White Rock captain Chris Fortems (left) stands with Whalers alternate governor Rob Rose and alternate captain Bryce Margetson Oct. 29. The two players each received commemorative backpacks; both have respectively played more than 100 regular season games for the Whalers.
POD Salutes Chris Fortems, Bryce Margetson For 100 Games Played
CENTENNIAL ARENA – On a night honouring two hometown heroes, those same Whaler honourees also took centre stage on the scoresheet.
Captain Chris Fortems (an assist) and alternate captain Bryce Margetson (two helpers) were the sparkplugs that kickstarted the Whalers to a 3-1 victory over the slumping Abbotsford Pilots on Oct. 29.
Halfway through the first period, they set up Zac Sherwin for a powerplay marker and a 1-0 lead. Then, Margetson’s point shot went in off teammate Samuel Cordina for his fifth of the season in the middle frame.
New Whaler Sam Cordina chats with James Cowie during warm-up. Cordina has ably performed as a secondary scorer with four goals in only three games. | Photo courtesy of Alistair Burns, White Rock Whalers.
Cordina heats up
After suffering from a dearth of secondary scorers throughout September, the Pod has struck gold with Cordina. He was traded from the North Vancouver Wolf Pack to the Pod last week, and the left-handed shooter has lit the goal lamp four times in the past three games.
Also of note were the White Rock penalty killers led by Travis Smythe and Max Woodward. They were adept at skating into Pilot shooting lanes and blocking shots.
White Rock head coach Jason Rogers was pleased by Woodward’s energy and “youthful enthusiasm. He competes hard every night.”
The Pilots went 0-for-8 on the man advantage; the Whalers were 2-for-7.
In the third period, smooth skating blueliner Caleb Cruz’s long shot trickled past Abbotsford netminder Colton Day.
Unfortunately for Whaler starter Evan Paul, his shutout bid was ruined by Pilot Camden Koch – who scored with only two seconds left on the clock.
Paul was superb in goal. He faced 27 shots for his fifth win of the season and improved his goals-against average to 2.85.
The Pilots went 0-for-8 on the man advantage; the Whalers were 2-for-7.
At press time, Oct. 31, the Whalers improved their record to seven wins, five losses and a lone overtime loss for 15 points and now fourth place in the six-team Tom Shaw Conference.
Meanwhile, the Pilots have three wins and 12 losses for six points and last place in the Harold Brittain Conference.
In a first for the Whalers, we welcomed a pairs performance from the White Rock / South Surrey Skating Club. Caiden Henderson (left) and Quinn Woronieki skated a short program.
POST GAME AUDIO with Coach Rogers
"Quality young men; terrific hockey players and a great reflection on the program," Coach Rogers remarked about 'C' Chris Fortems and 'A' Bryce Margetson.
Live Audio with Coach Rogers
History made
Fortems, a perennial point-getter and Margetson, a hard-charging defenceman, were saluted by fans before the opening face-off. Each veteran has now played over 100 regular season games for the White Rock franchise.
The Pod’s alternate governor, Rob Rose, presented commemorative backpacks to the two players.
Fortems and Margetson are the second and third players to accomplish this feat of longevity after “Butch” La Roue last season.
NEXT HOME GAME
Whalers host the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.
Monday, Nov. 7th | 7:00 p.m.
Centennial Arena
NEXT AWAY GAME
Whalers travel to Abbotsford on Remembrance Day to take on the Pilots. Friday, Nov.11th | 7:30 p.m.
MSA Arena
