Wolf Pack howl past Sharks, 3-2

Published on April 9, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


WORCESTER, MA - Two nights after surrendering nine goals to the Sharks, Hartford enacted some revenge, never trailing, in a 3-2 victory over Worcester at the DCU Center. Julien Brouillette's early third period goal, his first of the season, proved to be the difference for the Wolf Pack who won the season series between the two clubs with a record of 5-3-0-0.

Mike Moore and Danny Groulx tallied for the Sharks in the loss as Worcester remains atop the Atlantic Division. The Sharks can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win over the Bruins in the DCU Center regular season finale tomorrow night at 7pm.

Neither team could gain an advantage in the first period as the teams combined for just nine shots on net. Worcester registered the only two power plays of the period, but was unable to convert with the man advantage both times. The Sharks outshot the Wolf Pack, 6-3.

Chris McKelvie, playing in just his fourth professional game, scored his first professional goal at the 9:25 mark of the second period. After Frank Doyle mishandled a puck, McKelvie muscled his way out from behind the net and wrapped it home to give the Wolf Pack a 1-0 lead. The Sharks added pressure immediately after as Moore and Brandon Mashinter each rang pucks off the post. However, it was the Wolf Pack extending their lead with 5:08 remaining in the period as Brodie Dupont centered a feed to the top of the crease that was tipped home by Derek Couture (11). The Sharks finally responded with 2:53 left in the period as Moore tallied his third goal of the season. Moore looked like a forward as he streaked into the Hartford zone, took the puck wide behind the net, and shuffled one past Chad Johnson. Andrew Desjardins and Brett Westgarth assisted on the goal that cut Worcester's deficit in half, 2-1. The score stayed that way into the second intermission with shots even for the period at 10 apiece.

Hartford regained their two-goal lead 2:52 into the third period when Brouillette (1) blasted one from the point past Doyle. The Sharks answered shorthanded when Groulx (13) centered one off a Hartford defender and past a helpless Johnson to make the score, 3-2. The goal, scored at the 6:10 mark was assisted by Steven Zalewski and Cory Quirk. Groulx had another shorthanded opportunity with three minutes left in regulation but could not tip a John McCarthy pass by Johnson. Worcester had opportunities with their net empty and the extra attacker on, but Hartford held on for the 3-2 victory. Worcester outshot Hartford 9-6 in the third period.

Win the loss, Worcester's record falls to (48-24-3-3, 102 points) and they now lead the Atlantic Division by three points over Portland. Worcester has two regular season games left this season (1 road, 1 home) and have a franchise best 102 points this season. The Sharks have clinched at least 2nd place in the Atlantic Division and will host Game 1 of the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs on Wednesday, April 14th at the DCU Center at 7pm. (opponent yet to be determined).

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American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2010


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