New White Rock captain Chris Fortems (left) takes a ceremonial face-off with former captains Tyler Price, Calder Newson and Matt Rogers on Sept. 17. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
Zac Sherwin’s hat trick propels comeback
CENTENNIAL ARENA – The 2022-2023 Whalers showed grit and resolve in their first regular season game in front of the Centennial faithful.
As he did numerous times last season, veteran Whaler Zac Sherwin took the rest of the Pod on his back. His hat trick led to a dramatic comeback victory, 5-3, over the Ridge Meadows Flames.
After the Flames put two powerplay markers past Whaler back-up goalie Ty Angus in 11 seconds for a 3-1 lead, Sherwin had had enough.
Zac Sherwin celebrates with teammates after he scored a hat trick against the Ridge Meadows Flames. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
Sherwin on fire: SH, EV & PP
Midway through the second period, Sherwin collected the puck at centre ice and ripped a snap shot from 40 feet out to beat Flames netminder Darian Moberly. It was the first shorthanded goal for White Rock this season.
A mere 35 seconds later – midway through his first goal announcement – Sherwin continued his hot streak when he scored off a feed from new Whaler Parker Graham.
White Rock head coach Jason Rogers thought Sherwin, an alternate captain, showed his “leadership and maturity.”
“We’ve been on (Sherwin) to shoot the puck a little bit more,” Rogers added. “Those three goals are as nice as you’re going to see from a quick release.”
Ty Angus was superb in goal. The Whaler back-up netminder withstood the pressure of numerous Ridge Meadows man advantages. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
Another veteran, “Big Goal” Cole Svendson, made sure the Whalers took the lead as he notched his second of the game from White Rock’s new captain, Chris Fortems.
In the third period, Sherwin put the game out of reach with his hat trick marker on the man advantage.
The Whalers now have a record of one win, and one loss after a 4-0 loss on the road in Surrey earlier in the week.
Goalie Ty Angus: Takin’ care of business
Between the pipes, Whaler goalie Ty Angus bounced around like Gumby. Angus spreadeagled to rob a goal line tap-in and outwaited a backhand deke on a Ridge Meadows breakaway.
He faced 40 shots and recorded his first win for the Whalers.
“As the game went on, I got a bit more confidence and a lot of confidence in the guys in front of me,” Angus commented.
“It’s all business with him. That’s the kind of demeanour I love in a goalie,” Rogers added.
Special teams made the difference
White Rock went 2-for-6 with the extra man; Ridge Meadows was 3-for-8.
The Whalers killed off an early 5-on-3 powerplay from the Flames; White Rock also withstood another 5-on-3 late in the third when Svendson took a five-minute major for a check to the head.
Whalers 7th Skater: Morgan Wollbaum, with the HPL Bandits U8, joined the Whalers on the ice Sept. 17. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
Genevieve Reimer lifted hearts with her rendition of O Canada. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
Olivia Smiley, 11, of the White Rock South Surrey Skating Club (WRSSSC) performed during an intermission for the second straight year. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
Before the opening face-off against the Flames, three former White Rock captains received a warm ovation from the crowd. | Photo courtesy of Tav Morrison Media.
A pen and scoresheet were the ‘hardest’ working off-ice officials. Both teams combined for 122 penalty minutes as the Flames were whistled for 56; Whalers for 66.
Homecoming heroes
Before the opening face-off against the Flames, three former White Rock captains received a warm ovation from the crowd.
Matt Rogers wore the ‘C’ during the inaugural season in 2018-2019. Now a White Rock assistant coach, he donned his old sweater alongside his successors, Calder Newson (2019) and Tyler Price (2020 & 2021).
Homecoming heroes
Before the opening face-off against the Flames, three former White Rock captains received a warm ovation from the crowd.
Matt Rogers wore the ‘C’ during the inaugural season in 2018-2019. Now a White Rock assistant coach, he donned his old sweater alongside his successors, Calder Newson (2019) and Tyler Price (2020 & 21).
POST GAME AUDIO with Coach Rogers & Ty Angus
"I'm still pretty proud of our ability to compete with limited minutes of working on penalty kill in practice," Coach Rogers said.
Live Audio with Coach Rogers
"I just try to stop the puck, to get in the way of it," Whalers goalie Ty Angus said.
Live Audio with Ty Angus
THREE STARS:
First: White Rock # 62 Cole Svendson
Second: Delta # 14 Alec Scouras
Third: Delta # 18 Dalton MacGillivray
NEXT GAME
Whalers travel to Richmond's Minoru Arena to battle the fish! Thursday, Sept. 22nd | 7:00 p.m.
Minoru Arena
NEXT HOME GAME
Whalers host the Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions Langley Trappers.
Saturday, Sept. 24th | 7:30 p.m.
Centennial Arena
