Sharks on the Brink of Elimination After 3-0 Loss in Providence
April 6, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
PROVIDENCE, RI - Josh Hennessy (18th), Andrew Bodnarchuk (5th), and Kevan Miller (3rd) led the way for the Providence as they put the Worcester Sharks on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 win Friday night. With the loss, Worcester now falls eight points away from the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with five games remaining.
Ryan Spooner recorded an assist in his first professional game of the season and Michael Hutchinson recorded his 3rd shutout of the season, his 2nd against Worcester. The Sharks brief two game road trip will conclude tomorrow night with a 7pm start vs. the Pirates in Portland.
The Sharks started off the game with good energy as the newly formed line of Jimmy Bonneau, Nathan Moon, and Frazer McLaren had the Bruins pinned deep early. Worcester's best chance of the first period came on partial breakaway by John McCarthy but Bruins goaltender Michael Hutchinson snared a shot labeled for the top corner with the glove. With Jimmy Bonneau whistled off for hooking at the 18:41 mark, the Bruins took advantage as Josh Hennessy took a feed from Max Sauve and beat Sateri with eight seconds left in the first period. Providence held an 11-9 shot advantage after 20 minutes.
The second period saw the physicality ramp up as Jimmy Bonneau (21st FM) and Bobby Robins (18th FM) had a spirited bout and Sharks defensemen Nick Petrecki was sent off for four minutes for cross-checking and roughing. The Bruins tacked on to their lead at the 11:13 mark when Andrew Bodnarchuk took to drop pass from rookie Ryan Spooner and blast it high glove side on Sateri to put Providence up 2-0. Sateri did his best to keep the Sharks close as he robbed the Bruins' Craig Cunningham on the doorstep to keep the score at 2-0. Shots were at 23-20 in favor of Providence through 40 minutes.
The Sharks were able to put a lot of rubber on Hutchinson in the 3rd period but just couldn't solve the Bruins netminder this night. Worcester's best chance came shorthanded but Tony Lucia couldn't find an open net after being hauled down. The Bruins' Kevan Miller added an empty net goal with just less than two seconds left for the final score. Final shots on goal: Worcester 34, Providence 27.
Worcester's record drops to 29-31-4-7, with 69pts and currently in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with 5 games remaining; eight points behind the 8th place Manchester Monarchs.
Notes: FIVE GUYS BURGERS Three Stars: 3rd Star Ryan Spooner (assist) 2nd star: Josh Hennessy (goal) 1st star: Michael Hutchinson (34 saves, shutout)... Final shots were 34-26 in favor of Worcester... Michael Hutchinson made 34 saves on 34 shots for the Bruins; Harri Sateri made 24 saves on 26 shots for Worcester.... Worcester went 0-for-3 on the power play while Providence went 1-for-4... Tyson Sexsmith, Brodie Reid, Sena Acolatse, Cam MacIntyre, Ryan Del Monte, Brian O'Hanley, and Marek Viedensky, did not dress for Worcester... Matt Pelech returned to the lineup after serving his two game AHL suspension...Jimmy Bonneau's fight in the second period put him in a tie with Frazer McLaren for the most fighting majors in a season (21)... with the one fight, the Sharks continue to lead the AHL with 118 fighting majors penalties...Four of Hutchinson's 11 wins have come against the Sharks this season.
Coming up... The Sharks finish up their brief two game road trip with a 7pm start in Portland on Saturday.
Score a family fun pack today for only $74! Four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for a portion of the price! Available only through the Sharks front office for every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games this season!
Enjoy a Worcester Sharks Experience Pack! The Sharks are offering groups to partake in a Sharks hockey experience with many interactive activities; including friends and family skates on the DCU Center ice before or after a game, the high FIN tunnel (high-fiving players as they take the ice), singing the National Anthem, intermission performances, and more.
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