News Release

SAULT STE. MARIE RAINS ON WHALERS TEDDY BEAR PARADE IN 4-1 WIN

First Star Robin Lehner stops 48-of-49 Plymouth shots to backstop to victory

PLYMOUTH, MI — Eight days ago, Sault Ste. Marie goaltender Robin Lehner was pulled in the second period as the Plymouth Whalers defeated the Greyhounds, 5-4, at the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.

Tonight – during the Whalers annual Teddy Bear Toss, played before 2,867 at Compuware Arena – Lehner was the difference in the game in stopping 48-of-49 Plymouth shots as the game’s first star in the Soo’s 4-1 victory over Plymouth.

Jacob Muzzin’s short handed goal (and seventh of the year) at 7:15 of the third period snapped a 1-1 tie and stood as the game-winning goal for Sault Ste. Marie, now 16-13-1-1. Jordan Nolan (sixth) also scored for the Soo, while Brett Thompson (16^th) and Brock Beukeboom (third) scored empty net goal three seconds apart in the final minute of play to extend Sault Ste. Marie’s lead from 2-1 to 4-1.

Michal Jordan scored the lone Whalers goal, his fifth of the year, to trigger the rain of Teddy Bears to the ice at 19:32 of the second period. Plymouth is now 17-14-0-0.

Overall, the game was played with good flow and few whistles. After an evenly played first period that was scoreless, Nolan got the ‘Hounds on the board with a power play goal at 15:58 of the second period. Working with a two-man advantage, Nolan scored with a hard shot from the top of the right circle. Jordan tied the game with 28 seconds left in the period with a rising shot from the right faceoff dot under the bar. The game was tied, 1-1, after forty minutes.

Plymouth was working on a power play on James Livingston’s tripping call at 6:58 of the third period when Muzzin, killing the penalty, picked up the puck in neutral territory, skated over the Plymouth blue line and beat Whalers goaltender Matt Hackett with a hard shot.

The Whalers continued to pressure but could not score. Trailing 2-1, Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci called a time out with 1:32 remaining and a faceoff in the Soo zone. Hackett was pulled in the final minute of regulation, but Nolan blocked a puck at the Sault Ste. Marie blue line and it bounced to Thompson, who skated up the left wing and scored on the empty net at 19:22. Beukeboom finished the scoring at 19:25, again on the empty net.

The Whalers are off until Thursday when they play in Sarnia and will return home next Friday to host Erie at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena.

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.

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