Plymouth Whalers Clinch Playoff Berth In Swatting Sarnia, 11-3

Published on February 21, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


SARNIA, ON -- The Plymouth Whalers used excellent offensive balance Sunday in hammering the Sarnia Sting, 11-3, in an Ontario Hockey League game played before 2,687 at RBC Centre in Sarnia.

Eight Whalers scored at least one goal and fourteen skaters scored at least one point as Plymouth led, 4-1 after one period and 8-2 after forty minutes.

Plymouth won its fourth straight game (12-3-0-1 since Jan. 16) and improves to 36-22-0-2, good for 74 points and fourth seed in the OHL's Western Conference playoff race. In winning, the Whalers clinched a playoff berth for the 19th straight season, the current OHL record for making the playoffs in consecutive years. Plymouth missed the OHL playoffs in it's first-ever season in 1990-91 and has made the playoffs every season since.

The Whalers are now five points behind the third place Kitchener Rangers (37-17-3-2), who lost 5-4 in Oshawa on Sunday.

The last time Plymouth scored 11 goals came on Sept. 30, 1995 when the Whalers - known at that time as the Detroit Whalers - beat the Oshawa Generals, 11-5, in the team's first-ever game at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Although Plymouth center Tyler Seguin (the OHL's leading scorer with 45 goals and 53 assists for 98 points in 55 games) was named the game's first star with two goals and an assist, he had plenty of support from his teammates. Ryan Hayes also scored twice (13-14) and added an assist. Tyler Brown also scored twice (10-11) while Beau Schmitz (8), Garrett Meurs (14), Robbie Czarnik (12), Jamie Devane (6) and Stefan Noesen (3) all added singles. Defenseman Leo Jenner recorded three assists and was +5 and right wing James Livingston also added three assists.

Brett Ritchie (12), Jesse Stoughton (10) and Nathan Chiarlitti (5) scored for Sarnia, now 16-40-3-1.

Plymouth effectively put the game away in extending a 2-1 lead to 6-1 on first period goals by Seguin (17:05 of the first period), Hayes (19:57 of the first period), Seguin again (2:02 of the second period) and then Hayes again (3:29 of the second frame). Stoughton scored for Sarnia at 6:18 of the period, but the Whalers countered with goals by Brown (10:46) and Czarnik (11:52).

Leading 8-2 after forty minutes, Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci pulled starting Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett in favor of Scott Wedgewood at the start of the third period and used everyone on the roster the rest of the way. Plymouth rookies Stefan Noesen, Colin MacDonald and Nick Malysa saw their most extensive ice time of the season in this game.

Plymouth outshot Sarnia, 44-29.

The Whalers are off until Thursday when they play in Windsor against the Spitfires (88.1FM WSDP, 6:45pm). Plymouth returns home Saturday to host Guelph at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena.

For information on Whalers ticket packages, including the Bob Evans' Great Save 4 for $44 Pack, or to plan a group event, visit plymouthwhalers.com or call 734-453-8400.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2010


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