Sharks Show Moore Heart in Portland
December 26, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
PORTLAND, ME - Worcester barreled back from an early 2-0 deficit and John McCarthy provided the heroics with an overtime game winner with 2:04 remaining to give the Sharks a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Portland Pirates at Cumberland County Civic Center on Monday night.
Tyson Sexsmith was brilliant with 33 saves in goal for Worcester, Mike Moore added three assists, and Jimmy Bonneau scored his first goal as a member of the Worcester Sharks and added his 9th fighting major in the win.
The Pirates charged out to a 2-0 lead before the team duked it out to end the opening period. Andy Miele (8th) was spotted all alone in front and swung the puck past Tyson Sexsmith at 52 seconds to give the Pirates an early lead. On the power play, the Pirates went ahead 2-0 with a strike by Brett Hextall (4th) from on top of the crease at 12:25. Fireworks galore closed out the opening frame with the two heavyweights getting things rolling at 14:40. Jimmy Bonneau (9th FM) and Mike Hoffman (1st FM) tangled at center ice followed by a near line brawl at 19:52. John McCarthy (1st) fought Andy Miele (2nd FM) and Tommy Wingels (2nd FM) brawled with Ashton Rome (2nd FM) at 19:52 after a loose puck battle in the Sharks zone. After the final horn, James Livingston (1st FM) picked up his first professional fighting major after he traded punches with Chris Summers (1st FM) to end a scrappy first frame with the Sharks trailing 2-0.
Worcester barreled back in the middle period with a pair of scores within a 2:01 span midway through the period. Rookie Nathan Moon (5th) scored on the power play to get the Sharks on the board at 11:10 after a quick shot from the blue line by Sean Sullivan was deflected off Moon's stick and past Justin Pogge. Sharks tough guy Jimmy Bonneau (1st) tied the game for Worcester with a rebound score after a Mike Moore shot from the point at 13:11. The Sharks and Pirates were tied 2-2 after two periods. Tyson Sexsmith was sharp making 15 stops in the middle frame.
Tyson Sexsmith made eight more saves in the third period in a scoreless period to force overtime.
In the overtime period, Tommy Wingels drew a hooking penalty on Maxim Goncharov at 2:25 to set up the Sharks third power play of the game. John McCarthy (7th) was patient in the right circle and buzzed a quick shot top shelf past Justin Pogge for the game winner at 2:56.
The Sharks record improve to 14-8-3-3 with 34 points through 28 games and 8-2-3-2 on the road this season.
Notes: FIVE GUYS BURGERS Three Stars: 3rd Star: Tyson Sexsmith (33 saves, W) 2nd star: Andy Miele (1-0-1) 1st star: John McCarthy (OTG, FM)... Final shots were 35-24 in favor of Portland... Justin Pogge made 22 saves on 25 shots for Portland; Tyson Sexsmith made 33 saves on 35 shots for Worcester...Worcester went 2-for-3 on the power play while Portland went 1-for-7...Cam MacIntyre (inj), Matt Pelech (scr), Brian O'Hanley (scr), Ben Guite (inj), and Tony Lucia (scr) did not dress for Worcester... with the four fights; Worcester now has 49 through 28 games this season, the most in the AHL and a fight in 14 straight games...tonight's game marked the 53rd meeting all-time between the Sharks and Pirates, Worcester is 23-23-7 all-time vs. their Atlantic Division Rivals... Tommy Wingels (8-3-11) has a seven game point streak snapped... Curt Gogol picked up his first professional assist with a helper on Jimmy Bonneau's strike... Sean Sullivan extended his point streak to three games with two assists (1-4-5).
Coming up...
ALEX STALOCK AUTOGRAPH CARD GIVEAWAY ON WEDENSDAY
On Wednesday, December 28, the Sharks return home to face the Manchester Monarchs at 7pm. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Alex Stalock trading card presented by Enterprise Cleaning and WXLO. Following the game, Stalock will be signing autographs in the lobby. With every Wednesday game this season, in conjunction with Sharks Charities, FREE tickets for the unemployed for up to four family members will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game. All fans that wish to receive a FREE ticket(s) must present a valid proof of unemployment and a valid form of identification.
POST GAME FIRWORKS AND $2-$2-$2 FRIDAY
Celebrate New Year's Eve early on Friday, December 30 at 7:30pm, as the Connecticut Whale visit Worcester for the second time this year. The $2-$2-$2 promotion continues that night; sodas, hot dogs and popcorn will be $2 each throughout the game. The Sharks will also be hosting a post-game fireworks display for all in attendance presented by Atlas Pyro Vision Production. Celebrate the New Year early with the Worcester Sharks!
On Saturday, December 31, the Sharks will trek up to Portland once more to take on the Pirates in a New Year's Eve contest at 5:30pm to close out 2011.
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American Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2011
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