Worcester Sharks and San Francisco Bulls Game Day Report
By Ryan Bayer
Worcester Sharks defenseman #40 Mikael Tam battles with Providence Bruins defenseman #5 David Warsofsky during the December 8th game at the DCU Center. Mandatory credit: Alan Sullivan
Today is full day of hockey as both San Jose Sharks affiliates are in action tonight. For the Worcester Sharks, they take their game on the road as they square off against the Providence Bruins. Tonight’s matchup is the fifth of 12 meetings between these divisional rivals. Currently the Sharks are 3-0-0-1 on the season series over the Bruins. As of today, Worcester is sitting in third place of the AHL’s Atlantic Division with a 13-10-1-2 record and seventh overall in the Eastern Conference that includes a 0.558 winning percentage. For the hosts of the evening, they are currently positioned in second place of the division and fifth overall with a 14-9-0-2 record and 0.600 winning percentage in the Eastern Conference. In addition with where these two teams stand in the Eastern Conference, the visiting Sharks are eighth in the AHL on the power play with a 17.9% success rate and are tied for 24th place with an 80.9% kill rating. As for the home team, the Bruins are ranked 22nd in the league at 15% on the power play and are second to last place overall on the penalty kill with a 79.5% rating. Entering today, the leading point producers for the Worcester Sharks against the Providence Bruins are Bracken Kearns with three goals, Yanni Gourde and Tim Kennedy who each have two goals and an assist, followed by Sena Acolaste, Matt Irwin, Jon Matsumoto, and James Sheppard, all of which with two assists. Furthermore, the road team has won all four games of the season series. With the recent injuries of the Worcester Sharks, the organization made a move to help fill the void.
Worcester Sharks defenseman #37 Denny Urban. Mandatory credit: Worcester Sharks media department.
This week, Worcester signed defenseman Denny Urban to a PTO in their lineup who is 5’10”, 175 lbs from Pittsburgh, PA. Denny spent the last two seasons plus 27 games with the Reading Royals who are affiliated with the AHL Hershey Bears and the NHL Washington Capitals. In that period of time, Urban played a totaled of 113 games and scored 24 goals, and posted 53 assists and was a plus 24 with his former club. In addition to his regular season stats, Urban as brings with him 11 games of playoff experience at the ECHL level which includes one goal and one assist as well as a minus four rating to the Worcester. Before playing in the ECHL, Denny played four seasons at Robert Morris University which includes 136 games played with 28 goals scored, 84 assists and 137 penalty minutes to his credit.
Tonight’s contest can be heard online at WTAG.com and with live action coverage for AHL Live subscribers on their website with the puck set to drop at 7:05p EST at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Lets Go Sharks!!!!!
San Francisco Bulls forward #23 Andrew Crescenzi administers a back check to #47 Cameron Burt of the Ontario Reign during a game at the Cow Palace. Mandatory credit: Mike Tkacheff
Tonight the San Francisco Bulls host the Ontario Reign for the third time of the 2012-2013 season. As it stands today, the Ontario Reign have a 4-2 season series lead with tonight’s contest making it the seventh of 12 meetings of the year. San Francisco is coming of off a 6-4 loss against the Stockton Thunder. That contest was played at the home of the San Jose Sharks at the HP Pavilion, known to many as The Shark Tank in front of 12,881 bay area and central valley hockey fans. For the visiting Ontario Reign they are also coming off of a loss of their own as they were defeated by the Las Vegas Wranglers 6-3 this past Wednesday night. As of today the San Francisco Bulls are in third place of the ECHL’s Pacific Division with an 11-16-1-2 record that includes a 0.417 winning percentage and seventh overall in the Western Conference with 30 games played. For Ontario, with four games in hand, are currently the top seed of the Pacific Division with an 18-7-1-0 record and 0.712 winning percentage thru 26 games. In addition, the Reign are ranked second overall in the Western Conference and fourth overall in the league with 37 points. Tonight’s matchup can be heard on KNBR.com and tuned in live for America One Sports subscribers on their website as the puck is set to drop at 7:15p at the Bulls regular home the Legendary Cow Palace. Lets Go Bulls!!!!!
Be sure to follow all of your BoT staff on twitter!!!
@KingShark49 @bluelinebomber @81Bayer
Blades of Teal: The Final Word On San Jose Sharks, Worcester Sharks, and San Francisco Bulls hockey