Worcester, MA – Ryan Vesce scored twice and Alex Stalock made 31 saves as the Worcester Sharks skated to a 3-1 win over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played tonight at the DCU Center.

The loss ended the Pirates 13-game point streak (12-0-0-1) and their eight-game road point streak (6-0-1-1).

Dan DaSilva netted the other goal for the Sharks, who took over sole possess of first place in the Atlantic Division with a 36-17-2-2 record.

Marc-Andre Gragnani scored the lone Pirates goal. Portland is now 33-17-5-3 on the season.

The two teams played through a scoreless opening period before Gragnani connected on the Pirates first power play of the game to give Portland a 1-0 lead. Vesce answered with two goals (one on the power play) in the span of six minutes to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead heading into the third. DaSilva provided some breathing room six minutes into the third to complete the scoring.

The win allowed the Sharks to take a 4-3 lead in the Unum Challenge. The final game of the eight-game season series will be played April 11th in Portland.

The Pirates out shot the Sharks 32-29 in the game.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were all from the Sharks. Vesce was the first, Stalock the second and defenseman Mike Moore the third.

The next Pirates home game takes place Friday when the Albany River Rats visit for a 7 p.m. start. It’s Good Shepherd Food Bank Night, Student Achiever Night, Gritty's Mug Club Night and Gary’s House Awareness Night. The Good Shepherd Food Bank will be accepting non-perishable food donations for local charities. In return for your generosity Pirates fans will receive a pair of tickets for a future home game. The game is also the third Student Achiever Night of the season. It’s not too late to become a Student Achiever. Call 207-828-4665 ext. 307 for details. Make sure you stop by Gritty's in Portland, Freeport, or Lewiston and receive 2 FREE Pirates tickets and special discount tickets for any additional tickets purchased courtesy of the Portland Pirates and Gritty's. Tickets for the game are available by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at portlandpirates.com.

It’s a 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic Season in Portland.
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