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Plymouth Defeats Erie, 3-1, on Saturday; Finishes Pre-season at 5-1-0

September 16, 2006 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


SAGINAW - AJ Jenks' goal at 2:35 of the third period snapped a 1-1 tie and the Plymouth Whalers went on to defeat the Erie Otters, 3-1, in an Ontario Hockey League pre-season game played Saturday afternoon at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

Plymouth finishes the pre-season at 5-1-0. Erie finishes 0-2-2. The OHL regular season starts next Thursday.

Jenks - Plymouth's 7th round draft choice last spring and from Wolverine Lake, MI - also assisted on Wes Cunnigham's insurance goal with 1:14 remaining in the third period.

Plymouth came from behind for the victory after spotting Erie a 1-0 lead after one period of play on Nick Palmieri's goal at 4:28 of the first period.

But the Whalers tied the game at 1-1at 9:40 of the second period with good work deep in the Erie zone. Joe McCann outworked an Erie defender for the puck on the left wing, and scored with a low shot from the lower rim of the left circle that beat Otters' goaltender Ryan Ludzik.

That set the stage for Jenks' game-winner and Cunningham's insurance marker in the third period.

Plymouth had an edge in played and outshot Erie 33-23. Jeremy Smith (Brownstown) played the entire game in goal for the Whalers, stopping 22-of- 23 Erie shots. Ludzik started in goal for Erie, stopping 17-of-18 Plymouth shots. Jeff Dawson replaced Ludzik in the Erie goal midway through the second period, stopping 8-of-10 Whaler shots.

On Friday, Plymouth defeated Team Mexico, 12-0, leading 2-0 after one period and 8-0 after forty minutes.

Vern Cooper led the Plymouth attack against Mexico with a goal and four assists. Brett Bellemore and Wes Cunningham scored twice, while Frank Grzeszczak, Kaine Geldart, Dan Collins, Andrew Fournier, Steve Ward, Joe McCann and Zack Shepley all scored singles.

Plymouth starts the regular season next Friday in Sarnia against the Sting (7:20pm, www.plymouthwhalers.com). The Whalers host Erie in the home opener next Saturday at 7:05 pm at the Compuware Sports Arena (6:50 pm, www.plymouthwhalers.com). Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Sports Arena Box Office at (734) 453-8400, or by going to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

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