Sharks Can't Wait for Home Cooking on Saturday
February 16, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Last Week: (0-2-0-0) 0pts, 2gp
Fri. 2/13 Worcester SHARKS 1 @ Portland Pirates 2 - Cumberland County Civic Center
Sun. 2/15 Worcester SHARKS 2 @ WB Scranton Penguins 5 - Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
This Week:
Fri. 2/20 Worcester SHARKS @ Springfield Falcons 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 2/21 Worcester SHARKS v. Providence Bruins 7:05 p.m.
Sun. 2/22 Worcester SHARKS @ Lowell Devils 4:00 p.m.
Rewind the Tape:
2.13.09 - Worcester 1 - Portland 2 - Cumberland County Civic Center
The Sharks scored the first goal for the first time in five games as Tom Cavanagh scored his 10th of the season on a 5on3 advantage in the first period but that was the offense the Sharks could muster in Portland. The Pirates scored two goals in the second period with the second coming on a penalty shot. Felix Schutz scored on Taylor Dakers at 13:16 after he was hauled down by Patrick Traverse. It was the first ever penalty shot goal allowed by the Sharks. Taylor Dakers received the #3 star of the game with 25 as the Sharks played with only 17 skaters due to injuries and recalls. The Unum Cup Challenge is now even at 4-4-0-0.
2.15.09 - Worcester 2 - Wilkes-Barre Scranton 5 - Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
Ryan Vesce extended his franchise record point streak to 17 games with a goal and an assist in his first game back with Worcester after his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks but the Penguins scored five goals on Thomas Greiss to defeat the Sharks 5-2. Patrick Traverse extended his point streak to five games with a 2nd period goal to tie the game at 1-1. The Sharks outshot the Penguins 40-28 and Wilkes-Barre swept the season series at 2-0-0-0. Frazer McLaren picked up his team leading 16th fighting major penalty after a nice bout in the 1st period against Bissonnette.
Sharks in the Atlantic...
The Sharks (27-24-0-2) swim in 5th place in the Atlantic Division with 56 points, seven points behind the first place Providence Bruins. Worcester is tied with the Devils for 4th place but Lowell has played one fewer game. The Sharks stand three points behind the Hartford Wolf Pack for 3rd place and are six points behind the 2nd place Pirates. The Manchester Monarchs trail the Sharks and the Devils by just three points for the 4th and final playoff spot in a very choppy Atlantic Division.
Shark Bites:
*The Sharks finished January with a 9-3-0-1 record with 19 points in 13 games including 6-1-0-0 at home but are just 1-5-0-0 in February.
*After not scoring a power play in five straight games (0-19), the Sharks have scored a power play goal in three straight games (4-14).
*Sharks Captain Ryan Vesce is currently 8th in the AHL in points with 55 (17-38-55) and tops in overtime goals (4) and game winning goals (7). He is currently riding a franchise-high 17 game point streak (9-18-27) and has 43 points (16-27-43) in his last 32gp.
*Vesce made his NHL debut this week and suited up for two games with the San Jose Sharks.
*Lukas Kaspar was recalled by San Jose after he shined offensively in Worcester, as he had 19 points in his last 19 games (7-12-19).
*The Sharks have 59 fighting major penalties this season through 53 games. 16 different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (16), Brett Westgarth (11), Mike Moore (8), Brad Staubitz (8), Jason Demers (2), Andrew Desjardins (2), Jamie McGinn (2), James McEwan (2), Tom Cavanagh, Dan DaSilva, Kyle McLaren, Brendan Buckley, TJ Fox, Cory Larose, Matt Jones and Riley Armstrong.
*The Sharks have scored the 6th most shorthanded goals in the AHL with nine, but have allowed the 2nd most against with 11.
*Patrick Traverse is 8th in the AHL defenseman scoring race with 31 points (7-24-31) and is currently ride a five game point streak (2-5-7). Traverse is currently having the best offensive season in his 15th professional season.
*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.91) and 2nd in shots against per game (26.06)
*Riley Armstrong leads the Sharks with 151 shots on goal.
*Frazer McLaren is 3rd among AHL rookies with 16 fighting major penalties and 5th in pims (118).
*Steven Zalewski ranks 2nd among AHL rookies with 142 shots on goal and 19th in rookie scoring with 30 points (11-19-30).
*Jamie McGinn has been on fire before his recall to San Jose on Friday, with a three game goal scoring streak (4 goals) and 10 points in his last 11 games (8-2-10).
The Sharks have the 2nd best winning percentage (.750) in the AHL in games that are decided after regulation. Worcester is 4-0 in overtime and 2-2 in the shootout.
*Rookies Jason Demers and Steven Zalewski are the only Sharks to swim in all 53 games this season.
Roster Moves:
The Sharks have made several roster moves this week.
Worcester recalled Ashton Rome, P.J. Fenton, and Dan DaSilva from Phoenix in the ECHL.
San Jose recalled Ryan Vesce and then loaned him back to Worcester after he played in his first two NHL games (in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and in Buffalo on Friday).
San Jose also recalled Derek Joslin, Lukas Kaspar, and Jamie McGinn from Worcester this week.
Top Sharks:
o Goals Armstrong, Larose, Vesce (17)
o Game Winners Vesce (7)
o Assists Vesce (38)
o Points Vesce (55)
o Power play Points Vesce (3-14-17)
o Shots Armstrong (151)
o PIM F. McLaren (118)
o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (16)
o Plus/Minus Moore (+11)
o Wins Greiss (17)
o G.A.A. Greiss (2.75)
o Save % Dakers, Greiss (.894)
o Shutouts Dakers (1)
Coming Up:
The Worcester Sharks continue their seven game road trip with a Friday night battle against the Falcons in Springfield to kick off a 3in3 weekend.
The Sharks finally return home with a match against the Providence Bruins on Saturday with a 7:05p.m. tilt at the DCU Center. Join local police and fire departments on "Hero's Night" with the first 2,500 fans 14-years-old and younger receiving a full team trading card set presented by Saint Vincent Hospital. Stay after the game for a live jersey auction presented by Bay State Savings Bank with proceeds to benefit Project Smile.
The Sharks end the weekend in Lowell with a 4:00p.m. start against the Devils on Sunday.
American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2009
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- Hogs Look For Strong Finish To Three Game Homestand - Rockford IceHogs
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- Monarchs Weekly Report - Manchester Monarchs
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- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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