Sharks Ring In The New Year With 4th Straight Victory

December 31, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


PORTLAND, ME - The Worcester Sharks opened up a 2-0 lead and never looked back in an impressive 3-1 win over the Portland Pirates at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Thursday night. It was the fourth straight victory for the Sharks and their 20th win of the season.

Logan Couture extended his point streak to seven games (3-8-11) and Dennis McCauley scored his first game winning goal of the season for Worcester. Alex Stalock picked up his AHL leading 18th win of the season as the Sharks won for the 12th time in their last 15 games.

For the 4th straight game, the Sharks struck first in the opening period. Dan DaSilva (7th goal) gave Worcester a 1-0 lead after a great diagonal feed from Andrew Desjardins as he was breaking down the right wing. DaSilva's one timer beat Jhonas Enroth at 11:43. With Dennis McCauley in the box for Worcester, Benn Ferriero hit the post on a shorthanded break away as his wrist shot rattled off the iron to the left on Enroth. The Sharks led 1-0 after twenty minutes outshooting the Pirates 9-6.

The Pirates came out banging the bodies at the start of the middle frame but the Sharks were able to weather the storm. Derek Joslin sent a 60-foot on the tape pass to Dennis McCauley and McCauley went top shelf on the breakaway chance at 6:58 for his 3rd goal of the season. Steven Zalewski extended his point streak to six games (4-4-8) with the secondary assist on the play. Rookie Dennis Persson scored his first professional goal as he jammed in a rebound chance at 10:18 to get the Pirates on the board. The Sharks led 2-1 after forty minutes outshooting the Pirates 20-14.

Logan Couture (12th goal) gave Worcester some insurance after the Sharks kept the puck in on several occasions and Steven Zalewski found Logan all alone on top of the crease at 15:35. Logan slid the puck on the backhand through the pads on Enroth to give the Sharks a 3-1 advantage. With Jhonas Enroth pulled for the extra attacker, goaltender Alex Stalock twice fired towards the empty net but only made it as far as the red line. The Sharks held on for their 12th win in their last 15 games.

With the win, the Sharks move to 20-12-0-2 (42 points) on the season and currently have a FOUR game winning streak.

Notes: Three Stars: (3) Enroth (26 saves), (2) Benn Ferriero (17 saves, 18th win), (1) Dennis McCauley (GWG)...Alex Stalock made 17 saves in net for Worcester for his AHL leading 18th win of the season...Jhonas Enroth made 26 saves for the Pirates....Final shots were 29-18 in favor of Sharks... Stalock has started eight straight games...Dan DaSilva extended his point streak to five games (2-4-6) with a first period goal.

On Saturday, the Sharks kick-off the New Year and travel to Lowell and face the Devils at 7:00p.m.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 3:05p.m. 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.



American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2009


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