Boston Sports Then and Now

Goaltender Alex Stalock made 22 saves in beating the River Rats.

Andrew Desjardins scored two goals including an empty netter with one second remaining and Alex Stalock made 22 saves in net as the Sharks defeated the River Rats 5-3 at the DCU Center on Sunday afternoon.

The Sharks opened the scoring at 11:51 in the first when Andrew Desjardins was in front of the net to bang home the rebound off a Jamie McGinn shot. The line of McGinn, Desjardins and McCarthy struck again at the 15:08 mark when McGinn tipped a Desjardins’ shot from the slot.

Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock played an impressive first period and kept the River Rats offense quiet until Pat Dwyer picked off a pass and scored a breakaway goal at 16:02. The Sharks led 2-1 after a fast paced period that saw action up and down the ice.

Worcester came out flying in the second period as TJ Trevelyan scored just 34 seconds into the period on an assist from Steven Zalewski. The lead was further extended when Logan Couture put home his third goal of the season at the 2:10 mark bringing the score to 4-1.

Shortly after the Sharks fourth goal, forward Dennis McCauley dropped the gloves and squared off against River Rats

Forward Dennis McCauley during playing days with the Northeastern Huskies

forward Brad Herauf, both received five minute fighting penalties. Albany’s Pat Dwyer tightened the gap recording his second goal of the game at 3:29 on an assist from Drayson Bowman.

The rest of the period was evenly matched and both goaltenders came up with big saves to keep the score 4-2 in favor of the Sharks.

In the third period, the Sharks were able to hold off a late charge by the River Rats to hold onto the win. The River Rats brought the score to within one when Jamie McBain scored at 18:49, but Andrew Desjardins added an empty net goal with only one second remaining to secure the victory.

Alex Stalock was superb in net during the third period making several difficult saves in a winning effort.

Notes: Three stars: (3) Jamie McGinn for Worcester, (2)Pat Dwyer for Albany, (1)Andrew Desjardins for Worcester……..Andrew Desjardins recorded three points in the game(2-1-3)…Albany went 0/3 on the power play…….Worcester went 0/1 on the power play……..Final shots for the game were Worcester with 32 and Albany with 25…Alex Stalock made 22 saves……Mike Murphy made 27 saves for Albany…….The Sharks are now 3-1-0-1 on the season and 1-1-0-0 home at the DCU Center.

The Sharks kick-off a 3in3 weekend in Providence on Friday before returning home to face the Springfield Falcons on Saturday, October 24th at 7:05p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive a Sharks schedule poster!

Entering their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets by calling today! Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

• Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
• Significant savings off box office ticket prices
• Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.

The previous story was excerpted from a press release by the Worcester Sharks of the AHL by Todd Civin. Civin is a freelance writer for Sports, Then and Now, Bleacher Report and Seamheads and is a supporter of the award winning children’s book A Glove of Their Own.