SHARKSPAGE

WorSharks create hill too high to climb, lose 4-3 to Bridgeport

The Worcester Sharks spotted the Bridgeport Sound Tigers a two goal first period lead and through uninspired play saw the deficit climb to three goals, but two late power play strikes from Chris Crane and Willie Coetzee got the WorSharks all the way to nearly even before time ran out on their comeback as Worcester dropped a 4-3 contest to the Sound Tigers at the DCU Center on “Troy Grosenick Bobblehead Night”. Micheal Haley had the other tally for the WorSharks while Travis Oleksuk contributed two assists.

Worcester Sharks forward Micheal Haley continued his assault on the 20 goal
plateau with a second period power play tally during the WorSharks 4-3 loss
to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night at the DCU Center.
File photo courtesy of TEAMSHRED

For video highlights we again get to use the WorSharks YouTube channel

Scratches for Worcester were Jimmy Bonneau (suspended, game two of three), Derek DeBlois, Petter Emanuelsson (shoulder), Jeremy Langlois (foot), and Rylan Schwartz. Aaron Dell was the back-up goaltender, and he’s scheduled to start Sunday in Providence. Just after Friday night’s win over Hartford Taylor Fedun was recalled to San Jose, and just after the Sharks game ended according to the AHL transactions Fedun was returned to the WorSharks. Saturday Worcester went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, something WorSharks head coach Roy Sommer has done on more than a few occasions this season.

There are significant rumors saying the WorSharks are looking to make some additions to their line-up prior to the AHL trade deadline on Monday. Sources say the team is focused on some of the AHL teams unlikely to make the Calder Cup playoffs looking for a goal scorer whose NHL rights holder might want to see get some playoff time. WorSharks GM Joe Will was understandably quiet on the issue, only talking in general terms that adding players for a playoff run is something that obviously would be looked at if the opportunity arose. Based on the rumors, that opportunity is knocking on Will’s door.

Looking at the highlight video it’s clear to see Worcester escaped what might have been a killing blow to their playoff chances when WorSharks captain Bryan Lerg turned out to not be hurt by the elbow thrown by Sound Tigers forward Colton Gillies. While referee Evgeny Romasko ejected Gillies for kneeing the video clearly shows the knee to knee contact was incidental, and that the real hit was a shoulder that impacted Lerg’s head. After needing help to get off the ice and down to the dressing room it was only a few minutes before Lerg returned to the bench and continued playing looking no worse for wear. With Taylor Doherty getting an instigator minor for jumping Gillies Worcester ended up with a three minute major power play out of the deal, but could not capitalize.

The three stars of the game were
1. BRI – 20 Dustin Jeffrey (g.a)
2. BRI – 16 Harry Zolnierczyk (g,a)
3. WOR – 26 Willie Coetzee (g,a)

The Sharkspage player of the game was Travis Oleksuk.

Even strength Lines
Lerg/Trupp/Tarasov
Haley/Oleksuk/Coetzee
McCarthy/Carpenter/Hayes
(everyone)/Crane/Parkes

Taormina/Tennyson
Stollery/DeMelo
Young/Doherty
Abeltshauser

BOX SCORE

Bridgeport 1 2 1 – 4
Worcester 0 1 2 – 3

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Zolnierczyk 17 (Pelech, Quine), 19:12. Penalties-Gillies Bri (fighting, major – kneeing, game misconduct – kneeing), 1:57; Doherty Wor (instigating, fighting, misconduct – instigating), 1:57; Stollery Wor (tripping), 8:56; Parkes Wor (slashing), 13:01.

2nd Period-2, Bridgeport, McMillan 1 (Zolnierczyk, Sundstrom), 4:01. 3, Worcester, Haley 18 (Coetzee, Oleksuk), 6:49 (PP). 4, Bridgeport, Jeffrey 19 (Persson, Collberg), 18:37. Penalties-Zolnierczyk Bri (hooking), 1:54; Reinhart Bri (interference), 5:29.

3rd Period-5, Bridgeport, Collberg 4 (Jeffrey), 6:11. 6, Worcester, Crane 1 (McCarthy), 15:03 (PP). 7, Worcester, Coetzee 8 (Oleksuk, Grosenick), 17:46 (PP). Penalties-Trupp Wor (high-sticking), 2:08; Vaughan Bri (tripping), 9:21; Sundstrom Bri (tripping), 13:14; Poulin Bri (delay of game), 16:45; Ness Bri (interference), 19:39; Haley Wor (roughing), 19:39.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 9-7-9-25. Worcester 16-13-13-42.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 3; Worcester 3 / 6.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Poulin 15-14-1 (42 shots-39 saves). Worcester, Grosenick 17-8-1 (25 shots-21 saves).
A-4,428
Referees-Evgeny Romasko (6).
Linesmen-Ed Boyle (81), Frank Murphy (29).