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Whalers Renew Playoff Rivalry With Kitchener

March 19, 2008 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


The Whalers will draw the Kitchener Rangers in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs, starting Friday at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

The dates of the Whalers-Rangers Western Conference Quarter-final series are as follows:

Game 1- Fri., Mar. 21 at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.

Game 2 - Sat., Mar. 22 at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m.

Game 3 - Mon., Mar. 24 at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4 - Wed., Mar. 26 at Plymouth 7:05 p.m.

(*) Game 5 - Fri., Mar. 28 at Kitchener 7:30 p.m.

(*) Game 6 - Sat., Mar. 29 at Plymouth 7:05 p.m.

(*) Game 7 - Tue., Apr. 1 at Kitchener 7:30 p.m.

(*) if necessary.

Plymouth's playoff fate came down to the final ounce of hockey that could be played during the regular season. Needing a victory to secure seventh seed in the playoff race and face Sault Ste. Marie in the first round, the Whalers played in Saginaw last Sunday in the final game of the regular season.

The Whalers did a lot of things well in outshooting Saginaw, 50-32. Trailing 3-1 in the second period, Plymouth came back to tie the game on a second period goal by Patrick Lee and a third period marker by Joe McCann. After a scoreless overtime, Saginaw won the game on a shootout goal by Tyler Murovich.

So Plymouth (34-28-2-4, 74 points) is the eighth seed and draws top-ranked Kitchener (53-11-1-3, 110 points). Many experts around the OHL are predicting the Rangers will win the series in five games or less.

Plymouth head coach Greg Stefan is taking a big-picture approach to the Whalers' playoff run this year.

"The most important thing for me is us playing well," Stefan said in an interview during the final week of the regular season. "We've shown signs of playing well and then we've shown signs of not, but I think this weekend will give us an indication and hopefully a big boost for the first round of the playoffs."

The positive sign of last weekend was the fact that Plymouth didn't quit, coming back from a 3-0 deficit against Sarnia on Saturday before losing, 5-4, and then coming back against Saginaw. In both games, the Whalers could have packed it in, but did not.

In a league where older players often rule the roost - much like the Whalers did last season - Plymouth is relying on young veterans AJ Jenks, Vern Cooper and Michal Jordan.

"Guys AJ and Coop and other players last year were a big part of the team, but not like Evan Brophey, James Neal and Jared Boll," Stefan said. "But now they are a big part of our team this year. I think this experience is so valuable for their progress moving forward. It's important for them to be playing games like this and being the go-to guys here."

When veteran defenseman Wes Cunningham was lost for the season a month ago due to finger surgery, 17-year-old Michal Jordan stepped in and filled the void capably. Not rated by Central Scouting early this year, Jordan is moving up the charts with a bullet and will be selected in the National Hockey League Entry Draft this summer.

"What a great experience Michal has now, being a 17-year-old kid and not only playing 30 minutes a game, but playing against all the other team's best players - like (Steven) Stamkos (Sarnia) and (Dustin) Jeffrey (Sault Ste. Marie)," Stefan said. "In a perfect scenario, would we like to play Jordan 30 minutes a game? Probably not. But he's handling the responsibility very well and it's only going to make him and our team better for the future."

After an excellent start to the season, Plymouth hovered around the .500 mark from Christmas until the end of the year - a fact not totally unexpected by Stefan.

"I did expect bumps in the road," Stefan said. "I know this league very well. When you graduate up to 12 guys like we did after last year and then put guys in like Joe Gaynor and others who haven't had a whole lot of playing time in the past who are now getting experience, you may struggle.

"I also looked at our schedule. The Western Conference is so tough. In the last month or so, we've been playing some tough games, playoff games really, against some tough opponents.

"But you know what? I love it. Because to advance to where we want to be next year and the year after that, we have to go through the experience of playing in tough games against tough opponents."

Plymouth goaltender Jeremy Smith missed the final six games of the regular season with an injury, but could return Friday in Kitchener. If Smith can't play, Matt Hackett will start with Kyle Jendra backing up.

WHO TO WATCH FOR KITCHENER: The trio of Justin Azevedo, Nick Spaling and Matt Halischuk was a dominant force early in the season but Spaling missed time with mono and Halischuk has played just nine games since scoring the winning goal for Canada's juniors. They are all in the lineup now to bolster a deep cast that also includes top prospect Mikkel Boedker, former first rounder Nazim Kadri and gritty veteran Mike Duco. Scott Tregunna has struggled to find the net consistently since coming over from Owen Sound but is a quality scorer that will provide depth for the playoff run. All-Star Yannick Weber is as dangerous as they come on the powerplay and the arrival of Ben Shutron helps take some of the pressure off. The group of Matt Pepe, Dan Kelly and Robert Bortuzzo are effective. World Junior hero Steve Mason was brought in to solidify the Rangers' championship hopes and has come as advertised.

WHO TO WATCH FOR PLYMOUTH: Chris Terry has been a sensational offensive performer with the Whalers this season scoring 44 goals and 101 points. Captain Andrew Fournier has blossomed with 35 goals and 77 points and sophomore A.J. Jenks is fulfilling his promise with 27 goals and 56 points. The Whalers have depth with the likes of Joe McCann, Vern Cooper and Kaine Geldart as well as newcomer Ryan Hayes. Czech rookie Michal Jordan is the real deal and will be counted on to step up after the team lost overager Wes Cunningham to injury. Jeremy Smith became the undisputed number one when Neuvirth was shipped to Windsor. He plays an efficient and effective style. Smith missed the final six games of the regular due to injury and if he can't play, Matt Hackett will start for the Whalers.

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.

LINKS TO USE

http://www.plymouthwhalers.com - Plymouth Whalers website.

http://www.compuwarearena.com - Compuware Arena website.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com - Ontario Hockey League website.

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/ - Carolina Hurricanes website.

http://www.nhl.com - National Hockey League website.

http://www.ticketmaster.com - Ticketmaster website.

CHRIS TERRY PROVIDES INSPIRATION FOR FRIEND

by Natalie Shaver

Last year, Plymouth Whalers forward Chris Terry, 18, played a supporting role on a team that had seven players sign NHL contracts. The Brampton, Ontario, native went out and did his job each day, but wasn't counted on to provide the heroics.

One of Terry's biggest fans is sixteen-year-old Bobby Suvoy. He loves attending Whalers games with his dad, Bob, especially when the Whalers beat the London Knights. Last year, Bobby cheered and jumped for joy as he watched the Whalers win the Ontario Hockey League Championship.

What a difference a year makes. This season, Terry scored 101 points and constantly provided heroics during games, including a league-leading four shootout game-winners. However, being a hero doesn't always happen on the ice for this hockey player.

Last August, Bobby was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, an aggressive neurological disorder which attacks all muscle functions in the body. He is now completely paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, as well as needing constant assistance from a breathing machine. He has still been able to attend a number of games this season because all he wants to do is see his favorite player. At night when he goes to sleep, he likes having Terry's jersey draped on him. All he would dream about was having Terry sign the jersey in front of his whole family so they could share in one of his happiest moments.

The Suvoy saying is, "What Bobby wants, Bobby gets" so arrangements were made for Terry to sign the jersey. All Bobby had to do was wait until the Whalers final regular season home game on Saturday, March 15. The family had enough tickets for everyone coming in to town to go to the game and experience the special moment with Bobby. The plan was that Terry would meet them on the concourse after the game and sign the jersey in front of everyone. Bobby asked his dad to buy a video camera so they could tape the event, since he wants to be able to look back and remember it when he gets better.

The Thursday before the game, Bobby's dad phoned the Whalers to inform them that Bobby had taken a turn for the worse. The doctors said he didn't have long to live and Bobby couldn't get out of bed. Bobby was upset because he wouldn't be able to make it to Saturday's game to have Terry sign his jersey in front of his family.

Terry, like most hockey players, is very superstitious about keeping the same routine before games, especially since the Whalers were battling for playoff positioning. However when he heard that Bobby wouldn't be able to make the game, he didn't hesitate to change things up. He spent his Saturday afternoon in Redford at the Suvoy's house talking to Bobby, taking photos, and signing his jersey in front of all the family members just like Bobby wanted.

Bobby didn't stop smiling that day and couldn't wait to watch the Whalers game that night. Terry said he would score a goal for him and wrote on his stick "Do It 4 Bobby."

The Schoolcraft College Sports Network - the network that televises Plymouth games - was informed of the friendship between Chris and Bobby and was able to get a shot of Terry before the game with his special stick. Although Terry didn't provide any late-game heroics and the Whalers lost, the Suvoy family knows that Terry was a hero that day. He made one of Bobby's last days one of his best ever.

A couple of days later, the Whalers office received the following email:

"Natalie,

My husband Bud and I wanted to send you a note and thank you for arranging Chris Terry's visit to see our nephew Bobby Suvoy on Saturday. Not only was the visit amazing for Bobby, it was healing and therapeutic for our entire family. It has been a long time since we have seen Bobby so happy and excited. Bobby was wide awake the remainder of the day and gleamed even further when he heard the announcers talk about Chris and Bobby's friendship. Seeing Bobby's name written on Chris' stick brought tears to all of our eyes.

Bobby already has his picture with Chris matted, framed and hanging on his bedroom wall.....a prize he shows everyone who enters. We can't thank you, Chris, and the Whaler's organization enough for making a dream-come-true for our special Bobby. ALS has broken Bobby's body, but it certainly hasn't touched his amazing brave spirit.

Thanks again, it is a wonderful feeling to know such kind and generous people reside right here in our community.

Sending you the best of luck in knocking Kitchener out in Round 1 - - - - we'll all be watching!!!!"

Lee Ann Provenzano

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!



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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