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Sharks Can't Win in Hartford

December 12, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Hartford, CT .- The Worcester Sharks (10-11-2-0, 22pts) fell under .500 for the first time this season after a 5-3 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack (14-9-2-1, 31pts) in front of 3,516 fans at the XL Center on Friday evening. The Sharks return home for Worcester IceCats Night presented by RCAP Solutions on Saturday at 7pm vs. the Manchester Monarchs.

Worcester scored three goals in the second period (Tarasov, Burish, and Haley) as the two teams headed into the second intermission tied 3-3. Ryan Haggerty and Oscar Lindberg scored third period goals for Hartford while Jeff Malcolm made 35 saves in net for the win. Troy Grosenick made 23 saves for Worcester in his return from the NHL in the loss as the Sharks lost for the 10th time in their last 11 tries in Hartford.

Each team fired 12 shots in the first period with Hartford grabbing a 1-0 lead late in the frame. Defenseman Conor Allen (4th) snapped a shot from the left circle past the blocker of Troy Grosenick after the Sharks were hemmed in their zone at 19:01. Making his fist AHL start of the season, Jeff Malcolm made 12 saves for Hartford as the Sharks trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes.

A wild second period saw goals scored in bunches. The two teams combined for three goals in 36 seconds midway through the period as Daniil Tarasov (6th) tied the score at 1-1 at 9:43 followed by Adam Burish (1st) at 10:00 to give the Sharks a 2-1 advantage. But 19 seconds later, Michael Kostka (2nd) tied the score for Hartford to end the scoring frenzy. The Wolf Pack took a 3-2 lead at 13:35 as Chris Bourque (12th) was left alone in front of the Sharks net and roofed a shot past Grosenick. But 30 seconds later, former Wolf Pack winger Micheal Haley (8th) tied the score at 3-3 after he pounced on a rebound and buried a shot past Jeff Malcolm from in close at 14:05. The two teams were tied 3-3 into the second intermission with Worcester holding a 26-21 shot advantage through 40 minutes.

Rookie Ryan Haggerty (6th) intercepted a Sharks pass just outside the Worcester blue line, skated down the right wing, and sent a wicked shot from 25 feet past the glove of Grosenick just 37 seconds into the third period to put Hartford ahead 4-3. Oscar Lindberg (9th) gave the Wolf Pack insurance at 5:07 with a shot from the right slot and gave the Wolf Pack a 5-3 advantage. Worcester outshot Hartford 12-8 in the third period but could not score as the Wolf Pack won their third straight game.

The Sharks overall record drops to 10-11-2-0, 22pts, and 4-7-0-0, 8pts on the road.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Marek Hrivik (0-2-2) 2nd star: Michael Kostka (1-1-2, +4) 1st star: Chris Bourque (1-1-2)... Final shots were 38-28 in favor of Worcester... Jeff Malcolm made 35 saves on 38 shots for Hartford.... Troy Grosenick made 23 saves on 28 shots for Worcester.... Worcester went 0-for-3 on the power play while Hartford went 0-for-1... Petter Emanuelsson (inj) and Taylor Doherty (inj) did not dress for Worcester... Matt Tennyson, Chris Tierney, and Melker Karlsson are currently on recall with the SJ Sharks... Worcester has lost 10 of their last 11 games in Hartford... Daniil Tarasov extended his point streak to five games (3-2-5) with a goal....the goal by Adam Burish was his first in the AHL since the 2006-07 season with Norfolk...Andrew Blazek made his Sharks and AHL debut in the loss...Dylan Demelo was whistled for the only Worcester penalty at 14:20 of the third period.

Coming up...

On Saturday, December 13 join us for Worcester IceCats Night presented by RCAP Solutions when the Sharks host the Manchester Monarchs at 7pm. The Sharks will wear a specialty IceCats jersey similar to the one worn during their first AHL season in Worcester in 1994-95. The game worn jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit RCAP Solutions during and after the game with a select few available online. Fans in attendance will receive a Worcester Hockey Mascot Poster featuring FINZ and Scratch! Former Worcester IceCats players will sign autographs with FINZ and Scratch during the intermissions! Fans are encouraged to wear an IceCats jersey to the game to win special 20 years of AHL hockey in Worcester themed prizes and receive a discount at the Box Office (Adults to pay kid's price).

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Portland Pirates at 3pm on $5 Kid's Sundays with a pregame toy drive to benefit the Auburn Youth and Family Services! Everyone that donates will receive a ticket to a future Sharks game courtesy of Midstate Auto Group! The first 1,000 fans will receive a team photo presented by Enterprise Cleaning. Stick around after the game for a full team autograph session! Kid's tickets are just $5 with the purchase of an adult priced ticket. As with every Sunday home game, Scratch will be in attendance!

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