Sharks Get Busy After Holiday Break
Published on December 21, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Top 3!
#1 John McCarthy scores highlight reel goal to tie the score in first period vs. Manchester.
#2 Ryan Vesce scores and adds an assist in 3-1 win over the Monarchs on Friday.
#3 Alex Stalock takes #3 star with 24 saves in 3-1 win over Manchester.
Last Week: (1-1-0-0) 2pts, 2gp
Fri. 12/18 W Manchester Monarchs 1 @ Worcester SHARKS 3 - DCU Center
Sat. 12/19 L Adirondack Phantoms 4 @ Worcester SHARKS 3 - DCU Center
Next Week:
Sat. 12/26 Springfield Falcons @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.
Sun. 12/27 Lowell Devils @ Worcester SHARKS - 3:05 p.m.
Rewind the Tape:
12.18.09 - Worcester 3 - Manchester 1 -DCU Center
Ryan Vesce had a goal and an assist while Alex Stalock made 24 saves in net as the Sharks defeated the first place Monarchs 3-1 at the DCU Center on Friday night. John McCarthy scored a highlight reel goal to tie the game in the first period and Steven Zalewski added an insurance goal midway in the third period. Logan Couture pitched in with two assists and Worcester outshot the Monarchs 37-25.
12.19.09 - Worcester 3 - Adirondack 4 -DCU Center
The Sharks blew an early 3-1 lead as the Phantoms came back to haunt the Sharks 4-3 at the DCU Center on Saturday night. John McCarthy, Brandon Mashinter, and Ryan Vesce gave the Sharks a 3-1 lead 12:05 into the 2nd period but the Phantoms scored three straight for the victory. Worcester went 0-for-7 on the power play and outshot the Phantoms 39-29. Alex Stalock made 25 saves in net as the Sharks lost at home for the first time since November 18th.
Sharks in the Atlantic:
The Sharks are currently swimming in 5th place with 34 points (16-12-0-2) in the Atlantic Division through 30 games trailing the first place Manchester Monarchs by 11 points. The Sharks trail the 2nd place Devils and Sound Tiger by five points and the 4th place Pirates by three points. The Wolf Pack are tied with Worcester in 5th place leading the 7th place Bruins by just one point. The Falcons sit in 8th place with 27 points to round out the eight team division in a very choppy Atlantic Division. The Sharks have played the fewest games in the division with five fewer games played than Bridgeport and three fewer than the 4th place Pirates.
400 WINS!
*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1st, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 400 win plateau.
AHL COACHING WINS - ALL-TIME
1. Fred "Bun" Cook 1937-56 19seasons 1,171GP 636 WINS
2. Frank Mathers 1956-85 18seasons 1,256GP 610 WINS
3. John Paddock 1981-2009 15seasons 1,107GP 585 WINS
4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 12th season 910GP 409 WINS
*Worcester Sharks Head Coach Roy Sommer, who plays a major role in developing players for the San Jose Sharks, is currently the longest-tenured coach (12th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 409-389-54-58.
*In Coach Sommer's first AHL victory.... The Kentucky Thoroughblades defeated the Albany River Rats 6-4 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on October 17th 1998. Coincidentally, Assistant Coach David Cunniff recorded an assist as a member of the River Rats in the hockey game.
*Assistant Coach David Cunniff has joined Coach Sommer in 252 of the 409 victories (62%).
Shark Bites:
*Captains for the 2009-10 season: Captain Ryan Vesce (2nd year), Assistant Captains Derek Joslin (2nd year) and Mike Moore (1st year).... T.J. Trevelyan, Joe Callahan, Steven Zalewski, Frazer McLaren, and Dwight Helminen have also worn the "A" on their jerseys.
*From east to west..... The Sharks already have TEN players that heave seen action to both the AHL and NHL this season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, and Demers). The Sharks had 11 players accomplish that feat last season. Logan Couture, Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero, Jason Demers, and Frazer McLaren have each recorded their first NHL goals this season. Jason Demers, Frazer McLaren, Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell are all currently (Dec 21) on recall to San Jose. The Worcester Sharks have had 36 CALL-UPS this season to San Jose.
*You always remember your first..... Dennis McCauley (10/10), John McCarthy (10/9), Brandon Mashinter (10/9), Logan Couture (10/10), and Dean Strong (10/30) have all scored their first professional regular season goals this season.
*Firsts this Week... the Sharks had EIGHT players in their lineup on Saturday vs. the Phantoms that have spent time in San Jose this season.
*Tale of TWO power plays.... The Sharks boost the BEST PP in the AHL on the road with a 22% clip (13-59). However, the Sharks have the 2nd WORST PP at home scoring at an 8.1% clip (6-74)... overall the Sharks are 19th in the AHL on the power play (14.3%).
*Sharks can't score in bunches.... The Sharks have not scored three goals in a period all season.
*First period advantage.... Worcester is outscoring their opponents 27-25 in the first period, but have been outscored 22-28 in the 2nd and 31-37 in the third period. The Sharks are 9-2-0-1 when leading after twenty minutes of play this season.
*OT Killers.... The Sharks are 2-0 in OT this season after going 7-1 last year in the overtime period.
*Young Guns....The average age of the Sharks roster is 23 which includes 13 rookies, five 2nd year players and two third year players. At the age of 28, Danny Groulx is the oldest while Nicholas Petrecki at 20 years old and five months is the youngest.
*Massachusetts... The Sharks have FIVE players born and raised in Massachusetts (John McCarthy - Andover, Corey Quirk - Brockton, Dennis McCauley - Billerica, Joe Callahan - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex)
*Streakers... Ryan Vesce has a FIVE game point streak (3-6-9).... Logan Couture has assists in THREE straight games (0-5-5)....John McCarthy has goals in TWO straight games (2-0-2)...Steven Zalewski has a TWO game point streak (1-1-2)....Benn Ferriero has a TWO game assist streak (0-2-2)... Alex Stalock has started FOUR straight games (2-2-0).
*Logan is the MAN... The Sharks have scored 60 goals in 18 games with Couture in the lineup (3.33 goals per game), but have scored just 23 goals in 12 games without him (1.91 goals per game).... Logan leads the AHL with SIX game winning goals in just 18 games played.
*Need to score 1st... Worcester is 11-2-0-1 in 14 games they have scored the first goal of the game... the Sharks are just 5-10-0-1 when allowing the first goal.
*Through 30 games.... The Sharks have the highest point total in franchise history through 30 games played...Worcester was 13-11-1-5 with 32 points in 2006-07, 13-12-3-2 with 31 points in 2007-08, 16-14-0-0 with 32 points in 2008-09, and 16-12-0-2 with 34 points in 2009-2010.
*All four years....Defenseman Derek Joslin is the only Sharks player to suit up in all four seasons in Worcester.... He is currently in San Jose.
*Can't score if you don't shoot.... The Sharks are 1st in the AHL with 35.57 shots per game.... Danny Groulx leads all AHL defensemen with 92 shots on goal... Worcester has outshot their opponents in NINE straight games.
*Keep it close... the Sharks are 11-3-0-2 in one-goal hockey games good for 24 of their 34 points... the sharks are 5-9-0-0 in games decided by two or more goals.... The Sharks lead the AHL with 11 one-goal victories with six of those coming on the road.
*Follow the leaders.... Danny Groulx is tied for 3rd in the AHL among d-men with 17 assists and 1st in shots with 92.... Logan Couture leads the AHL with 6 game winning goals and is 2nd in rookie scoring (9-16-23) and 3rd among rookies with nine goals scored in just 18 games played... Alex Stalock is 3rd in the AHL with 14 wins and 4th in minutes played (1362).
*Mr. Dependable.... Sharks defenseman Danny Groulx has played in 138 straight games... he dressed in all 80 games last season in Rockford.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 104 straight games for Worcester... Derek Joslin holds the record dressing in 114 straight Worcester Sharks games.
*Five for fighting...The Sharks have 27 fighting major penalties this season through 30 games... (Brandon Mashinter 7, Dennis McCauley 4, Frazer McLaren 4, Joe Loprieno 3, Nicholas Petrecki 4, John McCarthy 1, Mike Moore 1, Steven Zalewski 1, Joe Callahan 1, and Andrew Desjardins). The Sharks had 78 fighting majors last season, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.
Coming and goings from the shark tank:
12/20/2009
Frazer McLaren (LW)
Worcester
DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)
12/20/2009
Jamie McGinn (LW)
Worcester
DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)
12/20/2009
Mitch Versteeg (D)
Worcester
ADD Recalled from loan to Kalamazoo (ECHL)
12/20/2009
Ryan Nie (G)
Worcester
DEL Released from PTO
12/20/2009
Tyson Sexsmith (G)
Worcester
ADD Reassigned by San Jose (NHL) from Kalamazoo (ECHL)
12/20/2009
Will Colbert (D)
Worcester
DEL Returned on loan to Kalamazoo (ECHL)
12/18/2009
Frazer McLaren (LW)
Worcester
ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)
12/18/2009
Jamie McGinn (LW)
Worcester
ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)
12/17/2009
Derek Joslin (D)
Worcester
ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)
12/17/2009
Jason Demers (D)
Worcester
DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)
12/16/2009
Frazer McLaren (LW)
Worcester
DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)
12/16/2009
Jamie McGinn (LW)
Worcester
DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)
Top Worcester Sharks:
o Goals Couture (9)
o Game Winners Couture (6)
o Assists Groulx (17)
o Points Couture (9-16-25)
o Power play Points Couture (3-5-8)
o Shots Groulx (92)
o PIM McLaren (54)
o Fighting Pen. Mashinter (7)
o Plus/Minus McCarthy (+9)
o Wins Stalock (14)
o G.A.A. Stalock (2.42)
o Save % Stalock (.910)
o Shutouts Stalock (1)
Sharks in the Pacific:
The San Jose Sharks are 20-8-7 with 47 points this season and are currently tied for 1st place in the Pacific Division along with the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks have played two fewer games than the Kings
Derek Joslin has three assists in 20 games.... Frazer McLaren has three points (1-2-3) and six fighting majors (Dorsett, Carcillo, Parros, Jacques, Carkner and McGratton) in 17 games....Brad Staubitz has two goals and an assist along with 47 penalty minutes through 15 games.... Former Worcester Shark Devin Setoguchi has ten points (9-3-12) through 23 games... Torrey Mitchell has no points in nine games... Goaltender Thomas Greiss is 3-3-0 with 2.79 GAA and a.910 save%.
Sharks in the ECHL:
The Kalamazoo Wings are 16-7-3-0 with 35points this season in the ECHL and currently in first place in the North Division.
Matt Jones has 14 points (10-4-14) in 13 games.... Mitch Versteeg has eight points (1-7-8) and 40 penalty minutes in 25 games.... Louis Liotti has three points (0-3-3) in 12 games.... Tyson Sexsmith went 2-0-0 in two starts with a 2.50gaa and a.932 save %.
Coming Up:
On Friday, The Sharks wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
On Saturday, the Sharks host the Springfield Falcons at 7:05p.m! The first 1,000 kids 12-and-under will receive a Worcester Sharks Lunch Box! Purchase your Family Fun Pack today, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 sodas for only $65! Each addition person is just $16.25 per person. Student tickets are just $9 when purchased at the Box Office the day of the game with a student ID!
On Sunday, the Sharks host the Lowell Devils at 3:05p.m. Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino's! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket! With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino's locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.
Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:
* Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
* Significant savings off box office ticket prices
* Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)
Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by 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 December 21, 2009
- Week Twelve: You 'Kan' Do It - Syracuse Crunch
- Rats Set For Holiday Weekend - Albany River Rats
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- All-Star Classic Taking Shape - AHL
- River Rats Reassign Reid To Florida - Albany River Rats
- Ritola Recalled, Newbury Returns - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Moose Split Week 12 With Monsters - Manitoba Moose
- Puska on Pucks covers the hot topics a week before Christmas - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- First-Place Bulldogs Take On Rochester Following Christmas Break - Hamilton Bulldogs
- A 'Bear-Y' Great Community Weekend For The Abbotsford Heat - Abbotsford Heat
- 'Americans Express' And 'K-Hawk K-Bus To Launch In January - Rochester Americans
- Sharks Get Busy After Holiday Break - Worcester Sharks
- Bridgeport's Scott Munroe Named Reebok/AHL Player Of The Week - AHL
- Coyotes Sign Eriksson To Contract - San Antonio Rampage
- IceHogs Win One, Lose One In Week 12, Bickell Returned - Rockford IceHogs
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Connecticut Whale
- P-Bruins Trim Roster By Three - Providence Bruins
- Admirals Take Two Of Three Against East Division Rivals - Norfolk Admirals
- B-Sens Release Forward Tom Zanoski - Binghamton Senators
- B-Sens Weekly - Binghamton Senators
- Dallas Stars Call Up Vishnevskiy - Texas Stars
- Canadiens Recall Benoit Pouliot From Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Pirates Weekly - Portland Pirates
- Admirals Enter Holiday Break Hot - Milwaukee Admirals
- Monarchs Weekly Report - Manchester Monarchs
- Syracuse, Norfolk Visit This Weekend - Hershey Bears
- Heat Win Penalty-Filled Affair, 3-1, Over Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
