SHARKSPAGE

WorSharks new look pays dividends early in 3-1 win over Hartford

The Worcester Sharks did some roster shuffling over the past week, and at least in the short term it worked out well as newcomer Tyler Gron scored the WorSharks first goal of the game and returning fan favorite Yanni Gourde added an assist on the go ahead tally to help lead Worcester to a 3-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts in front of a crowd listed at 3,203 but certainly seemed much larger.

Newly signed Worcester Sharks forward Tyler Gron celebrates his first American Hockey League goal with
his second period game tying strike against Hartford Friday night. The WorSharks would go on to win 3-1.
Photo courtesy of STEVE LANAVA | Worcester T&G Staff

For video highlights we point to AHLlive. As the game was on local cable in the Worcester area in addition of the golden voice of WorSharks broadcaster Eric Linquist you also hear 2008–09 James H. Ellery Memorial Award winner Kevin Shea providing color commentary. The James H. Ellery Memorial Awards are presented annually to the individuals of the news media (newspaper, radio and television) for outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League. The awards are given in memory James Ellery, former publicity director for the AHL. The first award was handed out to one individual in 1965. Since 1976, three awards have been given, one to each type of media. It will come as a shock to no one to hear WorSharks beat reporter Bill Ballou has won it twice.

Scratches for Worcester were Adam Comrie (unknown injury) Curt Gogol, Matt Pelech (hand), Harri Sateri (as we say in New England: “wicked sick”). To take Sateri’s place the WorSharks signed goaltender Scott Barchard to an ATO. In the previously mentioned roster shuffling Worcester brought forward Yanni Gourde in from the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) on a try-out contract and signed San Francisco Bulls (ECHL) forward Tyler Gron to an AHL/ECHL deal. To make room for the pair of players Worcester sent Riley Brace to San Francisco and San Jose reassigned Sebastian Stalberg to the Bulls. Both will benefit greatly from the change of scenery. Lane Scheidl returned to the lineup after missing the first 32 games due to a knee injury.

It was a bit crowded behind the WorSharks bench as both Mark Ricci and Bryan Marchment joined coaches Roy Sommer and David Cunniff for the game. When you add in Head Athletic Trainer Matt White and Head Equipment Manager Chris Davidson-Adams (a.k.a Critter), that’s w hole lot of folks in a small area. With the Worcester win you should expect the same crew again Saturday night.

One of the infuriating things that happens with the WorSharks are line changes at very inopportune times. Friday night was no exception as with seven seconds left in the second period and with full possession of the puck in the Hartford end, Worcester changed lines. This is an all too common occurrence that really needs to be looked at. Correct game management game easily get you a couple of extra wins a season, and the WorSharks are terrible at it.

The three stars of the game were
1. WOR – 15 Brodie Reid (gwg)
2. WOR – 1 Troy Grosenick (21 save win)
3. WOR – 36 Tyler Gron (g)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Tyler Gron.

Even strength lines
Gron/Hamilton/Tarasov
Gourde/Oleksuk/DaSilva
Scheidl/Viedensky/Livingston
Bonneau/Schwartz/Reid

Petrecki/Doherty
Davison/DeMelo
Abeltshauser/Acolatse

BOXSCORE

Hartford 1 0 0 – 1
Worcester 0 1 2 – 3

1st Period-1, Hartford, Bourque 6 (Lindberg, Fast), 7:23 (PP). Penalties-Gourde Wor (goaltender interference), 6:35; Haley Hfd (tripping), 9:05; Gron Wor (high-sticking), 10:25.

2nd Period-2, Worcester, Gron 1 (Tarasov), 10:16 (PP). Penalties-Viedensky Wor (hooking), 5:37; Johnson Hfd (delay of game), 9:22; Bickel Hfd (roughing), 12:48; Livingston Wor (boarding), 12:48.

3rd Period-3, Worcester, Reid 4 (Gourde), 13:39. 4, Worcester, Tarasov 10 (DeMelo), 19:25 (EN). Penalties-Yogan Hfd (boarding), 15:18.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 7-6-9-22. Worcester 8-13-12-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 3; Worcester 1 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, Grumet-Morris 3-10-4 (32 shots-30 saves). Worcester, Grosenick 7-5-0 (22 shots-21 saves).
A-3,203
Referees-Ryan Murphy (5).
Linesmen-Chris Aughe (74), Brian MacDonald (72).