FeedsWhalers douse Spitfires; capsized by Storm
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Chris Terry works his way through Windsor’s fallen defense last Thursday. He earned an assist against Windsor. The Whalers won the contest 6-2, scoring four goals in the final period for the win.A hot December put the Plymouth Whalers at the top of the Western Division of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), but their reign in the top spot was short-lived.
The Guelph Storm received shootout goals from rookies Tyler Melancon and Anthony Nigro Saturday night to rally from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Whalers, 3-2. The loss, coupled with a Saginaw win over Kitchener, knocked the Whalers from their pedestal down to second place in the West Division. Plymouth, 23-10-1-2, is one point behind the Spirit (24-12-0-2).
The Whalers raced to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Andrew Fournier and Evan Brophey. Chris Terry assisted on both goals. It was only their second loss in 19 games. Before that, the Whalers were riding a 15-1-1-1 streak. The Whaler’s last loss in regulation was against Kingston on Nov. 18. Plymouth lost to Berrie in a shootout on Dec. 9.
Plymouth extinguished a not-so-hot Windsor Spitfire team, 6-1, at home on Thursday to grab the top spot in the West Division.
The victory was a belated Christmas gift to the sold-out crowd consisting of children mostly for the Whaler’s annual Kid’s Day event.
It was Joe McCann, from A.J. Jenks, who scored what would be the eventual winner at 10:59 of the second. His shot whizzed past Windsor goalie Andrew Engelage, top shelf.
Windsor’s Kevin Hudes opened the scoring in the second period. He flipped one by Plymouth net-minder Michal Neuvirth at the 3:58 mark. Mickey Renaud and Mike Weber earned assists on the play.
Almost four minutes later John Armstrong retaliated with a tip-in from Dan Collins. Defender Frank Grzeszczak recorded an assist on the tying goal, too.
McCann’s goal led to four unanswered goals in the third frame—two on power play attempts. Tom Sestito started the flurry with a power-play goal at the 5:36. Collins and Evan Brophey contributed. Sestito leads the team with 23 goals.
Exactly one minute later Ryan McGinnis scored the team’s other man-advantage mark. Chris Terry assisted. Steve Ward, from Brophey, made it 5-1 at 14:23 and Joe Gaynor—the team’s sixth goal scorer of the night—finished off the rout with help from McCann and McGinnis.
Plymouth peppered Engelage with 46 shots while Neuvirth only saw 19.
The Whalers lead the OHL in team defense, only giving up 94 goals in 35 games. Against Windsor they shut out the Spitfires in eight power play attempts, including a 3-on-2 in the second period where they only gave up two shots.
Plymouth traveled to Owen Sound on New Year’s Day but the results were unavailable at press time.
Plymouth heads to London, Ontario at 7:30 pm on Friday, Jan. 5 and host Saginaw at 7:05 pm on Saturday, Jan. 6 and face the Spitfires in Windsor at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7.
