Sharks Returned Home to DCU Center in Front of Sellout Crowd

Published on October 25, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Shark Snap Shot

After returning home from a 1-2-0-1 four game road trip, the Sharks fell in overtime in their home opener at the DCU Center on Saturday to the Bruins 4-3 in front of 7,450 fans. Worcester grabbed a win on Sunday 4-3 vs. the Admirals to grab three points in two games this weekend at the DCU Center.

Top 3!

#1 Tommy Wingels scores his first professional goal, the game winning goal late in the third period at the DCU Center on Sunday!

#2 Justin Braun records three points (1-2-3) and forced overtime with 44 seconds remaining in the third period on Saturday vs. the Bruins.

#3 Benn Ferreiro picks up five points (2-3-5) in two games this weekend to lead the Sharks offensively!

Last Week: (1-0-1-0) 3pts, 2gp

Sat. 10/23 OTL Providence Bruins 4 @ Worcester SHARKS 3

Sun. 10/24 W Norfolk Admirals 3 @ Worcester SHARKS 4

This week:

Fri. 10/29 Rochester Americans @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:30pm

Sat. 10/30 Providence Bruins @ Worcester SHARKS - 1:00pm

Sun. 10/31 Worcester SHARKS @ Providence Bruins - 1:05pm

Rewind the Tape:

10.23.10 - Worcester 3 - Providence 4 - OTL - DCU Center

Justin Braun scored with 44 seconds left in the third period on the power play to force overtime but Jamie Arniel struck at 3:26 into the extra frame as the Sharks dropped their home opener 4-3 in front of a sellout crowd at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday night. Benn Ferriero and T.J. Trevelyan also scored goals for Worcester while Alex Stalock made 24 saves and stopped a penalty shot in the overtime loss. Jamie Arniel scored two goals for the Bruins and Nolan Schaefer made 31 saves in for Providence. The Sharks fall to 2-1-1-1 in five home openers at the DCU Center.

10.24.10 - Worcester 4 - Norfolk 3 - W - DCU Center

Tommy Wingels scored his first professional goal on a terrific individual rush late in the third period to give the Sharks their first home win of the 2010-11 season in a 4-3 victory over the Norfolk Admirals at the DCU Center on Sunday afternoon. Benn Ferriero (1-2-3), James Marcou and Andrew Desjardins also scored markers for Worcester and Alex Stalock made 30 saves in the matinee victory. Johan Harju scored twice for Norfolk and Cedric Desjardins made 26 saves for the Admirals.

Sharks in the Atlantic:

The Sharks are swimming in 5th place with 6 points (2-2-1-1) in the Atlantic Division through six games, which is six points behind the first place Portland Pirates and five points behind the 2nd place Monarchs. Springfield (8 points) and Hartford (8 points) are tied for third place while Providence (5 points) and Bridgeport (4 points) round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

400 WINS and chasing 1000 games....

*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1, 2009 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 13th season 966GP 444 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 (13th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 444-404-58-60.

*Coach Sommer will coach his 1,000th AHL game on January 11, 2011 when the Sharks host the Albany River Rats.

*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 290 of the 444 victories (65%).

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2010-11 season: Captain Jay Leach (1st year), Assistant Captains on the road: Jonathan Cheechoo (1st year) and Nick Petrecki (1st year). Assistant Captains at home: Andrew Desjardins (1st year) and Sean Sullivan (1st year)

*From east to west..... The Sharks had 12 players that saw action in both the AHL and NHL last season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, Demers, McCarthy, and Helminen). The Worcester Sharks have 0 CALL-UPS this season to San Jose... Currently; Logan Couture, Jason Demers, Derek Joslin, Mike Moore, Frazer McLaren, John McCarthy, Jamie McGinn, Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Marc-Edourd Vlasic, and Doug Murray are all former Worcester Sharks that are currently playing with the San Jose Sharks.

*Home openers... the Sharks are 2-1-1-1 in five home openers at the DCU Center, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins on Saturday. Worcester was the last team in the AHL to host their home opener, and October 23rd was the Sharks latest home opener on record. The Sharks lost in a shootout 5-4 to Portland in 2006, defeated Portland 3-2 in 2007, defeated the Bruins in overtime 3-2 in 2008, and lost to Lowell 7-5 in 2009.

*Score first... the Sharks have scored FIRST once in SIX games this season (1-0-0-0) after scoring first in 42-of-80 games last season (34-6-0-2).

*Who's your BF?... Sharks 2nd year forward Benn Ferriero has started his sophomore campaign on FIRE with NINE points (5-4-9) through six games to lead the Sharks offensively. Benn is ranked 10th in the AHL point scoring race.

*Reunion of sorts...Jonathan Cheechoo returns to the Sharks organization in Worcester and will once again play for head coach Roy Sommer.... Coach Sommer coached Cheechoo in Kentucky and Cleveland in the AHL before his NHL days. Cheechoo had 56-63-119pts in 137 games under coach Sommer.

*On the Hunt... Sharks forward Garet Hunt made the Sharks opening night roster after a try-out during training camp. The 22-year-old from Maple Ridge, BC had 463 penalty minutes in 115 games in Stockton over the last two seasons... Hunt leads the Sharks with 26 penalty minutes (2 FM) in six games with the Sharks this season.

*Familiar Faces...16 players return to the 2010-11 roster from the regular season Atlantic Division championship team including four 20 goal scorers (DaSilva, Mashinter, Trevelyan, and Zalewski) and team MVP Alex Stalock.

*56... The Sharks allowed a franchise record 56 shots on goal in Norfolk on Saturday, October 16th in a 7-2 loss to the Admirals... the previous high for most shots allowed in a game was on April 6, 2007 when the Sharks allowed 52 shots in a 4-1 win over the Wolf Pack at the DCU Center.

*47... Carter Hutton made 47 saves in his Sharks debut on Saturday, October 16th in Norfolk... the 47 saves are an AHL high by a netminder this season.

*Sweet 16...The Worcester Sharks are the 16th professional team that Sharks captain has suited up for in this, his 10th professional season (Mississippi - ECHL, Springfield - AHL, Augusta - ECHL, Long Beach - ECHL, Providence - AHL, Trenton - ECHL, Bridgeport - AHL, Boston - NHL, Norfolk - AHL, Tampa Bay - NHL, Portland - AHL, Lowell - AHL, New Jersey - NHL, Montreal - NHL, San Jose - NHL, and Worcester - AHL)

*Young Guns... the Sharks have TEN rookies, including three from UMASS-Amherst (Braun, Irwin, and Marcou) and two from UMASS-Lowell (Hutton and Schaus).

*Vets... Three veterans will provide leadership for the Sharks squad this season, which include: former Maurice Richard winner Jonathan Cheechoo, former Boston Bruins defenseman Jay Leach, and the leading goal scorer for the Sharks from last season, T.J. Trevelyan.

*I'll take a draft.... SEVEN Worcester Sharks players were drafted by the San Jose Sharks. (Braun, Cheechoo, Lucia, Petrecki, Stalock, Wingels, and Zalewski)

*You always remember your first..... Tommy Wingels (Miami University - Ohio) scored his first professional goal, the game winning goal vs. Norfolk on Sunday.

*Firsts this Week... Andrew Desjardins, T.J. Trevelyan, and Justin Braun each lit the lamp for the first time this season this past weekend.

*Streakers... the Sharks have at least one fighting major in all SIX games this season... Alex Stalock has started in SIX straight games for Worcester (2-3-1).... James Marcou THREE game point streak (2-1-3)... Benn Ferriero THREE game goal scoring streak (3-3-6)... Jonathan Cheechoo TWO game point streak (0-2-2), Matt Irwin TWO game point streak (0-2-2), and Justin Braun TWO game point streak (1-3-4).

*Stole it from Bill Ballou... Dan DaSilva became the 22nd Worcester Sharks player to reach the 100 games played plateau... DaSilva has played in 106 games in a Sharks sweater.

*Massachusetts... The Sharks have THREE players born and raised in Massachusetts (Sean Sullivan - Boston, Corey Quirk - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex) In all, the Sharks have 15 American born players and nine Canadians.

*Breaking down the scoring... The Sharks have scored 17 goals this season... NINE on the power play, SEVEN even strength goals, and one shorthanded tally.

*Feeling Special... Worcester ranks 10th in the AHL at 87.0% (20-for-23) on the PK and 2nd in the AHL on the power play with a 28.1% conversion rating (9-for-32).

*Follow the leaders.... Garet Hunt is 2nd in the AHL among rookies with 26 penalty minutes.... Benn Ferriero is 10th in the AHL point scoring race (5-4-9)... Justin Braun is tied for 4th in rookie scoring with SIX points (1-5-6) and 1st in rookie assists on power play (4)... James Marcou is tied for 13th in rookie scoring with FIVE points (3-2-5) and 1st in rookie power play goals (3).

*Mr. Dependable.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 160 straight games for Worcester breaking the record held by Derek Joslin (114 games).... Desjardins has the 2nd longest streak in the AHL.

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have EIGHT fighting majors this season... (Garet Hunt 2, Brandon Mashinter 2, Sean Sullivan 1, Jay Leach 1, and Nick Petrecki 2). The Sharks had 73 fighting majors last season, 78 fighting majors in 2009-10, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

10/19 Thomas Greiss loaned to Brynas (SWE) by the San Jose Sharks.

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Ferriero(5)

o Game Winners Marcou (1) and Wingels (1)

o Assists Cheechoo and Braun (5)

o Points Ferriero (5-4-9)

o Power play Points Ferriero (3-2-5) and Braun (1-4-5)

o Shots Ferriero, Cheechoo, and Braun (19)

o PIM Hunt (26)

o Fighting Pen. Hunt and Petrecki (2)

o Plus/Minus Braun (E)

o Wins Stalock (2)

o G.A.A. Stalock (4.05)

o Save % Hutton (.922)

o Shutouts

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 3-3-1 with seven points through seven games and is currently in 3rd place in the Pacific Division.

Logan Couture (3-0-3) and John McCarthy (1-1-2) have played very well in San Jose to start the season. Former Worcester Sharks; Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, and Torrey Mitchell have all scored goals for San Jose. Frazer McLaren has played three games and has recorded two fighting majors.

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Stockton Thunder are 2-1-1-0 with five points in four games and are in 2nd place in the Pacific Division in the ECHL. Ryan Constant (AHL contact) and Tyson Sexsmith (NHL contract), are all in Stockton to begin the season. Sexsmith is 2-1-1 with a 3.39 GAA and a .876 save %.

Coming Up:

The Sharks host the Rochester Americans at the DCU Center on Friday night with a 7:30pm start. Everyone in attendance will receive a Worcester Sharks magnet schedule compliments of Charter Communications!

On Saturday, the Sharks host the Providence Bruins with a special Halloween 1pm matinee start. Trick-or-treat on the concourse and a costume parade on the ice highlight the afternoon! Dress up in costume and bring the entire family! The first 3,000 fans will receive a Worcester Sharks player poster!

On Sunday, the Sharks close out the weekend in Providence at 1:05pm!

Get your family fun pack (4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas) for just $69 for all Friday and Saturday games! (must be purchased through the Sharks front office in advance at 508-929-0500)

Chris Curtis, Marina Riva, Jonathan Forsberg, Jason Jones, Kristen Moore, and Matt Renzulli are taking deposits for the Sharks 5th season in Worcester! Jump in today and save over 30% off box office prices! 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

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

* Five FREE friends and family vouchers

* Exclusive events with the Worcester Sharks players

* Merchandise discounts and much, much, more!

Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2010-11 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com .

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American Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2010


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