Sharks Look To Extend Winning Streak

Published on November 23, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Top 3!

#1 Joe Callahan's 1st goal of the season late in the third period caps come-from-behind victory in Providence on Saturday to snap Worcester's seven game losing streak.

#2 Alex Stalock comes up big with 31 saves in 3-2 victory in Providence on Saturday.

#3 Corey Quirk scores his first goal in a Sharks uniform in a 3-2 victory over the Admirals in Worcester on Sunday.

Last Week: (2-2-0-0) 4pts, 4gp

Wed. 11/18 L Portland Pirates 5 @ Worcester SHARKS 3

Fri. 11/20 L Worcester SHARKS 1 @ Portland Pirates 3

Sat. 11/21 W Worcester SHARKS 3 @ Providence Bruins 2

Sun. 11/22 W Norfolk Admirals 2 @ Worcester SHARKS 3

Next Week:

Wed. 11/25 Worcester SHARKS @ Springfield Falcons - 7:00 p.m.

Fri. 11/27 Worcester SHARKS @ Providence Bruins - 7:05 p.m.

Sat. 11/28 Bridgeport Sound Tigers @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:05 p.m.

Rewind the Tape:

11.18.09 - Worcester 3 - Portland 5 - DCU Center

Ryan Vesce and Dan DaSilva gave the Sharks a 2-0 lead after two periods of play, but the Pirates scored four unanswered goals as the Sharks dropped their 6th straight game in a 5-3 loss to the Pirates. Benn Ferriero scored his first goal in the AHL for Worcester as Alex Stalock made 24 saves in net. Logan Couture extended his point streak to seven games (5-8-13) with an assist.

11.20.09 - Worcester 1 - Portland 3 - Cumberland County Civic Center

Torrey Mitchell scored his first goal in his 5th game back during his conditioning assignment from San Jose but it was all the Sharks could muster in a 3-1 loss in Portland. The Pirates scored three power play goals in the match and Tyson Sexsmith made 18 saves in net for the Sharks. Steven Zalewski picked up his first professional fighting major penalty with a 2nd period scrap with Mark Mancari. With the loss, the Sharks set a franchise record with seven straight losses in regulation (0-7-0-0).

11.21.09 - Worcester 3 - Providence 2 - Dunkin Donuts Center

The Sharks trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before Dwight Helminen and Joe Callahan scored third period goals for Worcester in a 3-2 victory over the Bruins in Providence. Brandon Mashinter recorded a goal and an assist and Alex Stalock was superb in net making 31 saves. Helminen tied the score with a great individual effort at 8:25 left with an assist by Will Colbert (Colbert's first professional point). Joe Callahan's bomb on the power play broke through Dany Sabourin with 1:58 remaining as the Sharks captured their first win since a 2-1SOW vs. Manchester on November 6th.

11.22.09 - Worcester 3 - Norfolk 2 - DCU Center

The Sharks won their 2nd straight game behind first goals by Cory Quirk and Mathieu Curadeau in a 3-2 victory over the Admirals at the DCU Center. John McCarthy scored his 2nd of the season to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead late in the first period. Steven Zalewski extended his point streak to five games (2-4-6) with an assist and Alex Stalock made 28 saves in net for the Sharks. The win snapped a five game losing skid for the Sharks and evened their record back to.500.

Sharks in the Atlantic...

The Sharks are currently swimming in 6th place with 21 points (10-10-0-1) in the Atlantic Division through 21 games trailing the first place Manchester Monarchs and the Lowell Devils (27 points) by six points. The Falcons are in 3rd place (24 points) and the Wolf Pack and Sound Tigers are tied for 4th place with (23 points). The 7th place Pirates have 20 points and the Bruins round out the eight team division with 19 points in a very choppy Atlantic Division.

400 WINS!

*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1st, head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 400 win plateau.

AHL COACHING WINS - ALL-TIME

1. Fred "Bun" Cook 1937-56 19seasons 1,171GP 636 WINS

2. Frank Mathers 1956-85 18seasons 1,256GP 610 WINS

3. John Paddock 1981-2009 15seasons 1,107GP 585 WINS

4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 12th season 890GP 403 WINS

*Worcester Sharks Head Coach Roy Sommer, who plays a major role in developing players for the San Jose Sharks, is currently the longest-tenured coach (12th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 403-387-54-57.

*In Coach Sommer's first AHL victory.... The Kentucky Thoroughblades defeated the Albany River Rats 6-4 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on October 17th 1998. Coincidentally, Assistant Coach David Cunniff recorded an assist as a member of the River Rats in the hockey game.

*Assistant Coach David Cunniff has joined Coach Sommer in 246 of the 403 victories (61%).

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2009-10 season: Captain Ryan Vesce (2nd year), Assistant Captains Derek Joslin (2nd year) and Mike Moore (1st year).... T.J. Trevelyan, Joe Callahan, Steven Zalewski, Frazer McLaren, and Dwight Helminen have also worn the "A" on their jerseys.

*From east to west..... The Sharks already have EIGHT players that heave seen action to both the AHL and NHL this season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, and Ferriero). The Sharks had 11 players accomplish that feat last season. Logan Couture, Ryan Vesce, and Benn Ferriero have each recorded their first NHL goals this season. Frazer McLaren, Derek Joslin, and Jamie McGinn are all currently (Nov 23) on recall to San Jose.

*You always remember your first..... Dennis McCauley (10/10), John McCarthy (10/9), Brandon Mashinter (10/9), Logan Couture (10/10), and Dean Strong (10/30) have all scored their first professional regular goals this season.

*Firsts this Week... Will Colbert first professional point (assist on Helminen's goal in 3rd period in Providence on Saturday)... Cory Quirk scored his first goal in a Sharks uniform on Sunday vs. Norfolk (Quirk had five goals in 11 games with Albany at the end of last year)... Joe Callahan scored his first goal of the season on Saturday in Providence (GWG).... Mathieu Curadeau scored his first goal in the AHL this season vs. Norfolk on Sunday (GWG).... Mike Moore and Steven Zalewski picked up their first fighting majors Friday in Portland (Moore had 10 last season, Zalewski's was his first professional).

*OT Killers.... The Sharks are 2-0 in OT this season after going 7-1 last year in the overtime period.

*Young Guns....The average age of the Sharks roster is 23 which includes 15 rookies, five 2nd year players and two third year players. At the age of 28, Danny Groulx is the oldest while Nicholas Petrecki at 20 years old and four months is the youngest.

*Massachusetts... The Sharks have FIVE players born and raised in Massachusetts (John McCarthy - Andover, Corey Quirk - Brockton, Dennis McCauley - Billerica, Joe Callahan - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex)

*Streakers... Logan Couture has a SEVEN game point streak (5-8-13).... Steven Zalewski has a FIVE game point streak (2-4-6)... Danny Groulx has a TWO game point streak (0-2-2).... Joe Callahan has a TWO game point streak (1-1-2)....Brandon Mashinter has a TWO game point streak (1-2-3).... Alex Stalock has won TWO straights in goal (4GA, 59 saves).

*Logan is the MAN... The Sharks have scored 31 goals in NINE games with Couture in the lineup (3.44 goals per game), but have scored just 23 goals in 12 games without him (1.91 goals per game).

*Welcome back 1.... Torrey Mitchell dressed in FIVE games for Worcester during his conditioning assignment from San Jose... Torrey recorded three points (1-2-3) and ten penalty minutes for Worcester before his recall on Nov. 20...Mitchell was the San Jose Sharks rookie of the year two seasons ago scoring ten goals in the NHL.... Mitchell made his professional debut in Worcester at the end of the 2006-07 season and had seven points (2-5-7) in 11 games.

*Welcome back 2... Trent Campbell signed a PTO with Worcester on Saturday after appearing in 12 games with South Carolina in the ECHL (3-6-9). Trent was reunited with line-mates Dan DaSilva and Andrew Desjardins to form the "E-line / Grind line". Campbell played 16 games last season for Worcester as the Sharks battled for the 4th play-off spot in the Atlantic Division and the "E Line" was the spark plug. Campbell won the Kelly Cup for the South Carolina Sting-Rays last season defeating the Alaska Aces in a grueling seven game series.

*Need to score 1st... Worcester is 8-2-0-1 in 11 games they have scored the first goal of the game... the Sharks are just 2-8-0-0 when allowing the first goal.

*In the rear view mirror.... The Sharks lost SEVEN straight games in regulation (Nov 7 -Nov 20) to set a franchise record and were outscored 12-to-31... the power play went 2-for-35 (5.7%) while the penalty kill was 29-for-40 (72.5%) during the seven games... the Sharks have not had a lead in 370+ consecutive minutes during the streak.

*All four years....Defenseman Derek Joslin is the only Sharks player to suit up in all four seasons in Worcester.... He is currently in San Jose.

*Can't score if you don't shoot.... The Sharks are 2nd in the AHL with 34.57 shots per game.

*Keep it close... the Sharks are 8-2-0-1 in one-goal hockey games good for 17 of their 21 points... the sharks are 2-8-0-0 in games decided by two or more goals.

*Follow the leaders.... Danny Groulx is tied for 1st in the AHL among d-men with 14 assists and 1st in shots with 63.... Logan Couture leads rookies in the AHL with 3 game winning goals and is 7th in rookie scoring (5-9-14) in just NINE games played....Brandon Mashinter is 3rd among AHL rookies with SEVEN fighting majors.

*Mr. Dependable.... Sharks defenseman Danny Groulx has played in 129 straight games... he dressed in all 80 games last season in Rockford.

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have 22 fighting major penalties this season through 21 games... (Brandon Mashinter 7, Dennis McCauley 4, Frazer McLaren 4, Joe Loprieno 2, Nicholas Petrecki 2, John McCarthy 1, Mike Moore 1, and Steven Zalewski 1). The Sharks had 78 fighting majors last season, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

*Major Zalewski.... Sharks forward Steven Zalewski received his first penalty of the season, a fighting major vs. Mark Mancari early in the 2nd period in Portland on Friday... it was the first fighting major for the 2nd year pro from Clarkson University.... Zalewski has five penalty minutes in 21 games for Worcester this season and had 26 penalty minutes in 75 games in his rookie season.

*Busy Fists.... Brandon Mashinter had three straight games recording a fighting major penalty 11/7-11/13.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

11/22/2009

Benn Ferriero (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/22/2009

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/22/2009

Mathieu Curadeau (C)

Worcester

DEL Released from PTO

11/22/2009

Ryan Vesce (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/22/2009

Torrey Mitchell (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/21/2009

Ryan Vesce (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/21/2009

Trent Campbell (LW)

Worcester

ADD Signed to PTO

11/20/2009

Mathieu Curadeau (C)

Worcester

ADD Signed to PTO

11/19/2009

Benn Ferriero (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/19/2009

Jamie McGinn (LW)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/19/2009

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/17/2009

Benn Ferriero (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/17/2009

Jamie McGinn (LW)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/17/2009

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/16/2009

Benn Ferriero (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/16/2009

Frazer McLaren (LW)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/16/2009

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

11/16/2009

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/13/2009

Logan Couture (C)

Worcester

DEL Recalled from loan by San Jose (NHL)

11/13/2009

Ryan Vesce (C)

Worcester

ADD Returned on loan from San Jose (NHL)

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Zalewski (7)

o Game Winners Couture (3)

o Assists Groulx (14)

o Points Groulx (2-14-16)

o Power play Points Trevelyan (2-3-5)

o Shots Groulx (63)

o PIM McLaren (52)

o Fighting Pen. Mashinter (7)

o Plus/Minus McGinn (+6)

o Wins Stalock (8)

o G.A.A. Stalock (2.52)

o Save % Stalock (.907)

o Shutouts Stalock (1)

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 16-5-4 with 36 points (most points in NHL) in the NHL this season and are currently in 1st place in the Pacific Division, eight points ahead of the 2nd place Los Angeles Kings.

Jamie McGinn has three goals in 19 games.... Derek Joslin has three assists in 11 games.... Jason Demers has 13 points (1-12-13) through 25 games. Brad Staubitz has two goals and an assist along with 47 penalty minutes through 15 games. Former Worcester Shark Devin Setoguchi has ten points (8-2-10) through 18 games. Goaltender Thomas Greiss is 2-2-0 with a 2.62 GAA and a.913 save%.

Coming Up:

On Wednesday, the Sharks travel to Springfield for a 7pm tilt against the Falcons.

On Thursday, the Sharks wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

On Friday, the Sharks travel to the Dunkin Donuts Center to battle the Bruins in Providence at 7pm.

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:05p.m. Purchase your Family Fun Pack today, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 sodas for only $65! Each addition person is just $16.25 per person. Student tickets are just $9 when purchased at the Box Office the day of the game with a student ID!

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

* Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center

* Significant savings off box office ticket prices

* Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by 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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American Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2009


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