Sharks Get Shutout 2-0 by Hellebuyck and the IceCaps
February 28, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
Worcester MA- The Worcester Sharks (30-18-4-2, 66pts) were shutout 2-0 by the St. John's IceCaps (27-24-3-2, 62pts) in front of 4,602 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday evening. Patriots' Running Back and Super Bowl Champion, #35 Jonas Gray, was in attendance for the ceremonial puck-drop and autograph signings.
St. John's rookie goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had an outstanding game, as he picked up his sixth shutout and 25th win of the season, stopping a Sharks' season-high 50 shots on goal. IceCaps' forwards Jason Laffray (1-1-0, E) and Chase Balisy (1-0-1, E) scored the only goals of the night. Worcester's record falls to 3-2-1-0 against St. John's this season. The Sharks went 7-2-1-0 in the month of February as their four game win streak and seven game point streak came to an end in the loss.
At 10:35 of the first period, Sharks forward Jimmy Bonneau was tossed after receiving a major penalty for elbowing and a game misconduct; that's the second night in-a-row Bonneau received a game misconduct. St. John's kicked off the scoring at 14:01 when left winger Jason Jaffray (6th) slung one from the right circle on a power play, finding the back of the net, which beat Worcester's goaltender Troy Grosenick to give the IceCaps a 1-0 lead. St. John's, still on a power play, struck again just 38 seconds later when forward Chase Balisy (14th) snuck the puck in the net down close after a feed from Scott Kosmachuk, giving the IceCaps a two-goal advantage. Despite outshooting St. John's 11-8, Worcester trailed 2-0 through twenty minutes.
Worcester had 21 shots on goal to St. John's 10 in the second frame and a power play opportunity, but the white and teal failed to light up the lamp. Grosenick stopped all 10 shots he saw as IceCaps' netminder Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves to preserve the St. John's 2-0 lead going into the second intermission.
No goals were scored in the third period as Hellebuyck continued to shine with 18 saves in the frame to bring his total to 50 for the night. Final shots were 50 for Worcester to St. John's 22, but the IceCaps took the 2-0 victory.
The Sharks overall record falls to 30-18-4-2, 66pts and 17-8-2-1, 37pts at the DCU Center this season.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Jason Jaffray (GW) (1-0-1, E) 2nd star: Chase Balisy (1-0-1, E) 1st star: Connor Hellebuyck (50 saves, 25th win, 6th shutout) ... Final shots were 50-22 in favor of Worcester... Connor Hellebuyck made 50 saves on 50 shots for St. John's ...Troy Grosenick made 20 saves on 22 shots for Worcester to snap his seven game win streak in net...St. John's went 2-for-6 on the power play, while Worcester went 0-for-3 ...Abeltshauser, Tarasov, Langlois, Crane and Emanuelsson did not dress for the Sharks - before the game forward Chris Tierney was loaned to Worcester from the SJ Sharks and is expected to be available for Sunday afternoon's game in Manchester ...Sharks' Jimmy Bonneau was tossed in the first period for the second consecutive night after receiving an elbowing major and a game misconduct... Sharks 50 shots is season-high (48 shots first game of season)... The Sharks are 17-10-2-1 against divisional opponents this season... Worcester's first loss at the DCU Center since January 23rd against the Albany Devils... Sharks went 7-2-1-0 in February.
COMING UP :
On Sunday, the Sharks close out the 3-in-3 weekend with a 3pm start in Manchester.
Listen to the game live on WTAG Worcester or watch online for a small fee at www.AHLLive.com .
Worcester celebrates 20 years of AHL hockey!
The 2014-15 season marks the 20th season of AHL action at the DCU Center in the city of Worcester. Over 3.8 million fans have attended either an IceCats (11 seasons) or Sharks (9th season) game in downtown Worcester since 1994.
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