Sharks clinch playoffs with win over Portland
April 8, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Worcester, MA - The combination of Ryan Vesce's 24th goal of the season, a score by DaSilva, 24 saves by Thomas Greiss and a total team effort launched the Sharks over the Portland Pirates and into the Calder Cup playoffs at the DCU Center on Wednesday night.
Worcester would take a 1-0 lead in the 1st period when Vesce split the Portland defense up the middle as he flew toward the net and beat Pirate goaltender Jhonas Enroth for his 24th tally of the season at 6:53. The Sharks would rattle off several more attempts at Enroth as Worcester outshot Portland 19-8 through 20 minutes of play.
Despite several fine arrangements by the Sharks in the 2nd period including a heads up feed to Vesce who was streaking through the defense towards the net once again, the score would remain 1-0 in favor of Worcester. The Sharks outshot the Pirates 34-14 through the 2 periods.
The Pirates would steal an equalizer :48 seconds into the 3rd period when Felix Schutz cleaned up a wrap around attempt by Colton Fretter that pulled Greiss out of position for the easy score. However, the tie would break quickly when DaSilva pocketed the loose rebound of a Steven Zalewski blast during a 2 on 1 Worcester drive at 3:18 to give the Sharks a 2-1 advantage.
Greiss made many pads saves in the final stretch of the game as Worcester defeated the Pirates 2-1 and clinched a playoff position in the Atlantic division.
The Sharks outshot Portland 43-25 for their 5th straight win and their 7th win in their last eight games.
The win brings Worcester's record to 41-34-1-2 with 85 points through 78 games and clinches a playoff birth for the Sharks. Worcester is currently 3rd in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Pirates.
NOTES: Three Stars: (3) Thomas Greiss (2) Jhonas Enroth (1) Dan DaSilva... Attendance was announced 3,034... Thomas Greiss made 24 saves in net for Worcester ... Jhonas Enroth made 41saves in net for Portland ... The Sharks went 0/5 on the power play while the Pirates went 0/3 ... Worcester is 5-5-0-0 vs. Portland this season in the battle for the Unum Cup...Ryan Vesce had 11 points (3,8) vs. Portland this season...Thomas Greiss made his 14th straight start ...The Sharks booster club named Ryan Vesce player of the month for February and Dan DaSilva for March prior to the game...The Sharks clinched a playoff birth...The Sharks tied the franchise record with 41 wins.
On Friday, the Sharks host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. on "Autism Awareness Night." All student tickets are just $9 and the game will also be shown live on Charter TV-3 and the NHL Network. Sign up to win a mountain bike compliments of Pepsi!
On Saturday, the Sharks host the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. on "Fan Appreciation Night." Get their early and join the party in the lobby beginning at 5pm! Cheer on the youth hockey parade of champions in between periods. Pick up your Family Fun Pack with a ticket, hot dog, and soda for just $15.25 each when buying a minimum of four tickets to secure your spot in the post game on ice full team autograph session! Four fans will have the opportunity to win $38,000 compliments of Piccadilly Pub! It's the final game of the season... hope to see you there!
The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now! Playoff tickets are also on sale. 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.
American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2009
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- Bulldogs down Moose 6-2 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- River Rats Snap Losing Streak With 4-3 Shootout Win Over Philadelphia - Albany River Rats
- Stapleton Sets Marlies Franchise Record For Most Points In A Season - Toronto Marlies
- Desperate Flames crush IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- River Rats Snap Losing Streak With 4-3 Shootout Win Over Philadelphia - Albany River Rats
- Points slip away from Phantoms - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bell Rings Past Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- Sutter powers Flames to 5-2 win - Abbotsford Heat
- Worcester Sharks announce possible playoff dates and scenarios - Worcester Sharks
- Crunch Drop Overtime Thriller to Binghamton - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolf Pack nip Monarchs, 4-3 - Connecticut Whale
- Moose wounded by Dogs, 6-2 - Manitoba Moose
- Smoke and Mirrors - Norfolk Admirals
- Devils Upended By Bruins, 5-2 - Albany Devils
- Sharks clinch playoffs with win over Portland - Worcester Sharks
- Nathan Gerbe Named AHL's Outstanding Rookie - Portland Pirates
- Sharks Grab 2-1 Win Over Pirates - Portland Pirates
- P-Bruins Defeat Devils 5-2 - Providence Bruins
- ZOOperstars! highlight season finale April 12 - Houston Aeros
- Penguins Playoff Tickets On Sale Now - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Amerks, Panthers Announce Plans for 2009-10 AHL Season - Rochester Americans
- Wedding Bells To Ring At Wolves Season Finale - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Sign Five Players to Tryout Contracts - Norfolk Admirals
- Fan Appreciation Night Set For Friday - Binghamton Senators
- Montreal Recalls Yannick Weber; Assigns Doug Janik To Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Portland's Nathan Gerbe named AHL Rookie of the Year - AHL
- 500 Tickets Remain For Friday's Phantoms Finale - Adirondack Phantoms
- Falcons Assign Rob Bina Stockton Thunder - Springfield Falcons
- AHL Morning Skate - AHL
- Rampage Host Fan Appreciation Night - San Antonio Rampage
- Wolf Pack Sign Forward Matt Schepke to ATO - Connecticut Whale
- Hornqvist Reassigned to Milwaukee - Milwaukee Admirals
- Former Hobey Baker winner signs Amateur Contract with Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
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