Sharks salvage point, but fall to Pirates in SO, 4-3

Published on January 18, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER- Despite two third-period goals by All-Star Mike Iggulden and two more in the shootout, the Worcester Sharks couldn't get stay off the plank, falling to the Portland Pirates, 4-3, on Friday evening at the DCU Center in Worcester. The Sharks started strong with a goal 54 seconds into the game, but the Pirated reeled off three straight before Iggulden's heroic effort that fell just short.

Portland's Geoff Platt kept the sudden death shootout alive with a shot that roofed overtop Worcester goaltender Taylor Dakers. After a Graham Mink miss, Bobby Ryan followed with a shot that beat Dakers five-hole, giving the Pirates the victory.

It wouldn't take long for the Sharks to light the lamp as Lukas Kaspar picked up his 12th goal of the season, and third in as many games, 54 seconds into the first period. He took a beautiful homerun pass from Dan Spang between the red line and the attacking blue line. He skated in all alone on Pirates goaltender Mike McKenna. Kaspar moved the puck from his backhand to forehand, back to his backhand before he flipped it past the Pirates netminder for the early 1-0 advantage. Riley Armstrong picked up the other assist on the play.

Portland answered back 1:53 later at 2:47 on its first shot of the game. Eric Weinrich threw the puck toward the net from the right wing side just inside the blue line. Simon Ferguson was there to redirect the shot, which beat Dakers to the right post. Andrew Ebbett recorded the other assist.

The Pirates made it 2-1 at 4:19. Off a rebound, Stephen Dixon found himself at the left wing side just in front of the crease. Dixon crossed the crease while holding the puck on his backhand. He eventually made a backhand flip into the center of the open net with Dakers down and out of the play. Tyler Bouck and Andy Schneider were credited with assists.

After three goals were scored the first 4:19, it took 23:37 for another team to light the lamp. At 7:56 of the second period, Portland added insurance, upping its lead to 3-1. Ryan and Platt found themselves on a two-on-one. Ryan made the pass from the left wing to Platt on the right wing who subsequently beat Dakers with a low shot for his team-leading 23rd goal of the season.

Iggulden single-handedly got Worcester back into the game with his 16th goal at 4:22 of the third period. Portland's Adrian Veideman attempted to clear the puck out of his defensive zone, but Iggulden was there to break up the pass. He skated from the left wing to his right and took a shot inside the right faceoff circle. After McKenna made the save, Iggulden picked up the rebound and skated behind the net and stuffed the puck into the left post before McKenna could recover to cut the Pirates' lead to 3-2.

Worcester had a golden opportunity on a power play with less than ten minutes remaining in the third period. At 13:41, McKenna made a tremendous save off an Iggulden wrist shot to keep the score tied at three. Off the ensuing draw, the Sharks peppered him with shots, but couldn't beat him until Iggulden had a rebound shot that he beat to the left post to tie the score at three at 13:51.

The Sharks had another awesome opportunity toward the end of regulation as Brendan Segal and Brett Festerling were in the penalty box with minor penalties, leaving Worcester with 1:07 of a two-man advantage. The Sharks put a flurry of shots on goal, but could not pick up the game-winner, sending the game into overtime.

After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout. Iggulden continued his magic, beating McKenna five-hole for the 1-0 shootout advantage. Platt answered right back with a beautiful move holding the puck until Dakers was down and finding the right side of the net for a 1-1 shootout tie.

Four more shooters went by for both teams with neither team lighting the lamp. Iggulden continued his heroic effort by beating McKenna for the shootout lead. McKenna came out to try and knock the puck away, but Iggulden made a move by him and knocked it into the empty net.

Platt needed his second shootout goal to keep the Pirates alive. He went to his bag of tricks with a nifty move as he skated in towards the left wing, moved the puck from his forehand to backhand, and beat Dakers top shelf. After Mink missed his second attempt, Ryan scored the game-winner to give the Pirates the thrilling victory.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2008


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