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Pymouth Whalers Meet Sarnia Sting in First Round of OHL Playoffs

March 16, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


The Plymouth Whalers will meet the Sarnia Sting in a best-of-seven first-round Ontario Hockey League Quarterfinal Series, starting Saturday at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena. Here's the entire series:

Game 1 - Saturday, March 21 at 7:05pm - Sarnia at Plymouth.

Game 2 - Sunday, March 22 at 6:00pm - Plymouth at Sarnia.

Game 3 - Tuesday, March 24 at 7:05pm - Sarnia at Plymouth.

Game 4 - Thursday, March 26 at 7:30pm - Plymouth at Sarnia.

(If necessary):

Game 5 - Saturday, March 28 at 7:05pm - Sarnia at Plymouth.

Game 6 - Sunday, March 29 at 6:00pm - Plymouth at Sarnia.

Game 7 - Tuesday, March 31 at 7:05pm - Sarnia at Plymouth.

Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Arena box office at (734) 453-8400. All Plymouth games are broadcast online at:

http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/listen.html

OVERVIEW:

Plymouth finished fourth in the OHL's Western Conference with a record of 37-26-5-0. Sarnia finished fifth in the OHL's Western Conference race at 35-26-4-3.

Season series - Plymouth had a 4-1-1-0 edge in the regular season series with Sarnia.

National Hockey League Drafted Players:

Plymouth - C/LW Chris Terry (Carolina), D Michal Jordan (Carolina), D Brett Bellemore (Carolina), C AJ Jenks (Florida).

Sarnia - LW Justin DiBenedetto (NY Islanders), LW Matt Martin (NY Islanders), D Mark Katic (NY Islanders), C Jamie Arniel (Boston), LW Michael Neal (Dallas).

LEADING PLAYERS:

Plymouth - Captain Chris Terry (36 goals and 55 assists for 94 points in 53 games) finished second in the OHL in scoring behind London's John Tavares. Matt Caria

(34-58-92, fifth in the league in scoring) came over from Sault Ste. Marie in a trade and injected skill and offense to the Whalers attack. Rookie Tyler Seguin (21-41-67) didn't scored his first OHL until Nov. 7, but still ended up third in Rookie Scoring in the OHL. Plymouth defensemen Michal Jordan (12-30-42, 12th among OHL defensemen in scoring) and Beau Schmitz (6-31-37) are among the most mobile d-men in the OHL. Goaltender Matt Hackett (3.04 goals against, .913 save percentage in 55 games) is a steady presence and Plymouth rebounded from a slow start in November after Hackett earned the lead goaltender's position.

Leading scorers against Sarnia this season - Caria (4-7-11), Jenks (2-7-9), Terry (3-4-7), Seguin (1-6-7), Jordan (4-2-6), Tyler G. Brown (3-2-5).

Sarnia - Veteran Justin DiBenedetto (45-48-93, third in OHL scoring) had a career year for the Sting and is a threat any time he is on the ice. Boston-draft Jamie Arniel (32-36-68) is a skilled centerman who led Sarnia in scoring against Plymouth this season. Islander draft Matt Martin (35-30-65) is a solid grinder. Defensively, the Sting are led by Mark Katic (13-41-55, ninth among OHL defensemen in scoring) and veteran Steve Ferry (7-31-38). In goal, Dan Spence (2.78, .914 in 54 games) came over earler this season from the Western Hockey League and has played well for Sarnia this season.

Leading scorers against Plymouth this season - Arniel (4-4-8), DiBenedetto (5-3-8), Katic (1-5-6).

Playoff history:

2001 - Plymouth eliminated Sarnia, four-games-to-none, in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

1998 - Plymouth eliminated Sarnia, four-games-to-one, in the Western Conference quarterfinals.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2009


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