PLYMOUTH - Goaltender Matt Hackett stopped 47-of-49 shots as the game's first star, Chris Terry scored a two goals with an assist as the game's second star and the penalty killers went 10-for-10 as the Plymouth Whalers built a 3-0 lead in the second period and went on the defeat the top-ranked Windsor Spitfires, 4-2, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Friday night before 2,371 at Compuware Arena.

Windsor had a 14-game winning streak snapped and has the Canadian Hockey League's best record at 43-6-0-1. The Whalers have defeated Windsor twice this season and are now 24-21-5-0. Coupled with Sarnia lost in Kitchener, Plymouth moved into a tie for fith place in the tight Western Conference race.

Besides Terry's pair (team-leading 25th and 26th of the season), the Whalers also received goals from Tyler Seguin (8) and Michal Jordan (5th). Conor O'Donnell scored both Windsor goals (10-11).

The Whalers jumped off to an excellent start, getting goals from Terry at 1:12 (one-timer from the right circle) and a power play goal from Seguin (snap shot from the lower rim of the left circle) at 6:36. Windsor had a territorial advantage the rest of the period and outshot Plymouth, 15-6, in the first frame. But the Whalers penalty killers played well in the period, negating penalties to Leo Jenner for interference at 1:54, AJ Jenks for high sticking at 3:27 and Jamie Devane for slashing at 16:10.

Plymouth took a 3-0 lead at 5:37 of the second period on a goal by Jordan, which capped good Whaler pressure in the Windsor zone by the line of Terry, Matt Caria and Seguin. Caria - stationed in the right corner - found Jordan breaking into the slot and Jordan made no mistake with a low shot past Windsor goaltender Josh Unice.

Windsor continued to pressure, outshooting Plymouth, 24-8 in the second period, and got a goal back by O'Donnell at 16:51 of the period on a deflection from Ben Shutron's point shot.
The Spitfires cut the Plymouth lead to 3-2 on O'Donnell's second of the night on another deflection of Taylor Hall's shot from the left wing.

Windsor head coach Bob Boughner pulled goaltender Unice with 1:39 left, but Terry scored on the empty net with a shot from the penalty box area at 18:53. Windsor outshot Plymouth, 49-25.

""We played great," Hackett said after the game. "In the second period alone, we killed off five straight penalties. The boys battled hard and it was great to see."

"We were short handed a lot again and we did take some bad penalties at certain times," said Vellucci. "But we played hard - we blocked shots, we competed. Windsor's a great hockey team and you have to be at the top of your game to win. Our defense (Beau Schmitz, Michal Jordan, Brett Bellemore, Leo Jenner, Josh Bemis and Scott Fletcher) played really well. I thought our forwards committed for the most part to backcheck to the house and help them out. Windsor had a lot of shots, but a lot of them were from the outside and the ones that were in tight, Hack was stellar again as always."

Plymouth is back in action on Saturday at 7:05 pm against Mississauga. Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Arena at (734) 453-8400

Rena LavertyLondon star John Tavares is assisting the Plymouth-Windsor effort towards the Special Olympics.

Plymouth hosts the top-ranked Windsor Spitfires on Friday at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena.

Not only are the Whalers playing the best team in the Canadian Hockey League, but part of the proceeds of the game will go to Special Olympics.

The Whalers and Spitfires just received a generous assist from London Knights star John Tavares.

Tavares and Lucky Sports Management are donating two-autographed Tavares London Knights jerseys, a Tavares Team Canada jersey, a Tavares Oshawa Generals jersey, an autographed Steve Yzerman Red Wings jersey, and an autographed Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins jersey to the Special Olympics raffle.

John is very passionate about the Special Olympics and hopes his contributions can help raise more money for Special Olympics Michigan.

People interested in purchasing the jerseys should attend the game on Friday and make a bid. For more information, please go online to www.plymouthwhalers.com.

Tickets for Friday's game can be purchased by calling (734) 453-8400.

PLYMOUTH - Ryan Hayes scored twice, Matt Caria, RJ Mahalak and Tyler Seguin scored singles and goaltender Matt Hackett stopped 39 shots as the Plymouth Whalers built a 5-1 lead into the third period and withstood a late Sarnia rally to defeat the Sting, 5-3, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Wednesday evening at Compuware Arena.

Steve Ferry (7), Mark Katic (8) and Justin DiBenedetto (34) replied for Sarnia.

Plymouth (23-21-5-0, 51 points) is two points behind Sarnia (24-20-2-3) for fifth spot in the OHL's Western Conference playoff race and six points behind the Guelph Storm (26-17-2-3) - the last team in the Western Conference with home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

Caria scored his 19th goal of the season with the only goal of the first period when Seguin's shot that was knocked down and bounced right to Caria the slot. Ferry tied the game at 1-1 on a power play at 0:57 of the second period with a hard one-timer from the high slot past Hackett through traffic.

Hayes went to work at that point, scoring his 17th and 18th of the season at 7:55 and 18:48 respectively. Hayes' first goal came from the left goal line when he banked a shot off Sarnia goaltender Dan Spence. Hayes' second goal was a spectacular play as he carried the puck through traffic from the right hash mark to the left side of the Sarnia crease and he beat Spence
with a back hand shot - between his legs. Plymouth led, 3-1, after forty minutes.

"I practice that shot (the bank shot) a lot in practice," Hayes said after the game. "It gives me something to work with. The opportunity was there (on the second goal), so I tried it and it went in."

Seguin scored the eventual game-winner and 9th of the season at 0:11 of the third period after he accepted Leo Jenner's pass at center, worked into the Sarnia zone on right wing and wired a shot past Spence that went into the net inside the far post and just under the cross bar.

Mahalak (Monroe) gave the Whalers a 5-1 lead with his 7th of the year at 3:30, scoring on a scramble at the right side of the Sarnia goal, batting home a rebound past Spence.

Katic (6:48) and DiBenedetto (8:37) scored power plays goals for Sarnia to cut the Whalers lead by two, but they never got closer. Shots on goal were even at 42 each.

Plymouth is back in action on Friday at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena against the top-ranked Windsor Spitfires and Saturday at 7:05 pm against Mississauga. Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Arena at (734) 453-8400.

Walt DmochIt took about 20 games, but now Whalers defenseman Beau Schmitz is fitting in nicely on the Plymouth blue line.

Tim Robinson of the Livingston Daily-Argus files the following story:

PLYMOUTH -- In his first season in the Ontario Hockey League, Beau Schmitz has done a little bit of everything for the Plymouth Whalers.

He's been the team's top defenseman at times, he's been averaging about a point a game in recent weeks and has drawn raves from his coach.

Schmitz, a Howell native who lives in Plymouth, admits he lost his one and only fight so far.

"I did all right," he said of his tussle with Sault Ste. Marie's Jordan Nolan, who is five inches taller and nearly 40 pounds heavier. "I hung in there. I'd have to give (the decision to him). But I hung in there."

Schmitz's coach, Mike Vellucci, believes the defenseman has more than hung in there during his first season in the OHL.

"He's been outstanding," Vellucci said. "He's played very, very well. It's a tough adjustment (to the OHL), and it takes everyone a little time, but we're starting to see what we expected to see."

Schmitz, 17, played last year for the National Team Development Program's Under-17 team in Ann Arbor and for a Belle Tire travel team the year before that.

He's considered one of the top players in his age group and is expected to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft at Montreal in June.

Schmitz had, as of Saturday, three goals and 20 assists with the Whalers, including a goal in the game in which he had the fight. But Schmitz isn't in Plymouth for his pugilistic abilities.

"He's exceeded my expectations," said Vellucci, who has coached the Whalers for most of the last eight years. He's known Schmitz all his life, having played with his dad, Darrin, a former Howell all-state standout, when both were on the same travel team more than two decades ago. "He's got a good all-around game. He's a very aggressive, physical defenseman and his skating's the best I've seen."

Schmitz lives with a family in Plymouth and attends Plymouth High School, but between hockey and studying, doesn't have time for much socializing.

"It's all right," he said. "It's hard to meet people because I only have four classes and it's a quick day. I miss a lot of school."

Road trips are the reason. The OHL plays on most Friday nights, meaning an early departure for most of the outposts in the league, which stretches as far east as Ottawa and as far north as Sudbury.

"We do a lot of traveling by bus," Schmitz said. "We do schoolwork on the bus or in the hotel, whenever we have free time."

As Vellucci mentioned earlier, it takes time for a player to adjust to the OHL. For Schmitz, it took about 20 games.

Coincidentally, that was about the time when Vellucci moved back behind the bench to replace the former coach, ex-Red Wing Greg Stefan, who became a Carolina Hurricanes scout.

Before that, Schmitz said, he got by mostly on instinct.

"They just said to play your game and let's see what you can do and we'll work from there," Schmitz said.

But his development has been a pleasant surprise even to the team that made him a No. 1 draft pick in the 2007 OHL Draft.

"He's definitely progressing," Vellucci said. "He's getting better, getting stronger, he's understanding our system and he's improved in every game."

Playing in the OHL, Schmitz said, has been an adjustment both mentally and physically.

"Players are a lot faster and a lot stronger," he said. "I have to get stronger and make faster decisions. I try to get to the weight room as much as possible, but I get tired with so many games and practicing so much. But I know both are key to being in this league."

Schmitz committed to Ferris State three years ago, when he was 14, but gave up any college eligibility when he signed with the Whalers.

"I like the style of play," he said ."It's like an NHL game. The guys are faster. They're stronger. They prepare you for the next level."

Schmitz is expected to become the fourth Livingston County native drafted by an NHL team (Andy Hilbert, Dwight Helminen and T.J. Hensick are the others) next summer. The only question is when and by whom.

"The sky's the limit for him," Vellucci said. "He'll definitely be drafted. It's a matter of how high."

The Whalers are owned by Peter Karmanos, who owns Compuware Arena, where the Whalers play, and the Carolina Hurricanes. It was with Carolina that Helminen made his NFL debut last November.

Even if he is drafted, Schmitz will likely stay with the Whalers for the following two seasons.

His parents, Darrin and Holly, watch him play home games at Compuware Arena and road games within a relatively short drive, including Saginaw, Windsor and London, Ontario.

"It's nice having my mom and dad to support me, to see me after the game and get to talk to them," he said.

In the meantime, he works out and keeps his priorities in line.

Asked about a beard he was sporting at a game earlier this month, Schmitz laughs.

"It's not a playoff beard," he said. "I'm just letting it grow out. We'll see about the playoffs. We've got to get there first."

Walt DmochWhalers rookie Jamie Devane scored his third goal of the season Sunday in Plymouth's 6-3 loss in Windsor.

WINDSOR - Greg Nemisz and Eric Wellwood scored two goals each as the Windsor Spitfires led 3-1 after one period of play and withstood two Plymouth rallies later to beat the Whalers, 6-3, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Sunday afternoon before 6,006 at Windsor Family Credit Union Centre.

Taylor Hall and Justin Shugg scored single goals for Windsor. Plymouth replied with goals from Matt Caria (18th), AJ Jenks (14) and Jamie Devane (3).

Windsor - the top team in the Ontario Hockey League and top-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League - won its' 13th game in a row and is a league-best 42-5-0-1. Plymouth remains in sixth spot in the Western Conference playoff race and is 22-21-5-0.

The Whalers cut into the Windsor lead three different times. After Nemisz (26th at 4:19) and Shugg (16th at 11:51) gave Windsor a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Whalers came back to cut the lead to 2-1 on a scramble in front of the Windsor goal when Caria pounced on a loose puck through traffic and scored in tight. Nemisz scored a power play goal at 19:19 of the period on the power play, deflecting Ryan Ellis' shot from the point to give Windsor a 3-1 lead after twenty minutes of play.

Plymouth battled back to cut the Windsor lead to 3-2 in the second period with the only goal of the frame. Brett Bellemore's shot from the right point was deflected by Jenks at the right hashmark at 1:54 of the period. Spits led, 3-2, after forty minutes of play.

Hall scored a key goal for Windsor at 9:02 of the third period when he skated hard on the right wing in the Plymouth zone, circled behind the net and wrapped the shot from the right post past Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett at 9:02. The Whalers cut the Windsor lead to 4-3 at 10:53 on Devane's third goal of the season on a snap shot from the lower rim of the right circle.

But Wellwood finished the scoring with goals at 12:56 and then on the empty net at 19:34.
Windsor outshot Plymouth, 35-31.

The Whalers start a five-game home stand on Wednesday against Sarnia at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena. Plymouth hosts Windsor on Friday at 7:05 pm and Mississauga on Saturday. Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Arena box office (734) 453-8400.

Rena LavertyPlymouth's Vern Cooper scores in the third period Saturday night in the Whalers 4-2 victory over Sudbury at Compuware Arena. The Sudbury goaltender is Alain Valiquette

PLYMOUTH - Matt Caria and Chris Terry scored a goal and an assist each, while Vern Cooper and Tyler J. Brown scored single goals to lead the Plymouth Whalers to a 4-2 victory over the Sudbury Wolves in an Ontario Hockey League game played Saturday night before 2,558 at Compuware Arena.

The win moves Plymouth (now 22-20-5-0 and 49 points) into sole possession of sixth place in the tight OHL Western Conference playoff race. The Whalers moved ahead of Erie (23-22-2-0, 48 points), who lost, 8-2, in Belleville tonight.

AJ Jenks - playing his first game after serving a two-game suspension - assisted on the Whalers lead goal and the eventual game-winning goal as the game's second star. With defenseman Beau Schmitz out of the lineup due to the flu, the Whalers depth paid dividends as fellow defensemen Brett Bellemore played a steady game and Josh Bemis contributed +3.

John McFarland opened and closed the scoring in the game with two goals for Sudbury and now has 15 on the season.

After McFarland and Brown traded first-period goals to tie the game at 1-1, Terry and Caria started to click, playing over the course of the game with a variety of right wings. Working on a power play midway through the first period, Caria scored his 17th goal of the year to give Whalers their first lead of the game at 10:39. Jenks set the play up with a hard pass from the right half-wall that found Caria on the left doorstep. Caria - with an open net - made no mistake.

"I got a nice cross-ice pass from Chris Terry, hitting the seam," Jenks said. "I saw Matt sitting there, backdoor, so I tried to thread the needle through a couple of players and it (the pass) got there. It was an easy tap-in for him. "

Leading 2-1 going into the second period, the Whalers carried the play in the second period, outshooting Sudbury, 19-10. Wolves goaltender Alain Valiquette played well, but Caria and Terry continued to generate scoring chances. Playing a hunch in the final minute of play in the second period, Plymouth coach Mike Vellucci inserted Jenks back on the line with Caria and Terry and the trio struck again at 19:36 of the period. Jenks picked off a loose pass along the left boards in the Sudbury zone and found Caria out in front, who fed to Terry and the Whalers led, 3-1, after forty minutes.

"Coach saw how much time was left in the period (0:31) and an offensive faceoff in their zone," Caria explained. "So he put three offensive guys out there. The play started with a great forecheck by AJ - he cut the wall off and fed me the puck and then I saw Terry going to the net. You know when Terry has the puck, it's going to go into the net."

Terry's goal was his team-leading 24th of the year and 99th of his career.

Cooper scored his 12th goal of the season at 3:23 of the third period with an excellent individual play started at the Plymouth blue by Bemis, who fed the puck to Cooper in neutral territory. Cooper pick up speed in the Sudbury zone, cut left to right at the hashmarks and tucked the shot by Valiquette to give Plymouth a 4-1 lead.

McFarland closed the scored with a goal with 12 seconds remaining on a shot from the left circle.

Plymouth outshot Sudbury, 52-31.

The Whalers play in Windsor on Sunday afternoon before returning home to host Sarnia on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Arena box office at (734) 453-8400.

PLYMOUTH - Brampton star Cody Hodgson waited until the last possible moment on Friday night to keep his scoring streak intact for the Brampton Battalion. Hodgson - who started the season with the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks - scored the game-winning goal at 2:56 of overtime to give Brampton a 4-3 win over the Plymouth Whalers in an Ontario Hockey League game played at Compuware Arena.

Hodgson's game-winner spoiled a third period comeback by the Whalers, who trailed 3-0 6:47 into the third period and came all the way back to tie the game.

Brampton remains in first place in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference (second overall in the conference) with a record of 30-14-1-1. Plymouth remains in seventh spot in the Western Conference with a record of 21-20-5-0.

Hodgson has now scored 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in 16 straight games, which is the best cuurent scoring streak in the OHL this season. In all, Hodgson has 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points in 31 games for Brampton. Matt Duchene scored twice in the game (23-24) and Evgeny Grachev scored a goal (26) and added two assists as the game's first star.

Matt Caria (16), Joe Gaynor (10) and Chris Terry (23) replied for the Whalers.

After a scoreless first period, Grachev - a first round pick of the New York Rangers and the OHL's leading rookie scorer with 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points - gave Brampton a 1-0 lead at 9:10 of the second period when he picked up a loose puck at center, moved into the Plymouth zone and tucked a backhand by Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett.

Duchene then scored a pair in the third period at 4:29 and 6:47 to give the Battalion a 3-0 lead. Plymouth started their comeback at 7:40 of the period when Caria scored at the Brampton blue crease to cut the Battalion lead to 3-1. The Whalers appeared to score at 11:22 when Kaine Geldart scored in a scramble of front of the Brampton goal, but referee Scott Ferguson waived the goal off, saying the whistle blew before the puck crossed the line. During the ensuing discussion about the goal, Ferguson gave the Plymouth bench at delay of game penalty and then chased Whalers head coach Mike Vellucci (who was trying to call a time out).

The Whalers seemed energized by the discussion and cut the Brampton lead to 3-2 at 14:32 of the period when Gaynor scored on a scramble in front of Brampton goaltender Thomas McCollum with a shot that went over McCollum's shoulder. Terry tied the game at 15:32 with a redirect of Scott Fletcher's point shot at the left doorstep of the Brampton goal crease.

That set the stage for Hodgson's game-winner, when he scored from the right circle over Hackett's shoulder.

Brampton outshot Plymouth, 49-36.

Plymouth is back in action Saturday night when they host Sudbury at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena. The Detroit Shock's Cheryl Ford will drop a ceremonial faceoff at the start of the game as part of the Whalers Girls Rock! Night. Tickets are available by calling the Compuware Arena box office at (734) 453-8400.

Walt DmochPlymouth captain Chris Terry is going to the OHL All-Star Game for the second straight year.

Windsor, ON - The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club held a media conference today to announce the rosters for the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic. The event will showcase 40 of the top players in the OHL with representation from each of the 20 member clubs. The event features a skills competition on Tuesday February 3, 2009, beginning at 7:00 pm with the game taking place Wednesday February 4, 2009, at 7:00 pm at the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre.

The teams will be divided by conference with each of the rosters selected by a management team. The Eastern Conference All-Stars management team consists of Stan Butler, Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach of the Brampton Battalion, and Brian Kilrea, General Manager and Head Coach of the Ottawa 67's. For the Western Conference All-Stars, Mike Vellucci, General Manager and Head Coach of the Plymouth Whalers, and Mark Hunter, General Manager of the London Knights selected the team.

The host Windsor Spitfires and the London Knights Hockey Club lead the way with five players each on the Western Conference team. The roster includes Taylor Hall of the Spitfires who currently leads the OHL in scoring with 64 points followed closely by John Tavares of the London Knights with 63 points. Ryan Ellis leads all defencemen in scoring with 56 points. For the Eastern Conference, the Belleville Bulls are represented by five players including defenceman P.K Subban and the OHL's top goalie Mike Murphy. Cody Hodgson (Brampton Battalion), Stefan Della Rovere (Barrie Colts), and Alex Pietrangelo (Niagara IceDogs) join fellow Team Canada World Junior gold medalists Tavares, Ellis, and Subban in the game. Evgeny Grachev (Brampton Battalion) won a bronze medal with Team Russia and Eric Tangradi (Belleville Bulls) and Thomas McCollum (Brampton Battalion) also competed at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships for Team USA. Goaltender Edward Pasquale of the Saginaw Spirit was Player of the Game at the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and headlines the list of 11 players competing at the event who are eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

The following are the rosters for the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic:

Eastern Conference All-Stars

Goaltenders: Thomas McCollum (Brampton), Mike Murphy (Belleville)

Defensemen : Calvin de Haan (Oshawa), Julian Demers (Ottawa), Cameron Gaunce (Mississauga), Shawn Lalonde and P.K. Subban (Belleville), Alex Pietrangelo (Niagara).

Forwards: Bryan Cameron and Eric Tangradi (Belleville), Logan Couture and Corey Cowick (Ottawa), Stefan Della Rovere and Alex Hutchings (Barrie), Matt Duchene, Evgeny Gravchev and Cody Hodgson (Brampton), Zack Kassian (Peterborough), Eric O'Dell (Sudbury) Ethan Werek (Kingston).

Western Conference All-Stars

Goaltenders: Andrew Engelage (Windsor), Edward Pasquale (Saginaw).

Defensemen: John Carlson and Michael Del Zotto (London), Ryan Ellis (Windsor), Mark Katic,(Sarnia), Dan Kelly (Kitchener), Jacob Muzzin (Sault Ste. Marie).

Forwards: Chris Chappell (Saginaw), Justin DiBenedetto (Sarnia), Taylor Hall, Greg Nemisz, Scott Timmins, (Windsor) Joey Hishon (Owen Sound) Peter Holland (Guelph), Nazem Kadri, Philip McRae, John Tavares (London), Ryan O'Reilly (Erie), Chris Terry (Plymouth).

Walt DmochMatt Hackett has been named a star in four consecutive games.

The Plymouth Whalers have a history of developing excellent goaltenders.

Robert Esche, Fred Brathwaite, Derek Wilkinson, Jason Bacashihua and Justin Peters have all seen time in the National Hockey League, some more time than others. Rob Zepp, Ryan Nie, Paul Drew and Jason Saal moved on to enjoy productive careers in minor professional.

Even - Jeff Weber - acquired by Plymouth early in the 2002 season - played well enough for the Whalers to be selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 8th round of the 2003 National Hockey League Draft. Weber is played for a while in minor pro and last we heard was playing for the University of British Columbia.

Two years ago, Plymouth won the Ontario Hockey League Championship with Michal Neuvirth (a Washington Capitals draft) and Jeremy Smith (Nashville). Neuvirth and Smith won the OHL's Dave Pinkney Award in 2007 for the fewest goals allowed. The Whalers appeared to be set for a couple of years down the road as well.

But a funny thing happened on the way to playing the best 1-2 combination in the OHL. Neuvirth was traded to Windsor in November of 2007 and Smith was given the lead goaltender's position. Smith played well through the early part of 2008 (playing for the United States in the World Junior Championship and making the OHL All-Star Game), but struggled early this season.

With Smith struggling, former Whalers head coach Greg Stefan - and now Mike Vellucci - decided to give Matt Hackett a chance. Hackett - considered by some a thrown-in the Windsor trade for Neuvirth - played so well in extended minutes that Vellucci dealt Smith to Niagara at the OHL's Final Trade Deadline.

Meanwhile, Hackett has risen to eighth among North American goaltenders rated by the National Hockey League's Central Scouting Bureau in their mid-term rankings. Hackett was selected a star in four straight games - a second star on Jan. 11 in a 7-3 victory in Ottawa, a second star on Jan. 16 in a 5-3 win over Barrie, a first star the next night in a 5-0 win over Owen Sound and another second star performance in a 4-2 loss to London on Jan. 19.

Based on his recent performance, Hackett has been named ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week.

Through 32 games, Hackett has compiled a 2.89 goals against average, .915 save percentage, two shutouts and an 18-11-2-0 won-lost record.

In a league that celebrates top-end talent like John Tavares and Cody Hodgson, Hackett stands out as a player who worked hard, waited for his chance and is taking full advantage of an opportunity.

"Matt came back this year 11 pounds heavier, put on a lot of muscle and worked very hard over the summer," said Vellucci. "I think at one point he started 13 games in a row before we traded Smitty. He's played very well as the number on and deserves to be there. He has a chance to be a very good NHL goaltender some day.

"He's taken the ball and run it with. He's improved his reflexes and his rebound control is very good. One of the things I like about Matt is the fact that the players play really well for him. He's a likeable guy, and our guys play great and want to play in front of him. They help him, they block shots and they clear the pucks away from in front of the net.

"It's a great story and he deserves to be number one."

"The boys are keeping shots to the outside," Hackett said. "They playing great defense and I am seeing most of the shots. In practice, we have "battle-drills" (for the puck) and the boys in front of me block shots and battle hard. Our defense is unbelievable right now. They keep shots to the outside. I can't thank them enough"

Hackett was asked if there are technical aspects he works on to try to improve.

"I'm trying to be more square to the shooter and keep the rebounds in front of me," Hackett said.

Goaltending runs in Hackett's family. Matt's uncle, Jeff Hackett, played in the NHL from 1988-2004 for six different teams and before that was a member of the Oshawa Generals from 1986-88.

Hackett now works in the Colorado Avalanche system and works with Matt in the summer.

"In the summer we work out on the ice together," Matt Hackett explained. "He tries to get me to get bigger in the net and try to stay square to the puck. He works with me to control rebounds better."

Hackett once waited for weeks to get into a game. Now, he plays nearly every game and will give way once in awhile to Plymouth backup Scott Wedgewood.

"I love it," Hackett said about his workload. "I always wanted to play as the starting goaltender and I love it right now."

Hackett's family resides in London, ON. According to several family members, they are all musically inclined.

Matt Hackett is playing a sweet tune in goal for the Whalers.

Rena LavertyPlymouth goaltender Matt Hackett stopped 37 shots Monday afternoon in a 4-2 loss to London at Compuware Arena.

PLYMOUTH - On Monday afternoon, the London Knights showed why they are one of the top teams in the Ontario Hockey League. The Plymouth Whalers - coming into the game with a three-game winning streak and 15-8-2-0 in their last 25 games - showed why they are tough to play against.

In the end, London star John Tavares and his mates defeated Plymouth, 4-2, before 2,473 at Compuware Arena. London improves to 34-8-0-2. Plymouth is now 21-20-4-0.

Tavares - the top-rated North American prospect for next summer's National Hockey League Entry Draft in Montreal - led London in the game with two goals and an assist as the game's first star. Tavares now has 33 goals and 30 assists for 63 points over 35 games. Philip McRae scored a goal (23rd) and added two assists as the game's third star. Washington-draft John Carlson scored the game-winning goal (12th) in the third period and added an assist. Plymouth received goals from Leo Jenner (2) and Matt Caria (15) and got a 37-save performance from second star Matt Hackett.

Referees Mark Hicks and Rob Langdon were active in the game, sending a constant parade of players to their respective penalty boxes. London went 2-for-11 on the power play while Plymouth went 1-for-7.

McRae scored the only goal of the first period after accepting a stretch pass out of the London zone by Carlson. McRae picked up the puck at the Plymouth blue line, spilt the Whalers defense and tucked a back hand, top shelf, past Hackett at 2:39 of the first period.

Jenner tied the game for Plymouth at 1-1 at 5:49 of the second period after following up Tyler Seguin's rush into the London zone. Knights' goaltender Trevor Cann stopped Seguin's shot from the left circle, but Jenner tapped home the rebound. Tavares got on the scoresheet on a power play at 16:22 when he converted Dan Erlich's pass from the left circle and tapped home the puck from the right doorstep. Plymouth came back 1:09 later at 17:31 on a power play goal of their own as Caria scored from the right hashmark on a bank shot off Cann. Plymouth and London went into the dressing room tied, 2-2, after forty minutes.

London scored on the power play at 9:18 of the third period to take the lead for good when Carlson snapped a one-timer from the high slot past Hackett. Tavares added the insurance goal at 16:06 of the period after accepting a feed from the right goal line from Nazem Kadri and scored in front of the Plymouth goal through traffic.

London outshot Plymouth, 41-31.

Plymouth is back in action on Friday, hosting Brampton (28-14-1-1) on Friday at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena. The Battalion feature Detroit Red Wing draft Thomas McCollum in goal. The Whalers then host Sudbury (19-20-1-4) on Saturday at 7:05 pm. Tickets for all Whalers games are available by calling the Compuware Arena box office at (734) 453-8400.

Walt DmochPlymouth's Chris Terry (green) stuffs a backhand past Owen Sound goaltender Scott Stajcer in the second period Saturday night during the Whalers' 5-0 win over Owen Sound.

PLYMOUTH - Matt Hackett stopped 37 shots as the game's first star, Matt Caria scored a goal and added three assists and was +4 as the game's second star and Chris Terry scored twice and was also +4 as the game's third star as the Plymouth Whalers defeated the Owen Sound Attack, 5-0, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Saturday night at Compuware Arena.

Ryan Hayes and Tyler G. Brown (+3) added single goals for the Whalers, who won their third straight game while moving to a season-best record 21-19-4-0. Owen Sound is now 16-18-6-4.

Give Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci an assist as well. When center AJ Jenks received a game misconduct 11 seconds into the game for the second fight in the same sequence, Vellucci mixed his lines around seamlessly, moving Tyler G. Brown on the line with Caria and Terry and shifting Tyler Seguin (who had been playing with Caria and Terry) on a line with Hayes and Tyler J. Brown. The result? Both lines played well with no loss of efficiency.

After Terry opened the scoring with his team-leading 21at goal of the season at 6:17 of the first period with a shot from the right circle, Hayes scored at the left lip of the Owen Sound crease at 15:18 when Tyler J. Brown intercepted an Attack clearing pass along the right boards in the Owen Sound zone, skated to the right circle and fed a cross-ice pass to Hayes, who one-timed the puck past Owen Sound goaltender Scott Stajcer.

Hackett's best work came in the second period when Owen Sound outshot Plymouth, 17-5, but Hackett made all the saves. He got help from the video goal judge midway through the period when it appeared that Josh Ocampo stuffed the puck into the Plymouth goal at the left goal post. But after a lengthy review, the goal was waved off. Meanwhile, Terry scored the only goal of the period at 7:38 when he accepted Caria's pass in front of the Owen Sound goal, switched forehand to backhand and stuffed the puck past Stajcer. Plymouth led, 3-0, after forty minutes.

The Whalers increased their lead to 4-0 at 0:40 of the third period on Tyler G. Brown's shot from the left wing that pinballed off an Attack defender an into the goal. Caria - who was around the puck all night - was finally rewarded with a goal at 11:15 of the third period when he picked up a loose puck in front of the Owen Sound goal and beat Stajcer with a low shot.

Plymouth now faces formidable tests over its' next two games. The Whalers host London (33-8-0-2) - featuring star John Tavares - on Monday at 2pm and Brampton (27-14-1-1) - featuring Detroit Red Wing draft choice Thomas McCollum - next Friday at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the Compuware Arena box office by calling (734) 453-8400.

Walt DmochPlymouth's Kaine Geldart (left, green) celebrates his ninth goal of the season in the Whalers 5-3 win over Barrie Friday night at Compuware Arena.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci has waited two months to get his full lineup on the ice at one time. Friday night, he saw the full effect as the Whalers defeated Barrie, 5-3, in an Ontario Hockey League games played at Compuware Arena.

Plymouth's two-game winning streak pushes the Whalers' record to 20-19-4-0 and 14-8-2-0 since Vellucci returned behind the bench on Nov. 10. Plymouth moves into a tie with Erie (21-20-2-0) for sixth place in the tight Western Conference race. Plymouth and Erie both have 44 points, two points ahead of Owen Sound (16-17-6-4)

"I like our team - (in fact), I like it a lot," Vellucci said earlier this week. "We haven't had a healthy lineup for the last two months and the day I took over, (captain) Chris Terry had mononucleosis. So we had his injury and other injuries (Tyler G. Brown, Scott Fletcher) and other guys out of the lineup."

Terry - who also missed three weeks with a sprained shoulder - came back tonight and recorded a goal (team-leading 20th of the season) and two assists as the game's first star. Matt Hackett stopped 30-of-33 shots as the game's second star for the Whalers and Ryan Hayes potted a pair of goals (14-15) as the game's third star. Tyler Seguin (6th) added a goal and an assist and Kaine Geldart scored his 9th for Plymouth. Matt Stanisz (3), Darren Archibald (17) and Alex Hutchings (team-leading 22nd) scored for Barrie.

Terry gave Plymouth their first lead of the game at 3:26 of the second period while snapping a 2-2 tie when he tipped Josh Bemis' shot from the left point from the left circle past Barrie goaltender Michael Hutchinson. Hackett then played his best stretch of the game later in the period, stopping Hutchings on a partial breakaway and the rebound on the follow-up and then made the save of the game when he slid to his left and got his glove on Barrie captain Stefan Della Rovere's stuff at the far goal post. Plymouth led, 3-2, after forty minutes.

The Whalers extended their lead to 5-2 in the third period with a pair of power play goals - Hayes at 3:51 (accepted Seguin's pass at the left hashmark, cut across to his right and buried the shot) and Geldart at 9:19 (shot from left lip of the Barrie crease). Hutchings cut the Plymouth lead to 5-3 with a shot from the left point to close the scoring.

Plymouth is back in action at Compuware Arena on Saturday at 7:05 pm against Owen Sound and Monday at 2:00 pm against the top-ranked London Knights. Tickets for all Whaler games are available by calling (734) 453-8400.

Walt DmochWhalers captain Chris Terry is in the top ten over every Plymouth career scoring mark.

In many ways, Plymouth Whalers captain and Carolina Hurricanes draft choice Chris Terry has grown up before our eyes.

Selected by the Whalers in second round (29th overall) of the 2005 Ontario Hockey League Draft, Terry has developed into one of the top offensive players in the league. Moving into what may be the final third of his last Whalers season, Terry is in the top ten in all career franchise scoring categories with 94 goals and 138 assists for 232 points in 227 games.

Whaler fans can appreciate Terry's growth on the ice. Whaler players and staff appreciate Terry's growth as an individual off the ice.

"Everybody looks up to him in the locker room," said second-year Whaler RJ Mahalak. "You can't get a better leader than Chris Terry. He's a great competitor, every night. He'll never let you down. He's a great teammate and great friend."

"My son was drafted by Plymouth four years ago," said John Terry, Chris' father. "At the time, we didn't know a whole lot about Plymouth. But I have to say the Whalers have been a terrific organization for Chris, both from a hockey perspective and a school perspective. He's made his life here.

"When Chris came to Plymouth, he was a 16-year-old boy. Overall, his mother (Dianne) and I are impressed with the progress Chris has made, both on the ice and as a person."

Terry holds the Whalers' mark for consecutive games played with 168 games (1/5/06-3/16/08), a mark that was snapped at the beginning of this season when he attended Carolina's pro camp. Terry also missed games this season because of mononucleosis and later on because of a sprained shoulder.

But even when he's not playing, Terry has an effect on the team. Go to any Plymouth team function and the players are dressed in a Whalers shirt and slacks.

It may seem like a small thing suggested by Terry and assistant captains AJ Jenks, Joe Gaynor, Kaine Geldart and Michal Jordan at the beginning of the season. But the look is clean and professional and has a major impact whenever the Whalers enter a restaurant for a team meal or any other function.

Terry was following a model used by the Carolina Hurricanes and their captain, Rod Brind' Amour.

"I suggested we look a little more business-like, a little more classy," Terry said. "We are professionals and expect to be treated like that, so we should look like that. Every time we have a team meal, we're going to look like that, like we're going to work and we're going to be business-like."

After the Whalers battled through the beginning of 2009 with injuries to Terry, Tyler G. Brown and Scott Fletcher and missing Michal Jordan (Czech Republic, World Junior Championships) and Tyler Seguin (Team Ontario, 2009 World Hockey Challenge), Plymouth moves into the final third of the season with a full lineup.

Two assistant captains who stepped of their games in early January are AJ Jenks and Joe Gaynor. Jenks - a Florida Panthers draft choice - scored eight points over the first five games in January. Gaynor continues to be perhaps the best two-way player on Plymouth and is one of the better defensive forwards in the OHL.

Although Jenks and Gaynor have contrasting styles on the ice, off the ice they are the same. Need a quote after the game? See Jenks or Gaynor. Need a player to work a public appearance? Jenks and Gaynor are among the more popular Whalers.

Jordan came back from the World Junior Championship with renewed confidence. Usually paired with Beau Schmitz, Jordan and Schmitz are among the team leaders in ice-time and are playing in many critical situations for Plymouth.

Although Jordan is from the Czech Republic, he speaks English fluently and usually comes to the locker room with a smile on his face.

"Obviously, his play is definitely part of his leadership," Terry said of Jordan. "He's a great player back there - very poised, very calm. I think the other defensemen feed off that. He might not be a guy that screams and yells, but he leads by example."

"It's a very nice feeling," said Jordan about wearing the A. "But we have a lot of great guys, a lot of talented guys on the team. I appreciate it. I just try the best that I can."

Never overlooked, veteran right wing Kaine Geldart is silent away from the ice. But watch him on the ice, and he is chirping the opposition and they are giving it back. Geldart has a way of getting under the people's skin - but you wouldn't know it by watching him away from the rink.

Whaler fans appreciate Geldart's in-your-face approach. Geldart was awarded the Whalers Labatt Blue Collar Player of the Year last season and rates a decent chance to win the award this year.

"It's like there's a little switch that goes on when he hits the ice," Gaynor said about Geldart with a smile. "He gets a little grittier when he hits the ice. He's a pleasure to play with on a line."

In the meantime, who are the Whaler leaders of the future? RJ Mahalak? Beau Schmitz? Tyler Seguin? Stay tuned.

Rena LavertyNeal helped the Whalers to the OHL Championship in 2007.

Story posted by Tracey Myers of Star-Telegram.com about Whalers alum James Neal:

James Neal was a little surprised to hear Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett summon him for Sunday night's shootout (Jan. 3) against Vancouver. But Tippett liked what he's been seeing from the rookie left wing.

Neal admitted he was a little nerve-wracked. But he didn't look it. Like so many other times this season, he looked calm and in control. And one shootout-winning shot later, he proved this was just one more task he could handle.

The 21-year-old Neal has been one of the brightest rookies in the NHL this season, and his work should earn him consideration for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the league's outstanding rookie. He has 13 goals, tied with Boston forward Blake Wheeler for most among rookies, and Neal has been solid in all situations.

"Other teams are noticing him, noticing his all-around play," Tippett said. "His game is solid all-around, he has size and skill, and his game is very much on the upswing."

And that's been evident since his brief demotion to Manitoba in early November. Yes, the reassignment stung, but Neal responded as soon as he was back in a Stars' uniform.

He scored in his first game back Nov. 20 and has added 10 more goals. He recorded his first career hat trick Dec. 23 in front of family in Toronto. He's been part of the Stars' special teams and given them some physical pop. He's also found a comfort level with linemates Jere Lehtinen and Mike Modano, and set up Modano for the Stars' first goal Sunday.

For Neal, his accomplishments have been a sweet surprise.

"I couldn't have imagine it," Neal said. "Everything is just been going so well and playing with Mo and Lehts, they just help so much. That's obviously a big part of why I'm scoring goals and why I'm doing so well."

But Neal has been fairly consistent no matter whom he's been with.

"He's a confident guy," Tippett said. "He's gone through the steps the right way. Now he's turning into a very good pro."

Walt DmochVern Cooper scored from his own goal line on Sunday in Ottawa.

The Whalers (19-19-4-0) return home now for 10-of-11 games at Compuware Arena, starting Friday against Barrie and Saturday against Owen Sound.

After wining last Friday, 2-0 in Kingston, the Whalers split the other two games in Eastern Ontario.

Last Saturday, the Whalers ran in the OHL's best goaltender in losing , 3-1, to Belleville.
Mike Murphy - a Carolina Hurricanes draft choice - stopped 49-of-50 Plymouth shots en route to the win. Paul Svoboda of the Belleville Intelligencer has the story.

On Sunday, the Whalers bounced back to defeat Ottawa, 7-3. The game featured a bizarre goal scored by Plymouth's Vern Cooper, who scored a shorthanded goal from his own goal line.
Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun has the story