SHARKSPAGE

Darryl Hunt: Joslin, WorSharks Even Series After 3-2 Win Over Manchester

The Worcester Sharks used a three point night by Brandon Mashinter and a late third period game winner by Derek Joslin to defeat the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. The win knots their best of seven series at 2-2, with game five coming Wednesday night in Worcester.

Following Wednesday’s game two overtime collapse and with Friday’s game three 5-0 loss to the Monarchs being one of the worst games ever played by the WorSharks, it was imperative that Worcester come out fighting and establish themselves early in the contest. And luckily for the fans that made the trek to the Granite State, the WorSharks did just that.

With Justin Azevedo off for a delay of game minor after flipping the puck into the stands over the Manchester bench, Ryan Vesce would beat Monarchs star goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Bernier, who went undefeated in three starts for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings this season, made several nice saves in a row but couldn’t control the rebound after a right pad save of a Mashinter shot. Vesce scooped up the loose puck low in the left wing faceoff circle and shot it over Bernier for the 1-0 lead at 11:12 of the first. Benn Ferriero had the second assist. The goal snapped a WorSharks scoreless streak that lasted just under 101 minutes.

A nice individual effort by Monarchs center Gabe Gauthier knotted the score 1-1 at 12:36 of the second period. After a draw to the left of Bernier Gauthier picked up a loose puck along the blueline and skated down the left side. Gauthier used WorSharks defenseman as a screen and ripped a slapshot that beat Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock and just snuck inside the far post. Just 63 seconds later Azevedo would make amends for his earlier miscue by giving Manchester a 2-1 lead after banging home a Bud Holloway backhand pass from behind the WorSharks net.

Worcester did not roll over and continued to pressure the Manchester defense, including outshooting the Monarchs 13-2 over the final 20 minutes. Cory Quirk would make that hard work pay off at 10:54 of the third period. Rookie defenseman Nick Schaus pinched all the way down to the goal line to grab Mashinter rebound and flipped the puck into traffic in the slot. Quirk was able to get a stick on the pass and deflected it just inside the left post to tie the game.

The WorSharks continued to pressure Manchester as the Monarchs seemed to get caught in the same prevent defense mindset that doomed Worcester in game two, and more hard work in the slot lead to Joslin’s game winner. With time ticking down and Dan DaSilva and Mashinter working hard low in the slot, Bernier was twice unable to cover the puck. Joslin crashed the net and was able to jam the puck just over the goal line to light the lamp with 33.3 seconds remaining.

Bernier immediately jumped to his feet to protest, saying Joslin kicked the puck into the net. Referee Ghislain Hebert, who was standing directly behind the net when the game winner was scored, quickly dismissed Bernier and ruled the goal good. Manchester would pull Bernier for an extra attacker, but could not mount any sort of offense as home ice flipped back to Worcester’s advantage.

GAME NOTES
After Friday’s pathetic performance WorSharks head coach Roy Sommer made several line up changes and for the first time all season broke up the “Crazed rats” line. Worcester scratches were Joe Callahan (who will be finally medically cleared to play for game five), Joe Loprieno, Tony Lucia (played in game three), James Marcou (played in game two), Nick Petrecki, T.J. Trevelyan (who was injured in game one but is expected to return for game five), Brett Westgarth (who played in game three at forward), Michael Wilson (scratched for the first time this series). Frank Doyle was the backup goaltender.

With Matt Irwin dressing for Worcester in game four that means every former college player added to the roster late in the season that played in a regular season game has now played in the playoffs.

After knotting the series 2-2 Worcester guaranteed themselves another trip to Manchester for Friday night’s game six. Should the series go the distance, game seven would be back in Worcester on Saturday.

The game winner was originally credited to Cory Quirk, who was also banging away at the loose puck in the crease. It was after the game the goal was changed to Joslin, which is why Quirk was announced as the first star of the game.

The three stars of the game were:
1. Quirk (game tying goal
2. Azevedo (g)
3. Mashinter (3a)

Mashinter was also the AHL’s number three star of the night, and Derek Joslin’s game winner earned him the number one star of the night.

The Sharkspage player of the game was Derek Joslin.

Even Strength Lines
Zalewski/Desjardins/Vesce
Mashinter/Quirk/DaSilva
McCarthy/Ferriero/Strong
McLaren/Henderson/McCauley

Moore/Braun
Groulx/Schaus
Joslin/Irwin

BOXSCORE

Worcester 1 0 2 – 3
Manchester 0 2 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Worcester, Vesce 2 (Mashinter, Ferriero), 11:12 (pp). Penalties-Mullen Mch (hooking), 3:16; Schaus Wor (interference), 8:12; Azevedo Mch (delay of game), 10:32; Moore Wor (tripping), 12:17; Joslin Wor (roughing), 12:42; Lewis Mch (roughing), 12:42; Schaus Wor (tripping), 15:17.

2nd Period-2, Manchester, Gauthier 2 12:36. 3, Manchester, Azevedo 2 (Holloway, King), 13:39. Penalties-Cliche Mch (goaltender interference), 3:46; Piskula Mch (delay of game), 4:03; DaSilva Wor (goaltender interference), 8:48.

3rd Period-4, Worcester, Quirk 2 (Schaus, Mashinter), 10:54. 5, Worcester, Joslin 4 (DaSilva, Mashinter), 19:26. Penalties-Cliche Mch (high-sticking), 11:55.

Shots on Goal
Worcester 12-11-13-36
Manchester 10-9-2-21.

Power Play Opportunities
Worcester 1 of 5
Manchester 0 of 4.

Goalies
Worcester, Stalock 6-3-0 (21 shots-19 saves)
Manchester, Bernier 6-2-0 (36 shots-33 saves).

A-3,343. Referee-Ghislain Hebert (49). Linesmen-Landon Bathe (80), Chris Libett (19).