Sharks Clawed By Bears, 7-2
Published on January 4, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
WORCESTER - The goals came early and often as Hershey, the AHL's top team, came into Worcester and topped the Sharks, 7-2 on Sunday at the DCU Center.
The Bears improve to an AHL-high 53 points behind a 26-9-0-1 record while Worcester falls to 19-17-0-1 (39 points). The Sharks tied the score at one late in the first period, but Hershey owned the second, scoring four goals on its way to the win.
It didn't take long for the league's top offense to make its presence felt as Alexandre Giroux netted his 20th goal of the season at 15 seconds of the first period. His wrist shot from the right wing circle beat Sharks goaltender Taylor Dakers low on the glove side. Former Worcester captain Graham Mink and Bryan Helmer were credited with the assists on the play.
Worcester scored only 25 seconds into its first power play to tie the score at one at the 18:01 mark. Lukas Kaspar carried the puck from the right wing boards towards center ice before releasing a shot in between the faceoff circles. The shot beat Hershey goalie Simeon Varlamov low for his eighth goal of the season and was assisted by Steven Zalewski and Patrick Traverse.
The Bears converted on a man advantage of their own to take a 2-1 lead at 4:25 of the second period. Chris Bourque made a crisp pass from high on the left wing side to Keith Aucoin at the right side of the crease, who finished the tip-in. Aucion's 13th goal of the season was also assisted by Giroux.
A three-on-one equaled a Hershey goal and a 3-1 score at the 7:50 mark. After gaining the blue line, Giroux passed across to Aucoin on the left wing side, who gave it right back to Giroux, who finished for his 21st of the season and second of the game.
Ryan Vesce's 12th goal of the season cut Hershey's lead to one at 11:16 of the second. Kaspar made the pretty pass from the left wing boards out in front to Vesce, who beat Varlamov low. Brendan Buckley picked up the other assist.
Hershey retook the two-goal advantage at 15:09 when Steve Pinizzotto netted his fourth of the season. Oskar Osala was in the left wing circle and passed across to Pinizzotto in the right wing circle, who finished for the 4-2 lead.
Things went from bad to worse when the Bears' Giroux picked up a hat trick at 19:50 of the second. He was sprung on a shorthanded rush and passed in front, but the puck deflected off the Sharks' Traverse and crossed the goal line for the 5-2 score heading into the second intermission.
The Bears scored their second power play goal at 3:28 of the third to take the 6-2 lead. It was once again Giroux, who picked up his fourth of the game, easily tipping in a Mink cross.
Aucoin added Hershey's seventh goal at 17:12 as he picked off an errant pass and skated in, beating Dakers five-hole for the team's second shorthanded goal of the game.
American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2009
- Flames Recall Forward Jamie Lundmark - Abbotsford Heat
- DiSalvatore Leads Devils Over Monarchs, 4-1 - Albany Devils
- Sharks Clawed By Bears, 7-2 - Worcester Sharks
- DiSalvatore Nets Three; Bedevils Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- P-Bruins Defeat Aeros 3-1 - Providence Bruins
- Hershey's Staff to Coach Canadian Team at 2009 AHL All-Star Classic - Hershey Bears
- Pirates Victorious Over Falcons, 4-1 - Portland Pirates
- Sharks Host Skate With The Sharks At North Star Youth Forum In Westborough - Worcester Sharks
- Monsters Earn Big Come-From-Behind Overtime Win - Cleveland Monsters
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