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Sharks Win 3-2 OT Thriller, Earn Share Of Third

April 1, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MA - After allowing Springfield to tie the score on two occasions, Patrick Traverse ended it with his ninth goal of the season at 2:17 of overtime to give the Sharks a huge 3-2 win which propelled them into a third place tie in the Atlantic Division standings.

Traverse set up an overtime power play, when he was hooked by Bryan Young. Then on the ensuing man advantage, his rocket from the slot beat Springfield goalie Dany Sabourin five hole for the 3-2 thriller.

The win ups Worcester's overtime record to 7-1. It also marked the fourth overtime win over Springfield this season.

The Falcons came out firing with eight of the first nine shots, forcing Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss to make a number of sensational saves. The best chance came at 9:32 when he acrobatically stopped Ryan O'Marra, point blank.

Worcester took advantage with the first goal of the game and a 1-0 advantage at the 13:41 mark. Jason Demers' shot from the top of the right wing circle found its way past Sabourin. Steven Zalewski and Traverse were credited with the assists on the play.

Ryan Potulney made a goal-scorer's move in front of the net only 55 seconds later to tie the score at 1-1. Only nine seconds into the Falcons' second power play, he took the feed from Rob Schremp and adjusted from backhand to forehand before beating Greiss.

The Sharks took a 2-1 lead behind Matt Jones' second goal of the season and first in 43 games. He fanned on a shot from the left wing boards, but it deflected off a Springfield defenseman and found the inside of the right post at 4:15 of the second period. Frazer McLaren was credited with his first assist of the season on the play.

A huge hit by Colin McDonald on Traverse set up Guillaume Lefebvre for his fourth goal of the season to make it 2-2 at 13:42 of the third period. After the hit, Tyler Spurgeon kept the puck in the zone and made the feed to Lefebvre, who made a move around Greiss and found the open net.

The win brings Worcester's record to 38-34-1-2 with 79 points through 75 games and the Sharks currently sit tied with Portland in the Atlantic Division standings and one point ahead of Manchester.

NOTES: Three Stars: (3) Dany Sabourin (33 saves on 36 shots (2) Thomas Greiss (30 saves on 32 shots) (1) Patrick Traverse (1g)... Attendance was announced 4,515... Thomas Greiss made 30/32 saves in net for Worcester in his 11th straight start... Danny Sabourin made 33/36 saves in net for Springfield ... The Sharks went 1/5 on the power play while the Falcons went 1/4 ... Wednesday was the final home game at the Mass Mutual Center for Springfield ... Matt Jones' goal was his first since the second game of the season, Oct. 17 at Albany.

The Sharks continue their four game road swing on Friday at Albany and Saturday at Manchester. They return home to the DCU Center for the final three games of the regular season, Apr. 8 vs. Portland, Apr. 10 vs. Manchester, and Apr. 11 vs. Providence.

The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now! 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.

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2009


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