Depth Powers Whalers to Top of OHL West

Published on October 18, 2004 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


In the end, it doesn't matter how you get points – just get them.

The Whalers battled excellent goaltending to take three points out of four last weekend, coming from behind both nights to get a 2-2 tie with Erie last Friday and a 3-2 victory Saturday over Kingston in games played at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Plymouth remains in first place in the Ontario Hockey League's West Division with a 5-3-1-1 record, three points better than Windsor and Sarnia. The Whalers come into this weekend's games with one game in hand on the Spitfires and two on the Sting.

As with many good teams, depth is one main reason for the Whalers' ascent up the Western Conference ladder.

Plymouth doesn't have a player in the league top 10 in scoring, but has 10 players currently on the roster with at least five points. The Whalers are one of two OHL teams that has a defenseman leading their team in scoring.

Veteran Mike Letizia currently leads the Whalers with 9 points. Patrick O'Neill is tied for the team lead with Sean Courtney in Saginaw with 8 points apiece.

Different people have stepped up at different times for Plymouth so far this year.

Last Friday night, Tim Sestito's power-play goal in the third period proved to be the equalizer against Erie.

Plymouth outshot Erie, 36- 20, but second year goaltender Jhase Sniderman was the difference as the game's second star.

Whalers ran into another hot goaltender Saturday in Kingston's Dayne Davis, but used a different line combination to overtake the Frontenacs.

Vaclav Meidl, Andrew Fournier and Gino Pisellini – along with Cory Tanakaproved to be the difference in the 3-2 victory.

23 seconds after Anthony Stewart gave Kingston a 2-1 lead at 10:06 of the second period, Fournier scored on a scramble in front of the Kingston goal, assisted by Meidl and Pisellini. Then Tanaka made his first-ever OHL goal big one, as he used speed to score on a partial breakaway at 12:56.

"I got the puck at center ice and used my speed to go wide on the defenseman," Tanaka told Canadian Press. "I took it to the net and waited for the goalie to make a move and put it top shelf."

Plymouth pelted Davis with a season-high 48 shots in the game, including 26 in the second period alone.

So are the Whalers a young team, or a veteran team with a host a young players? Maybe a little bit of both.

"It should be a good go," said Fournier. "There's tons of '87's (birthdays) here." "We do have a young team, but we have a lot of talented guys here," said Sestito.

"We had guys like (James) Neal and (Andrew) Fournier and (Zack) Shepley come in and play 10 games for us last year. They put up good numbers when they were here. So they're young, but pretty talented."

Ward, Looby Add Depth to Whaler "D"

The Plymouth Whalers have graduated some excellent defensemen over the last 4- 5 years.

Cole Jarrett, Jared Newman, Nate Kiser, James Wisniewski, Libor Ustrnul, Shaun Fisher and Dave Liffiton have all moved on and are in various stages of their professional career.

When Wisniewski and Liffiton hooked up with Norfolk and Hartford of the American Hockey League at the beginning of the season and Import Michael Kolarz was traded to Kingston, Whalers' President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci went to work via the trade route and acquired Steve Ward from Sarnia and Mike Looby from Sault Ste. Marie.

Ward came to the Whalers in exchange for left wing Jordan Grant and a 9th round pick in 2005. Looby came from the ‘Hounds for a conditional 7th round pick next spring.

Although it's fair to say Ward and Looby aren't going to replace the individual talents of Wisniewski – last season's Canadian Hockey League Defenseman of the Year – or Liffiton, they have meshed well with Ryan McGinnis, Mike Letizia, Mike Knight, Zack Shepley and Craig Cescon.

"I've been interested in Ward before," said Vellucci. "He's smart with the puck and a good skater. We needed someone to help on the power play and Ward has a chance to play here a couple of years."

The move to Plymouth represents a fresh start for both Ward and Looby and it's obvious they enjoy playing for the Whalers.

Ward – originally taken in 4th round (70th overall) in the 2002 draft – didn't get to play much with Sarnia, scoring 3 goals with 8 assists in 43 games last year.

Things are different in Plymouth. Ward played one of his better games last Friday in the Whalers' 2-2 tie against Erie, especially after Mike Knight was ejected for slashing in the first period.

"I was surprised to get traded," said Ward.

"But coming to Plymouth is a fresh start. That's all I really wanted. I had a tough year last year, but this is my chance to play and try to contribute. "

Ward saw some time last in year Sarnia on the wing.

"In Sarnia I was put up front of a couple of occasions, but I prefer defense," he said. "I played forward in house league when I was young, but I've played defense pretty much my entire career."

Ward isn't going to run anyone through the boards and knows he brings something else to the rink.

"It's my game to use the first good pass," Ward explained. "I'm going to be the one to make the first good pass and then get back in my zone and get pucks up quick. When I can jump up on the rush, I will. I just try to play a smart game."

Looby started his career playing in his hometown after being taken by Brampton in the second round (32nd overall) in the 2001 draft.

After spending a couple of seasons with the Battalion, Looby was traded to Sault Ste. Marie last year.

"It was good experience to play at home," Looby said. "But stuff happens and you end up playing where you can."

Although Looby does a good job as a steady, stay-athome defenseman, he sees himself a little differently.

"I describe myself as an offensive defenseman," Looby said. "I get the puck out of my end quick with the good pass and play hard." Both Looby and Ward like the Whalers and the Plymouth area.

"Plymouth seems like a great area," Ward said. Everyone I talked to had good things to say about the team. So it seems like a good place to play."

"Plymouth is a very nice place and the organization seems to be very professional," Looby said. "It looks like they want the best for their players and they (management) do what they can to help players achieve."

HE'S UP: The Whalers called up 16-year-old RW Jeff McFarland from Jr.B. McFarland – taken in the 4th round (61st overall) by the Whalers in last spring OHL Draft – made his Plymouth debut last Friday against Erie.

HE'S DOWN: Whaler rookie John Armstrong was issued an 8-game suspension by the OHL after a review of the game tape in Plymouth's 4-1 victory over Kitchener Oct. 9.

Armstrong can come back Nov. 4 in Sault Ste. Marie.

THEY'RE BACK: Plymouth defenseman Craig Cescon is expected to be back in the lineup this weekend in Peterborough, Kingston and Ottawa.

Plymouth PA announcer Chris Butzlaff returns Oct. 29 vs. Ottawa.

(Whale Tales is edited by Pete Krupsky)

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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