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Sharks Fire 50 Shots In 4-2 Loss to Admirals

February 16, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


NORFOLK, VA - Despite two Devin Setoguchi goals in a 50 second span and a 50-21 shot advantage, the Worcester Sharks fell to the Norfolk Admirals for the second straight night, 4-2, on Saturday evening at the Scope in Norfolk.

Thomas Greiss played tremendously in net despite only 17 saves. Norfolk goaltender Marc Denis made 48 saves on 50 shots, stuffing numerous golden scoring opportunities.

The Sharks fall to nine points behind the Springfield Falcons for fourth place and remain five points behind Manchester for fifth.

Worcester received a scare only 1:50 into the first period when Blair Jones unleashed a shot from over 45 feet away. The wrist shot got past Greiss, but hit the right post to keep the game scoreless.

The Sharks had two consecutive power plays early in the first period, but were unable to convert on either opportunity. Norfolk made Worcester pay when they scored at 7:25 to take the quick 1-0 lead. David Schneider took the original shot from the top of the right wing circle. A scramble ensued for the rebound, as Norm Milley finished it off for his 15th of the season before Greiss could locate the puck. Along with Schneider, Jones tallied the other assist on the play.

The Admirals quickly added insurance at 12:22 via Jay Rosehill's second goal of the season. Vladimir Mihalik threw the point toward the net from just inside the point. Milley picked up the loose change at the left post and passed in front to Rosehill near the crease, who easily found the open net for the 2-0 advantage.

Worcester cut the lead in half via a much-needed power play goal at 16:49. After Denis came up with some big saves, the Sharks finally converted on its fourth shot of the sequence. Rather than attempting a rebound attempt of his own, Nate Raduns opted for the backhand pass in front to Setoguchi, who finished for his fifth of the season. Lukas Kaspar picked up the other assist on the play, snapping a seven-game point drought.

Off the ensuing faceoff, Brennan Evans and Kyle Wanvig dropped the gloves. Wanvig had some big rights before Evans took him to the ice. Off the next draw, it was déjà vu as Brad Staubiz and Rosehill lined up against each other wanting to fight. Staubitz connected on some monstrous lefts in a toe-to-toe battle along the Norfolk bench.

Following the two fights, Sharks' tough-guy Jonathan Tremblay lined up against Friday night's nemesis Kyle Stewart. Tremblay attempted to bait Stewart into a third-consecutive fight, but instead was whistled for two minors: slashing and roughing. The Sharks channeled the energy effectively, riding it to a tie score at 17:39. Setoguchi skated down the right wing side on the shorthand and put a shot on net. Denis stuffed the initial shot as well as Patrick Traverse's rebound attempt, but could not stop number three. Setoguchi finished off the rebound for his second of the game and sixth of the season, capping off a 50 second span that included two Sharks' goals and two fights. Tom Cavanagh tallied the other assist on the play.

On the same double minor, it looked like the Admirals would retake the lead, but Greiss moved beautifully from right to left, denying a Radek Smolenak attempt to keep the score tied. After one period, shots heavily favored Worcester, 24-8.

Norfolk retook the momentum 6:18 into the second period. Wanvig carried the puck into the offensive zone from the left wing side. He made a move around Worcester defender Tom Walsh and threw the puck in front of the net to Paul Szczechura. Szczechura made the touch over Greiss' glove and in for the 3-2 advantage. Smolenak tallied the second assist on the play.

The rough stuff wouldn't subside as Wanvig baited Graham Mink into a fight at 7:09, which also earned him the extra instigating minor and ten-minute misconduct, giving the Sharks a power play.

The two teams skated the rest of the period without any additional scoring. The Sharks had the 11-7 second period shot advantage and carried the 35-15 lead into the second intermission.

In the third period, Setoguchi took a boarding penalty 15 minutes into the period, giving Norfolk a two-man advantage for 1:17. The Sharks came up big, failing to allow even a shot. Worcester couldn't convert on the added momentum, but not for a lack of opportunities. Over six minutes into the period, Mike Iggulden stole the puck behind the net and passed to Cavanagh on Denis' doorstep at the right point, but the Norfolk goaltender made the big save.

The Admirals made their bid to put the game away on multiple occasions. Midway through the period, Jay Leach's long shot hit the cross bar. At 11:15, Norfolk took a penalty, giving the Sharks another power play. The Admirals made a bid for the game's second short handed goal when Stewart was sprung on a breakaway. He took a wrist shot 10 feet in front of the crease, but Greiss closed the pads for another clutch stop. A few minutes later, Smolenak had his second golden opportunity, but was robbed once again. With less than four minutes remaining in the period, Wanvig had an opportunity down the right wing side. He faked a high slap shot, baiting Greiss to the ice, but his shot hit the post, the Admirals' third post of the evening.

Wanvig eventually added an empty-net goal at 19:39 for the 4-2 win.

The Sharks look to turn things around when they return home to the DCU Center for nine of the next 10 games and 19 of the final 29. It all begins on Friday, Feb. 22, for a 3-in-3 weekend, with all three games on home ice. Friday's match up features Lowell, with Portland skating into town on Saturday and the Springfield Falcons wrapping up the weekend with an 8:05pm start on Sunday the 24th. To learn more about ticket packages and other promotions, crash the net at sharksahl.com or call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500.

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