 52 shots in a 4-1 win over the Wolf Pack at the DCU Center.

47... Carter Hutton made 47 saves in his Sharks debut on Saturday, October 16th in Norfolk... the 47 saves are an AHL high by a netminder this season.

Nice Start... Carter Hutton made his first start of the season on Sunday, October 31st in Providence and made 37 saves to pick up the victory in a 6-1 win over the Bruins.

Sweet 16...The Worcester Sharks are the 16th professional team that Sharks captain has suited up for in this, his 10th professional season (Mississippi - ECHL, Springfield - AHL, Augusta - ECHL, Long Beach - ECHL, Providence - AHL, Trenton - ECHL, Bridgeport - AHL, Boston - NHL, Norfolk - AHL, Tampa Bay - NHL, Portland - AHL, Lowell - AHL, New Jersey - NHL, Montreal - NHL, San Jose - NHL, and Worcester - AHL)

Young Guns... the Sharks have TEN rookies, including three from UMASS-Amherst (Braun, Irwin, and Marcou) and two from UMASS-Lowell (Hutton and Schaus).

Vets... Three veterans will provide leadership for the Sharks squad this season, which include: former Maurice Richard winner Jonathan Cheechoo, former Boston Bruins defenseman Jay Leach, and the leading goal scorer for the Sharks from last season, T.J. Trevelyan.

I'll take a draft.... SEVEN Worcester Sharks players were drafted by the San Jose Sharks. (Braun, Cheechoo, Lucia, Petrecki, Stalock, Wingels, and Zalewski)

You always remember your first pro..... Justin Braun (UMASS-Amherst) scored his first professional goal vs. Providence on October 23... Matt Irwin (UMASS-Amherst) scored his first professional goal vs. Rochester October 29.

Firsts last Week... Mike Moore played his first two games of the season for Worcester on Friday and Saturday after beginning the season with San Jose.

Streakers... The Sharks have points in FOUR straight games (3-0-0-1)... Benn Ferriero has a TWO game goal scoring streak (2-0-0)... Jonathan Cheechoo has a TWO game scoring streak (2-1-3)... James Marcou has a TWO game assist streak (0-3-3).

Stole it from Bill Ballou... Dan DaSilva became the 22nd Worcester Sharks player to reach the 100 games played plateau... DaSilva has played in 108 games in a Sharks sweater.

Massachusetts... The Sharks have THREE players born and raised in Massachusetts (Sean Sullivan - Boston, Corey Quirk - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex) In all, the Sharks have 15 American born players and ten Canadians.

Breaking down the scoring... The Sharks have scored 33 goals this season... 15 on the power play, 17 even strength goals, and one shorthanded tally.

Feeling Special... Worcester ranks 2nd in the AHL on the PK at 91.2% (31-for-34) and 2nd in the AHL on the power play with a 27.8% conversion rating (15-for-54)... The Sharks have scored three power play goals in three games this season and have not allowed a power play goal in six straight games (18-for-18).

Follow the leaders.... Garet Hunt is 3rd in the AHL among rookies with 35 penalty minutes... Justin Braun is tied for 19th in rookie scoring with EIGHT points (1-7-8) and 3rdin the AHL among defensemen with 35 shots on goal... James Marcou is tied for 8th in rookie scoring with NINE points (3-6-9) and 2nd in rookie power play goals (3)... Tommy Wingels is 3rd among rookies with a 30.8% shooting percentage.

Mr. Dependable.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 165 straight games for Worcester breaking the record held by Derek Joslin (114 games).... Desjardins has the 2nd longest streak in the AHL (Nick Dodge in Charlotte).

Five for fighting...The Sharks have 12 fighting majors this season... (Garet Hunt 3, Brandon Mashinter 3, Sean Sullivan 2, Jay Leach 2, and Nick Petrecki 2). The Sharks had 73 fighting majors last season, 78 fighting majors in 2009-10, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

11.2.10 - Mike Moore assigned to Worcester from San Jose.

11.5.10 - Benn Ferriero recalled to San Jose from Worcester.

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Ferriero(7)

o Game Winners Marcou (1),Wingels (1),Petrecki (1),Desjardins (1), and Sean Sullivan (1)

o Assists Cheechoo (8)

o Points Cheechoo (5-8-13)

o Power play Points Cheechoo (3-4-7) and Marcou (3-4-7)

o Shots Cheechoo (38)

o PIM Hunt (35)

o Fighting Pen. Hunt and Mashinter (3)

o Plus/Minus Wingels (+2)

o Wins Stalock (4)

o G.A.A. Hutton (2.32)

o Save % Hutton (.938)

o Shutouts

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 6-5-1 with 13 points through 12 games and is currently in 4th place in the Pacific Division trailing the first place LA Kings by 7 points.

Logan Couture (5-1-6) and John McCarthy (2-1-3) have played very well in San Jose to start the season. Former Worcester Sharks; Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, and Torrey Mitchell have all scored goals for San Jose. Frazer McLaren has played five games and has recorded three fighting majors.

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Stockton Thunder are 5-1-1-1 with 12 points in 8 games and are in 1st place in the Pacific Division in the ECHL. Ryan Constant (AHL contact) and Tyson Sexsmith (NHL contract), are all in Stockton to begin the season. Sexsmith is 3-1-1-1 with a 2.93 GAA and a .881 save % and one fighting major.

Coming Up:

The Sharks host two games next weekend at the DCU Center!

On Friday, the Sharks travel to Manchester for the back end of a home-and-home series with the Monarchs. Game time is at 7pm at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at the DCU Center at 7pm. The first 3,000 fans will receive an Alex Stalock bobblehead presented by Saint Vincent Hospital. Two lucky fans will receive a GOLDEN BOBBLE and a third will be auctioned off for a chance to win the jersey right off the back of Alex Stalock after the game!

On Sunday, the Sharks host the annual Worcester County Sherriff's Office Canned Food Drive presented by Price Chopper to benefit the Friendly House of Worcester. Every fan that donates a canned food item will receive a FREE ticket to the Sharks game on December 12th vs. Bridgeport compliments of Price Chopper.

Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino's! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket! With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino's locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.

Get your family fun pack (4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas) for just $69 for all Friday and Saturday games! (must be purchased through the Sharks front office in advance at 508-929-0500)

Chris Curtis, Marina Riva, Jonathan Forsberg, Jason Jones, Kristen Moore, and Matt Renzulli are taking deposits for the Sharks 5th season in Worcester! Jump in today and save over 30% off box office prices! 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

Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Five FREE friends and family vouchers

Exclusive events with the Worcester Sharks players

Merchandise discounts and much, much, more!

Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2010-11 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com .

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American Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2010


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