Sharks Stun Springfield 3-2 In OT

Published on January 21, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MA- In one of their most spirited efforts of the season, the Worcester Sharks battled back from a 2-0 first period deficit, and won a thrilling 3-2 overtime game on Monday evening at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield.

The Sharks tied the score via a Derek Joslin goal at 19:12 of the third period and won it at 1:13 of overtime on Tom Cavanagh's second overtime game winner of the season.

Goaltender Taylor Dakers had a tremendous game in relief, making 19 saves on 19 shots over 50:48 for his fourth win of the season.

Springfield took the 1-0 advantage at 9:34 of the first period when Ryan O'Marra skated up the ice on the left wing and took a wrist shot from just inside the blue line. It knuckled toward Patzold and fluttered past him on his stick side. Stephane Goulet and Rick Berry were credited with assists on the play.

Off the ensuing faceoff, the Falcons made it 2-0 at 9:46. Ben Simon found himself right outside of the crease and beat Patzold, while also knocking him out of the game, as he was pulled in favor of Dakers. Troy Brodie picked up the first assist with Berry recording his second helper of the game.

On its second-consecutive power play, Worcester had a golden opportunity to cut the lead to one when Riley Armstrong took a shot from the left wing side and the rebound bounced right to Lukas Kaspar inside the right faceoff circle. Kaspar tried to pick the right side of the net, but Springfield goaltender Jeff Deslauriers moved quickly from his right to left to make the impressive save.

Patzold made four saves in 9:46 of action, while Dakers played the final 10:14 of the first period, with no shots coming his way.

It looked like the Falcons would take a 3-0 lead at 8:57 of the second period. After Dakers made a tremendous save, he was sprawled on the ice and couldn't get back for the next Springfield shot. Patrick Traverse was there, though, to knock the puck away that was ticketed for the back of the net.

Armstrong took the puck coast to coast and unleashed a hard slap shot from just inside the blue line to cut Springfield's lead to 2-1. It found the left side of the net for his tenth goal of the season at 9:03.

At 6:17 of the third period, Kaspar had a breakaway opportunity as Graham Mink stepped out of the penalty box to join the play. Kaspar left the puck for Mink, but he wasn't ready for it, so the opportunity to tie the score went by the boards without a shot attempt.

After failing to score over the first 19 minutes of the third period, the Sharks pulled Dakers with one minute remaining in regulation, looking for their first extra attacker goal of the season. That they would get as Tom Walsh made a pass from just inside the near blue line to Joslin in the right faceoff circle. Joslin whistled the puck to top the left corner of the net for his sixth of the season. Kaspar picked up the other assist on the play.

The Sharks rode the momentum into the extra session as Mink fired a shot from just inside the blue line at 1:13. Cavanagh tipped the puck by Deslauriers for the thrilling 3-2 win. It was his second overtime game-winner of the season. Joslin tallied the other helper.

The Sharks hope to build on the victory and continue their push toward the playoffs when they travel to Manchester on Wednesday for a showdown with the Monarchs. They then travel to Hartford on Friday, and back to Springfield on Saturday. Worcester, Manchester, and Springfield are battling for the fourth and final Atlantic Division playoff spot.

After another road game at Philadelphia, the Sharks return to the DCU Center to face the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday, February 2 at 7:05 p.m. with the first 3,000 fans in attendance receiving a hand-signed Graham Mink Collector's Card. Fans are encouraged to come to the arena early, as Saint John's and Saint Peter-Marian will square off in the First Annual High School Hockey Classic with a 4:00 p.m. contest prior to the Sharks vs. the Monarchs.

For more information on these and other promotions, or to purchase tickets, call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500 or check out the new www.sharksahl.com. All games can be heard live on 580 WTAG, as well as online through B2 Networks, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.sharksahl.com.

NOTES: Brennan Evans and Springfield's Jean-Francois Jacques hooked up in a fight at 10:48 of the first period. They put each other in bear hugs before wrestling each other to the ground. Jacques initiated the fight after Evans was called for an interference penalty ... Brad Staubitz dropped the glove with the Falcons' Colin McDonald at 8:17 of the second period. Ashton Rome caught a high stick, and well after the play, Staubitz and McDonald tangled without either getting any good shots in ... The Sharks' penalty kill has now gone six games without allowing a power play goal against them. In that time, they have killed off all (27) opponent power plays ...The final attendance figure was 2,034 ... Patzold had 4 saves on 6 shots for the Sharks while Dakers came in to make had 19 saves on 19 shots in relief ... Deslauriers made 24 stops on 28 for Springfield ... Power plays: Worcester: 0 for 5, Springfield 0 for 6 ... Three stars: 1. WOR Tom Cavanagh (GWG) 2. SPR Ben Simon (1g) 3. WOR Riley Armstrong (1g)

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American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2008


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