Whalers Stretch Winning Streak to Four in 5-0 Win in Saginaw

Audio courtesy of Pete Krupsky and www.plymouthwhalers.com

SAGINAW - The Plymouth Whalers built a 3-0 lead after one period of play and went on to defeat the Saginaw Spirit, 5-0, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Wednesday night before 2,539 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

The Whalers have won four games in a row, nine of their last 10 and are 18-3-0-1 since Nov. 4.  Plymouth remains in first place in the OHL's West Division with a record of 26-9-2-1, good for 55 points.  The Whalers are two points behind the top team in the Western Conference, the London Knights. London (now 28-8-0-1, 57), defeated Sault Ste. Marie, 6-1, on Wednesday.

Saginaw is now 16-20-0-2, good for 34 points and ninth place in the Western Conference playoff race.

Plymouth tallied two goals and an assist from first star Stefan Noesen (17-18), a goal and two assists from second star Garrett Meurs (16) and single goals from Alex Aleardi (team-leading 22nd) and Chris Albertini (2).

In addition, third star Matt Mahalak stopped 34 shots for the Whalers to record his second shutout of the season and third shutout of his OHL career. Although Saginaw outshot Plymouth, 34-29, Mahalak did not have to be spectacular, allowing few rebounds.

The game marked just the third time the Whalers have not been penalized in a game in franchise history. Referees Scott Hoberg and Joe Celestin called just two minors against Saginaw over 60 minutes - a hooking call to Brad Walch at 19:36 of the second period and a hooking call to Michael Fine at 15:41 of the third period.

Plymouth has played two other complete "No-hitters" (no penalties on either side) on two other occasions - March 24, 2000 in a 5-1 loss in London and on February 2, 2003 in a 4-3 loss at Brampton.

The Whalers effectively took control of the game by scoring two goals within 11 seconds early in the first period to take a 2-0 lead.  

Chris Albertini scored in his second straight game at 2:31 of the period, skating from the high slot in the Saginaw zone on a partial breakaway on Spirit goaltender Jake Paterson, who stopped Albertini's first shot.  But Albertini followed up and scored on the rebound. Noesen scored 11 seconds later at 2:42 on an excellent play by Meurs, who knocked Saginaw defenseman Brad Walch off the puck in behind the Saginaw net and found Noesen at the hashmarks, who buried the shot.

Alex Aleardi made it 3-0 at 12:40 of the period, teaming up with linemates Andy Bathgate and Jamie Devane to control a bouncing puck in the Saginaw zone. Aleardi scored just outside the blue ice.

Audio - Albertini and Noesen score early in the first period give the Whalers a 2-0 lead.  Aleardi scores in the first period to give Plymouth a 3-0 lead.

Noesen increased the Plymouth lead to 4-0 at 18:10 of the second period, accepting Meurs' pass from the left borads and scoring, five-hole, on Saginaw goaltender Clint Windsor, who relieved starter Paterson at the start of the second period.  

Windsor and left wing Eric Locke were acquired by Saginaw earlier this week in a deal with Barrie that saw defenseman Ryan O'Connor and left wing Anthony Camara move to the Colts.  Both made their Saginaw debuts this evening.  Saginaw also received three future second round choices in the trade.

Audio - Noesen scores in the second period to give Plymouth a 4-0 lead.

Meurs scored the only goal of the third period at 4:38, again putting home a rebound after Windsor made the first save.

Audio - Meurs scores to make it 5-0.

More coverage: Kyle Austin, Saginaw News and MLive.com.

Although Saginaw outshot Plymouth, 34-29, the Whalers were in control all evening.  Coaches Mike Vellucci and Joe Stefan rolled four forward lines and all six defensemen at every opportunity.

Plymouth is off until Saturday when they host Saginaw at at 7:05 p.m. (6:45 p.m., WSDP-FM, 88.1 and www.plymouthwhalers.com).