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Worcester Sharks Get Set for Home Opener on Saturday Against Bruins

October 18, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


The Sharks had a tough weekend in Norfolk dropping back-to-back games to the Admirals at the Scope Arena to finish off a season opening four game road trip 1-2-0-1. Worcester is set to host the Providence Bruins at the DCU Center on Saturday, October 23rd at 7pm and will hoist their Atlantic Division championship banner.

Top 3!

#1 Carter Hutton makes 47 saves and adds an assist in his Sharks debut in relief of Alex Stalock on Saturday in Norfolk!

#2 Benn Ferriero nets his team leading 3rd goal of the season in Norfolk on Saturday.

#3 James Marcou scores his 2nd goal of season and adds an assist in Norfolk on Saturday.

Last Week: (0-2-0-0) 0pts, 2gp

Fri. 10/15 L Worcester SHARKS 0 @ Norfolk Admirals 4

Sat. 10/16 L Worcester SHARKS 2 @ Norfolk Admirals 7

This week:

Sat. 10/23 Providence Bruins @ Worcester SHARKS - 7:00pm

Sun. 10/24 Norfolk Admirals @ Worcester SHARKS - 3:00pm

Rewind the Tape:

10.15.10 - Worcester 0 - Norfolk 4 - L - Scope Arena

Cedrick Desjardins made 29 saves in his Norfolk Admirals debut as the Sharks were shutout for the first time on the road since March 22nd in 2009 in a 4-0 loss to the Admirals at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia on Friday night. The Sharks went 0-for-8 on the power play and Jonathan Cheechoo fired seven shots on goal but Worcester could not find the back of the net. The Admirals received goals from four different skaters and won their home opener in front of 4,835 fans.

10.16.10 - Worcester 2 - Norfolk 7 - L - Scope Arena

Three Norfolk Admirals scored two goals and the Sharks allowed 56 shots on goal in a 7-2 loss to the Admirals at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday night. Benn Ferriero (3rd) and James Marcou (2nd) scored for the Sharks and Carter Hutton made 47 saves in relief of Alex Stalock who was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in the first 5:11 of the first period. The Admirals improved to 3-0-0-0 for the 2nd time in their 11th year history in the AHL in front of 3,330 fans.

Sharks in the Atlantic:

The Sharks are swimming in 6th place with 3 points (1-2-0-1) in the Atlantic Division through four games, which is five points behind the first place Portland Pirates. Hartford (7 points), Springfield (6 points), Manchester (4 points), Bridgeport (4 points) all have an early edge over the Sharks. The Bruins have 3 points in five games to round out a very choppy Atlantic Division.

400 WINS and chasing 1000 games....

*400 WINS!....With the 4-1 victory vs. Springfield on November 1, 2009 head coach Roy Sommer became just the 4th coach in AHL history to reach the 400 win plateau.

AHL COACHING WINS - ALL-TIME

1. Fred "Bun" Cook 1937-56 19seasons 1,171GP 636 WINS

2. Frank Mathers 1956-85 18seasons 1,256GP 610 WINS

3. John Paddock 1981-2009 15seasons 1,107GP 585 WINS

4. Roy Sommer 1998-current 13th season 964GP 443WINS

*Worcester Sharks Head Coach Roy Sommer, who plays a major role in developing players for the San Jose Sharks, is currently the longest-tenured coach (13th season) in the American Hockey League. His current regular season record after the win is now: 443-404-57-60.

*Coach Sommer will coach his 1,000th AHL game on January 11, 2011 when the Sharks host the Albany River Rats.

*In Coach Sommer's first AHL victory.... The Kentucky Thoroughblades defeated the Albany River Rats 6-4 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on October 17th 1998. Coincidentally, Assistant Coach David Cunniff recorded an assist as a member of the River Rats in the hockey game.

*Assistant Coach David Cunniff has joined Coach Sommer in 289 of the 443 victories (65%).

Shark Bites:

*Captains for the 2010-11 season: Captain Jay Leach (1st year), Assistant Captains on the road: Jonathan Cheechoo (1st year) and Nick Petrecki (1st year). Assistant Captains at home: Andrew Desjardins (1st year) and Sean Sullivan (1st year)

*From east to west..... The Sharks had 12 players that saw action in both the AHL and NHL last season (McLaren, Zalewski, Vesce, Joslin, McGinn, Couture, Callahan, Ferriero, Mitchell, Demers, McCarthy, and Helminen). The Worcester Sharks have 0 CALL-UPS this season to San Jose... Currently; Logan Couture, Jason Demers, Derek Joslin, Mike Moore, Frazer McLaren, John McCarthy, Jamie McGinn, Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Marc-Edourd Vlasic, and Doug Murray are all former Worcester Sharks that are currently playing with the San Jose Sharks.

*Home openers... the Sharks are 2-1-0-1 in four home openers at the DCU Center heading into Saturday's matchup with the Bruins. Worcester is the last team in the AHL to host their home opener, and October 23rd will be the Sharks latest home opener on record. The Sharks lost in a shootout 5-4 to Portland in 2006, defeated Portland 3-2 in 2007, defeated the Bruins in overtime 3-2 in 2008, and lost to Lowell 7-5 in 2009.

*Reunion of sorts...Jonathan Cheechoo returns to the Sharks organization in Worcester and will once again play for head coach Roy Sommer.... Coach Sommer coached Cheechoo in Kentucky and Cleveland in the AHL before his NHL days. Cheechoo had 56-63-119pts in 137 games under coach Sommer.

*On the Hunt... Sharks forward Garet Hunt made the Sharks opening night roster after a try-out during training camp. The 22-year-old from Maple Ridge, BC had 463 penalty minutes in 115 games in Stockton over the last two seasons... Hunt leads the Sharks with 24 penalty minutes (2 FM) in four games with the Sharks this season.

*Familiar Faces...16 players return to the 2010-11 roster from the regular season Atlantic Division championship team including four 20 goal scorers (DaSilva, Mashinter, Trevelyan, and Zalewski) and team MVP Alex Stalock.

*56... The Sharks allowed a franchise record 56 shots on goal in Norfolk on Saturday, October 16th in a 7-2 loss to the Admirals... the previous high for most shots allowed in a game was on April 6, 2007 when the Sharks allowed 52 shots in a 4-1 win over the Wolf Pack at the DCU Center.

*47... Carter Hutton made 47 saves in his Sharks debut on Saturday, October 16th in Norfolk... the 47 saves are an AHL high by a netminder this season.

*Sweet 16...The Worcester Sharks are the 16th professional team that Sharks captain has suited up for in this, his 10th professional season (Mississippi - ECHL, Springfield - AHL, Augusta - ECHL, Long Beach - ECHL, Providence - AHL, Trenton - ECHL, Bridgeport - AHL, Boston - NHL, Norfolk - AHL, Tampa Bay - NHL, Portland - AHL, Lowell - AHL, New Jersey - NHL, Montreal - NHL, San Jose - NHL, and Worcester - AHL)

*Young Guns... the Sharks have TEN rookies, including three from UMASS-Amherst (Braun, Irwin, and Marcou) and two from UMASS-Lowell (Hutton and Schaus).

*Vets... Three veterans will provide leadership for the Sharks squad this season, which include: former Maurice Richard winner Jonathan Cheechoo, former Boston Bruins defenseman Jay Leach, and the leading goal scorer for the Sharks from last season, T.J. Trevelyan.

*I'll take a draft.... SEVEN Worcester Sharks players were drafted by the San Jose Sharks. (Braun, Cheechoo, Lucia, Petrecki, Stalock, Wingels, and Zalewski)

*You always remember your first..... Carter Hutton received his first professional point (an assist) in the 7-2L at Norfolk on Saturday... Leigh Salters made his professional debut with the Sharks on Saturday and fired two shots and took a roughing minor.

*Firsts this Week... Brandon Mashinter and Jay Leach picked up their first fighting major penalties of the season this weekend in Norfolk.

*Streakers... the Sharks have at least one fighting major in all FOUR games this season... Alex Stalock has started in FOUR straight games for Worcester (1-2-1).

*Stole it from Bill Ballou... Dan DaSilva became the 22nd Worcester Sharks player to reach the 100 games played plateau... DaSilva has played in 104 games in a Sharks sweater.

*Crazed Rats part 2... Garet Hunt has joined DaSilva and Desjardins on the Crazed Rats Line.... John McCarthy is currently in San Jose.

*Massachusetts... The Sharks have THREE players born and raised in Massachusetts (Sean Sullivan - Boston, Corey Quirk - Brockton, and Benn Ferriero - Essex) In all, the Sharks have 15 American born players, nine Canadians, and one German.

*Feeling Special... Worcester ranks 17th in the AHL at 83.3% (10-for-12) and 12th in the AHL on the power play with a 21.7% conversion rating (5-for-23).

*Follow the leaders.... Garet Hunt is 1st in the AHL among rookies with 24 penalty minutes.

*Mr. Dependable.... Andrew Desjardins has dressed in 158 straight games for Worcester breaking the record held by Derek Joslin (114 games).... Desjardins has the 2nd longest streak in the AHL.

*Five for fighting...The Sharks have SIX fighting majors this season... (Garet Hunt 2, Brandon Mashinter 1, Sean Sullivan 1, Jay Leach 1, and Nick Petrecki 1). The Sharks had 73 fighting majors last season, 78 fighting majors in 2009-10, 68 fighting majors in 2007-08 and 54 in 2006-07.

Coming and goings from the shark tank:

10/14 Thomas Greiss was assigned to Worcester from San Jose.

Top Worcester Sharks:

o Goals Ferriero(3)

o Game Winners Marcou (1)

o Assists Cheechoo and Trevelyan (3)

o Points Cheechoo (2-3-5)

o Power play Points Cheechoo (0-3-3)

o Shots Cheechoo (13)

o PIM Hunt (24)

o Fighting Pen. Hunt (2)

o Plus/Minus Braun, Loprieno, and Wingels (E)

o Wins Stalock (1)

o G.A.A. Hutton (4.30)

o Save % Hutton (.922)

o Shutouts

Sharks in the Pacific:

The San Jose Sharks are 1-1-1-0 with three points through three games.

Logan Couture had the game winning goal in the Sharks opener, while former Worcester Sharks; Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, and Torrey Mitchell have all scored goals for San Jose. Frazer McLaren has played three games and has recorded two fighting majors.

Sharks in the ECHL:

The Stockton Thunder kicked-off their ECHL season this past weekend with two games vs. Ontario. Ryan Constant (AHL contact), Tyson Sexsmith (NHL contract), and former Sharks player Matt Jones are all in Stockton to begin the season. The Thunder are 0-1-1-0 in two games this season.

Coming Up:

The Sharks will debut a special 5th anniversary teal jersey on opening night and fans will receive a rally towel presented by Price Chopper as the Sharks raise their regular season Atlantic Division championship banner against the Bruins on October 23rd at 7pm.

Chris Curtis, Marina Riva, Jonathan Forsberg, Jason Jones, Kristen Moore, and Matt Renzulli are taking deposits for the Sharks 5th season in Worcester! 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 .

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