Whalers Split Opening Weekend Series

WHITE ROCK, BC.

The White Rock Whalers began their 2024-2025 Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) season this past weekend with a challenging game against the defending champions, the Ridge Meadows Flames, and a solid win against the Port Moody Panthers. 

Whalers at Flames, September 6, 2024

To open the season, the Whalers had the challenging task of going on the road to take on the defending champs in Ridge Meadows. The Whalers would drop that contest 9-1 against the Flames. Despite a high-scoring first and second period, the Whlaers managed to hold Ridge Meadows off the score sheet in the third period. 

Maxwell Kovach would net the Whaler's lone goal in the second period, with Keenan Connor and Aiden McGregor-Bennet notching assists on scoring the play. The Whalers would muster 26 shots on the net while the Whalers goalie platoon of  Zach Macdonald (starter) and Gavin Wickstrom would face 48 shots. 

"Ridge Meadows is a good team; they returned most of their championship team," said Whalers Head Coach Brien Gemmell. We didn't come to play, and we need to be better," he continued. 

Whalers vs Panthers, September 7, 2024

After the loss to Ridge Meadows, the Whalers rebounded against the Port Moody Panthers the following night, picking up a 6-3 win at home in front of a large crowd at Centennial Arena. 

"We looked at the Ridge Meadows film and asked our guys to adjust, and we were more direct," said Whalers Head Coach Gemmell.  The coaching staff was also pleased that the Whaler's players put more shots on the net and played a "north to south game," goal to goal instead of side to side or east to west.

Jonah Ussher would score the Whaler's first goal on the powerplay mid-way through the first period, followed by a  Kaden Charpentier goal a few minutes later. The Whalers would see six different goal scorers in the game, with  Keagan Bankier, Justin Osborne, Ethan Whiton, and Keenan Connor all getting on the score sheet. 

Whalers’ Goalie, Gavin Wickstrom would get the start and would make 41 saves, earning first-star honours, along with the second star, Whiterock's Ussher (1 goal, one assist)  and Third star going to third star, Aiden Samuels of Port Moody. 

A Look Ahead 

The Whalers will have a quick turnaround as they prepare to play on the road at Aldergrove on September 11 and Grandview on September 14 back at home in Centennial Arena. The Whalers are excited to get back to work and see the pair of games as a tough competition where White Rock will look to keep up their direct play while also playing with a degree of physicality. 

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