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Sellout Crowd Sees Plymouth Defeat the Soo, 6-2, to Advance to Western Conference Semi-Finals

March 26, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH - Phil McRae continued his torrid playoff pace with two goals and an assist, first star Ryan Hayes scored a goal and was +4 and captain AJ Jenks contributed a goal and two assists as the Plymouth Whalers broke open a 1-1 game with two goals late in the second period and pulled away in the third to defeat the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 6-2, in an Ontario Hockey League playoff game played Friday night at Compuware Arena.

A sellout crowd of 3,705 - Plymouth's fifth sellout of the season - saw the Whalers eliminate Sault Ste. Marie, four-games-to-one, and advance to the OHL's Western Conference semi-finals against an opponent to be determined.

Tyler Brown (second of the playoffs) and Josh Brittain (first) also scored for Plymouth. Myles McCauley (2) and Brandon Archibald (1) scored for the Soo.

While many people continue to focus on Plymouth star Tyler Seguin - who had a good series with five goals and five assists for 10 points in the five game series - Seguin had plenty of support in all areas. McRae scored in every game against the Soo and finished the series with six goals and five assists for 11 points; Hayes had four goals with seven assists for 11 points; Jenks had two goals with five assists for seven points.

Defensively, Plymouth's penalty killing unit dominated the series, going 30-for-32 over five games. Goaltender Matt Hackett stopped 33-of-35 shots in tonight's victory. In all, Hackett posted a 2.38 goals against average and .940 save percentage over the five-game series.

Hayes got Plymouth rolling at 0:44 of the first period, batting home McRae shot from the right circle that Soo goaltender Robin Lehner stopped but could not control the rebound. The puck pinballed to Hayes, who scored on a redirect just outside the blue crease on the left side of the net.

McCauley tied the game for the ‘Hounds on a rebound at 6:42 of the period to tie the game at 1-1. The game stayed tied until the 15:00 of the second period.

As they had all series, the Whalers won a battle for a puck to set up the lead goal. Whalers rookie Garrett Meurs took the puck away from ‘Hounds' defenseman Dylan King at the Plymouth blue line and started Jenks on a rush through center. Jenks cut across the grain to the left wing in the Soo zone and beat Lehner with a well-placed shot from the left circle at 15:24. McRae increased the Whalers lead to 3-1, set up by Jenks at center. McRae - on a partial breakaway - scored in tight on Lehner at 19:35 of the second period. Plymouth led, 3-1, after forty minutes.

McRae scored again at 5:15 of the third period, batting home a rebound from the left circle, to increase the Plymouth lead to 4-1. The Soo didn't quit, with Archibald scoring from the left point at 13:43 to cut the Plymouth. But Brown - using his speed - scored again for Plymouth at 17:52 and Brittain scored on the empty net at 18:46.

Sault Ste. Marie outshot Plymouth, 35-31.

"We're playing well as a team," Hayes said. "We have a lot of depth. Tyler's (Seguin) a fine player in his own right, but he's got great linemates and I have great linemates and the whole team did well in this series."

Give Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci some credit, too. He may start a game with certain line combinations, but is willing to mix and matches his combinations at any given time in the search for productive line combinations.

"You have to be flexible at this level," Hayes explained. "Everybody plays with everyone here. That's a good thing to have on this team. You can see by the result of this series that everyone wants to win and everyone contributed to the success of this series."

The Whalers will now wait for the next series to begin, which should be sometime next weekend.

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.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2010


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