Sharks Buzz Springfield's Playoff Hopes, 4-2

Published on April 6, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER - Behind a balanced team effort, the Worcester Sharks served as spoilers in an impressive 4-2 victory over the Springfield Falcons on Bald is Beautiful Day at the DCU Center.

With the loss, the Falcons were officially knocked out of playoff contention, allowing Manchester to clinch the fourth and final Atlantic Division playoff spot.

Springfield quickly found the back of the net at 1:42 of the first period via Grant Potulny's 28th goal of the season. After skating into the offensive zone on the right wing side, he sidestepped Sharks defender Ty Wishart and released a shot from in between the faceoff circles which beat Worcester netminder Thomas Greiss for the 1-0 lead.

The Sharks evened the score at 7:17 on their second shorthanded goal in as many nights. Springfield goaltender Jeff Deslauriers came out of his crease to play the puck along the right wing boards. His pass was picked off by T.J. Fox at center ice who subsequently fired the puck into the empty net before Deslauriers could recover.

Worcester took its first lead of the game at 14:37 behind Brad Staubitz's fifth goal of the season. On its second power play opportunity, Staubitz accepted a pass from in between the right faceoff circle and blue line. After holding the puck for a moment, he fired a shot that found its way through traffic and past the Springfield netminder for the 2-1 lead. Tom Cavanagh and Lukas Kaspar were credited with the assists on the play.

Despite holding a 15-3 shot advantage in the second period, Worcester was unable to extend its lead as the teams skated through a scoreless middle frame.

Staubitz was whistled for hooking at 6:26 of the third period, which was a break that Springfield needed as they lit the lamp only nine seconds into the man advantage. The initial shot came from the top of the left wing circle. Greiss made the save, but Potulny scooped up the rebound and shuffled the puck over to Rob Schremp along the goal line who picked the right corner for his 22nd goal of the season. Marc Pouliot recorded the other assist on the play.

Worcester answered right back and regained the lead at the 9:13 mark. Mike Iggulden carried the puck from inside the blue line to the top of the left wing circle. His shot found the top right corner of the net for his 27th goal of the season. Derek Joslin and Graham Mink were credited with the assists.

The Sharks added insurance at 15:55 when Mink scored his 24th goal of the season. He carried the puck from the right wing boards out in front and made a backhand flick which found the inside of the right post for the 4-2 lead. Dennis Packard and Cavanagh tallied the assists. Springfield opted for an extra attacker less than two minutes, but couldn't cut into the advantage, leading to the 4-2 final.

The Sharks remain home on Wednesday to host the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. on Fill Me Up Wednesdays. After a road game at Portland, Worcester is home for the final two games of the season on Saturday vs. Lowell and Sunday vs. these same Springfield Falcons. It is fan appreciation weekend which means a number of promotions! For more information on the action-packed weekend or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or crash the net at sharksahl.com.

NOTES: Following the game, forward Riley Armstrong shaved his head as part of the Locks of Love campaign. After much persuading, radio broadcaster Eric Lindquist also decided to shave his head ... T.J. Fox now has two shorthanded goals this season which is tied with two others (Lukas Kaspar and Devin Setoguchi) for the team lead ...Out of Worcester's eight shorthanded tallies, three have come against the Falcons ... Brad Staubitz's power play goal was the Sharks' first in the last three games (0-for-14 in that stretch) ... Lukas Kaspar has points in his last three games ... With his first-period assist, Tom Cavanagh extended his assist (and point) streak to seven games. The seven-game assist streak is the most by a Sharks player this season while seven straight games with points ties a season-high (Mike Iggulden from Oct. 6 through Nov. 2). Counting his game with San Jose, Cavanagh has assists in the last eight games he's played ... Worcester only allowed three shots in the second period which tied a season-low ... Dennis Packard has an assist in consecutive games ...It marked the first time Worcester has scored four goals since Mar. 21 vs. Bridgeport ... The final attendance figure was 4,259 ... Greiss had 20 saves on 22 shots for the Sharks while Deslauriers made 40 stops on 44 shots for Springfield ... Power plays: Worcester: 2 for 4, Springfield 1 for 3 ... Niche Hospitality Group Three Stars: Mezcal 3rd Star: Iggulden (1g), Bocado 2nd Star: Potulny (1g, 1a), Block 5 1st Star: Mink (1g, 1a)

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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2008


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