SHARKSPAGE

WorSharks Blanked By Admirals, 4-0

The Worcester Sharks ran into a hot goaltender and were stymied on eight power play chances during a 4-0 loss to the Norfolk Admirals Friday night at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia in front of 4,835 fans. The WorSharks have a chance to erase that game from their memories quickly as they take on the Admirals again tonight.

For folks interested in the particulars they can read the WorSharks side of the story on their official website and the Norfolk Admirals version at norfolkadmirals.com and Jim Hodges’ take from the Virginian-Pilot.

GAME NOTES
There were two player moves made since last weekend, with Tommy Wingles and Thomas Greiss both being loaned to the WorSharks. Greiss, who had to pass through waivers to be sent to the AHL did not play. Along with Greiss the WorSharks scratches were Joe Loprieno, Tony Lucia, Cam MacIntyre, and Leigh Salters. Carter Hutton was the back-up goaltender.

One area that looks to need some improvement for the WorSharks is the power play. No, not scoring on one where they are at a 20% clip despite going scoreless in eight attempts Friday night, but preventing their opponent from scoring. In just three games Worcester has already given up two shorthanded goals, which is tied for the most against any AHL team. The WorSharks gave up 10 last season, which was in the middle of the pack in the AHL.

Just three games into the season no Worcester player is at a “plus” rating. Of the players that have played all three games just Justin Braun, Cory Quirk, and Nick Petrecki are even. Rookie defenseman Nick Schaus has the team’s lowest rating at minus-6.

Former San Jose draft pick Ty Wishart plays for the Admirals. Wishart, who was the Sharks first round pick in 2008, was traded along with Matt Carle and two draft picks in exchange for Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich on July 4, 2008. Wishart had a goal and was +3 in the contest. Former WorSharks forward Matt Fornataro also plays for the Admirals and had an assist.

The three stars of the game were
1. NOR – 30 Cedrick Desjardins (29 save shutout)
2. NOR – 16 James Wright (g,2a)
3. NOR – 24 Tim Marks (+2)

Worcester’s even strength forward lines were
Wingles/Ferriero/Cheechoo
Mashinter/Quirk/Trevelyan
Zalewski/Desjardins/DaSilva
Hunt/Henderson/Marcou

BOXSCORE
Worcester 0 0 0 – 0
Norfolk 2 1 1 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Wishart 2 (Berry, Pouliot), 2:16. 2, Norfolk, Roy 1 (Fornataro, Wright), 4:04 (SH). Penalties-Barberio Nor (holding), 2:38; Hunt Wor (slashing, fighting), 8:07; Berry Nor (fighting), 8:07; Petrecki Wor (roughing, roughing), 10:22; Durno Nor (roughing, roughing), 10:22; Desjardins Wor (roughing), 11:58; Jones Nor (interference), 12:51; Jackson Nor (hooking), 14:15.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Wright 1 (Berry, Mihalik), 18:24. Penalties-Petrecki Wor (cross-checking), 8:26; Durno Nor (interference), 10:34; Mihalik Nor (double minor – high-sticking), 11:21; Angelidis Nor (high-sticking), 14:56.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Szczechura 1 (Wright, Roy), 15:06. Penalties-Wishart Nor (tripping), 6:51; Zalewski Wor (roughing), 13:34; Mihalik Nor (slashing), 13:34.

Shots on Goal-Worcester 12-9-8-29. Norfolk 10-4-11-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 0 / 8; Norfolk 0 / 3.
Goalies-Worcester, Stalock 1-1-1 (25 shots-21 saves). Norfolk, Desjardins 1-0-0 (29 shots-29 saves).
A-4,835
Referee-Jean Hebert (43). Linesmen-Tom George (61), Scott Pomento (25).