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Rakell's Pair Not Enough In Saginaw's 3-2 Win Over Plymouth

October 1, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH - Vincent Trocheck's power play goal at 18:16 of the second period snapped a 1-1 tie and the Saginaw Spirit defeated the Plymouth Whalers, 3-2, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Friday night at Compuware Arena.

Saginaw is now 3-1-0-0. Plymouth is 1-2-0-1.

Swedish import Rickard Rakell scored his first two goals in the Ontario Hockey League to lead the Whalers attack. Besides Trocheck, Brandon Saad - considered a top prospect for the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft - scored his third goal of the season, while Josh Shalla (second) scored an empty net goal for the Spirit.

The first period was scoreless, featured good overall flow and was not uneventful as Plymouth outshot Saginaw, 7-4.

Rakell gave Plymouth a 1-0 lead at 0:39 of the second period when he batted down a loose Saginaw pass at the Plymouth blue line, gathered speed through neutral ice and blasted a shot by Saginaw goaltender Tadeas Galansky.

The second period was a penalty-filled affair and the Spirit scored a couple of power play goals to take the lead. Saad scored at 5:58 of the period, re-directing the puck from the right wing side of the Plymouth goal by Whalers goaltender Scott Wedgewood.

Trocheck's goal gave Saginaw their first lead of the game. On the play, Trocheck accepted a pass at the left circle in the Plymouth zone, faked a shot and then scored from the lower rim of the circle. Saginaw led, 2-1, after two periods.

The Whalers continued to pressure in the third period and Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci pulled goaltender Wedgewood with 1:20 remaining in a bid to score the equalizer, but Shalla picked up the puck just inside the Saginaw blue line to score into the empty net with 1:14 left.

Plymouth didn't quit. Vellucci called a time out with 1:11 left and Rakell scored from the left point. The puck deflected off traffic on the right wing side of the Saginaw goal and over the goal line. After video review, the goal stood.

Plymouth's final chance to score came on a face off with five seconds left. But the puck went behind the Saginaw net and along the boards and the Spirit skated away with the victory.

Saginaw outshot Plymouth, 29-28.

The Whalers are back in action Saturday at 7:05pm, hosting Sudbury at Compuware Arena (6:45pm, 88.1FM WSDP).

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