Whalers Playoff Positioning Comes Down To Sunday

Published on March 13, 2008 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


TERRY HITS 100-POINT MARK IN WHALERS' 5-3 LOSS IN WINDSOR.

Taylor's Hall's 42nd goal of the year at 15:37 of the first period gave the Windsor Spitfires a 4-2 lead and the Spitfires went on the defeat the Plymouth Whalers, 5-3, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Tuesday night before 3,541 at Windsor Arena.

Josh Bailey led the Windsor attack with two goals (28-29) and an assist and was +4 on the evening as the game's first star. Greg Nemisz (33, +3), Ryan Ellis (14) and Hall scored singles for the Spitfires. Andrew Fournier (35), Kaine Geldart (12) and Vern Cooper (18) scored for Plymouth. Veteran Chris Terry added an assist to hit the 100-point mark with 44 goals and 56 assists on the season. Terry is the 14th player in Whalers history to score 100 points in a season.

Windsor led, 4-2, after one period. After Fournier (1:09) and Ellis (1:53) opened the scoring, Plymouth took a 2-1 lead at 10:09 of the period when Terry - stationed at the right half-boards in the Windsor zone - found Geldart parked at the left side of the Windsor crease. Geldart scored on a re-direct past Windsor goaltender Jakub Kovar. Bailey tied the game at 2-2, scoring from the hash marks as the late man on a rush after accepting a pass from Jordan Nolan and beating Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett. Windsor then took their first lead of the game on goals by Nemisz at 15:08 (hard shot from the right circle over Hackett's shoulder) and Hall at 15:37 (rebound off a Nemisz shot).

Plymouth scored the only goal of the second period to cut the Windsor lead to 4-3. The line of Vern Cooper, Joe Gaynor and Joe McCann teamed up on Cooper's 18th of the year at 9:14. Gaynor chased the puck deep in the Windsor zone to the end wall and beat a Spitfire defender to the puck. Gaynor centered the puck out in front of the Windsor goal and Cooper beat Kovar with the shot, top shelf.

Plymouth outshot Windsor, 11-9, in the third period, but the Spitfires scored the only goal in the third frame. Plymouth coach Joe Stefan pulled goaltender Hackett and called a time-out with 1:02 remaining in regulation and a faceoff in the Windsor zone. But Bailey scored on the empty net with 0:03 left to close the scoring.

Plymouth remains on the road Friday in Sault Ste. Marie and will return home Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Compuware Arena against Sarnia. The Whalers complete the regular season Sunday afternoon in Saginaw against the Spirit.

Tickets can be purchased for all Plymouth games by calling the Compuware Arena at (734) 453-8400 or by going to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

COMPUWARE ARENA DRIVE-IN THEATRE DATES ANNOUNCED.

The magic of the Compuware Arena Drive-In Theatres will return this spring and summer. Sneak Peak Preview weekends happen May 16-17 and May 23-24-25. The Drive-In Theatres will have a Grand Opening on June 13 and then run seven days a week through September 7.

Affordable group rates are available for the Compuware Arena Drive-In Theatres and a fun way to spend a special night out with your business, school group, church group or corporation. Contact Karyl Eckerle at (734) 453-8400 or karyle@plymouthwhalers.com for more information.

WHALERS HOST STAMKOS, STING on SATURDAY DURING PLAYOFF PUSH.

The Whalers will make the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. They just don't know where they'll finish in the Western Conference standings or who they'll play in the first round of the OHL's post-season, which start at the end of next week.

Fifth seed through eighth in the OHL's Western Conference race looks like this:

#5 Guelph - 66 games - 33-24-5-4, 75 points.

#6 Plymouth - 65 games - 34-26-2-3, 73 points.

#7 Sarnia - 65 games - 35-28-2-0, 72 points.

#8 Saginaw - 65 games - 32-25-6-2, 72 points.

The Storm, Whalers, Sting and Spirit will all be in action this weekend as the OHL completes the regular season. Plymouth may not know who they are playing in the first round until Sunday evening.

After playing in Sault Ste. Marie (42-18-2-4) on Friday against the first-place Greyhounds, Plymouth returns home on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Compuware Arena to host Sarnia. The Sting features 18-year-old center Steven Stamkos, who may be the first player chosen in the National Hockey League Entry Draft next summer. Stamkos rates an excellent chance to play in the National Hockey League next season.

Stamkos - sixth overall in OHL scoring 55 goals and 43 assists for 98 points in 58 games - has been a Whaler Killer for two years. This season, Stamkos has scored eight goals (two short handed) and an assist for nine points in five games. In 10 games over two seasons against Plymouth, Stamkos has scored 12 goals with four assists for 16 points.

With 55 goals coming into the weekend, Stamkos has a chance to set a Sarnia team record for goals scored in a season. Ivan Novoseltsev currently holds the record with 57 goals scored in 1998-99.

"I know it's on his mind and his teammates have been talking about it," Sarnia head coach Dave MacQueen told the Sarnia Observer. "But I'm sure he will tell you he would give up a few goals for a few more wins. And the fact if he does break the record, there's a good chance we will be winning some more games."

Saturday's game is also the Whalers' Annual Green Out, where fans can bid on the popular Plymouth green game-worn jerseys. A silent auction will be held during the game for some of the jerseys, with a public auction held after the game in Ginopolis on Ice Restaurant for the rest.

Plymouth finishes up the regular season on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Saginaw.

IT'S COOL TO STAY IN (HOCKEY) SCHOOL.

The Plymouth Whalers have announced the dates for their summer hockey camps. Learn from the Whalers coaches and players this summer. Register by June 1 and enjoy a discounted rate! Contact Natalie Shaver at 734-453-8400 or natalies@plymouthwhalers.com for more information or to register today!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2008


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