Whalers Lose in Saturday Shootout, 3-2

Published on December 30, 2006 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH - The Guelph Storm received shootout goals from rookies Tyler Melancon and Anthony Nigro to come all the way back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Plymouth Whalers, 3-2, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Saturday night before 2,727 at the Compuware Sports Arena.

In spite of the shootout loss, Plymouth has a point in 14 straight games going back to Nov. 22. Plymouth is 11-0-1-2 during that stretch. Plymouth's last loss in regulation came on Nov. 18 in a 5-2 loss to Kingston. The Whalers are 15-1-1-2 over that stretch.

Plymouth - now 23-10-1-2, for 49 points - is one point behind Saginaw (now 24-12-0-2) in the OHL's West Division. The Spirit defeated Kitchener, 4-1, tonight.

The Whalers raced to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Andrew Fournier (6th of the year) and Evan Brophey (15th). Chris Terry assisted on both goals. Terry found Fournier at the left faceoff dot in the Guelph zone and Fournier beat Guelph goaltender Thomas McCollum with a back hand shot from the left doorstep at 1:08.

Brophey scored on a two-man Plymouth advantage at 6:17 of the period. Tom Sestito had the puck in the high slot in the Guelph zone and found Terry on the left wing. Terry threaded a pass across to Brophey on the right wing and he one-timed a shot past McCollum. Plymouth led, 2-0, after one period of play.

After a scoreless second period, Guelph tied the game in the third period on goals by Jamie Arniel (20th) and Drew Doughty (10th). Arniel deflected Tyler Doig's shot from the left point past Plymouth goaltender Jeremy Smith to cut the Plymouth lead to 2-1 on a Guelph power play at 2:48 of the third period. Then Doughty finished a rush into the Plymouth zone when he beat Smith with a shot from the left face off dot to tie the game at 7:42.

After a scoreless overtime, Melancon and Nigro scored for Guelph in the shootout.

Plymouth outshot Guelph, 34-31, in the game.

Plymouth is back in action New Year's Day in Owen Sound against the Attack (1:50 p.m., www.plymouthwhalers.com) and then plays in London next Friday (7:20 p.m., www.plymouthwhalers.com) before returning home to face Saginaw next Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Tickets are available for all Whalers home games by calling the Compuware Sports Arena box office at (734) 453-8400 Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by going to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2006


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