Sharks Fall to Bruins in Game Five of AHL Playoffs

PROVIDENCE, RI—Patrick Traverse scored first, but the Bruins answered with three goals in the second period as the Sharks dropped Game Five by the score of 4-3 at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Monday night. 

The Bruins now lead the best of seven series 3-2, with Game Six to be played Wednesday, May 13 at 7:05 p.m. in Worcester's DCU Center.

The Sharks had three consecutive power plays to open the first period and finally struck on their third.  Patrick Traverse went top shelf, firing the puck from 40 feet after a nice feed from Dan DaSilva to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 19:22.  

Fireworks ended the first period after a scrum developed in front of the Worcester bench that saw Bruins assistant coach, Bruce Cassidy, and Sharks assistant coach, David Cunniff, in a shouting match.  The Sharks led 1-0 after twenty minutes, out-shooting the Bruins 12-9.

The Bruins scored three unanswered goals in the second period.  Martin St. Pierre scored on his own rebound at 3:07 to tie the score at 1-1. Brad Marchand connected on the power play at 10:55.

He then raced over to the red line to taunt the Sharks bench.   Jeremy Reich finished the scoring in the second period, banging in a centering feed from the right wing past Thomas Greiss at 14:08.  The Bruins outshot the Sharks 19-7 in the middle period as the Sharks trailed 3-1 after forty minutes.

After the Sharks hit the cross bar on two occasions, Jamie McGinn connected on the power play for his fourth goal of the series at 10:28 to get the Sharks within a goal. 

The Bruins got the goal right back, just :14 seconds later, as Levi Nelson scored on a rebound in front of Greiss at 10:42. 

Riley Armstrong scored with the extra attacker at 17:48 but the Sharks couldn’t find the equalizer, dropping Game Six by the score of 4-3.

NOTES:  Three Stars: (3) Nelson (GWG) (2) DaSilva (2 assists) (1) Reich (Goal) …Attendance was announced 3,036…Thomas Greiss made 29 saves in net for Worcester…Tuukka Rask made 28 saves in net for Providence…The Sharks went 2-5 on the power play while the Bruins went 1-4…Thomas Greiss made his 27h straight start in net.  Tuukka Rask received a minor penalty for roughing after an altercation with Frazer McLaren in the third period.
 
The Sharks head to Providence for Game Five on Monday, May 11 for a 7:05 p.m. opening faceoff. Worcester returns home for Game Six on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS.  The seven game series is scheduled as follows.

PROVIDENCE vs. WORCESTER     Round 2 of Calder Cup Playoffs (1-1-1-1-1-1-1 Format) Bruins lead, 3-2
Game 1	Tue., April 28	SHARKS at Bruins	3-2OTL
Game 2	Wed., May 6	Bruins at SHARKS	4-2 L
Game 3	Fri., May 8	SHARKS at Bruins	5-3 W
Game 4	Sat., May 9	Bruins at SHARKS	1-0 W
Game 5	Mon., May 11	SHARKS at Bruins	4-3 L
*Game 6	Wed., May 13	Bruins at SHARKS	7:05 p.m.  (Game F)
*Game 7	Thur., May 14	SHARKS at Bruins	7:05 p.m.

The Sharks host Game Six (game F) on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:05p.m. and tickets are currently on sale to the general public. Single-game playoff ticket prices are $18.25, $15.25, and $11.75, reflecting a league-wide increase of $1 over regular season prices.

In addition, fans may purchase a variety of Playoff ticket packages:

• Family Fun Pack—four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just $65 ($16.25 per extra person).
• Playoff Fun Pack—four flex vouchers and either one signed Sharks stick or four Sharks camouflage hats for $66 ($16.50 per extra person).

The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now!  Playoff tickets are also on sale. Purchases can be made by visiting the box office, 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 on-line through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.

The previous article was excerpted from a Press Release by the Worcester Sharks. Photo from Sharks On-line Photo Gallery. Todd Civin is a freelance writer who covers the Worcester Sharks, The Boston Breakers and other local New England sports teams. He can be reached at [e-mail]