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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Friday, December 4, 2009

THE JORDAN RULES: WHALERS BEAT SAGINAW, 3-2, IN OVERTIME

Whalers host Sault Ste. Marie tomorrow night in Teddy Bear Toss

SAGINAW – Michal Jordan's power play goal at 2:33 of overtime proved to be the game-winner as the Plymouth Whalers came all the way back from a 2-0 second period deficit to defeat the Saginaw Spirit, 3-2 in overtime, Friday night before 3,247 at Dow Event Center.

Plymouth remains undefeated in overtime this season with three wins and two shootout victories in five overtime games this year. Plymouth is now 17-13-0-0. Saginaw is now 16-10-3-0.

Jordan's goal was set up when the Whalers took advantage of Mitch Fillman's boarding penalty on Plymouth's Ryan Hayes at 2:03 of extra time. Jordan - assisted by AJ Jenks and Tyler Seguin - took a low shot from the high slot that pinballed through traffic in front of Saginaw goaltender Edward Pasquale. The shot seemed to go off Saginaw captain Tyler Murovich and into the net.

"Joe Gaynor was huge on the play," said Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci. "He set up an effective screen in front of Pasquale."

Earlier, Ryan Hayes (fourth) and Tyler Seguin (team-leading 24th) brought the Whalers back from a 2-0 hole to tie the game. Joe Pleckaitis (sixth) and Garrett Ross (fifth) scored for Saginaw.

Although the first period was scoreless, Plymouth had a territorial advantage and outshot Saginaw, 9-6. Jenks had the best scoring opportunity to score in the period when his hard shot from the left circle rang off the goal post. Referees Brad Beer and Joe Celestin consulted video replay, but the shot was ruled no goal.

Saginaw took their only lead in the second period. Pleckaitis scored at 6:42 of the second period with a shot from the left circle that seemed to be tipped by Jordan Szwarz. Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett got most of the shot, but it trickled over the goal line.

"I should have had the shot," Hackett said later.

Ross gave Saginaw a 2-0 lead with good hustle at 15:58 of the period, picking up a loose puck just outside the Plymouth blue crease area, swinging wide to the lower rim of the left circle and beating Hackett with the shot.

But the game turned around just nine seconds later. Gaynor won the faceoff at center ice and shot the puck behind the Saginaw goal. Jamie Devane beat the Spirit defenders to the puck and fed Hayes out in front, who made no mistake with the shot to cut the Saginaw lead to 2-1 at 16:07.

Seguin tied the game at 2-2 at 5:45 of the third period, capping off an excellent three-man passing play that spanned the length of the rink. Whalers defenseman Beau Schmitz picked up the puck behind his own net and found Tyler J. Brown at the Whalers blue line on the left wing. Brown caught Seguin breaking into the Saginaw zone with a quick head-man pass. Seguin wired a hard shot from the high slot that beat Pasquale, top shelf.

That set the stage for Jordan's game-winner.

Plymouth outshot Saginaw, 33-29.

The Whalers are back in action Saturday night, hosting Sault Ste. Marie at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena. The game marks Plymouth's annual Teddy Bear night.     

For information on Whalers ticket packages, including the Bob Evans' Great Save 4 for $44 Pack, or to plan a group event, visit plymouthwhalers.com or call 734-453-8400.

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PLYMOUTH WHALERS: Compuware Arena | 14900 Beck Rd. | Plymouth, MI  48170 | phone: 734-453-8400 | fax: 734-453-4201

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