Whalers Freeze Out Ice Hawks, 7-0

Whaler veteran linemates Zac Sherwin (a goal and four assists); captain Chris Fortems (goal, two assists); and “Big Goal” Cole Svendson (two goals, two assists) lit the Hawks up in a masterful display of puck control in the offensive zone.

“It’s fun to watch and I think they understand the importance of a game like tonight,” said White Rock head coach Jason Rogers.

‘Fletch’: starring Ty Fletcher

Also, Pod blueliner Ty Fletcher let out a whoop of delight after he scored a milestone – his first as a Whaler – against his former team. The Pod picked the five-foot-nine rookie up from Delta in mid-January before the trade deadline.

“I like to play with a lot of speed,” Fletcher said. Teammate Maxwell “Kovach just gave me a nice pass and I just put it in the back of the net.”

Coach Rogers appreciated Fletcher’s effort. “Ty competes hard. He’s really buying into what we’re doing…I’m pretty happy for him to get his first junior goal.”

Paton’s stupendous stats

Meanwhile, Pod netminder Mark Paton faced 28 shots and recorded his first shut-out for White Rock. Since he moved from the Aldergrove Kodiaks to the Whalers in November, Paton has been on a hot streak: 12 wins and four losses with an outstanding 2.03 goals-against-average.

At press time, Jan. 31, White Rock was still in third spot in the Shaw Conference with 25 wins, 15 losses and two shoot-out losses for a total of 52 points. They are six points behind the second-place Ice Hawks and three points ahead of the Grandview Steelers.

Travis throws down

The Whalers received some good news for their defensive corps as hard-hitting American Dylan Travis laced up his skates again after being sidelined with an injury earlier this month. Travis even dropped the gloves in a short scuffle with Ice Hawk Carson Hemenway. Both were ejected.

Clearly, these two teams have no love lost between them since their bitter playoff series last year that the Whalers won in six games.

Rogers thought the Pod’s “intensity was great.”

Just in case you forgot…

Remember, the Pacific Junior ‘B’ playoffs are two weeks away. Though the Whalers have clinched a spot in the post-season, we’re not sure yet of their opponent. As soon as possible, we will post more information.

“I love playoff hockey, when it gets super physical. Should be fun!” Fletcher exclaimed.

“A bit of a theme with us – an inability to kind of keep our emotions at an even keel,” White Rock head coach Jason Rogers commented. He said that the coaching staff would continue to address the concern.

With six minutes left in the third period, Pilot Connor Jarvis cut the Pod’s lead to 3-2. Thankfully, Cole Svendson again earned his nickname with an insurance goal before the last minute of play.

Playoffs, here we come!

As of press time on Jan. 23, the Whalers have officially clinched a playoff spot for a chance to skate with the Ray Stonehouse Cup.
White Rock has a record of 23 wins, 15 losses and two shoot-out losses for 48 points. They currently sit third in the six-team Tom Shaw Conference.

The Whalers are 10 points behind the second seed, the Delta Ice Hawks and one point ahead of the fourth-seeded Grandview Steelers.