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Brown's OT goal, Hackett's 47 saves wins it for Plymouth

November 7, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH, MI - Tyler G. Brown's goal at 2:32 of the overtime snapped a 2-2 tie and the Plymouth Whalers defeated the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 3-2, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Saturday night before 2,376 at Compuware Arena.

The Whalers - who defeated Sarnia, 7-2, last night - improve to 12-7-0-0. Sault Ste. Marie is now 10-8-1-1.

On the game-winning goal, Brown took a head man pass from Ryan Hayes that went blue line to blue line. Brown skated to the left circle and beat Soo goaltender Bryce O'Hagan with a shot - glove side - inside the far post.

"I knew I split the defensemen as soon as I got over the blue line," Brown said about the game-winning goal. "I knew the goalie was giving me the far side, so I put it on net and banked it off the post."

Brown has scored three goals this season and two have been overtime game-winners. Brown scored the deciding goal in the Whalers' home opener Sept. 19 in a 6-5 overtime win against the Oshawa Generals.

Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett backstopped the Whalers victory in stopping 47-of-49 shots as the game's second star. Hackett raised his overall record to 10-6-0-0.

Leo Jenner (third) and Michal Jordan (third) scored first period goals for Plymouth. Jordan Nolan (second) and Michael Quesnele (fourth) replied in the second period for the Soo.

Jenner's goal, shorthanded, came at 12:21 and was a strange one when he picked the puck in neutral territory in front of the penalty boxes and beat O'Hagan with a shot that caught the Soo goaltender moving. O'Hagan got a piece of the puck, but it landed in the back of the net. Jordan scored to make it 2-0 on a power by at 16:39 when he blistered a shot from the high slot.

But the Soo came back in the second period. Nolan converted a nice feed from behind the Plymouth goal by Tomas Rachunek and beat Hackett in front of the Whalers net. Quesnele scored on the severe-angle from the left goal line over Hackett's shoulder at 14:27 of the period, popping to water bottle to tie the game at 2-2.

The Greyhounds carried the play in the third period, outshooting Plymouth, 19-6, but Hackett played his best hockey of the evening in holding the Whalers even.

That set the stage for Brown's game-winner. Plymouth remains unbeaten in overtime this year, winning twice in over time (Sept. 19 and this evening) and twice in shootouts (Sept. 17 and Oct. 2).

Plymouth continues to win even though the Whalers have yet to be completely healthy this season.

"We've been snake-bitten with injuries," Brown agreed. "But we're young and we're going to work hard every night. No matter who's out, we're going to give it a good effort every game."

The Whalers play in Windsor on Thursday night (7pm, 88.1FM WSPD) before returning home next Friday against Guelph and next Saturday against Kitchener. -END-

For information on Whalers ticket packages or to plan a group event, visit plymouthwhalers.com or call 734-453-8400.

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