Worcester Sharks Spook Sound Tigers, 2-1; Strong Scores First Pro Goal

Dean Strong scored his first professional goal, Danny Groulx added two assists, and head coach Roy Sommer picked up his 399 career AHL win behind the bench, as the Sharks defeated the Sound Tigers 2-1 at the DCU Center in Worcester on Friday night.

The first period started sloppy with neither team able to mount much offensive pressure. However, the Sharks turned up the heat halfway through and began to dominate the period. Steven Zalewski gave the Sharks their first lead of the game with a power play goal at the 19:29 mark. The goal was set up at the point when Joe Callahan sent a pass across the blue line to Danny Groulx.

Groulx then sent a sweet feed to the back post where Zalewski was there to bang it home. With the assist, Groulx extended his consecutive point streak to five games. The Sharks outshot the Sound Tigers 15-4 in the first 20 minutes.

The second period was fast-paced and hard hitting, with both teams exchanged scoring chances. Neither team was able to score as both Alex Stalock and Scott Munroe were solid between the pipes. After forty minutes of play, the Sharks still held onto their 1-0 lead.

The third period was filled with action. The Sound Tigers evened the score at 8:04 on a power play goal by Greg Moore. Seconds later, Worcester’s rookie forward Dean Strong scored his first professional goal at the 8:20 mark to put the Sharks back ahead 2-1, with assists to Danny Groulx and Corey Quirk.

This would prove to be the eventual game winner as Alex Stalock came up with some big saves in the final eight minutes, the best coming with under a minute left when he dove across the crease to deny the Sound Tigers on a rebound chance. With the win, the Sharks jumped ahead of the Sound Tigers and into second place in the Atlantic Division.

With the win, the Sharks improved their record to 6-2-0-1 for 13 points.

Notes: Three stars: (1) Danny Groulx (0-2-2), (2) Alex Stalock (25 saves), (3) Scott Munroe (35 saves)...Former Shark and current Sound Tigers defenseman Brett Westgarth made his return to the DCU Center...Head Coach Roy Sommer recorded his 399 career AHL win...Alex Stalock made 25 saves in net for the Sharks...Scott Munroe made 35 saves in net for the Sound Tigers...The Sharks went 1-6 on the power play...The Sound tigers went 1-2 on the power play.

On Saturday, the Sharks travel to Manchester for a 7 PM tilt against the Monarchs.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Springfield Falcons at the DCU Center at 3:05 PM. It’s $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. 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, CVF 113 Covenant House as $3.00 from each sale will help this worthwhile charity.