WHITE ROCK, BC.
The Whalers opened their round two playoff matchup against the Cloverdale Hockey Club with wins on back to back nights. Game one was a thrilling 8-7 overtime win at Centennial Arena, followed by a strong 3rd period in game two to carry the Whalers to a 5-2 victory at Cloverdale Arena. With a 2-0 series lead, the Whalers battled Cloverdale in games 3 and 4 of this series this past Saturday (Mar. 7) and Monday (Mar. 9).
Cloverdale Hockey at White Rock Whalers, Mar. 7
With teams alternating home games, the Whalers prepared to host game three at Centennial Arena with a chance to take a commanding 3-0 series. Cloverdale didn't let that happen though, as a strong start from the visitors carried them to a high scoring and thrilling game three win.
Breyen Basigin opened the scoring for Cloverdale two and a half minutes into the game. After a powerplay goal from Cloverdale, Dylan Heer got the Whalers on the board, but another powerplay goal from Cloverdale later in the 1st gave them a 3-1 lead. Shots on goal were 16-6 for Cloverdale after 20 minutes, and the Whalers had some work to do to get back in this game.
The 2nd period was the most even frame in game three, with White Rock outshooting Cloverdale 16-15. Both teams scored three goals in the 2nd, with the first two coming from Cloverdale, who held a 5-1 lead halfway into the 2nd. After a pair of goals from the Whalers, both teams tallied a late goal in the 2nd to take this game into the 3rd period with the score now 6-4 Cloverdale.
Despite game three looking like Cloverdale's best game of the series, the Whalers didn't go down without a fight. Sean Robins brought the Whalers within one goal with 12 minutes remaining, but Cloverdale scored two goals in the next five minutes to give them a late 8-5 lead. The Whalers pulled their goalie down three and on the powerplay, and Whalers captain Wendell Adriano scored two goals in the final minute to make it 8-7. The Whalers comeback fell just short in the end, and Cloverdale held on for a 8-7 road win, shortening the Whalers series lead to just 2-1.
White Rock Whalers at Cloverdale Hockey Club, Mar. 9
Both teams had a day off to reset before a pivotal game four in Cloverdale on Monday night. Despite battling until the very end in game three, it wasn't the Whalers' best performance, and you could tell that they would be ready to play in game four. Five goals in the opening period of game four would lead the Whalers to a big game four win at Cloverdale Arena.
The Whalers were getting shots on goal early and often on Monday, outshooting Cloverdale 22-8 in the 1st period. Andrew Strand opened the scoring for the Whalers on the powerplay, and forward Nico McDonald made it 2-0 for the Whalers less than two minutes later. After teams traded goals later in the 1st, Sean Robins scored two goals, including one with 6 seconds left, to give the Whalers a commanding 5-1 lead after 20 minutes.
After quite the hectic opening period, both teams slowed it down in the 2nd, and the scoring chances were limited. The Whalers outshot Cloverdale 9-7, and there was only one penalty in the 2nd by the Whalers with just under two minutes remaining. After 40 minutes played it was still 5-1 Whalers. Early in the 3rd period, Whalers forward Nico McDonald scored his 3rd goal of the game, completing his first career PJHL hat trick.
Both teams would score one more goal before the final buzzer, and the Whalers left Cloverdale victorious for the second time this series, this time by a score of 7-2. The Whalers outshot the Cloverdale Hockey Club 39-26 in game four, while going 2/4 on the powerplay. Cloverdale went 2/5 on the man advantage, and the Whalers left Cloverdale Arena on Monday night with a 3-1 series lead.
Up Next for the Pod
Game five of this round two series goes on Wednesday night (Mar. 11) at Centennial Arena, with puck drop set for 7:00 pm. With a win in game five, the Whalers could secure their spot in the Harold Brittain Conference Finals, which will be the PJHL Stonehouse Cup Final. A potential game six for this series would be on Thursday night (Mar. 12) at Cloverdale Arena, with puck drop for this game also set for 7:00 pm.
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