Sharks inch closer to the playoffs with two wins this week

March 9, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Rewind the Tape:

3.4.09 - Worcester 1 - Hartford 3 - XL Center

Skating two men short, the Sharks dropped a 3-1 decision to the Wolf Pack in Hartford on Wednesday. The Sharks played well, outshooting the Wolf Pack 35-29 in the contest. Derek Joslin scored a power play goal for the Sharks and Thomas Greiss made 26 saves in net. Artem Anisimov (2-1-3) and P.A. Parenteau (0-3-3) each had three points and Matt Zaba made 34 saves in net for Hartford.

3.6.09 - Worcester 4 - Philadelphia 1 - DCU Center

In one of the best overall team efforts of the season, rookie Matt Fornataro scored two goals and added an assist while Riley Armstrong recorded his 20th goal of the season as the Sharks defeated the Phantoms 4-1 on Friday night. Tom Cavanagh (1-1-2) and Jason Demers (0-2-2) each tallied two points and Taylor Dakers made 24 solid saves in net for his 10th victory of the season. The Sharks outshot the Phantoms 35-25.

3.7.09 - Worcester 4 - Albany 1 - DCU Center

Rookie tough guy Frazer McLaren scored two goals and picked up his team leading 18th fighting major penalty of the season to lead the Sharks to a 4-1 victory over the River Rats on Saturday. Dan DaSilva scored his first goal in a Sharks uniform and added two assists and Trent Campbell had two assists. Matt Fornataro notched his 9th goal of the season and Taylor Dakers made 31 saves for his second straight victory.

3.8.09 - Worcester 3 - Manchester 4 - DCU Center

With 4th place within in reach, the Sharks lost a see-saw battle to the Monarchs on Sunday afternoon 4-3. The Sharks led 1-0 and 3-2 but the Monarchs scored the final two late in the 2nd period and held on the rest of the way. Frazer McLaren picked up his third goal in two games, while Tom Cavanagh and Riley Armstrong also found the back of the net. Taylor Dakers made 38 saves in his third start in three days. The Sharks penalty kill allowed two goals for the first time since February 9th in Providence.

Sharks in the Atlantic...

The Sharks (32-27-1-2) swim in 5th place in the Atlantic Division with 67 points, nine points behind the first place Providence Bruins and Hartford Wolf Pack. Worcester is just two points behind the Pirates for 4th place and five points behind the Monarchs for 3rd. The Sharks have two games in hand over Manchester, Hartford, and Providence. The 6th place Devils are three points behind Sharks in a very choppy Atlantic Division.

Shark Bites:

*The Sharks play three of their next four games at the DCU Center while boasting a 20-11-0-1 record at home this season.

*The Sharks have scored the 3rd most shorthanded goals in the AHL with 11, but have allowed the 3rd most against with 11.

*Sharks Captain Ryan Vesce is currently 7th in the AHL in points with 64 (20-44-64) and tops in overtime goals (4) and game winning goals (8). Vesce ranks 3rd with 44 assists.

*Rookie Matt Fornataro is riding a three game point streak (3-2-5).

*T.J. Fox has five points in his last five games (1-4-5).

*Dan DaSilva has points in his last two games (1-3-4).

* Sharks forward Riley Armstrong hit the 20 goal plateau for the 1st time in his career on Friday vs. the Phantoms and netted #21 on Sunday against the Monarchs on Sunday

*Rookie Frazer McLaren is riding a two game goal streak (3-0-0) and is 3rd among AHL rookies with 18 fighting major penalties and 4th in pims (142).

*Lukas Kaspar has shined offensively in Worcester, as he has 25 points in his last 24 games (9-15-24).

*The Sharks have set a franchise record with 69 fighting major penalties this season through 63 games. 16 different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (18), Brett Westgarth (13), Mike Moore (9), Brad Staubitz (10), Jason Demers (2), Andrew Desjardins (4), Jamie McGinn (2), James McEwan (2), Tom Cavanagh, Dan DaSilva, Kyle McLaren, Brendan Buckley (2), TJ Fox, Cory Larose, Matt Jones and Riley Armstrong. The Sharks had 68 fighting majors last season and 54 in 2007-08.

*Worcester has been outscored 49-71 in the first period but have outscored their opponents in the second period (62-56) and the third period (64-56).

*Patrick Traverse is 15th in the AHL defenseman scoring race with 32 points (7-25-32). Traverse is currently having the best offensive season in his 15th professional season.

*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.46) and 3rd in shots against per game (26.70).

*The Sharks have the 4th best winning percentage (.727) in the AHL in games that are decided after regulation. Worcester is 6-1 in overtime and 2-2 in the shootout.

*The Sharks have scored the first goal of the game in 28 of their 63 games and are 21-6-0-1 when scoring the first tally of the game. (.768)

Roster Moves:

3/3 The San Jose Sharks recalled Lukas Kaspar and Brad Staubitz from Worcester.

3/3 The Worcester Sharks recalled forward Dan DaSilva from Phoenix (ECHL).

3/4 The San Jose Sharks recalled Jamie McGinn and loaned Lukas Kaspar back to Worcester.

3/5 The Worcester Sharks signed forward Trent Campbell to a PTO from South Carolina (ECHL).

3/5 The San Jose Sharks recalled goaltender Thomas Greiss from Worcester.

3/5 The Worcester Sharks recalled goaltender Kyle Jones from Phoenix (ECHL).

Top Sharks:

o Goals Armstrong (21)

o Game Winners Vesce (8)

o Assists Vesce (44)

o Points Vesce (64)

o Power play Points Vesce (4-15-19)

o Shots Vesce (178)

o PIM F. McLaren (142)

o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (18)

o Plus/Minus Moore (+16)

o Wins Greiss (18)

o G.A.A. Greiss (2.71)

o Save % Dakers (901)

o Shutouts Dakers (1)

Coming Up:

The Worcester Sharks play three of their four games this week at the DCU Center in Worcester.

On Wednesday, the Sharks host the Binghamton Senators at 7:05 p.m. on "Dollar Dog" Wednesday.

On Friday, the Sharks host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m. on College Night. The first 1,000 fans 18-years-old and over will receive a Massachusetts lottery scratch ticket. All student tickets are just $9 and the game will also be shown live on Charter TV-3!

On Saturday, the Sharks travel to Manchester for a 7:00 p.m. tilt against the Monarchs.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 4:05 p.m. as Jennette McCurdy from iCarly will sign autographs! Find out how you can get a V.I.P bracelet by calling the Sharks office. Grab your Papa Gino's Family Value ticket package today.... Four gold level tickets and a rustic Papa Gino's cheese pizza for only $12 per person!

The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now! Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, 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 March 9, 2009


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