Sharks Hold First Period Lead to Top Providence 2-1

October 17, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Providence, RI - The Worcester Sharks (2-0-0-0, 4pts) carried an early first period lead throughout the game to defeat the Providence Bruins (1-2-0-0, 2pts) by a 2-1 score in front of 8,311 fans at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Friday evening. The two teams will battle again at the DCU Center in the Sharks home opener on Saturday at 7pm.

Petter Emanuelsson (2-0-2) accounted for both Worcester goals, tallying his first two goals in North America to lead the Sharks to their second win of the season in their second game. The first came at 3:50, with help by James Sheppard (0-1-1) and Rylan Schwartz (0-2-2). Providence responded with a tying goal by Justin Florek (1-0-1) at 9:41, but Emanuelsson returned Worcester's lead with the game decider at 17:14 before the opening frame closed out. Worcester tender Troy Grosenick was outstanding in net, making 33 crucial saves on 34 of Providence's shots in the wining effort. Bruins' netminder Malcolm Subban pushed aside 30 of the Sharks' 32 shots on goal.

Worcester came out buzzing in the first period as the Sharks grabbed a 1-0 lead at 3:50. Petter Emanuelsson (1st) scored his first goal in North America after James Sheppard passed the puck to him from behind the Bruins net. The Bruins tied the score at 9:14 as Justin Florek (1st) finished off a 2-on-1 past Troy Grosenick as the Bruins picked up some momentum. Emanuelsson (2nd) struck again at 17:14 after James Sheppard created a turnover and Rylan Schwartz intercepted a clearing attempt and found Petter again to put Worcester ahead 2-1. Worcester outshot Providence 13-18 through 20 minutes.

The middle frame made up for some action on each end, with the Sharks registering nine shots and the Bruins posting 12, but steady goaltending kept the period action-less on the scoreboard. The Sharks were led in shots by Ryan Carpenter and Bryan Lerg, who had two-a-piece, but Subban's consistency kept the Bruins to a one-goal deficit. Grosenick too kept solid between the pipes, preventing Providence from evening the game after 40 minutes of play. The Bruins' third period rallying attempt fell short, despite a 6-on-4 man-advantage as the clock wound down in the final two minutes of the tilt. Grosenick was tested late and peppered with shots by the Bruins' offense, but was able to hold the lead for Worcester by blocking all 14 of Providence's attempts. Malcolm Subban kept the Sharks off the board as well, pushing away all 10 Worcester chances, and leaving Emanuelsson's early goals as the only two on the board in the Sharks' win. The Sharks overall record improves to 2-0-0-0, 4pts and 2-0-0-0, 4pts on the road.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Malcolm Subban (30 Saves) 2nd star: Troy Grosenick (33 Saves, Win) 1st star: Petter Emanuelsson (2-0-2) ...Final shots were 34-32 in favor of Providence...Malcolm Subban made 30 saves on 32 shots for Providence.... Troy Grosenick made 33 saves on 34 shots for Worcester.... Worcester went 0-for-3 on the power play while Providence went 0-for-4... Jimmy Bonneau, Melker Karlsson (inj), Gus Young, and Chris Crane did not dress for Worcester... before the game forward Derek DeBlois was released from his PTO....Emanuelsson tallied his first and second goals in North American hockey... Rylan Schwartz (0-2-2) also had a multi-point game...James Sheppard (0-1-1) fired two shots and wore #40 as he was assigned from San Jose on a conditioning assignment.

Coming up... The Sharks return home on Saturday, Oct 18 to kick off the 20th season of AHL hockey in Worcester at the DCU Center with a 7pm face-off vs. the Bruins! Score a magnet schedule, enjoy a pregame fan fest on the Plaza beginning at 5:30pm, and help us celebrate 20 years of AHL hockey in Worcester! Call 508-929-0500 to score your tickets!



American Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2014


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.

OurSports Central