Elite Sweeps Jr. Flyers

Friday 6-2 WIN

The Whalers scored quick and scored often on Friday night, meeting little resistance from the Jr. Flyers in route to a 6-2 win. Roman Gaudet led the charge on offense with a hat-trick, 2 of which were on the power play. Veteran Billy Brock had 1 goal and a team best 4 assists. John Moncovich and Vaden McManus also found the back of the net and veteran rear-guard Brendan Zack tallied 3 assists. Nathan Cleghorn improved to 2-0 in the pre-season with 21 saves.

Saturday 4-2 WIN

Saturday nights script looked much the same as Friday night, as the Whalers controlled play for much of the night, leading 3-0 and 4-1 before settling in for the 4-2 win, the teams 4th straight victory to wrap up the pre-season. Billy Brock tallied 2 more goals, Brandon Osmundson and Colton Seeman also scored. Brendan Zack and Roman Gaudet had 2 assists each and Zach Alvarado stopped 35 of 37 shots in goal for the win in net.

Elite Pre-Season Wrap-up

The Whalers finished the pre-season with a 4-1-0 record against EHL competition, winning 4 in a row after dropping the first contest to the Philadelphia Revolution. The Whalers Penalty Kill unit shinned, finishing the post season without allowing a short-handed goal after finishing last season with the worst kill unit in the league. The Whalers Power Play continued to impress, picking up another 4 power play markers this past weekend. Roman Gaudet paced the team with 7 goals, Billy Brock led with 8 assists and 11 points, and John Moncovich paced the team in +/- with a plus 6 rating.

USP3 Drops Pair of Close Contests

Friday 3-2 Loss

The Whalers started fast on Friday night, opening up a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play on goals from Caelan Bolanowski and Ryan Lorenz, but in a span of 45 seconds in the second period that lead would evaporate and the Flyers would tack on a breakaway goal with under 10 seconds left in the middle frame to hang on for the win, handing the Whalers their 1st loss of the pre-season. Max Loga, Collin Markoski, and Gary Eastlack tallied assists. Everett Yasinski was solid in net, taking the loss with 37 saves.

Saturday 3-1 Loss

On Saturday, the two teams played a tight checking game which ended scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Once again the 2nd period proved to be the Whalers downfall, as a few defensive miscues led to a trio of Flyers goals, including the 1st shorthanded goal surrendered by the Whalers in 5 pre-season games. Adam Campbell would tack on a 3rd period goal to bring the Whalers within two, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Whalers dropped their 2nd straight game. Cooper Gravel would tack on an assist. Jason Horn (9 saves) and Jackson Miller (11 saves) split time in goal.

Pre-Season Wrap-up

The Whalers USP3 team had a solid pre-season showing, finishing with a 3-2-0 record against EHL and NA3AHL competition. The Whalers Penalty Kill unit was very effective in the pre-season, finishing 18 for 19 (.947%) on the kill. The Whalers Power Play unit went 3 for 5 in Philadelphia, before slowing down this weekend at home against the Flyers, failing to convert on 4 attempts. Matthew Hanchon led the Whalers in goals with 5, Gary Eastlack led in both assists (4) and game winning goals (2), and trio of Whalers (Hanchon, Ryan Lorenz, and Colin Markoski) led the Whalers in +/- with a plus 4 rating.

What’s on Tap?

The Whalers begin their title defense against their I-95 rival, the Potomac Patriots, September 17th and 18th at the Chilled Ponds. The Patriots will look to rebound from a rough 2015-16 season, as the Elite team will look to rebound from a 7th place finish under new head coach Matt Little and the USP3 team will look to bounce back from a 11th place dead last showing under new coach Kyle Laughlin.

Saturday September 17th
USP3- 4:30pm
Elite- 7:30pm

Sunday September 18th
USP3- 9:30am
Elite- 12:30pm

Catch all the action at the Ponds or tune into www.fasthockey.com if you can’t make it out.