Sharks Leave No Doubt in Comprehensive 4-1 Victory

April 12, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER - The Worcester Sharks took a mulligan on the game's opening minute and proceeded to dominate the Lowell Devils, using goals from four different skaters to cruise to a 4-1 victory at the DCU Center on Saturday night.

The lone bright spot for the visitors came when Ryan Murphy opened the scoring on the game's first shot, which came just 33 seconds after the opening faceoff. Nicklas Bergfors fed Murphy from behind the Worcester net, and the winger one-timed the puck over the shoulder of Sharks netminder Taylor Dakers for his ninth goal of the season.

Looking to provide a spark after a slow offensive start, Sharks newcomer Mike Moore dropped the gloves with Devils winger Brad Mills at 10:34. Moore got off a handful of solid swings before tearing Mills to the ice. Worcester took advantage of the momentum when Dennis Packard tied the game just over three minutes later. Tom Cavanagh threaded a pass through the legs of Devils defenseman Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, and Packard in turn redirected the puck through the legs of Devils goaltender Jeff Frazee to tally his 11th goal of the season.

A roughing call on Brad Staubitz late in the period left the Sharks shorthanded to start the middle frame, but Worcester's penalty kill was more than up to the task. The Sharks not only killed off the penalty, but turned the game on its head when Craig Valette broke cleanly into the Devils zone and beat Frazee to the low stick side at 1:10 of the second period.

Worcester exerted complete control for the remainder of the period, holding a 16 to eight shot advantage while converting on one of three power play chances to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. The power play goal came at 13:56 from Lukas Kaspar, who cleaned up a rebound after successive shots by Brad Staubitz and Steven Zalewski.

Mike Iggulden added insurance for the Sharks late in the third period with his team-leading 29th goal of the year. The close range shot beat Frank Doyle, who took over for Frazee in the Lowell net at the start of the third period. For Worcester, Dakers stopped everything but the first shot he faced in the game, finishing with 24 saves and collecting his second win in as many nights.

Worcester closes out the season tomorrow at the DCU Center with the Coolest Day on Earth. The 4:05pm contest against the Springfield Falcons will feature numerous giveaways, highlighted by Tim Murray bobble head dolls for the first 3,000 fans through the gates, and a tailgate party for season ticket holders. The Sharks will host the Baystate Financial Services Parade of Champions, honoring championship hockey teams from local youth and high school leagues, on the ice prior to the game. Doors open at 1:30pm for the Boston Bruins Alumni Game, which begins at 1:45. Four tickets to the game and an extra large pizza costs just $48 through the Papa Gino's Family Value Sunday promotion. For more information or to order your Coolest Day on Earth tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or visit sharksahl.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2008


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