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Sharks speared by Devils in 4-1 loss

On the eve of San Jose Sharks training camp, the Worcester Sharks scratched eight regulars who were healthy, and used a makeshift lineup consisting of eight rookies, several PTO contracted players and six defensemen that started the season in the ECHL. The result? A 4-1 loss to the Albany Devils at the Times Union Center Saturday evening. Alex Stalock made 24 saves while rookie Freddie Hamilton had the lone goal for the Sharks, who are now five points behind the Portland Pirates for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Hamilton put the Sharks up 1-0 at 7:16 of the first period with his sixth goal of the season (and second in as many games) when he slammed home a rebound past Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid after a terrific rush down the left side by linemate Daniil Tarasov. Former Worcester and San Jose Shark Steve Zalewski tied the game at 19:25 with a wrap around shot for his sixth goal of the season.

In the second period, the Devils scored two times to take a 3-1 lead. Mattias Tedenby scored what held up as the game-winning-goal with a power play goal, his ninth goal of the season, at 3:15 off a 30-foot blast after delaying his shot and faking Stalock out with a forehand-to-backhand move. With just 66-seconds remaining in the period, Eric Gelinas corralled a pass in the center slot from Zalewski and ripped the puck past Stalock for his third goal of the season.

The Devils added an insurance goal in the third period to extend their lead to 4-1 when Darcy Zajac deflected home a centering feed by Tedenby, who was positioned in the left face-off circle, over Stalock’s shoulder at 8:44 for his fourth goal of the season. The Sharks couldn’t generate a sustained offensive attack in the final frame and only managed five shots on goal.

NOTES: Shots were 28-17 in favor of the Devils… The Sharks went 0-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill… Stalock is now 12-8-3-1 with a 2.78 goals-against-average and .907 save percentage… Tarasov registered his first career AHL point with the lone assist on the Hamilton goal… Sharks defenseman Mike Brennan played in his 300th career AHL game… Defenseman Sacha Guimond made his AHL debut for the Sharks after being called from the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL and wore #44… Taylor Doherty (inj), Sena Acolatse (inj), Danny Groulx (inj), Tim Kennedy (inj), Matt Irwin (scr), Matt Pelech (scr), Nick Petrecki (scr), Matt Tennyson (scr), John McCarthy (inj), James Sheppard (scr), Frazer McLaren (scr) and Bracken Kearns (scr) did not dress for the Sharks… This was the second and final meeting between the teams this season… The Sharks went 0-2-0-0 against the Devils this season… The Sharks are 11-9-0-1 on the road and 19-14-1-2 with 41 points overall.

Three Stars
1. Mattias Tedenby – Devils (1-1-2)
2. Eric Gelinas – Devils (1-1-2)
3. Steve Zalewski – Devils (1-1-2)

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