Sharks Carry Bite in Choppy Atlantic Division

Published on December 1, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Rewind the Tape:

11.26.08 - Worcester 4 - Portland 3 - Cumberland County Civic Center

Riley Armstrong would extend his season high five game point streak to six games, scoring a goal in his 3rd straight game (9 this season) in the Sharks' 4-3 win. Lukas Kaspar, Mike Moore, and Steven Zalewski would each score a goal for Worcester. Kaspar also added two assists, earning him a three-point performance and the game's first star. Taylor Dakers prolonged his undefeated start to the season, saving 31 Portland shots on goal.

11.28.08 - Worcester 3 - Providence 5 - Dunkin' Donuts Center

In Claude Lemieux's return to the AHL, Providence began with a two goal lead after the first period, but Jamie McGinn, Tom Cavanagh, and Ryan Vesce all scored second period goals to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame. The Bruins, though, would score three unanswered goals in the third period and earn the 5-3 victory. Claude Lemieux, Steven Zalewski, Andrew Desjardins, Cory Larose, and Patrick Traverse all notched an assist.

11.29.08 - Worcester 4 - Bridgeport 1 - DCU Center

Claude Lemieux's first professional goal since the 2002-03 season highlighted a furious comeback as the Sharks battled back from a 1-0 deficit with four goals in the game's final 21:32 to come away with a 4-1 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday evening at the DCU Center. Thomas Greiss was strong with 24 saves to earn him the game's third star. Ryan Vesce added two goals and an assist while Andrew Desjardins and Patrick Traverse each had a pair of helpers. Tom Cavanagh added a goal and assist as well.

11.30.08 - Worcester 2 - Lowell 1 - DCU Center

Despite grinding through a grueling three-games-in-three-days stretch, the Sharks picked up their seventh win in the last eight games with a 2-1 victory in a hard-fought, low-scoring battle. Taylor Dakers was impressive between the pipes, stopping 24 Lowell attempts. Jamie McGinn drew first blood with a goal in the second period assisted by Mike Moore and Lukas Kaspar. Derek Joslin added the game-winner at 2:58 in the third period, with Ryan Vesce earning the assist.

Sharks in the Atlantic...

The Sharks (12-9-0-0) swim in third place in the Atlantic Division with 24 points, 5 points behind the first place Providence Bruins.

Shark Bites:

*The Sharks have won seven of their last eight games, and their last two consecutively.

*Worcester has already used four goaltenders in goal this season (Greiss, Jones, Coleman, and Dakers) Last season, the Sharks used just three goalies through 80 games. (Greiss, Patzold, and Dakers).

*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.9) and first in shots against per game (24.05)

*The Sharks have 26 fighting major penalties this season through 21 games. Eight different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (9), Westgarth (8), Moore (2), Demers (2), Staubitz, Cavanagh, McGinn, Desjardins, and DaSilva).

*Taylor Dakers has recorded five straight wins to open the season and is 8-0-0 in his last eight starts in the AHL dating back to last season.

*Derek Joslin is first in the AHL among defensemen with 67 shots on goal.

*Frazer McLaren is second among AHL rookies with nine fighting major penalties.

*Steven Zalewski ranks 9th in the AHL among rookies in points (4-11-15)

Roster Moves:

* San Jose recalled forward Riley Armstrong from Worcester on Saturday. Armstrong has played in 18 games with Worcester scoring 9 goals and earning 5 assists. It is Armstrong's first trip to San Jose.

*The Worcester Sharks signed right wing Claude Lemieux to an American Hockey League contract on Tuesday. Lemieux, a 20-year NHL veteran with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas, is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion. He is one of only eight players in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup with three different teams (Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado). The six-foot, 215-pound right wing has posted 785 points (379 goals, 406 assists) and 1756 penalty minutes in 1197 NHL games. In 233 Stanley Cup playoff games, he added 158 points (80 goals, 78 assists) and 529 penalty minutes. His 80 Stanley Cup playoff goals rank him ninth all-time in NHL history. In three games with the Sharks, Lemieux has two points (1 goal, 1 assist).

Top Sharks:

o Goals Larose, Cavanagh, Armstrong (9)

o Assists Vesce (14)

o Points Vesce, Cavanagh (18)

o Shots Joslin (67)

o PIM F. McLaren (53)

o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (9)

o Plus/Minus Desjardins (+7)

o Wins Greiss (6)

o G.A.A. Dakers (2.00)

o Save % Dakers (.918)

Worcester to host the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications!

The Sharks and the city of Worcester will host the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications on January 25th and 26th at the DCU Center. Tickets are on sale to the general public now. The 2009 event in Worcester will mark the fourth time since it was revived in 1995 that the AHL All-Star Classic will take place in New England. The AHL All-Star Classic was last held in Massachusetts in 1959 at the Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield.

Coming Up:

The Sharks hope to extend their winning streak on Wednesday when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:05p.m. Worcester will travel to Manchester for Friday night's contest, and will then return home to the DCU Center to take on Portland on Sunday at 4:05p.m.

The Sharks' Wednesday night contest will mark another edition of "Dollar Dog Wednesdays" at the DCU Center, where fans can enjoy hot dogs for one dollar each.

Be sure not to miss any of the action of the 2008-09 Worcester Sharks season and buy your tickets today! Fans can also purchase tickets to the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications. Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, contacting the Worcester Sharks office at 508.929.0500, or by crashing the net at www.sharksahl.com.

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.sharksahl.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2008


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