SHARKSPAGE

Hamilton’s third period natural hat trick lifts WorSharks over Pirates 4-1

The Worcester Sharks entered the third period of Sunday’s DCU Center matinee against the Portland Pirates trailing by a goal, but Freddie Hamilton and Daniil Tarasov took care of that all by themselves with Tarasov assisting on all three of Hamilton’s third period goals as the WorSharks cruised to a 4-1 win in front of a crowd listed at 2,559. The win may have come at a significant cost as Petter Emanuelsson went off late in the opening period with an upper body injury and did not return. The two teams will have a rematch Wednesday at the DCU Center.

Freddie Hamilton, shown playing against the Portland Pirates last season, set the
Worcester Sharks team record for fastest three goals by a single player at 5:12
during the WorSharks 4-1 win over Portland on Sunday at the DCU Center.
File photo courtesy of TEAMSHRED

For the highlights we once again look to the WorSharks YouTube channel.

Scratches for Worcester were Chris Crane, Jeremy Langlois, and Travis Oleksuk (shoulder). The WorSharks went with seven defensemen as Gus Young made his pro debut. J.P. Anderson was in his usual spot as the backup goaltender. Prior to the game it was indicated that Taylor Doherty was going to be scratched, but head coach Roy Sommer must have changed his mind after warm-ups and inserted the 6’8″ defenseman into the line-up.

The third goal by Hamilton was originally credited to Konrad Abeltshauser, although the fans at the DCU Center knew it was Hamilton’s right away as several hats rained on to the ice. With his third period natural hat trick Hamilton sets the WorSharks team record for quickest three goals by a single player at 5:12, breaking linemate Tarasov’s previous record of 19:38. That record was set in Springfield exactly on year ago Sunday, on October 26, 2013. It’s also the first WorSharks hat trick at the DCU Center since P.J. Fenton had one on February 28, 2009 in Worcester’s 7-3 victory over Springfield.

Sunday was the first time the WorSharks had four goals in a period since March 16, 2014, a 5-1 win over Manchester.

In another scoring change, as expected Petter Emanuelsson was given the goal originally credited to Micheal Haley on Friday night.

Just before the season started we took at look at the WorSharks schedule and indicated that there would be some games where Worcester held an advantage (or a disadvantage) based on the opponent’s schedule. This was one of those games, and the check mark was in the WorSharks column. Getting the two points in that instance is one of the things that will help propel the team into the playoffs, and right now the team is off on the right foot in that circumstance. Next Saturday is another one of those “advantage” games as the WorSharks have the previous night off while Hershey plays in Manchester.

The three stars of the game were
1. WOR – 12 Freddie Hamilton (hat trick)
2. WOR – 19 Daniil Tarasov (3a)
3. WOR – 1 Troy Grosenick (28 saves)

The rule of thumb here at Sharkspage is the #1 and #2 stars of the game aren’t eligible for Sharkspage player of the game, but in this case how can it not be Hamilton for record breaking night?

With seven defensemen dressed and Emanuelsson injured the even strength lines were all over the place, so we’ll skip them for today.

BOXSCORE

Portland 1 0 0 – 1
Worcester 0 0 4 – 4

1st Period-1, Portland, Oberg 1 (Shinnimin), 4:16. Penalties-Louis Por (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 8:56; Bonneau Wor (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 8:56.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Martinook Por (hooking), 0:28; Haley Wor (holding), 6:17; Hayes Wor (roughing), 18:57.

3rd Period-2, Worcester, Hamilton 1 (Tarasov, Trupp), 2:41. 3, Worcester, Hamilton 2 (Tarasov, Trupp), 6:48 (PP). 4, Worcester, Hamilton 3 (Abeltshauser, Tarasov), 7:53. 5, Worcester, Trupp 1 (Schwartz, Lerg), 18:33 (EN). Penalties-Gormley Por (tripping), 5:20.

Shots on Goal-Portland 11-8-10-29. Worcester 9-11-15-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Portland 0 / 2; Worcester 1 / 2.
Goalies-Portland, McKenna 1-4-0 (34 shots-31 saves). Worcester, Grosenick 4-1-0 (29 shots-28 saves).
A-2,559
Referees-Geno Binda (22), Fred Leblanc (30).
Linesmen-Bob Bernard (42), Scott Whittemore (96).