Worcester Falls To Hershey In A Shootout
By Ryan Bayer
Goaltender Braden Holtby knocks James Sheppard of the Worcester Sharks down while making a kick save during the shoot out won by the Sharks, 4-3. Mandatory credit: JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News December 15, 2012.
Tonight the Worcester Sharks played hosts to Hershey for their third meeting of the season. Worcester entered the contest holding 2-0 season series lead over the Bears. The last time these two clubs was back on January 6, 2013 that featured a Sharks 2-1 victory over the Hershey Bear at the Giant Center. The game winner of that contest was scored by Sharks forward #11 Jon Matsumoto who recorded his ninth goal of the season during that matchup.
At 7:33 of the first period newly signed Michael Wilson was called for an interference minor. Seven seconds into the penalty kill for Worcester, the Bears converted to put them up 1-0 with a quick strike from Kane. The goal by Kane was his seventh goal of the season with assists from both Kundratek and Potulny.
After a face-off situation, Hershey Bears defenseman Tomas Kundratek was caught for an interference penalty at 11:24 of the first. Worcester did not make anything of their power play situation as Hershey protected their one goal lead.
As the period come to a close the Bears held a one shot lead of the Sharks on the shot clock with a 11-10 lead.
Worcester Sharks defenseman #37 Denny Urban. Mandatory credit: Worcester Sharks media department.
15 seconds into the second stanza Sharks defensemen Denny Urban blasted the puck past Hershey Bears goaltender Philipp Grubauer to tie the game up a 1. His shot caused the goal to be reviewed by the AHL officials. Upon further review, the officials ruled in favor that Urban’s tally was indeed a good goal. Urban goal was his third of the year with assists that came from Banwell and Hamiliton.
At 2:39 of the second, Hershey’s TJ Syner was charged with a holding minor. While Worcester was on their second power play of the contest the Sharks had problems setting up as the Bears denied them from going ahead.
Right after Syner served his penalty, he stoled the puck from Rissmiller and scored five hole on Stalock to put the Bears back on top 2-1. Syner’s unassisted goal made it his third of season.
In a mad scramble at the Sharks net Yanni Gourde made undisciplined decision as he cross-checked a Hershey Bears player and received a two minute minor at 10:38. The good news for the Sharks was that the Bears failed to convert on the power play, thus keeping the game at 2-1 Hershey lead.
With 6:40 left in the second period Worcester went back on the power play when Hershey’s Schilling was caught for a high sticking minor. Much like their previous power play situations the Sharks failed to convert as the visiting Bears remained a perfect 3-3 on the penalty kill.
Less than two minutes left of the second Zack Hamill of Hershey went off to the box for a slashing minor. With Worcester’s fourth man advantage opportunity they came up empty as time expired. With the 2nd period came to a close the Sharks would go into the final period with some carry over power play time.
With 40 minutes in the books, the Bears increased their lead on Worcester with 22-16 advantage on the shot clock.
Worcester Sharks forward # 19 Danill Tarasov Mandatory credit: Worcester Sharks media department.
Worcester entered the final period with 47 seconds of power play time. Unfortunately they did not convert on special teams as the score remain 2-1 Hershey.
With 10.7 seconds left of regulation Sharks forward Daniil Tarasov tied the game up at 2-2. This marked Tarasov’s first ever AHL goal. His goal was assisted both Denny Urban and Mikael Tam.
At the end of regulation, both Worcester and Hershey were knotted up a 27 shots apiece.
In the overtime period, the Bears put four shots on net to Worcester’s one. Ultimately the Hershey Bears prevailed as they defeated the Worcester Sharks in the shootout to come away with a 3-2 victory. This victory for the Bears made their first win of the season series as Worcester maintains a 2-1 series lead.
3 Stars of the game:
1. WOR – 19 Daniil Tarasov
2. WOR – 37 Denny Urban
3. HER – 17 T.J. Syner
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