Worcester Sharks Can Now Shave after Losing 5-1 to Providence in Game Six

If you listened closely as you exited the DCU Center in Worcester last night, you could hear a peculiar sound. Just about the same time the Worcester Sharks playoff run came to an end against the Providence Bruins, the sound of shaving cream squirts followed by the scraping of whiskers could be heard escaping the Sharks locker room.

It has long been hockey tradition for players, and even fans, to refrain from shaving, so as not to break the teams positive energy. Well following the Sharks 5-1 loss to the Baby B's lat night, it was time to bring on the Barbasol and Lady Bics.

In a game, which got a little hairy at times, the Bruins had pretty much decided in the first ten minutes, the  Sharks fell into an early hole and could never recover. 

A nightmarish second period spelled the end of their season in a 5-1 Game 6 loss to the Providence Bruins on Wednesday evening at the DCU Center.

Providence scored two goals within the first 10:05 of the game to set the tone. It was already 4-0 when a second period incident gave the Bruins a 10 minute power play to effectively end the Sharks’ hopes of staging a comeback.

Worcester ended their most successful season just two wins shy of capturing the Atlantic Division title while Providence advances to face Hershey in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Sharks were whistled for two early penalties and it cost them when Brad Marchand found the back of the net to put Worcester into an early 1-0 hole. A wraparound clearing attempt hit referee Terry Koharski along the boards to keep the puck in the zone.

Martin St. Pierre corralled the puck and made a touch to Vladimir Sobotka in the left wing circle, who then set up Marchand on the right side of the crease at the 4:59 mark.

The Bruins’ quick start continued at 10:05 when Jamie Arniel converted on a 3-on-2 rush. Peter Schaefer made the pass from the left wing side to Arniel on the right side, who one-timed the puck just inside the right post.

Providence rode the momentum from the first period into a 3-0 lead at 5:32 of the second. Streaking down the left wing side, Jeremy Reich made a centering pass that deflected off a Sharks defenseman, setting up Kirk MacDonald for the easy tap into the open net.

Things went from bad to worse when Jordan Knackstedt was stationed in the left wing circle and roofed the puck to make it 4-0 at 13:29.
 
The nightmare continued at 13:44 of the second period resulted in the Sharks being on the penalty kill for 10 minutes to the displeasure of the DCU Center crowd.

It all started when Riley Armstrong was whistled for a five minute boarding major. While Riley was escorted out of the penalty box, he got into a melee with Johnny Boychuk and was called for a major penalty for spearing.

In the meantime, Jeremy Reich and Brad Staubitz dropped the gloves at center ice. In total, Koharski also whistled Armstrong for two game misconducts.

St. Pierre scored Providence’s fifth goal of the game only 26 seconds into the extended power play, but Andrew Desjardins got the Sharks on the board with only 12 seconds remaining in the second period on the shorthand.

He was sprung on a breakaway and his initial shot was stopped by Tuukka Rask, but the momentum carried the Providence netminder into the net for the 5-1 score after two periods of play.

The Sharks had a number of third period chances, outshooting the Bruins 11-6, but it was too little too late.

The teams met at center ice as the game ended and participated in another long standing hockey tradition of the post series handshake. Combatants who spilled bad blood at many times during the series put all that aside and behaved as good little boys, acknowledging that it is indeed just a game.

I exited the DCU Center for the last time this season and saw Tim Wegner, the Sharks ticket sales rep handing out coupons to a local eatery to thank the Sharks fans for a wonderful season.Tim had grown a nice "Grizzly Adams" type beard to support his employers quest for the cup.

As I gift my "gift" from the salesman extraordinaire I said to Tim, "Well, look at the bright side, Tim. At least now you can shave."

NOTES:  Three Stars: (3) Rask (34 saves, 1 GA) (2) Marchand (1g, 1a) (1) St. Pierre (1g, 1a)  …Attendance was announced 1,818… Thomas Greiss made 25 saves in net for Worcester… Tuukka Rask made 34 saves in net for Providence … The Sharks went 0/2 on the power play while the Bruins went 2/6… Thomas Greiss made his 28th straight start in net.

The Sharks reduced their 2009-10 season ticket prices and they are on sale now! Though the season is over, there is no better time to buy season tickets for next year.  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.