Plymouth Whalers Win Fifth Straight Game, 7-4, over Guelph
February 16, 2013 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Whalers spotted the Guelph Storm a 3-0 lead after the first period and came roaring back with five unanswered goals in the second period to defeat the Storm, 7-4, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Saturday night before 2,970 at Compuware Arena.
Plymouth has won five games in a row and remains in first place in the OHL West with a record of 31-16-5-4, good for 71 points. The Whalers are four points ahead of second place Sarnia (32-22-0-3, 67 points), who defeated Oshawa, 4-2m tonight. Plymouth is five points up on third place Sault Ste. Marie (31-21-2-2, 66 points), won beat Kingston, 10-7, on Saturday.
First star Rickard Rakell - playing in his second game with Plymouth after returning from the NHL's Anaheim Ducks - fueled the Whalers' comeback with a goal (14) and two assists - all in the decisive second period. Matt Mistele recorded his second hat trick this season for Plymouth (27-28-29), while Sebastian Uvira (7), Vince Trocheck (42), and Stefan Noesen (18) all scored single goals for the Whalers.
Justin Auger (16), Hunter Garlant (10) and Robby Fabbri (10) scored in the first period for the Storm.
Plymouth goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic picked up the win in goal after relieving starting goaltender Matt Mahalak in the first period. Nedeljkovic stopped 21-of-22 shots in 44:16 of work to raise his won-loss record to 10-1-1-1 over 16 games this season.
Plymouth trailed, 3-1, in the second period when Guelph defenseman Saverio Posa took a five-minute match penalty for high sticking and a game misconduct. The Whalers took advantage of the extended power play, tying the game at 3-3 with two goals nine seconds apart Mistele at 12:32 and Trocheck at 12:41. Plymouth took their first lead of the game at 4-3 on a shorthanded goal by Rakell at 17:56 and extended the lead to 5-3 on Noesen's eventual game-winner at 19:32.
The Whalers outshot Guelph, 46-33.
Plymouth plays in Sarnia on Monday afternoon (1:45 pm, 88.1FM WSDP) before retuning home next weekend to host Windsor on Friday (7 pm, Comcast 900 and 88.1FM WSDP) and Sarnia on Saturday (7 pm, www.plymouthwhalers.com).
• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2013
- Gens Get Stung in Sarnia - Oshawa Generals
- Plymouth Whalers Win Fifth Straight Game, 7-4, over Guelph - Plymouth Whalers
- IceDogs Nipped by Owen Sound 3-2 - Niagara IceDogs
- The Spirit Win against the Spitfires at Ice Blast - Saginaw Spirit
- Dansk Sharp in 4-2 Otters Loss - Erie Otters
- Rangers Double up on Otters 4-2 - Kitchener Rangers
- Gens Overpower Spirit 6-4 - Oshawa Generals
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.
Other Recent Plymouth Whalers Stories
- Plymouth Whalers Snatch Victory from Jaws of Defeat, Rebound to Beat Saginaw , 3-2
- Sonny Night in Plymouth: Plymouth Whalers Beat Sudbury, 7-1, on Saturday
- Plymouth Whalers Sold: Team to Move to Flint in 2015-16
- Windsor Doubles up Plymouth, 8-4, on Tuesday
- Plymouth Whalers Acquire Defenseman Sean Callaghan from Saginaw