Boston Sports Then and Now

The Lowell Devils beat the Worcester Sharks 7-3 during a Veteran’s day matinee showing at the DCU Center on Wednesday. Frazer McLaren scored his first goal of the season, while Logan Couture extended his point streak to six games with a goal and two assists (5-8-13) and is now tied for first in points among rookies in the AHL.

Down two men on the power play, Worcester couldn’t hold off Lowell’s Matt Taormina who scored at 6:56 in the first. At 7:39, Nathan Perkovich took advantage of the power play again to put Lowell up 2-0.

The Sharks fought back at 17:33 when Brandon Mashinter grabbed a pass from Logan Couture at the top of the circle and scored on Jeff Frazee, bringing the score to 2-1.

The Devils’ Nick Palmieri grabbed the first goal of the second period at 6:03. Minutes later at 9:45, Vladimir Zharkov scored again for Lowell to make it 4-1. After the fourth goal of the game, Coach Roy Sommer replaced Stalock with Tyson Sexsmith in net.

During the faceoff that followed, Brandon Mashinter dropped the gloves and went after Lowell’s Nathan Perkovich. In the resulting power play, Frazer McLaren scored Worcester’s second goal of the game with the help of Logan Couture and Benn Ferriero.

Sexsmith let up his first goal of the game to Trevor Kell at 18:14. The Sharks trailed 5-2 after forty minutes.

The Devils started the scoring at 1:29 in the third with a rebound that was deflected in by Vladimir Zharkov for his second goal of the game. Lowell’s Matt Cohen continued the Devils’ rally at 6:02 to put the Sharks down 7-2. Logan Couture added to the Sharks’ score at 16:10 in the third to lessen the gap to 7-3.

With the loss, the Sharks move to 8-5-0-1 (17 points) on the season.

Notes: Three stars: (1) Vladimir Zharkov (2 goals), (2) Nathan Perkovich (1-1-2), (3) Rob Davison (2 assists)….Alex Stalock made 7 saves for the Sharks, while Tyson Sexsmith made 13…Lowell’s Jeff Frazee made 20 saves… Worcester went 0/4 on the power play…Lowell went 2/6 on the power play.

Final shots were 33-27 in favor on the Sharks…Frazer McLaren scored his first goal of the season and added a fighting major in the third period…Logan Couture extended his point streak to six games (5-8-13) and tied for first in the AHL in points among rookies.

Brandon Mashinter extends his point streak against the Devils to 3-2-5 and recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick…Torrey Mitchell and Benn Ferriero (2 assists) made their first appearances with Worcester this season after being reassigned from San Jose earlier this week. With the additions, Worcester now has 11 players from Hockey East.

Upcoming Events
The Sharks have a busy weekend coming up, with home games on Saturday vs. Hartford and Sunday vs. Providence. On

Saturday, Tiffany Thornton of the Disney Channel hit show Sonny with a Chance will be signing autographs on the concourse from 5:30-7:30pm.

On Sunday, the Sharks will be teaming up with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to hold the 4th Annual Canned Food Drive. All fans who donate canned food will receive a FREE voucher for a pair of tickets (compliments of Price Chopper) to a game on December 18th or 19th.

All fans that donate canned food at the Worcester Sharks game on November 15th will receive a FREE ticket voucher to a future Sharks game (either December 18th or 19th) compliments of Price Chopper. Collected food will go directly to the Friendly House of Worcester to be distributed to needy families throughout the Worcester area.

“The Worcester Sharks are very proud to be associated with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Friendly House,” said Sharks President and CEO Michael T. Lehr. “It is important for everyone to help those who are less fortunate, especially as we approach the holiday season.”

The 4th Annual Canned Food Drive got kicked off with an event at the Price Chopper on 50 Cambridge Street in Worcester on Friday, November 6th.

For more information regarding the 4th Annual Canned Food Drive visit the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com or contact the Worcester Sharks Front Office at 508-929-0500.

On Friday, The Sharks travel to Lowell for a 7p.m. tilt vs. the Lowell Devils.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Providence Bruins at 3:05p.m. Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino’s! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket!

With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino’s locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.

Now in 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 today by calling 508-929-0500. 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 is excerpted from a press release by the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He is a supporter of the children’s book A Glove of Their Own. A Glove of Their Own is the award winning book which teaches pay it forward through sports. Please visit the site and purchase the book under today’s donor code, COV 113 Covenant House as $3.00 from each sale will help this worthwhile charity.