Sharks Get Ready for Home Opener After Swimming Away from Norfolk

October 15, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


The Worcester Sharks (0-1-0-1, 1pt) chomped one out of a possible four points in two games last week in Norfolk, VA to open up the 2012-13 regular season. The Sharks dropped a 4-2 decision in Norfolk on Friday (2 goals by Sebastian Stalberg) and grabbed a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Admirals on Saturday (3rd period tying goal by Matt Tennyson).

The Worcester Sharks player of the week nominee is center James Sheppard. James assisted on both of the Sharks goals on Friday and scored his first career AHL goal in Norfolk on Saturday. In two games last week; Sheppard scored a goal, added two assists, fired four shots, and finished +1 to lead the way offensively for Worcester in their opening weekend on the road.

Few things to know....

- The Sharks are currently in 9th place in the Eastern Conference (0-1-0-1, 1pt)

- The goal scored by James Sheppard on Saturday night in Norfolk was his first career goal in the AHL in six games played. Sheppard has 11 goals in the NHL in 224 games with the Minnesota Wild.

- Coach Roy Sommer currently ranks 4th in the AHL with 509 wins in his career (15th season).

- Freddie Hamilton and Travis Oleksuk each made their professional debuts with the Sharks this past weekend.

- Worcester travels to Lewiston, ME on Friday at 7pm to battle the Pirates before returning home to host the Albany Devils on Saturday at 7pm for the Sharks home opener at the DCU Center.

Top 3... Last Week!

1. Rookie forward Sebastian Stalberg scored twice and was the #3 star in the Sharks 4-2 loss to the Admirals on Friday!

2. Rookie defenseman Matt Tennyson tied the score midway through the third period for his first marker of the season in the Sharks 4-3 shootout loss in Norfolk on Saturday!

3. Defenseman Matt Irwin picked up two assists, fired five shots, and was +3 in the Sharks 4-3 shootout loss in Norfolk on Saturday!

Last Week: (0-1-0-1) 1pts, 2gp

Fri., 10/12 L Worcester SHARKS 2 @ Norfolk Admirals 4

Sat. 10/13 SOL Worcester SHARKS 3 @ Norfolk Admirals 4

This week:

Fri. 10/19 Worcester SHARKS @ Portland Pirates - 7:00pm (game in Lewiston, ME)

Sat. 10/20 Albany Devils @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:00pm

Rewind the Tape:

10.12.12 - Worcester 2 - Norfolk 4 - L - Norfolk Scope Arena

Rookie Sebastian Stalberg scored twice for the Sharks in the second period, but it wasn't enough as the Sharks fell 4-2 to the defending Calder Cup champion Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope Arena on in the regular season opener on Friday night. Alex Stalock made 21 saves in goal in the loss and James Sheppard added two assists as Worcester dropped to 4-2-0-1 in seven career season openers (all on the road).

10.13.12 - Worcester 3 -Norfolk 4 - SOL - Norfolk Scope Arena

The Sharks outshot the Admirals 45-29 but Worcester fell 4-3 in the shootout to the defending Calder Cup champion Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope Arena on Saturday night. Harri Sateri made 25 saves in goal in the shootout loss and James Sheppard scored his first career AHL goal for Worcester. Yanni Gourde grabbed his first goal of the season, Matt Tennyson tied the score late in the third period, and Matt Irwin added two assists in the loss.

Sharks in the Atlantic: The Sharks are swimming in 3rd place with 1 point (0-1-0-1) in the Atlantic Division through 2 games, which is 3 points behind the first place Manchester Monarchs (4pts in 2gp), one point behind the 2nd place St. John's IceCaps (2pts in 2gp), and 1 point ahead of the 4th place Portland Pirates (0pts in 1gp) and the 5th place Providence Bruins (0pts in 2gp) to round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

Coaching Milestones....

*1000 GAMES... With the 3-1 victory at Springfield on January 14, 2011, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 1,000 games plateau.

*500 WINS!.... With a 3-2 shootout victory in Hershey on February 11, 2012, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 500 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 1981-2010 16seasons 1,125GP 589 WINS

4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 15seasons 1,118GP 509 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 (15th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record is now: 509-467 -49 -47-46. (W-L-T-OTL-SOL)

*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, Associate Coach David Cunniff recorded an assist as a member of the River Rats in the hockey game.

*Associate Coach David Cunniff has joined Coach Sommer in 355 of the 509 victories (70%).

*ECHL... Coach Sommer also has 176 wins in the ECHL coaching in five seasons with Roanoke Valley and Richmond.

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2012-13 season: John McCarthy was named the Sharks 5th captain in team history on October 11, 2012. Alternate captains for this season: Home: Danny Groulx and Bracken Kearns. Away: Matt Pelech and Tim Kennedy.

*From east to west..... The Worcester Sharks had 9 players (11 call-ups) receive at least one call up to the San Jose Sharks last season. Overall the Worcester Sharks have had 39 different players receive at least one call up to the San Jose Sharks over the last six seasons.

*Season Openers... the Sharks fell to to 4-2-0-1 in season openers after their 4-2 loss in Norfolk on Friday.

*Score first... the Sharks scored FIRST 39 times in 80 games last season (29-8-1-1); but have yet to score first in two games this year.

*Let's break this streak... the Sharks are 0-7-0-3 in their last ten road games dating back to the end of last season.

*First goal of the season goes to... Sebastian Stalberg scored the first Worcester Sharks goal of the season on Friday at Norfolk, joining: Mathieu Darche in 2006, Graham Mink in 2007, Cory Larose in 2008, Andrew Desjardins in 2009, Jonathan Cheechoo in 2010, and Curt Gogol in 2011.

*Starting Goalies... Alex Stalock allowed three goals on 24 shots on Friday at Norfolk to kick off the 2012-13 season. Past starting goaltenders on opening night include; Dmitri Patzold 3GA in 2006, Thomas Greiss 2GA in 2007, Thomas Greiss 5GA in 2008, Alex Stalock 2GA in 2009, Alex Stalock 5GA in 2010, and Tyson Sexsmith 3GA in 2011.

*Pro Debuts: Two players made their professional debuts in the Sharks 4-2 loss in Norfolk on Friday;

Freddie Hamilton and Travis Oleksuk.

*4 National Champions... The Sharks have four players that have won the NCAA Division 1 Championship.... Travis Oleksuk with University Minnesota Duluth in 2011... John McCarthy was co-captain for Boston University in 2009... Nick Petrecki with Boston College in 2008... and Tim Kennedy with Michigan State in 2007.

*Young Guns... the Sharks dressed five rookies in the season opener on Friday in Norfolk. (Yanni Gourde, Travis Oleksuk, Sebastian Stalberg, Matt Tennyson, and Freddie Hamilton )

*Breaking down October... The Sharks are 0-1-0-1 (1pt in 2gp) record in October with 5 GF and 8 GA. PP is 1-8 (12.5%), opponents PP is 1-for-8 (12.5%), and the Sharks have two fighting majors in October.

*OT? The Worcester Sharks finished 12th in the AHL with 18 games (23.6%) that went into overtime in 2012-13. The Sharks finished 4-4 in OT and 2-8 in the shootout. In 2012-13, the Sharks are 0-1 in the shootout.

*Leaders among us... James Sheppard (1-2-3) and Matt Irwin (0-3-3) are tied for 6th in the AHL with three points... Sebastian Stalberg is tied for first among AHL rookies with two goals... Matt Tennyson leads all AHL defensemen with 10 shots on goal and tied for first among AHL defensemen with a +4... Matt Irwin is tied for 2nd in AHL among defenseman with three points (0-3-3).

*PP Specialist...Matt Irwin's 15 career power-play goals have put him in good position to set some team records, but he is not there yet. He tied the record for most power-play goals in a season by a Sharks defenseman with nine in 2011-12, also done by Garrett Stafford in 2006-07. The career record is 16, done by Derek Joslin.

*Tallest Shark.... Worcester Sharks rookie defenseman Taylor Doherty is the tallest player in team history standing at 6'7" 235lbs.

*First Pro Goals this season... still waiting!

*Great first impression... Sebastian Stalberg became just the 6th Sharks player to score in his professional debut in 2011-12 joining Joe Pavelski, Nate Raduns, Tony Lucia, Cam MacIntyre, and Curt Gogol (Thanks Bill Ballou, Worcester TG)

*Sharks in the Atlantic... Worcester went 15-21-3-5 in the Atlantic Division in 2011-12 and has yet to play any divisional games in 2012-13.

*20 goal scorers?... The Sharks have four players that have scored at least 20+ goals in a season in the AHL... John McCarthy scored 20 goals last year for Worcester, Jon Matsumoto has score 20+ goals in AHL in each of the last five seasons, Bracken Kearns has scored 20+ goals in each of the last two seasons, and Brandon Mashinter scored 22 goals with Worcester in 2009-10.

*These Sharks have teeth Take 2?.... Worcester finished 1st in the AHL in penalty minutes averaging 21.32 penalty minutes per game and were 1st with 120 fighting major penalties in 2011-12. Worcester ranks 17th this season with 17.00 penalty minutes per game this season.

*Welcome back Groulx... Defensemen Danny Groulx is back with the Sharks after spending the last two seasons in the KHL. With Worcester in 2009-10, Groulx was named the Best Defensemen in the AHL (Eddie Shore Award) and First Team AHL All-Star as he racked up 66 points (14-52-55) in 80 games.

*Sherriff McLaren... Sharks tough guy Frazer McLaren ranks 1st all-time in Worcester Sharks history with 490 penalty minutes (47 FM) in 193 games.

*Massachusetts!... the Sharks have one player that hails from Massachusetts that suited up for the team this season (John McCarthy - Andover) In addition, associate coach David Cunniff hails from South Boston.

*Hockey East Alumni!... the Worcester Sharks had five players from Hockey East Schools (Irwin - UMass-Amherst, McCarthy - BU, Reid - NU, Petrecki - BC, Stalberg - Vermont)

*Young Guns... the Sharks have dressed 5 rookies already this season. (Travis Oleksuk, Sebastian Stalberg, Matt Tennyson, Freddie Hamilton, and Yanni Gourde)

*I'll take a draft... Eight Worcester Sharks players were drafted by the San Jose Sharks. (McLaren, Hamilton, Stalock, Doherty, McCarthy, Petrecki, Sateri, and Viedensky,)

*NHL Experience.... The Sharks have nine players on their roster with NHL experience led by James Sheppard with 224.... Breaking down the rest....Tim Kennedy 112, John McCarthy 51, Frazer McLaren 39, Jon Matsumoto 14, Bracken Kearns 5, Matt Pelech 5, Brandon Mashinter 13, and Alex Stalock 1.

*Franchise player?... Sharks forward Brandon Mashinter ranks in the top 10 in many of the Worcester Sharks all-time records.... Mash ranks 4th all time in goals (52), 5th in games played (208), 8th in points (103), 8th in penalty minutes (282) and 4th in fighting majors with 30.... Brandon is also the only Sharks player to record two seasons of double digits in goals and fighting major penalties (2009-10 and 2010-11).

*First Rounders... the Sharks have three players that were drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft... James Sheppard was the 9th overall pick by Minnesota in 2006, Matt Pelech was the 26th overall pick by Calgary in 2005, and Nick Petrecki was the 28th pick overall by San Jose in 2007.

*Closing in on Greiss.... Sharks netminder Alex Stalock has 59 career wins with Worcester, trailing only Thomas Greiss (74) for the most in franchise history.

*200 games... Sharks defensemen Nick Petrecki is tied for 7th in Sharks history with 202 games played... Nick also ranks 5th in penalty minutes with 344.

*Younger Brother... Sebastian Stalberg joined Worcester on March 15, 2012 after he signed an NHL contract with San Jose and finished his junior season at the University of Vermont. Sebastian is the younger brother of Viktor Stalberg, who currently plays with the Chicago Blackhawks. Sebastian has recorded seven points (5-2-7) in 15 career games with Worcester. The native of Gothenburg, Sweden finished with 27 goals in 106 games with Vermont.

*Older Brother... Sharks forward Freddie Hamilton made his professional debut with the Sharks on Friday in Norfolk. Freddie recorded 86 points (35-51-86) with Niagara (OHL) in 61 games last season. Freddie is the older brother of the Dougie Hamilton who was drafted by the Boston Bruins with the 9th pick overall in 2011. Dougie is currently still playing in Niagara.

*Like Father, Like Son... Rookie Curt Gogol finished 3rd on the Sharks with 167 penalty minutes and 2nd with 19 fighting majors through 53 games in 2011-12... his father Brent racked up 892 penalty minutes in 157 professional games in the IHL, CHL, EHL, and the AHL including 380 pims in 1978-79 in 57 games with the Flint Generals.

*Major Bonneau... Worcester Sharks tough guy Jimmy Bonneau racked up 22 fighting majors in 54 games in 2011-12 for the Sharks. Bonneau has set the Worcester Sharks record for most fighting majors in a season surpassing Frazer McLaren (21 in 2008-09). Jimmy has 92 fighting majors in 241 AHL games along with 721 penalty minutes.... Jimmy has yet to suit up in 2012-13 as he is serving an eight game AHL suspension.

*Acolatse can throw... Worcester Sharks rookie defenseman Sena Acolatse has been quite impressive in his first seven professional hockey fights this season. The 5-11, 205 pounder and native of Hayward, CA native fought Richard Clune, Brett Hextall, Dane Byers, Stephane Veilleux, Andre Deveaux, J.D. Watt, and Garth Murray in 2011-12. Sena led the Prince George Cougars in WHL with 15 fighting majors in 66 games in 2010-11, and also added 15 goals. Acolatse added eight goals from the blue line for Worcester in 2011-12.

*Five for fighting...The Sharks finished with 120 fighting majors in 2011-12 (franchise record) good for 1st in the AHL... this season, the Sharks have two fighting majors through two games (Pelech 1, Kearns 1). The Sharks had 81 fighting majors in 2010-11, 73 fighting majors in 2009-10, 78 fighting majors in 2008-09, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

Season by the numbers...

Record: 0-1-0-1, 1 point - 3rd in Atlantic

Win percentage: .250% - 20th in AHL

Home Record: 0-0-0-0

Away Record: 0-1-0-1

Attendance:

Goals Scored: 5, 2.50 goals per game, 17th in AHL

Goals Allowed: 8, 4.00 goals against per game, 24th in AHL

Shots per game: 33.00 -11th in AHL

Shots allowed per game: 27.00 - 14th in AHL

Score 1st: 0-0-0-0 when scoring first (.000%)

1 goal games: 0-0-0-1 in one goal games

PP: 12.5%, 18th in AHL (1-8)

PK: 87.5%, 11th in AHL (1-8)

SHG - 0 shorthanded goals scored

SHGA - 0 shorthanded goals allowed

PIMS - 17.00 penalty minutes per game, 17th in AHL

Fighting Majors: 2- 4th in AHL

OT Games - 1 - (0-0 record in OT)

SO Games - 1 - (0-1 record in SO)

Roster Players - the Sharks have used 21 players this season

Goalies - the Sharks have used 2 goaltenders this season

Players receiving call-ups to San Jose - 0

NHL debuts - 0 Worcester players made their NHL debuts this season

Call-ups to San Jose - 0 different call-ups to San Jose this season

Coming and goings from the Shark Tank:

No transactions this week.

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Stalberg (2)

o Game Winners

o Assists Irwin (3)

o Points Sheppard (1-2-3) and Irwin (0-3-3)

o Power play Points several tied at 1

o Shots Tennyson (10 shots)

o PIM Kearns (9)

o Fighting Pen. Kearns and Pelech (1)

o Plus/Minus Tennyson (+4)

o Wins

o G.A.A. Sateri (2.77)

o Save % Sateri (.893)

o Shutouts

Sharks in the ECHL:

The San Francisco Bulls are 1-1-0-0 (2pts in 2gp) and currently in a five team tie for first place with Las Vegas, Stockton, Ontario, and Bakersfield in the Pacific Division.

Sharks players under an AHL contract currently playing in Bakersfield include:

D Mikael Tam - (0-0-0pts) in 2gp

G Taylor Nelson (1-0-0 record) with a 5.00 GAA and a .762 save %

G Thomas Heemskerk (0-1-0 record) with a 4.05 GAA and a .886 save %

Week ahead for the Bulls:

Wed. Oct 17 at 10pm (EST) at Ontario

Fri. Oct 19 at 10pm (EST) at Bakersfield

Sat. Oct 20 at 10pm (EST) at Bakersfield

Coming Up for the Worcester Sharks:

On Friday, the Sharks travel to Lewiston, ME on at 7pm to face the Portland Pirates to close out a three game road trip to start the season.

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Albany Devils at 7pm on OPENING NIGHT at the DCU CENTER! The festivities for the Sharks "Fire and Ice" home opener kicks off at 6pm with a party on the DCU Center plaza with three large Shark themed ice sculptures and fire performers. Enjoy a live performance by the McCoy's Action Karate group in the lobby before the game.

Everyone in attendance will receive a Worcester Sharks magnet schedule and will be entered to win a chance to be the Sharks honorary 1,000,000th fan at a game later in October.

The Worcester Junior Sharks will be on ice to welcome the Worcester Sharks players with a pyrotechnics display during the opening night introductions. This will be your first chance to see the Sharks new home jerseys for the 2012-13 season!

The puck is set to drop at 7:00p.m. against Marlborough's Bobby Butler and the Albany Devils, and it will be your first opportunity to see the entire Worcester Sharks hockey team and welcome back Brandon Mashinter, Alex Stalock, John McCarthy, Nick Petrecki, Danny Groulx, and many others!

For a limited time leading up to opening night, a special Buy-1, Get-1 Free offer (BOGO) may be purchased via Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 and by going online at www.ticketmaster.com. Season ticket packages are also available by calling the Sharks front office at 508-929-0500. Save up to 45% off box office prices and receive exclusive season ticket holder benefits!

In addition, 2012-13 Flex ticket packages are on sale now! Score your 40 or 10 ticket flex package by contacting the Worcester Sharks front office at 508-929-0500. You decide how many tickets and how many games YOU want to attend while saving $$$ off box office pricing! It is that EASY!

Bring a group to sing the national anthem, book a fundraising event, host a birthday party, or have a blast in the high fin tunnel.... secure your personalized Sharks experience today!

Contact Worcester Sharks ticket representatives Jason Jones, Jonathan Forsberg, Kristyn Galante, Sarah Farley, and Ben Masse as they are taking deposits for the Sharks 7th season in Worcester! Jump in today and save up to 45% off box office prices! Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

- Guaranteed same seat for all 38 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center

- Priority access to purchase tickets to other DCU Center events (subject to availability)

- Seven FREE friends and family vouchers

- Exclusive events with Sharks players

- Merchandise discounts and much, much, more!

Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com .

Socialize with the Worcester Sharks all year long! Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorcesterSharks, follow us on Twitter @WorcesterSharks, and download the Worcester Sharks App for free on your Droid or iPhone today!

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 October 15, 2012


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