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Sharks Fall 5-2 After Three Late Goals by Manchester

April 6, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Worcester, MA - The Worcester Sharks (34-31-4-2, 74pts) dropped a 5-2 contest to the Manchester Monarchs (45-19-2-6, 98pts) before 3,708 fans and 74 dogs Sunday afternoon at the DCU Center in the third annual Pucks & Paws game. With the loss and five more games remaining, the Sharks are now eight points behind the 8th place Hershey Bears for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The first period of play made for a single Manchester goal by Brayden McNabb (8th) off a rocket from the left point. The Sharks then rallied for back to back goals in the second by Travis Oleksuk (18th) and Freddie Hamilton (21st), before giving up a shorty to Andrew Bodnarchuk (8th) that brought the game to a 2-2 tie by the close of the middle frame. Late in the third period, the Monarchs broke the stalemate with a tally by Jordan Weal (22nd) and furthered their lead with an empty net goal by Brayden McNabb (9th) and a credited goal to Sean Backman (10th) in the closing minute of the game. Net minding for Worcester, tender Harri Sateri made 36 saves while Patrik Bartosak made 30 in the Manchester win.

The opening 20 minutes of play resulted in a lone goal and a 1-0 Manchester lead. The sole marker came at 6:16 after the Monarchs worked the puck in their offensive end until Brayden McNabb (8th) took an open drive from the left point, that Sateri got a piece of before it trickled through his pads. Manchester outshot Worcester 15-9 as Bartosak made all nine necessary saves and Sateri made 14.

The second period of action made for three goals and a 2-2 tie at the end of 40 minutes. The Sharks got on the board with two goals in just three shots. The first came at 3:59, after Hayes took a low shot from the right circle that Bartosak sent back out for Hayes to bat across the front of the net. Travis Oleksuk (18th) awaited the pass and slid the puck into the back of the net to tie the game. The Sharks second marker occurred at 8:34, after Hayes wrapped around the right side on the net and tried to force the puck by Bartosak. The rebounded puck found Freddie Hamilton (21st) wide open in the glove-side circle, where he wristed the shot top shelf for the Sharks lead. At 12:06 with the Sharks on a power play, Manchester's Andy Andreoff sped down along the right side boards with the puck before crossing the front of the net and sending a backhanded pass to Andrew Bodnarchuk (8th) who delivered a shorthanded goal between Sateri and the far right post. Worcester picked up their offensive presence in the middle frame, outshooting Manchester 17-11.

The third period broke the tie, in favor of Manchester after a late marker by Jordan Weal (22nd) off a two-on-one play. At 17:41, Weal sped down the ice through both the neutral zone and the offensive end, deciding to hold on to the puck on the odd man rush and send a wrist shot glove-side of Sateri. On a power play and with Sateri out of the net, the Sharks had a final chance with a 6-on-4 man advantage in the final minute, but Brayden McNabb (9th) intercepted a puck in the Manchester defensive end and sent it down the ice for an empty net goal. Sean Backman (10th) was then credited for what would have been a second empty net mark before getting tripped up by a recovering defenseman to seal the game at 5-2.

The Sharks' overall record drops to 34-31-4-2, 74pts and 17-14-1-1, 36pts at home.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Freddie Hamilton (1-1-2) 2nd star: Patrik Bartosak (30 Saves, Win)1st star: Jordan Weal (1-0-1, GWG)...Final shots were 41-32 in favor of Manchester... Patrik Bartosak made 30 saves on 32 shots for Manchester...Harri Sateri made 36 saves on 39 shots for Worcester....Worcester went 0-5 on the power play while Manchester also went 0-5...Sena Acolatse (inj), John McCarthy (inj.), Daniil Tarasov (inj.), Marek Viedensky (inj), Taylor Doherty (inj), Jimmy Bonneau and Nick Jones did not dress for Worcester...The Sharks are now 1-1-1-1 in the month of April...The Sharks gave up a franchise record three shorthanded goals and two empty netters in the loss...three different Sharks picked up assists tonight including Hamilton, Hayes (2) and Comrie.

Coming up...

The Sharks continue their seven game home stand with three more contests at the DCU Center next week.

On Wednesday, April 9, the Sharks challenge the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:00 p.m. FREE tickets for Unemployed Sharks fans with the proof of unemployment and ID. Sharks hockey is the perfect way to get you over the hump of your week!

Friday, April 11, the Sharks will host the Adirondack Phantoms at 7:30 p.m. on $2-$2-$2 Friday, with $2 hot dogs, popcorn and sodas! The next evening, Saturday, April 12 as the Sharks prey on the Norfolk Admirals at 7:00 p.m., the Midstate Auto Group baseball equipment drive will accept gloves, bats and other types of baseball equipment. A donation will be thanked by a free ticket to the April 18 game! Bring the whole family, as Saturday night is also Family Fun Pack Night, with tickets, hot dogs and soda starting at $79 for four!

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