WORCESTER, Mass. … Philadelphia Phantoms forward Jared Ross set AHL All-Star Game records with six assists and seven points and the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars scored a record nine times in the third period to rally for a 14-11 win over the Canadian AHL All-Stars at the 2009 AHL All-Star Game tonight in Worcester.
The game was witnessed by a capacity crowd of 7,245 fans at the DCU Center as well as national television audiences in Canada on TSN and in the United States on a series of regional networks. The game was also shown on the internet at AHL Live and heard on Sirius XM Radio and XM Canada.
Ross, who was selected to participate in the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic but missed the event following an appendectomy, was named the Charter Communications Most Valuable Player for the game. He combined with linemates Ryan Potulny of the Springfield Falcons (two goals, four assists) and Jeff Taffe of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (three goals, two assists) to lead PlanetUSA to the highest offensive output in event history.
With his father, Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque, in attendance, Chris Bourque of the Hershey Bears snapped an 11-11 tie with 4:54 remaining in regulation to send PlanetUSA to the victory. Martins Karsums of the Providence Bruins chipped in with five points (2g, 3a), Michael Ryan of the Albany River Rats also scored twice and had an assist and Artem Anisimov of the Hartford Wolf Pack recorded a goal and two assists.
Corey Locke of the Houston Aeros set an AHL All-Star Game record with four goals and Teddy Purcell of the Manchester Monarchs, last year’s All-Star Game MVP, picked up five assists. Both players now have eight career All-Star points, tied for the league record.
The road to the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs continues when the American Hockey League’s 73rd season resumes on Thursday.
