News Release

WHALERS HOST SAGINAW, SAULT STE. MARIE and SUDBURY in HOLIDAY TRIFECTA

PLYMOUTH – With a 13-7-1-1 record, two consecutive sellouts last week and three straight home games at Compuware Arena this week, the Plymouth Whalers look to continue to move up the Ontario Hockey League’s West Division standings.

The Whalers host West Division rivals Saginaw on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and Sault Ste. Marie on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. before hosting the Sudbury Wolves this Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

Here’s a look at each game:

Wednesday – Saginaw (9-9-2-1) at Plymouth (13-7-1-1), 7:05 p.m., Compuware Arena:  The Spirit and Whalers meet for the first of eight games this season, and there’s added spice to the rivalry with former Plymouth assistant coach Todd Watson taking over as head coach in Saginaw.  The Spirit is getting excellent seasons from veterans Jack Combs (13-20-33), Ryan McDonough (15-11-26) and New York Ranger-draft Tomas Zaborsky (12-12-24).  Red Wing-draft Jan Mursak (5-16-21) plays with speed.

The Whalers are lead offensively by Carolina-draft Chris Terry (15-26-41, +15) and veteran Andrew Fournier (19-17-36, +7), who comes into the weekend with a 13-game scoring streak (11-12-23) dating back to Oct. 19.  Plymouth is led defensively by Wes Cunningham (3-23-26, +6) and Carolina-draft Brett Bellemore (3-6-9, +13 in 10 games).  With the trade of Michal Neuvirth last week to Windsor, Brownstown’s Jeremy Smith has taken over the Whalers’ lead goaltending position and has posted a 2.78 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 12 games.  Smith is a candidate to represent the United States in the World Junior Championships over the Christmas Holidays in the CzechRepublic.

Friday – Sault Ste. Marie (16-5-1-1) at Plymouth, 2:00 p.m., Compuware Arena.  The Greyhounds are battling with Windsor and Kitchener for the top spot overall in the OHL standings.  Head coach Craig Hartsburg is receiving good years from goaltender Kyle Gajewski (2.46, .913 in 19 games), defenseman Josh Godfrey (8-13-21, +9) and leading scorer and center Dustin Jeffrey (14-23-37, +5) – a Pittsburgh Penguins’ draft choice who has already been signed by the Penguins.  Sault Ste. Marie defeated Plymouth, 4-2, on Oct. 14 at the Steelback Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.

Saturday – Sudbury (7-16-0-0) at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m., Compuware Arena.  After playing in the Rogers Ontario Hockey League Championship Series last year and losing to the Whalers in six games, the Wolves are rebuilding under General Manager and Head Coach Mike Foligno.  The Wolves depend heavily on veteran goaltender Sebastian Dahm (3.62, .910 in 18 games) and veterans forwards Kevin Baker (13-9-22) and Patrik Lusnak (6-16-22) and second-year right wing Jared Staal (8-7-15).  Plymouth defeated Sudbury, 6-5, at the Sudbury Community Arena on Oct. 13.

About the Plymouth Whalers

The Plymouth Whalers are the only Metro Detroit team in the Ontario Hockey League, a developmental league for National Hockey League players. The Whalers all range in age from 15-21 years-old and are consistently one of the top teams in the OHL. In 2006-07, the Whalers won the OHL Championship.   www.plymouthwhalers.com.

About Compuware Arena

Compuware Arena is home to the 2007 Ontario Hockey League Champion Plymouth Whalers, the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Detroit Ignition, the Compuware Arena Drive-In Theatres, the MHSAA Boys State Hockey Championships and eight AAA Compuware Hockey youth teams. Compuware Arena serves more than one million patrons each year, and is located in Plymouth, Michigan. www.compuwarearena.com

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