Sweet 16.. Sharks take home AHL leading 16th one goal victory with 5-4 win in Syracuse

January 23, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


SYRACUSE, NY - The Worcester Sharks grabbed their 11th road win of the season and their third straight victory overall in a 5-4 victory over the Crunch in Syracuse on Saturday night to kick-off the unofficial second half of the AHL season.

Worcester's Logan Couture had two goals, Nick Petrecki scored his first professional goal and added an assist, and Benn Ferriero added two assists for the Sharks in AHL leading 16th one-goal victory of the season.

The Crunch came out firing early with Alex Stalock making some big saves, but a 60-foot shot from the right point by Crunch defenseman Grant Clitsome rang of the far post and past Stalock at 4:04 to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead at 4:04. Logan Couture (17th) evened the score on the Sharks first power play chance with a terrific snap shot from outside the left circle past the glove of goaltender Dan LaCosta at 9:46. The Sharks would take the lead after Andrew Desjardins (12th) scored after a goal mouth scramble at 14:37. Worcester led 2-1 after twenty minutes of play with each team firing 11 shots.

The Sharks rattled off three goals in the second period as Logan Couture (18th) tipped in a Nick Petrecki shot from the point at 1:26 to give the Worcester a 3-1 lead. Nick Petrecki went coast to coast for his first professional goal on a beautiful rush and finished with a wrist shot from the right circle past LaCosta at 6:51. Crunch head coach Doug Yates pulled LaCosta after allowing four goals on 15 shots. Captain Derek MacKenzie extended his goal streak to four games after he found the back of the net at 11:50 with a nice feed from behind the cage by Bates Battaglia. Jamie McGinn (5th) capped off the scoring with a shorthanded breakaway goal at 13:30 with a terrific backhand finish past Kevin Lalande. The Sharks led 5-2 after forty minutes outshooting the Crunch 20-19.

Brendan Bell and Dan Fritsche scored in the third period for the Crunch but it was too little too late as the Sharks held on for the 5-4 victory in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

Notes: Three Stars: (3) Grant Clitsome (1-0-1), (2) Nick Petrecki (1-1-2), (1) Logan Couture (2-0-2)... Dean Strong was loaned to Kalamazoo in the ECHL.... Ryan Vesce and Joe Callahan were out of the lineup due to injuries....Alex Stalock had 24 saves in net for Worcester for his league leading 24th win... Dan LaCosta had 11 saves on 15 shots in net for the Crunch before being pulled at 6:51 of the 2nd period....Final shots were 28-28... Joe Loprieno recorded his first pro point with an assist on Petrecki's 2nd period goal....Defenseman Danny Groulx has played in 152 straight games and now has a THREE game point streak (0-6-6)...Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 118 straight games for Worcester and scored his 12th goal... the Crunch travel to Worcester for their first ever visit to the DCU Center on Tuesday, March 23... Logan Couture now has a FOUR game point streak (4-1-5).

On Wednesday, The Sharks host the Manitoba Moose for the first of two consecutive meetings. With every Wednesday game, Sharks fans that have lost their jobs will receive up to four tickets for their family with proof of unemployment and valid state ID. It's also Dollar Dog Wednesdays.... Hot dogs are only $1.00!!! Puck drop is 7:05p.m.

On Friday, the Sharks host the Moose at 7:05p.m. The game will be shown live on Charter TV3. College student are just $9 when purchased at the Box Office the day of the game with a student ID.

On Sunday, January 31st, Chaske Spencer, who plays Sam Uley in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, will appear and sign autographs at the Sharks game vs. the Lowell Devils at the DCU Center at 3:05p.m. Chaske will be signing autographs for fans throughout the Sharks game. Order the Werewolf Pack today which includes 4 tickets and 2 photos of Chaske for only $60. The ONLY way to guarantee your autograph is with a bracelet, for only $5 more per person.

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. 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

-Significant savings off box office ticket prices

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

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 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.



American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2010


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