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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Friday, December 11, 2009

WHALERS SPECIAL TEAMS THE DIFFERENCE IN 6-3 WIN OVER ERIE

Plymouth explodes for four goals in second period to break open a 1-1 tie; Seguin tallies 5 points

(Above) Robbie Czarnik scores past Erie goaltender Ramis Sadikov. (Below) Ryan Hayes congratulates Joe Gaynor on his goal in the second period. (Bottom) Gaynor provides a screen as AJ Jenks scores the game-winner.

PLYMOUTH, MI — On the night of their 20th anniversary in the Ontario Hockey League, the Plymouth Whalers used an old-school, proven formula for success. The Whalers dominated the battle of special teams in a 6-3 victory over the Erie Otters in a game played Friday night at Compuware Arena.

Plymouth improves to 18-14-0-1 and moves into sole possession of fifth place in the tight Western Conference race with 37 points. Erie is now 13-14-4-1.

The Whalers broke open a 1-1 game after one period with four unanswered goals (three straight on the power play) in the second period while outshooting Erie, 21-3, to lead 5-1 after forty minutes. Plymouth extended the lead to 6-1 in the third period before the Otters scored two late goals.

Overall, Plymouth went three-for-five on the power play and killed off four-of-five Erie power plays, with the lone Otters power play goal coming after the game was decided.

Although Tyler Seguin led the Plymouth attack with a goal and four assists as the game’s first star, he had plenty of help from his teammates. Besides Seguin’s 26th goal of the year, Plymouth received goals from Robbie Czarnik (second), Joe Gaynor (eighth), Michal Jordan (seventh and fourth in four straight games), AJ Jenks (12th) and Tyler G. Brown (fourth).

Shawn Szydlowski (fifth), David Shields (fifth) and Mitch Gaulton (third) replied for Erie.

After Szydlowski and Czarnik traded goals in the first period, the Whalers went to work in earnest in the second, with power plays goals by Gaynor (scramble at the side of the goal at 4:20), Jordan (shot from the right goal line that caromed off an Erie defender at 5:10), the eventual game-winner from Jenks (hard shot from the high slot at 9:44) and then an even-strength goal by Brown (redirect of Seguin’s pass from the left corner in front of the Erie net at 14:57).

Plymouth captain AJ Jenks was asked if Plymouth coaches Mike Vellucci, Joe Stefan and Brian Sommariva made any adjustments after the first period.

“The coaches said to stay on the forecheck and keep working hard and good things were going to happen,” Jenks said. “We drew some penalties with our forecheck and were able to capitalize on our opportunities.”

Jenks – who often plays on the point of the Whalers power play – was asked about what clicked so well tonight and what happened on his goal to make the score 4-1.

"Really it was quick puck movement, getting the guys to rotate, opening up the passing lanes and getting pucks to the net, then chipping in rebounds,” Jenks said. “(On the goal) there was a scrum down in front of the net and Seguin ended up with the puck, so I moved to the middle of the ice and he (Seguin) found me in the middle. I waited for a second for (Joe) Gaynor to move over as a screen and I tried to put the shot of the left hand side of the net.”

Plymouth outshot Erie, 48-30.

The Whalers will now play for the next couple of weeks without Seguin and goaltender Matt Hackett, who leave Saturday for Canada’s National Junior selection camp from December 12-16, 2009 in Regina, SK. The Whalers have recalled goaltender Karsten Pankhurst from the Central Ontario Wolves. Pankhurst, 17, was originally selected by Plymouth in the 13th round (250th overall) of the 2008 Ontario Hockey League Draft. Pankhurst reported to Plymouth on Friday.

The Whalers host Saginaw on Saturday at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena (6:50pm WSDP, 88.1FM).

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 * 734-453-4201

MEDIA CONTACTS: Pete Krupsky, Director of Communications, 734-453-8400 x62513, peterk@plymouthwhalers.com

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