Pod Stuff Pt. Moody Net, 6-2

Whaler Zac Sherwin centres one of the league's elite scoring lines with "Big Goal" Cole Svendson and captain Chris Fortems. The trio has notched 32 points in October. | Photo: Tav Morrison Media

Sherwin, Svendson, Fortems give thanks for nine points

CENTENNIAL ARENA – Only five games into October, three Whaler veterans have collectively recorded a jaw-dropping 32 points this month! Centreman Zac Sherwin’s line has become the Sher-WIN line.

Veteran Whaler Sherwin, a former Jr. ‘A’ call-up, is the lynchpin between offensive powerhouse “Big Goal” Cole Svendson and savvy captain Chris Fortems.

All together, those three talents notched nine points in a 6-2 victory over the Port Moody Panthers on Thanksgiving Oct. 10.

Do the math

In the four previous outings, the Sherwin line recorded four points against the Richmond Sockeyes on Oct. 8; a total of 10 in a comprehensive 5-2 win in Langley on Oct. 5; seven versus the Grandview Steelers during a shoot-out loss on Oct. 2; and two points in a home loss to Delta Oct. 1.

And during that same stretch, the Pod has scored 18 goals in the past four games. Goal judges around the league will have to pay close attention.

Cruz counterattacks

On Thanksgiving, Whaler defenceman Caleb Cruz cut into the slot and put home his first of the season with a backhand deke on Panther goalie Adam Goody for a 1-0 lead.

As time ticked down in the first period, Svendson stretched out and tapped in a wrap-a-round.

After Port Moody’s Derek Leroux cut the lead to 2-1, the Whalers scored four more times: Sherwin; defenceman Bryce Margetson; Svendson (his second of the night); and David Moody into an empty net.

Fortems on point

Panther Dylan Emerson was sent off for a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.

During the long-man advantage, the Whalers didn’t score, but White Rock captain Chris Fortems has taken on a new role. The talented winger moved back to the blue line and wired plenty of vulcanized rubber from the point.

The Whalers recently traded for Evan Paul from Chilliwack. The new netminder ably guided the Pod to a 6-2 win over the Pt. Moody Panthers on Thanksgiving. | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns, White Rock Whalers.

“Ideally you want a defenceman in that spot but…Chris sees the ice as well as anybody and he’s naturally a playmaker,” said White Rock head coach Jason Rogers.

New goalie Paul: Going ‘mobile’

A new Whaler goalie, Evan Paul, provided a stellar performance between the pipes with only two goals allowed on 32 shots. Paul has won two straight games for the Pod after a trade from the Chilliwack Jets.

“We’re winning here. Hopefully, we can keep it going,” Paul said about his second year in Jr. ‘B’. The six-foot netminder described his acrobatic style of play as “really mobile. Just trying to make the save.”

At press time after the Port Moody win, the Whalers were one game under .500 with three wins, four losses and a shoot-out loss. They sit fifth out of six teams in the Tom Shaw Conference.

POST GAME AUDIO with Coach Rogers & Evan Paul

"I'm sure somebody will be creative and will think of something that will fit," quipped Coach Rogers about the Sherwin line's possible nickname.

New Whaler goalie Evan Paul thought his style of play is similar to NHL netminders Marc-Andre Fleury or Jonathan Quick.

THREE STARS:
First: White Rock # 62 Cole Svendson
Second: Delta # 14 Alec Scouras
Third: Delta # 18 Dalton MacGillivray

NEXT AWAY GAME

Whalers make their first visit of the season to Ridge Meadows to face the Flames. Friday, Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Cam Neely Arena Planet Ice

NEXT HOME GAME

Whalers host the Surrey Knights.
Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7:30 p.m.

Centennial Arena

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