Sharks win WILD shootout over Monarchs

Published on February 4, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER, MA - Worcester pulled out the shootout victory over the first place Manchester Monarchs by the score of 4-3 Friday night at the DCU Center for their third straight victory on the season long six game home stand to remain in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division.

The line of Steven Zalewski, Tommy Wingels, and Brandon Mashinter played a strong game as they combined for six points to help overcome a third period injury to goalie Alex Stalock for the Sharks. Netminder Carter Hutton made three saves in relief and stood tall in the shootout for Worcester. Coach Roy Sommer broke his nose in the first period after an errant puck caught him behind the bench in a wild game in Worcester on Friday night.

The power play was the story in the first period as both teams converted on the man advantage. Worcester struck first as Andrew Desjardins (8th) deflected in a Justin Braun point shot to give the Sharks the 1-0 lead at 8:08 of the period. Frazer McLaren and Justin Johnson squared off at 8:50 for a heavy weight bout. Head Coach Roy Sommer missed 90 seconds of action after he was hit in the nose with a puck behind the Sharks bench and stayed in the game with a broken nose. Manchester would tie the game with 45 seconds remaining in the opening frame on their own power play. Slava Voynov fired a slap shot from the right point glove side past Alex Stalock to tie the score at 1-1.

Worcester and Manchester continued to go shot-for-shot in the second period, with Worcester leading the way 11-9. Tommy Wingels (9th) scored at 2:50 of the second to give the Sharks a 2-1 advantage after a great feed across the crease by Brandon Mashinter. The Monarchs would answer however, when Dwight King (13th) backhanded a shot passed Alex Stalock at the 12:45 mark. The Sharks and Monarchs would go into the locker room knotted up at 2-2.

John Zeiler put the Monarchs ahead for the first time of the evening 3-2 at the 7:58 mark firing in a loose rebound on top of the crease. Less than five minutes later, Steve Zalewski answered (4) on a one time pass from Mashinter from the left circle to force overtime. Alex Stalock left late in the third period after a scrum in front of the net and was replaced by Carter Hutton.

In a game that saw two of the Atlantic Division's top three teams go blow-for-blow, the Sharks and Monarchs would play an extra five minutes to decide a winner. Andrew Desjardins and Slava Voynov dropped the mitts at 3:07 of the extra frame in a wild scrum at the side of the Monarchs' net. Worcester and Manchester would go scoreless in the extra frame as Carter Hutton made a fantastic save on Marc Andre Cliché to send the game to a shootout.

Steve Zalewski and Jonathan Cheechoo scored in the shootout while Carter Hutton made four saves to take home the 4-3 shootout victory.

The Sharks record improves to 23-18-2-6 with 54 points (good for 3rd place in the Atlantic Division) and to 13-8-1-3 at the DCU Center.

Notes: Perfect Game Three Stars: 3rd Star: Slava Voynov (G) 2nd star: Tommy Wingels (G, A) 1st star: Steven Zalewski (G, A, and shootout goal) ...Final shots were 37-34 in favor of the Sharks...Martin Jones made 33 saves on 36 shots for Manchester; Alex Stalock made 28 saves on 31 shots and Carter Hutton made 3 saves on 3 shots for Worcester... Carter Hutton grabbed his first home win of the seasonWorcester went 1-for-2 on the power play while Manchester went 2-for-3 Joe Loprieno (scr), Tony Lucia (inj), T.J. Trevelyan (inj), James Marcou (inj) and Mike Moore(inj) did not dress for the Sharks....Andrew Desjardins now has a four game point streak (2-2-4).

On Saturday, the Sharks will host the Providence Bruins at 7pm with a special appearance by several San Jose Sharks players! San Jose Sharks players will be signing autographs from 6-7pm throughout the DCU Center concourse!

Doors will open at 3:30pm for the 5th annual High School Hockey Classic presented by the Massachusetts Army National Guard featuring St. John's and St. Peter Marian at 4pm in the 4th of four high school hockey doubleheaders at the DCU Center this season.

Get your family fun pack (4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas) for just $69 for all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games! (must be purchased through the Sharks front office in advance at 508-929-0500).

Marina Riva, Chris Curtis, Jonathan Forsberg, Jason Jones, and Matt Renzulli are all selling group ticket specials and exciting flex pack ticket offers! Jump in today and save over 30% off box office prices! Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

- Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center

- Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

- Five FREE friends and family vouchers

- Exclusive events with the Worcester Sharks players

- Merchandise discounts and much, much, more!

Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2010-11 season are on sale now by 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2011


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