Sharks Stop Devils, 3-2
January 3, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
WORCESTER - Behind goals from three different skaters and a second-straight strong performance from goaltender Thomas Griess, the Worcester Sharks topped the Lowell Devils, 3-2, in front of 5,082 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday evening.
Lukas Kaspar, Claude Lemieux, and Riley Armstrong all scored within the game's first 28:46 while Greiss with 18 saves, including a number of dazzling stops in the third period to preserve the win. The Sharks improve to 19-16-0-1 on the season, jumping past Hartford and into third place in the Atlantic Division standings with 39 points. Worcester trails second-place Portland by only two points and first-place Providence by five.
Lowell took the lead at 4:15 of the first period when Jon DiSalvatore netted his 10th goal of the season. He received a pass right outside the crease and held the puck until he saw an opening over Greiss' right shoulder, picking the top left corner of the net for the 1-0 advantage. Tyler Eckford and Mark Fraser were credited with the assists on the play.
Tempers nearly boiled over at 6:55 when Lowell's Matthew Corrente dropped his gloves in hopes of fighting Mike Moore. Brett Westgarth jumped right in and was assessed a double-minor for roughing while Corrente and Mark Fraser each received roughing minors.
The Sharks used the roughing penalties as a spark by taking the next 11 shots on goal. The added pressure equaled a goal and a 1-1 score at the 19:12 mark. Westgarth's shot ricocheted off the backboards right to Kaspar by the side of the crease. He easily tapped the puck into the open net with Lowell goalie Jeff Frazee down and out of the play. Kaspar's seventh goal of the season was also assisted by Ryan Vesce.
Lemieux converted on a partial breakaway for his third goal of the season and a 2-1 Worcester lead at 4:59 of the second period. Lemieux took the loose puck at center ice and skated down the right wing side. He released a shot inside the right wing circle that trickled past Frazee five-hole.
The Sharks added insurance at 8:46 when Armstrong netted his 14th goal of the year, and fourth in the last two games. His low snapshot from the top of the right faceoff circle went through traffic before lighting the lamp to make it 3-1. Michael Wilson and Jamie McGinn picked up the assists on the play.
Lowell cut the score to 3-2 with a power play goal at the 19:57 mark of the second. DiSalvatore found Nicklas Bergfors in front, who easily tapped the puck into the open net. Michael Swift was credited with the additional assist.
The Devils put the pressure on in the third, but Greiss shut the door for the 3-2 victory.
NOTES: Three Stars: (3) Greiss (18 saves) (2) DiSalvatore (1g, 1a) (1) Armstrong (GWG) ... Attendance for the contest was 5,082 ... Greiss saved 18 of 20 shots for the Sharks, while Frazee stopped 34 of 37 for Lowell ...Worcester went 0/2 on the power play; Lowell went 1/2 ... Final shots were 37-20 Worcester ... Ryan Vesce's first-period assist upped his point (and assist) streak to four games. He now has 23 points (10g, 13a) in his last 19 games ... Worcester's two power play chances tied a season low. The two power play opportunities allowed set a season-low, and the four combined power play chances were a new low. The previous low game was on Nov. 28 at Providence when the Sharks were 0-2 and the Bruins were 0-3.
Worcester concludes the three-in-three weekend with a 4:05 p.m. matchup against Hershey on Sunday, during which the Sharks will partner with the Ecotarium to celebrate Kenda the polar bear's 25th birthday.
All games can be heard live on 580 & 94.9 WTAG as well as online through AHL Live by following the link on the Sharks website, www.sharksahl.com.
Be sure not to miss any of the action of the 2008-09 Worcester Sharks season and buy your tickets today! Fans can also purchase tickets to the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications. Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, contacting the Worcester Sharks office at 508.929.0500, or by crashing the net at www.sharksahl.com.
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