Article, Game Notes, News

Playoffs Game 3: Pod Shocks Pack (OT)

by Alistair Burns

Whaler Jayson Beauregard is mobbed after he scored in overtime Feb. 20. "It was an amazing feeling," he said. | Photo courtesy of David Stevens Photography.

Jayson Beauregard scores in sudden-death

HARRY JEROME ARENA – Earlier this season, the Whalers picked up Jayson Beauregard from the last-place Port Moody Panthers for some much-needed secondary scoring.

Beauregard paid the Pod back in spades Feb. 20. He scored in overtime for a 4-3 White Rock victory over the top-ranked North Vancouver Wolf Pack. This win means that the Whalers now lead the quarter-final series two games to one.

Beauregard’s beauty

Three-and-a-half minutes into sudden death, a pass slid from the sideboards through the Wolf Pack’s crease and “sat there for an eternity,” recalled White Rock head coach Jason Rogers.

Then, Beauregard jammed the loose puck past North Van goalie Damian Perovic for the game-winner. “It was an amazing feeling,” Beauregard said.

“It was a tough game and we battled hard, but we deserved” the win, he added.

Alternate captain Matt Burry said that the Pod’s focus was the key turning point. “When we score first, we carry momentum…good teams don’t lose two in a row in the play-offs.”

A day earlier, the Wolf Pack had beat the Whalers 3-2 via numerous odd-man rushes in game two. There was a remarkable turnaround for the third game, as White Rock was able to batten down the hatches and stay more disciplined in their transition game.

Whaler goalie Adam Winters faced 30 shots in a 4-3 overtime win Feb. 20. It was his Jr. 'B' play-off debut. "I'm glad we could get a win for our fans" on the road, he said. | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns, White Rock Whalers.

Winters’ Pod playoff debut

Since Whaler goalie Keegan Maddocks had tended the crease on Feb. 19, Adam Winters took charge in the crease. He admitted that he had a few butterflies before his first Jr. ‘B’ playoff game and was impressed by the lively crowd.

Once the puck dropped, Winters “saw around every screen and battled to get in front of the mad scrambles” in front of his net. He faced 30 shots in the win.

“Adam simplified things, he’s a big body,” Rogers pointed out.

After a scoreless first period, White Rock defenceman Cam Newson wasted no time on the fresh ice. He converted a pass from Zach Sherwin 41 seconds into the second. It was the Pod’s first shorthanded goal in the postseason.

However, the Wolf Pack’s Devon Bailey responded to tie 1-1.

During this season and now in the play-offs, the Whalers have been able to consistently bounce back with timely goals.

Whaler Zac Sherwin drove to the net and notched his second of the play-offs off a feed from seasoned scorer Chris Fortems; right after the goal announcement, Fortems beat Perovic for a 3-1 lead.

The Whalers were “disappointed in our loss the previous night and wanted to respond to take the [series] lead,” Sherwin said.

 

Revenge is a dish best served cold

The Wolf Pack were able to tie the game with only 21 seconds left in the third. Winters was surprised that the Wolf Pack’s tying goal wasn’t waved off but he knew he would have to mentally reset and “bear down” for overtime.

Then, Beauregard’s brilliance ended the contest.

Since games two and three were back-to-back over the Family Day weekend, Rogers said that the Pod’s focus is on rest and recovery before the fourth game in Centennial Arena on Feb. 24.