Monday, October 30, 2006

Whalers go 1-2 on rough weekend

Former Whalers captain Jared Newman shakes hands with current Plymouth captain Steve Ward before Saturday's game with Kitchener. Rangers captain Jean-Michel Rizk is on the left.

The Plymouth Whalers beat Toronto on Friday night, but then fell to Kitchener and Saginaw to finish out the weekend.

Against Toronto at home, the Whalers rode Jeremy Smith's second straight shutout en route to a 3-0 victory and their third straight win. Chris Terry, Tom Sestito and James Neal scored for Plymouth. Smith stopped all 30 shots he faced as the game's first star.

John Murray made 43 saves Saturday as the Rangers blanked Plymouth, 3-0. Michal Neuvirth turned aside 38 shots for the Whalers. Before the game, Plymouth welcomed back former captain Jared Newman, who dropped a ceremonial faceoff to start the game and then signed autographs. Newman played for Plymouth from 1998-2002 and was captain from 2000-2002.

Yesterday in Saginaw, the Spirit soared into first place in the West Division following their 5-2 victory over the Whalers. The Spirit have been undefeated at home during the month of October. The team point streak record was broken by forward Jan Mursak when he earned an assist in the third period, giving him at least one point in the last 15 games. The record of 14 games was previously held by Nick Lees and Marek Kvapil.

Zack Torquato and Patrick McNeill scored two goals apiece and goaltender Ryan Daniels stopped 45 for Saginaw. Tom Pyatt also scored for the Spirit. Sestito and Steve Ward tallied for Plymouth, who got a 39-save outing from Smith.

The Whalers hit the road all of this week, playing in Ottawa Friday, Belleville Saturday and Kingston on Sunday. Plymouth’s next home game is Nov. 10 against Owen Sound.

Photo by Rena Laverty

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