Worcester takes Thanksgiving Eve 3-2 victory

Brian Willsie has to be held back after Alex Stalock leaves the crease to give him a good shove after the whistle. Photo by Kyle M.

We were all hoping to cut into our turkeys tomorrow and be thankful for a Bears victory to start the holiday. Unfortunately, we’ll just have to be thankful that it’s only the beginning of the season.

The first period started off a little awkward. The Worcester Sharks opened scoring with a rebound goal that beat Dany Sabourin. Just over a minute later, Tommy Wingels scored Worcester’s second goal on a breakaway that left Zach Miskovic and Sheldon Souray in the dust on the blue line. By the end of period, Hershey seemed to finally develop a sense of control and tempo that unfortunately did not foreshadow a comeback, but instead a good attempt at a comeback.

The second period continued the offensive flow that the Bears found in the first period. Mathieu Perreault broke the shutout to put Hershey on the board. Unfortunately, Worcester counted with another goal to make it 3-1 by the end of the second period.

Starting the third period on the power play, the Bears needed to use this man advantage. Souray had a huge missile of a shot (though when doesn’t he?) that Jay Beagle was able to convert on to bring Hershey back within a one goal difference. Even with a couple of power plays in the third, Hershey couldn’t convert to tie the game. Sharks take this one 3-2.

Hershey outshot Worcester for most, if not all, of the game. The final shot count was 21-43 in favor of Hershey. Those shots tell the story of Hershey’s fierce attempt at evening the score and also the story of goaltender Alex Stalock’s skills.

We’ll wrap this recap up on a positive note: To all our American readers, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. To those of you who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving…Happy Fourth Thursday of November.

Tonight’s Notes:

• After Washington called up Semyon Varlamov, Jared DeMichiel got the call and backed up Sabourin tonight.
• Steve Pinizzotto returned from a finger injury to play tonight.
• Phil Oreskovic was involved in a “pre-Thanksgiving kerfuffle” (sorry, just had to quote John Walton on that one) with Brandon Mashinter. Oreskovic drops the gloves so much that I’m pretty sure fans want him to be sticking around.
• How good is Worcester’s Alex Stalock? If a different person were in goal, this could have been a very different game.
• Andrew Gordon led the team in shots on goal but just could not buy a goal. He was easily one of the best players on the ice.

Video Highlights:

Lines and Pairings:

Willsie – Perreault – Gordon
Greentree – Beagle – Rome
Kane – Joudrey – Pinizzotto
Kugryshev – Bruess – Lacroix

Souray – Collins
Nycholat – Miskovic
Wellar – Oreskovic

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Alex Stalock (WOR)
2. Sean Sullivan (WOR)
3. Benn Ferriero (WOR)

Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:

1. Perreault: first goal for Hershey
2. Gordon: led the team in shots on goal
3. Beagle: second goal for Hershey

More Photos by Kyle M.:

Worcester’s DaSilva scores against Sabourin.

This wouldn’t be the last time Stalock and Willsie got to shoving.

Stalock puts on an Oscar-winning performance as he flops to the ground.

Mathieu Perreault finally gets the puck past Stalock.

Beagle gives Hershey another goal.

Sadly, this would be Hershey’s last goal celebration of the night.