Sharks Rally Past Bruins, 4-3 behind a franchise record 55 shots on goal

Published on January 9, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER, MA - In front of a raucous crowd of 6,334, the Worcester Sharks scored two goals just 49 seconds apart, late in the 3rd period to defeat the Providence Bruins, 4-3. It was the third time this season that the Sharks trailed the Bruins entering the 3rd period of action and on each occasion, the Sharks managed to comeback for the victory.

Steven Zalewski and Andrew Desjardins were the heroes for the Sharks as they scored the two late goals. Derek Joslin scored and assisted on the Zalewski tally.

Despite controlling much of the first period action, the Sharks were unable to escape the first period with a lead. However, they did tally first, 11:32 into the period when Michael Wilson (4) took the puck from a scrum at the top of the crease, skated around the pile of bodies, and beat a helpless Dany Sabourin glove side. With the team trailing by a goal and being outshot badly in the period, the Bruins looked to gain momentum as Lane MacDermid squared off with the Worcester's Brandon Mashinter a minute after the goal. Both players dropped each other during the scrap. The fight energized the Bruins and they equalized at the 15:21 mark when Jordan Knackstedt found Levi Nelson in front to tip it past Sharks goalie Alex Stalock. The score stayed level at 1-1 after the first period of action. Worcester had the puck in the Providence zone much of the period and outshot the Bruins, 21-9.

Levi Nelson put the Bruins ahead just over a minute into the second period when he sent a hard wrist-shot from the left circle that eluded Stalock. The goal, Nelson's second of the game, was assisted by Knackstedt. Providence extended its lead to 3-1, 11:55 into the frame when Zach Hamill trickled his way through two Sharks defenders and got the puck through the pads of Stalock. Nelson and Knackstedt each earned assists. Finding themselves down by two and on the power-play late in the period, the Sharks struck. Derek Joslin's shot from just inside the blue line snuck past Sabourin and the teams headed for the second intermission with the Bruins ahead 3-2. It was Joslin's first goal of the season and was assisted by Dan DaSilva and Brandon Mashinter. Worcester continued to fire rubber towards Sabourin and outshot the Bruins once again, 15-8.

For the second time this season against the Bruins at the DCU Center, the 3rd period provided plenty of drama. With Sabourin making save after save, the Sharks appeared to be headed for their second loss in a row. But their perseverance paid off in the form of two late goals. After Joslin's blast from the point, Zalewski (13) banged home the rebound and tied the game with less than three minutes left in regulation. Joslin and Logan Couture picked up the assists. Then, 49 seconds later, the Sharks struck again. After a Wilson dump-in, DaSilva muscled Sabourin off the puck and found Desjardins (10) all alone in front of an empty-net. Desjardins took care of the rest and put the Sharks in front for good 4-3. Worcester outshot Providence in the period, 15-9.

With the win, the Sharks moved to 23-13-0-2 (48 points) on the season. The Sharks set a franchise record with 55 shots on goal in the victory

Notes: Three Stars: (3) Levi Nelson (2-1-3), (2) Derek Joslin (1-1-2), (1) Andrew Desjardins (game winning goal)...Alex Stalock had 19 saves in net for Worcester in his 12th straight start... Dany Sabourin had 51 saves in net for the Bruins ...Final shots were 55-51 in favor of Worcester... The Sharks improved to 4-1-0-0 against the Bruins this season.... Dan DaSilva fought for the 2nd straight game battling David Urquhart in the middle frame... T.J. Trevelyan extended point streak to four games (2-4-6) with a first period assist.... Danny Groulx fired ten shots on goal for Worcester...Michael Wilson had a goal and an assist and was +3... Brandon Mashinter picked up his team leading 10th fighting major of the season.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Portland Pirates at 3:05p.m. Darth Vader will drop the opening face-off and Star Wars characters will be roaming the concourse! Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino's! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket! With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino's locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.

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 January 9, 2010


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