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Sharks look to clinch playoff spot at home after strong performance on road

April 6, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Rewind the Tape:

4.1.09 - Worcester 3 - Springfield 2 OT - Mass Mutual Center

Patrick Traverse scored a power play goal 2:17 into the overtime period as the Sharks defeated the pesky Falcons for the 4th time this season in OT by a score of 3-2. Cory Larose and Matt Jones also scored for the Sharks while Thomas Greiss made 30 saves in net. The Sharks finished their season series against the Falcons 8-2-0-0.

4.3.09 - Worcester 3 - River Rats 2 - Glens Falls Civic Center

Riley Armstrong (2-1-3) and Steven Zalewski (1-2-3) each recorded three points as the Sharks defeated the Rats in Glens Falls on Saturday. The game featured three fights in the 2nd period. First round draft pick Logan Couture picked up his first fighting major in his first professional game and Brett Westgarth and Frazer McLaren each dropped the gloves after a mammoth Mike Moore open ice check. Thomas Greiss made 26 saves in net for Worcester.

4.4.09 - Worcester 3 - Manchester 2 - Verizon Wireless Arena

The Sharks won their franchise record 5th straight game on the road after a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Monarchs on Saturday. Thomas Greiss denied Matt Moulson on a penalty shot with just six seconds remaining in the third period to secure the win. Ryan Vesce notched his 23rd of the season and Kyle McLaren recorded the game winner, his first ever AHL goal. Dan DaSilva added the other tally while Tom Cavanagh added two assists.

Sharks in the Atlantic...

The Sharks (40-34-1-2) swim in a 4th place in the Atlantic Division with 83 points, 11 points behind the first place Hartford Wolf Pack. Worcester is just one point behind the Pirates for the 3rd spot and 9 points behind the Bruins for the 2nd spot. The 5th place Monarchs are three points behind the Sharks and the Devils are six points out in a very choppy Atlantic Division. The Wolf Pack and the Bruins have each clinched a playoff birth.

Push to the Playoffs!

Top four teams make the playoffs in the Atlantic Division.

The #1 seed will face the #4 seed while the #2 seed will face the #3 seed.

Atlantic Division Standings:

Team PTS GR

1st Hartford 94 3 -Clinched a playoff spot

2nd Providence 92 3 -Clinched a playoff spot

3rd Portland 84 3

4th SHARKS 83 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5th Manchester 80 3

6th Lowell 77 3 -eliminated

7th Springfield 60 2 -eliminated

If the playoffs started today.... (best of seven series)

The Wolf Pack would play the SHARKS.

The Bruins would play the Pirates.

Clinching possibilities for Wednesday:

If the Sharks defeat the Pirates and the Monarchs lose against Hartford (in OT or SO), the Sharks would clinch a playoff birth.

Down the stretch....

The Sharks have three games remaining (3 home, 0 away)

4/8 Portland @ SHARKS

4/10 Manchester @ SHARKS

4/11 Providence @ SHARKS

The Pirates have three games remaining (1 home, 2 away)

4/8 PIRATES @ Worcester

4/10 Providence @ PIRATES

4/11 PIRATES @ Manchester

The Monarchs have three games remaining (2 home, 1 away)

4/8 Hartford @ MONARCHS

4/10 MONARCHS @ Worcester

4/11 Portland @ MONARCHS

Shark Bites:

*Worcester has just 3 games remaining in the regular season (3 at home, 0 on the road).

*With five straight wins on the road to close out the road schedule, the Sharks have set a franchise record. The Sharks defeated Bridgeport, Providence, Springfield, Albany and Manchester to close out the season on the road for an 18-20-1-1 record away from the DCU Center.

*The Sharks have 40 wins this season, just one behind their franchise record 41 which was established in 2006-07.

*Thomas Greiss has made 13 straight starts in net for the Sharks (franchise record). Greiss is 7-6-0 in those starts with a 2.04 gaa and a .929 save %. Greiss made 90 of 96 stops this weekend (.937).

*First round draft pick Logan Couture made his professional debut with the Sharks in Albany on Friday. The 20-year-old finished his 4th season with the Ottawa 67's recording 39 goals, 48 assists, for 87 points in 62 games played. Logan was the 9th pick overall in the 2007 NHL draft by San Jose.

*Sharks Captain Ryan Vesce is 14th in the AHL in points with 69 (23-46-69) and tops in overtime goals (4) and game winning goals (9).

*Rookie Frazer McLaren is 4th among AHL rookies with 21 fighting major penalties and 4th in pims (181). His 21 fighting majors are a franchise record Brad Staubitz had 19 tilts last season.

*The Sharks have set a franchise record with 78 fighting major penalties this season through 77 games. 17 different players have dropped the gloves already this season (Frazer McLaren (21), Brett Westgarth (15), Mike Moore (10), Brad Staubitz (10), Jason Demers (2), Andrew Desjardins (5), Jamie McGinn (2), James McEwan (2), Tom Cavanagh, Dan DaSilva, Kyle McLaren, Brendan Buckley (2), TJ Fox, Cory Larose (2), Matt Jones, Riley Armstrong, and Logan Couture. The Sharks had 68 fighting majors last season and 54 in 2007-08.

*Worcester has been outscored 59-78 in the first period but has outscored their opponents in the second period (73-70) and the third period (76-68).

*Patrick Traverse is 12th in the AHL defenseman scoring race with 41 points (9-32-41). Traverse is currently having the best offensive season in his 15th professional season.

*Worcester leads the AHL with shots per game (35.27) and 2nd in shots against per game (26.96). The Sharks have 14 players with at least 100 shots on goal.

*The Sharks have the best winning percentage (.750) in the AHL in games that are decided after regulation. Worcester is 7-1 in overtime and 2-2 in the shootout. The Sharks have the most wins in the AHL in overtime this season.

*The Sharks have scored the first goal of the game in 35 of their 77 games and are 27-7-0-1 when scoring the first tally of the game. (.786)

*The Sharks are 20-3-0-1 when leading after twenty minutes and 26-2-0-1 when leading after forty.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

4/3 The San Jose Sharks loaned Tom Cavanagh back to Worcester.

4/4 The San Jose Sharks reassigned Logan Couture to Worcester from Ottawa (OHL).

4/5 The San Jose Sharks loaned Ryan Vesce back to Worcester

*The San Jose Sharks currently have Jamie McGinn and Brad Staubitz on recall from Worcester.

Top Sharks:

o Goals Armstrong (25)

o Game Winners Vesce (9)* franchise record

o Assists Vesce (46)* franchise record

o Points Vesce (69)

o Power play Points Vesce (5-17-22)

o Shots Armstrong (206)

o PIM F. McLaren (181)

o Fighting Pen. F. McLaren (21)* franchise record

o Plus/Minus Moore (+15)

o Wins Greiss (28)* franchise record

o G.A.A. Greiss (2.54)

o Save % Greiss (.906)

o Shutouts Dakers (1)

Coming Up:

On Wednesday, the Sharks host the Portland Pirates on "Dollar Dog Wednesday" at 7:05p.m. as the two teams battle in the Unum Cup Challenge! Third place is on the line as the Sharks trail the Pirates by just one point!

On Friday, the Sharks host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. on "College Night." All student tickets are just $9 and the game will also be shown live on Charter TV-3 and the NHL Network. If the Sharks win, they clinch a playoff spot! Sign up to win a mountain bike compliments of Pepsi!

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. on "Fan Appreciation Night." Get their early and join the party in the lobby beginning at 5pm! Cheer on the youth hockey parade of champions in between periods. Tim "Dr. Hook" McCracken from the hit movie Slap Shot will be on hand to sign autographs. Pick up your Family Fun Pack with a ticket, hot dog, and soda for just $15.25 each when buying a minimum of four tickets to secure your spot in the post game on ice full team autograph session! Four fans will have the opportunity to win $38,000 compliments of Piccadilly Pub! It's the final game of the season... hope to see you there!

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.

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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.

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