SHARKSPAGE

WorSharks lose 3-2 in OT, see playoff chances hit virtually nil

The Worcester Sharks went into Saturday night’s contest against the Hershey Bears at the DCU Center in “must win in regulation” mode to keep their incredibly slim playoff hopes alive, and after squandering an early lead were able to get into overtime on Dan DaSilva’s WorSharks career goal leading tally late in the third period but a poor line change in the extra session lead to a turnover and a Bears goal to give Worcester a 3-2 loss and virtually kill them in the playoff hunt.

Worcester Sharks forward Dan DaSilva became the franchise's all-time goal scoring leader
with his third period extra attacker strike Saturday night. DaSilva entered the game tied
with Riley Armstrong and Mile Iggulden at 59 career goals.
Photo courtesy of TEAMSHRED

For video highlights we point to AHLlive.com because even when the WorSharks lose they still upload highlights, unlike some other New England AHL franchise.

Scratches for Worcester were Sena Acolatse (leg), Adam Comrie, Nick Jones, John McCarthy (hand), Matt Pelech, Daniil Tarasov (back), and Marek Viedensky (unknown injury). Harri Sateri was the back-up goaltender.

Pregame there was a large ceremony to acknowledge Roy Sommer breaking the American Hockey League’s record for most games coached. There were many VIPs in attendance, including AHL president Dave Andrews, San Jose Executive Vice President and General Manager Dug Wilson, WorSharks Vice President Jon Gustafson, and WorSharks General Manager Joe Will. It may have been the first time Andrews was not loudly booed at the DCU Center, as over the years it has become somewhat of a tradition for AHL fans to boo the league president. Worcester City Councilor Phil Palmieri, who was there to present Sommer with a Key to the City, did not escape the boos despite many not knowing who he was. Such is the case with many politicians in Worcester.

The turning point in the game was during the first media timeout of the second period. With Worcester controlling play Hershey Bears head coach Mike Haviland really lit into his team as they all were gathered in front of him, to the point he could almost be heard in the stands in front of the press box over the sound of the blaring music. Over at the WorSharks bench Sommer, as he customarily does, did no coaching and basically stood there with his hands in his pockets. From that moment until DaSilva’s extra attacker goal with 35 seconds left in regulation the ice was decidedly tilted toward the Worcester end and the WorSharks were outscored 2-0. Not coaching when the opportunity arises is likely the reason Sommer not only leads the career list of games coached in the AHL but also is well ahead in career losses too.

With DaSilva’s goal giving him the franchise lead at 60 he now has six Worcester IceCats in front of him on Worcester’s all-time pro goal leader list. He should be able to move up a few notches in the next six games as Stephane Roy (61), Jeff Panzer (62), and Jame Pollock (63) are just in front of him. On the Worcester all-time points list DaSilva’s 143 tie him for 6th with Justin Papineau. Getting past Jeff Panzer’s 146 would put DaSilva into the city’s top 5.

It has been a long time since a referee interfered with play more than Nic Leduc did Saturday night. Several times Leduc was hit by the puck and at least twice Leduc was so far out of position he tripped up a player. His calling a holding the stick minor on Konrad Abeltshauser after the rookie defenseman was highsticked in the face also drew some curious glances along press row.

The three stars of the game were
1. HER – 21 Casey Wellman (OTgwg)
2. WOR – 22 Dan DaSilva (g)
3. HER – 31 Philipp Grubauer (33 save win)

The Sharkspage player of the game is Bracken Kearns.

Even strength lines
Carpenter/Kearns/DaSilva
Hayes/Oleksuk/Hamilton
Schwartz/Rau/Schmidt
Bonneau/Higgs/Reid

Abeltshauser/Tennyson
Davison/DeMelo
Mueller/Doherty

BOXSCORE

Hershey 0 2 0 1 – 3
Worcester 0 1 1 0 – 2

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-May Her (cross-checking), 18:20.

2nd Period-1, Worcester, Rau 3 (Schwartz, Schmidt), 1:34. 2, Hershey, Herbert 2 (Kolomatis, Taffe), 8:28. 3, Hershey, Genoway 4 (Newbury, Byers), 12:22. Penalties-Abeltshauser Wor (holding the stick), 9:17.

3rd Period-4, Worcester, DaSilva 17 (Kearns, Carpenter), 19:25. Penalties-Kolomatis Her (hooking), 1:19; Watkins Her (tripping), 11:26.

OT Period-5, Hershey, Wellman 17 (Byers), 2:49. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Hershey 6-13-3-1-23. Worcester 13-10-12-0-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Hershey 0 / 1; Worcester 0 / 3.
Goalies-Hershey, Grubauer 12-11-1 (35 shots-33 saves). Worcester, Grosenick 17-12-0 (23 shots-20 saves).
A-4,024
Referees-Nic Leduc (12).
Linesmen-Chris Aughe (74), Todd Whittemore (70).