Worcester losing streak reaches six games

Despite out-shooting a Manchester Monarchs (AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings) squad that was without forwards Linden Vey, Tyler Toffoli, Tanner Pearson and goaltender Martin Jones 32-19, the Worcester Sharks saw their losing streak extend to six games as they were defeated 4-2 Sunday afternoon at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Forwards Dan DaSilva and Brodie Reid scored for the Sharks, who scored four goals on 116 shots in their second consecutive winless three-in-three weekend.  For the six game losing streak, the Sharks have scored six goals on 199 shots while being outscored 29-6.

The Monarchs took an early 1-0 lead at 2:20 when forward Colin Fraser got positioning in front of Sharks rookie goaltender Troy Grosenick and redirected defenseman Nick Deslauriers shot for a power play goal, his second goal of the season.  It was the Monarchs’ only shot on goal for the period as they were outshot 11-1.

The Sharks tied the game at 8:29 when DaSilva poked the puck past Monarchs rookie goaltender Mathias Niederberger for his 12th goal of the season after Niederberger mishandled a harmless wrist shot from the blue line by Sharks rookie defenseman Dylan DeMelo.  Sharks defenseman Adam Comrie was credited with the secondary assist.

At 4:56 of the second period, the Sharks thought they had taken their first lead in over 320 minutes of hockey play when forward James Livingston fired a shot from inside the face-off circle that deflected up and over Niederberger.  However, referee Brett Iverson immediately waived off the goal as he ruled that Sharks forward Marek Viedensky pushed the puck past Niederberger with his glove.

The Monarchs regained their one goal lead at 14:13 when forward Nick Shore lifted a backhanded shot over Grosenick’s blocker from in close for his ninth goal of the season.

Reid tied the game at 6:20 of the third period when he buried home a rebound for his eighth goal of the season.  Sharks forwards Lane Scheidl, who sent the initial shot on goal from along the left wall that Niederberger turned aside right to Reid, and Viedensky were credited with the assists.

With just 67-seconds left in the third period, the Monarchs went up 3-2 when Shore corralled a pass in the bottom of the left face-off circle, cut in front and beat Grosenick glove side on his own rebound for his second goal of the game, 10th goal of the season.  Grosenick and the Sharks were adamant that he was pushed into the net but replay showed the puck had crossed the goal line before Grosenick was shoved into the net.

With Grosenick pulled for an extra skater, Monarchs forward Brian O’Neil fired the puck into the empty net for his 13th goal of the season, sealing a 4-2 Monarchs win.

NOTES…. Final shots on goal were 32-19 in favor of the Sharks… The Sharks went 0-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill… Grosenick made 15 saves and is now 11-9-0 with a 2.49 goals-against-average and .911 save percentage… DaSilva, Comrie and Sharks rookie forward Eriah Hayes each finished with a game high four shots on goal… The Sharks have not had the lead in the last 360 minutes of hockey play… The Sharks have scored 13 goals in nine games against the Monarchs this season… This was the ninth of 12 meetings between the Sharks and Monarchs this season… The Sharks are 3-6-0-0 against the Monarchs, 11-14-3-0 on the road and 23-25-3-1 with 50 points overall… The Sharks are back in action Feb. 27 as they travel to play their Atlantic Division rival the Portland Pirates at 7pm/et.

THREE STARS
1.  Nick Shore – Monarchs (2-0-2, GWG)
2.  Dan DaSilva – Sharks (1-0-1, four shots on goal)
3.  Mathias Niederberger – Monarchs (30 saves, Win)

LINES
Scheidl / Hamilton (A) / Reid
Gourde / Oleksuk / DaSilva (A)
Schwartz / Viedensky / Livingston
Bonneau / Rau / Hayes

DEFENSE
Petrecki / Doherty
Tennyson / Abeltshauser
DeMelo / Comrie

GOALIES
Grosenick
Sateri

SCRATCHES
Tarasov
Acolatse (inj)
Anderson (inj)
Davison (inj)
McCarthy (inj)
Pelech (inj)
Kearns (sjs)
Stalberg (ont)