Article, Game Notes, News

Sockeyes Spoil Season Finale

by Alistair Burns

Five 20-year-old Whalers were recognized before their final regular season game February 12. Veterans "Butch" La Roue (left), Jayson Beauregard, Matt Burry, captain Tyler Rogers and Andrew Fishwick (absent).

Whalers honour graduating players

CENTENNIAL ARENA – Sixty-five seconds into the regular season finale, Richmond Sockeye Tyus Gent roofed a shot from the slot past Whalers netminder Keegan Maddocks.

Gent’s scoring play – on the first shot of the game – was indicative of the entire evening. The Whalers were outskated and outscored. Richmond ended up with a 9-3 victory Feb. 12.

After Gent added his second of the game for a 3-0 lead halfway through the first period, Maddocks was pulled in favour of back-up goalie Adam Winters.

20-year-olds recognized

Before the game, the fans gave a warm welcome to the Pod’s graduating players.
Junior hockey rules state that young men cannot play past the age of 20. Therefore, this is the final season for Jayson Beauregard; Andrew Fishwick; alternate captains “Butch” La Roue and Matt Burry; and captain Tyler Price.

In the second period, Beauregard broke Sockeye goalie Jovan Kheleh’s shut-out bid. Beauregard swiftly skated down the right wing and snapped the puck past Kheleh’s outstretched pad to put the Pod on the board.

Veteran Defenceman, Alternate Captain

#22 Butch La Roue

Veteran Forward

#10 Jayson Beauregard

Veteran Forward, Alternate Captain

#89 Matthew Burry

Veteran Defenceman, Captain

#73 Tyler Price

Veteran Forward

#14 Andrew Fishwick

Mini-Pod boxed in

However, the Whalers ran into penalty trouble. In a two-minute span of frantic play, veterans Sam Dowell and Bryce Margetson were assessed ten-minute misconducts.

For a while, four Whalers – a mini-Pod – were crowded into the penalty box. Overall, the Sockeyes notched a total of six powerplay goals on nine chances.

Playoff update

At press time, the Whalers concluded the 2021-2022 regular season with a franchise record 27 wins, 16 losses, and an overtime loss for 55 points.

This means that White Rock will face the North Vancouver Wolf Pack in a seven-game quarterfinal series that begins Feb.15.

Feb. 11: Whalers at Abbotsford Pilots

The Whalers began the final weekend of the regular season on a high note. White Rock skated over one of the league’s worst teams, the Abbotsford Pilots, 5-2.

Whaler Zach Sherwin showed a deft scoring touch around the net as he staked the Pod to a 2-0 lead halfway through the first period. Earlier this season, Sherwin spent a few months in Jr. ‘A’ with the Langley Rivermen.

A few minutes later, Sherwin offered a glimpse of his size and skill when he zipped up ice and potted his second of the game – an impressive shorthanded and unassisted effort – for the 3-1 lead and game-winner.

Teammates Chris Fortems and Jacob Dorohoy also beat Pilots goalie Kai Koerner, who faced 46 shots.

Meanwhile, Pod goalie Adam Winters looked sharp between the pipes. He allowed two goals on 35 shots.

The Pilots have recorded only a single win in the past 10 games and have been eliminated from the playoff race.