Sharks Thank Fans With 4-2 Win In Season Finale
April 13, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release
WORCESTER - For the second straight Sunday, the Worcester Sharks defeated the Springfield Falcons by a final score of 4-2, this time riding a pair of goals from Tom Cavanagh and a strong performance by rookie goaltender Taylor Dakers in front of 6,266 fans on Fan Appreciation Day.
The Sharks finish the season on a three-game winning streak and wins in five of the last seven games. Worcester finishes in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with a 32-37-5-6 record and 75 points.
Worcester got the hometown crowd on its feet early with a goal less than two minutes into the game. The sequence started when Dennis Packard sprung Graham Mink into the offensive zone. The Sharks captain carried the puck until he was at the right faceoff dot where he centered to Tom Cavanagh at the edge of the crease. His ensuing shot beat Springfield netminder Devan Dubnyk high for his 18th goal of the season.
It only took Springfield 23 seconds to answer back and tie the game at one. Viacheslav Trukhno put a shot toward net from the left wing circle. Justin Chwedoruk was camped in front of Dakers and redirected the low shot just inside the right post for his first goal of the season (and AHL career). Bryan Lerg was credited with his first professional point on the play.
Worcester retook the lead only 22 seconds into its first power play of the game. Brad Staubitz was the benefactor, scoring his sixth goal of the season. His rocket from inside the left point found its way through traffic and inside the left post for the 2-1 lead at the 18:08 mark. Steven Zalewski and Lukas Kaspar were credited with the assists on the play.
The Sharks upped their lead at 4:05 of the second period with another quick and successful power play chance. Derek Joslin shot the puck toward net from in between the blue line and left wing circle. Halfway into its flight, Cavanagh made the tip into the top right corner of the net for the two-goal advantage. Mike Iggulden was credited with the other assist on the play.
Only 31 seconds later, Ashton Rome scored his seventh goal of the season for the 4-1 lead. Kaspar made the rush into the right wing circle. He curled and dragged before passing across to Rome who easily beat Dubnyk from point blank range. Riley Armstrong was credited with the other assist on the play.
The Falcons cut the lead to 4-2 at 15:18 of the second when T.J. Kemp put home his eighth goal of the year. His shot from in between the faceoff circles beat Dakers over his glove hand. Lerg and Liam Reddox recorded the assists.
It looked like Springfield would cut the lead to one at 5:26 of the third period when referee Dean Morton signaled a penalty shot for Grant Potulny. On the subsequent bid, Potulny skated in and opted for his backhand, but lost the handle allowing the Sharks to retrain the two-goal advantage. The Falcons pulled Dubnyk, but couldn't beat Dakers, leading to the 4-2 final score.
The Sharks now look ahead to their third season, a season which will include the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic in January at the DCU Center. For all offseason news and notes looking ahead to a big 2008-09 campaign, crash the net at sharksahl.com or call the Sharks offices at 508-929-0500.
NOTES: Behind a first-period assist, Steven Zalewski improved his point streak to three games ... Lukas Kaspar tied his season-high with two assists, marking the fourth time that has happened (three against Springfield) ... Derek Joslin had a second-period assist, good for a five-game assist (and point) streak, setting a new season-high in both categories ... Mike Iggulden improved his point streak to five games ... Worcester scored only 22 seconds into its first power play and only 12 seconds into its second. Later in the game, Springfield lit the lamp only 12 seconds into its second man advantage ... Tom Cavanagh tied his season-high with two goals (accomplished on two other occasions) ... After 11 fights in the first six games of the season series, there were none in the final four ...The final attendance figure was 6,266 ... Dakers had 21 saves on 23 shots for the Sharks while Dubnyk made 28 stops on 32 shots for Springfield ... Power plays: Worcester: 2 for 5, Springfield 1 for 3 ... Niche Hospitality Group Three Stars: Mezcal 3rd Star: Kaspar (2a), Bocado 2nd Star: Chwedoruk (1g), Block 5 1st Star: Cavanagh (2g)
American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2008
- Krog wins AHL's scoring Triple Crown - AHL
- Aeros' duo wins AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Award - AHL
- Admirals Battle Wolves in Playoffs, Start Wednesday - Milwaukee Admirals
- Phantoms Close Regular Season With 3-2 Win Over Albany - Adirondack Phantoms
- Crunch Clinch Home Ice in Calder Cup Playoffs - Syracuse Crunch
- AHL announces opening schedules for 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs - AHL
- Phantoms Announce Year-End Awards - Adirondack Phantoms
- Wolves Battle Admirals in West Division Semifinal - Chicago Wolves
- Wolves clinch best record in western conference in final tune up before playoffs - Chicago Wolves
- Krog wins AHL's scoring Triple Crown - Chicago Wolves
- Aeros' duo wins AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Award - Houston Aeros
- 'Dogs crunched in season finale - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sound Tigers conclude season with a 3-2 loss to Connecticut rival - Bridgeport Islanders
- Moose open Calder Cup playoffs Friday in Syracuse - Manitoba Moose
- Moose head to playoffs on winning notes - Manitoba Moose
- P-Bruins Fall To Devils 4-1 - Providence Bruins
- Sharks Thank Fans With 4-2 Win In Season Finale - Worcester Sharks
- Marlies Announce 2007-08 Individual Award Winners - Toronto Marlies
- Amerks Close Regular Season Tonight Against Lake Erie - Rochester Americans
- AHL Morning Skate - AHL
- Wolves Sign Esposito - Chicago Wolves
- Aeros In Three Way Tie For Third With One Game Left - Houston Aeros
- Stars Drop 4-1 Decision At Peoria - Iowa Chops
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