Whaler Zac Sherwin scored and added four assists against Delta Jan. 28. The talented centreman now leads the PJHL in points with 81 (tied alongside linemate Chris Fortems). | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns / White Rock Whalers.
Pod’s Sherwin notches five points vs. Delta
CENTENNIAL ARENA – During a possible playoff preview, the Whalers sent an unequivocal statement about work ethic in a dominant 7-0 home victory over the Delta Ice Hawks.
Pod netminder Mark Paton stopped all 28 Delta shots and was named third star Jan. 28. | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns / White Rock Whalers.
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.”
Whaler defenceman Dylan Travis stood up for a teammate when he dropped his gloves and fought Ice Hawk, Carson Hemenway. | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns / White Rock Whalers.
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.
Dora Liu, a 15-year-old from the White Rock / South Surrey Skating Club, performed her short program during an intermission. | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns / White Rock Whalers.
POST GAME AUDIO with Coach Rogers and Ty Fletcher
Sherwin, Svendson and Fortems "took the lead and led by example. That's kind of expected," White Rock head coach Jason Rogers commented about his top line's dominant play.
Live Audio with Coach Rogers
"I couldn't have done it without my teammates," Whaler rookie Ty Fletcher said after scoring his first junior goal.
Live Audio with Ty Fletcher
NEXT UP | February
Saturday, Feb. 4th | 7:30 p.m.
Whalers host the cross-town rival Surrey Knights.
Centennial Arena
Sunday, Feb. 5th | 5:00 p.m.
Whalers travel to the WACK to take on the Chilliwack Jets.
Sardis Sports Complex
Wednesday, Feb. 8th | 9:30 p.m.
Whalers host the Richmond Sockeyes.
(3rd Period only - Suspended Game)
Centennial Arena
Saturday, Feb. 11th | 7:30 p.m.
Whalers host the Chilliwack Jets.
Centennial Arena
Sunday, Feb. 12th | 4:15 p.m.
Whalers host the Aldergrove Kodiaks.
Centennial Arena