Despite 24 saves from goaltender Alex Stalock, the Worcester Sharks were defeated 3-0 by their Atlantic Division rival the Manchester Monarchs Sunday afternoon at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Monarchs goaltender Martin Jones made 32 saves for his sixth win this season against the Sharks, who dressed 12 rookies, eight of which are on amateur tryout contracts (ATO), as captain John McCarthy and alternate captains Bracken Kearns and Matt Pelech were held out of the lineup due to injuries.
The Monarchs took a 1-0 lead at 9:05 of the third period when right winger Brandon Kozun, who was left all alone in front by the Sharks defense, buried home a rebound from the right side of the crease for his 26th goal of the season and the eventual game-winning-goal.
At 17:13, the Sharks went on the power play as Monarchs right winger Brian O’Neill was assessed a tripping penalty. Unfortunately for the Sharks, Monarchs center Linden Vey finished off a 2-on-1 rush with linemate Tanner Pearson at 17:56 for a shorthanded goal, his 21st goal of the season. At 19:07, Monarchs captain Marc-Andre Cliche scored another shorthanded goal, this time an empty net goal, for his 10th goal of the season to seal a Monarchs victory.
NOTES… Shots were 32-27 in favor of the Sharks… The Sharks went 0-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill… The Sharks are 4-for-53 on the power play in their last 15 games (via SharksAHL.com)… Stalock is now 16-16-3 with a 2.62 goals-against-average and .913 save percentage… Sharks defenseman Derek Joslin dropped Monarchs left winger Hunter Bishop with a wicked right hand in their fight at 2:05 of the third period… Sharks rookie right winger Daniil Tarasov had a game high five shots on goal… Sharks rookie left winger Riley Brace had his four game point streak snapped (3-2-5)… Curt Gogol (inj), Yanni Gourde (inj), Bracken Kearns (inj), John McCarthy (inj), Matt Pelech (inj), Brodie Reid (inj), Marek Viedensky (inj), Jimmy Bonneau (scr), Mike Brennan (scr), Christophe Lalancette (scr) and Denny Urban (scr) did not dress for the Sharks… This was the 12th and final meeting between the teams this season… The Sharks went 5-6-1-0 against the Monarchs this season, are 17-17-0-2 on the road and 30-33-4-6 with 70 points overall.
Three Stars
1. Brandon Kozun – Monarchs (1-0-1, GWG)
2. Martin Jones – Monarchs (32 saves, Shutout Win)
3. Tanner Pearson – Monarchs (0-1-1)
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