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KenitohMenara · 05-12-2019, 05:39 AM

Game 72 -

Vancouver Whalers vs Anchorage Armada Armada

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Final Score: Whalers 4 - 2 Armada

Tale of the Tape:
Shots: Vancouver - 33/Anchorage - 29
Faceoff%: Vancouver - 51%/Anchorage - 49%
Powerplay: Vancouver - 2 on 3 Attempts/Anchorage 1 on 3 Attempts
PIM: Vancouver - 6/ Anchorage - 6
Hits: Vancouver - 17/ Anchorage - 13
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - 6/ Anchorage - 5

Preface:

The Vancouver Whalers travelled to Anchorage, hoping to bounce back after losing a heartbreaking shoot-out game against the Detroit Falcons (4-3 Shootout loss) while the Armada is looking to build on their momentum after a tense 4-3 victory at home over Anaheim. The Armada is still trying to find their new identity after losing some of their key pieces in the offseason and having to sign and play 8 rookies (3 drafted while 5 were free agents). A tense game was set for these two franchise as both fancies themselves as contenders for the four-star cup this year and in future seasons. A clash near the top of the SMJHL began.

First Period:

Right out of the gate, it was a hotly contested affair. Both sides played with passion and drive as they tried to get the first goal. Despite the Armada leading in shots this period, it would be the Whalers who would get on the board first. On the Armada's powerplay, Aaron Wilson would take a stretch pass from Joe Ackroyd to score short-handed for his 4th of the season. The momentum quickly shifted though as 17 seconds later, Spencer Maclean would deflect Brock Emmerton's shot in order to level the score at 1 apiece. It was Maclean's 3rd goal of the season. The period would continue with more passion and fire but the score would remain level

Vancouver 1 - 1 Anchorage

Second Period:

Whatever drive the Armada had in the first period seemed to disappear as the Whalers would tack on another 2 goals in the period. The inexperienced rookies on the Armada could not keep up with the Whalers on key plays which lead to those goals. Jax Duggan would score his second of the season on the powerplay as Cannellini would steal the puck of Emmerton, passing it to Cullen Gray who gave the wide open Duggan all the time he needed to score to make it 2-1. Late in the period, The whalers would strike hard and fast against the tired Armada defence and despite Peter Larson's play, Aaron Wilson would bury a shot in the back of the net to make the score 3-1 for his 2nd of the game and his 5th of the season. The Armada needed to find their fire again if they were going to Salvage this game.

Vancouver 3 - 1 Anchorage

Third Period

A glimmer of light appeared from the Armada as rookie Darnell Johnson would get his first ever SMJHL goal. Alongside Captain Olivier Cloutier and Xena, the rookie could collect the rebound off Cloutier's shot and score to pull the Anchorage within 1. The first 10 minutes on the whole were a much better showing for the Armada but the inexperienced rookies couldn't keep the pressure going and no other good chances were created by the Armada. Sami Raanta's tally late in the third round (his 7th of the season) was just more salt in the wound as the Whalers would control the remaining of the game in order to finish the game on top. More lessons to be learned for the Armada rookies and despite some spirited performances, their play was marred by the inconsistency that had plagued them all season. A lot of questions needed to be answered as the Whalers celebrated in Anchorage.

Stars of the Game:

Whalers

Aaron Wilson - 1st Star (2 Goals)
Armada

Darnell Johnson - 2nd Star (1st SMJHL goal)
Whalers

Cullen Gray - 3rd Star (2 Assists)

**(645 Words)**

Bruins10 · 05-13-2019, 03:28 PM

FIRST LINE DOMINANCE
Capped players in the Juniors make a huge difference in the SMJHL. Especially when it comes to creating a teams first line. The difference tonight could have been the fact that the first line of the Whalers had a total of 4 points whereas the Armada only had 2 points on their top 3 forwards. Along with 8 shots and 5 hits for the top line of the Whalers, they asserted their dominance on the game and made sure that they carried their team into victory for Game 72. Surprisingly though, the first line of the Armada had a great night, registering 10 shots on goal aswell as 5 hits. The Whalers were aware of the talent that the Armada had on their starting 3 and di what they had to do to keep them off the scoresheet as much as possible.

TheFlash · 05-14-2019, 12:54 PM

1) Ah, a good old fashioned goalie matchup! Two of the top goalies in the league, Casimir Stevens and Peter Larson went toe to toe in this one. Stevens got the upper hand in this one, as the Whalers went on to win 4-2. I believe that Casimir Stevens' performance and special teams were the difference makers in this one. Stevens is no stranger to playing great and winning games, and the powerplay of the Whalers finally clicked after a lot of tweaking in the lineup.
Let's have a closer look at those two factors in this big win for the Vancouver Whalers
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2) Casimir Stevens. What a man, what a goalie! Another classic, textbook game from the Canadian turned Czech netminder. The Armada threw everything they had at him, but it just wasn't enough. As the, arguably, top goalie in the minors, Stevens is counted on by his team to play like this each time he steps on the ice. This is exactly the game he needs to have in the playoffs to steal a few for the Whalers. A .931 save percentage, just stone cold robbed the Armada of any points in this one. Big games like this prove time and time again why Stevens is the GOAT

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3) In many games, the power play is the difference for the winner. This was no exception, as the Vancouver Whalers went two for three with the man advantage. I know the Whalers had a lot of trouble early on with their power play. They just couldn't get it to click. The coaching staff made a lot of changes, and something they did here worked as it was a big difference maker for them in this one. Any good team needs to score on the powerplay and the Whalers did a great job with it here. The Armada also scored on the powerplay, but despite having equal chances, they did not have equal conversions with the man advantage and that was the difference maker of the day!
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***Gwdjohnson*** · 05-16-2019, 12:47 PM

Comment #1: Energized Hockey
Very often in the SMJHL you will see games where one team is clearly out-working and out-playing the opposition, but this game was quite the opposite. Both teams were ready to go out and give their all in order to get the two points for their teams today. Vancouver put up 33 shots, while the Armada got 29, in a game where speedy breakouts into each other's zones were the name of the game. Both sides were not afraid to play the body either, as both teams combined for 30 hits altogether. They also took 3 minor penalties each, which ended up being an important factor in the match.

Comment #2: Misfiring Anchorage Heavyweights
Anchorage are so used to scintillating performances from their star duo of Xena and Cloutier by now, to the point where it seems disappointing when they do not steal the show in a game. Both forwards known for strong play on both ends of the ice, there was not as much of that good play on either end from both of them. They got an assist each, but in general struggled to have an impact. The duo, and linemate Eko van Otter, combined for 10 out of the Armada's 29 shots, but none of them could find the net.

Comment #3: Goaltending on Display
Casimir Stevens was very impressive in goal for the Whalers on the day, saving 27 of the 29 shots that Anchorage threw at him. He had to face 10 shots from the Armada's threatening top line, but he denied all 10. Despite allowing a goal on an Anchorage powerplay, Stevens denied the Armada on 2/3 of their man advantages. Peter Larson did not look very impressive in the stat column, with a .879 save % after allowing 4 goals on 33 shots, but he also played quite well, with half of those goals coming on Whalers power-plays. If both goalies weren't on top form today, we could have seen twice as many goals on the night.

nubbedindaribs · 05-18-2019, 01:13 PM

Comment #1:

Post game interview with Aaron Wilson

Aaron, you were on your game tonight. 2 goals and 2 assists to lead the Whalers over the Armada. Where did a performance like this come from?

Uh yeah you know I think everyone played really well. All lines were going and I think Anchorage was uh leaving gaps all over the ice and not chasing after pucks as hard as they should've been. I think we uh really out worked them this game and it uh worked out for us.

That first goal of yours was highlight reel worthy. Walk us through how it went down.

Yeah it was a great win by Kerrsy there and he won it back right to me and I saw some net over the blocker and I ripped it.

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Comment #2:

Impressive Performance by Casamir Stevens

After a rough start to the season veteran goaltender Casamir Stevens is starting to come into true form. Stopping 27 of 29 he stood tall in net. He was seeing pucks all night and gobbling up any shots, not giving an opportunity for the Armada to cash in on a rebound. If the Whalers can ride this hot glove they're going to put themselves in a good position to succeed later in the season and potentially in the post season. That is: unless Casamir gets called up. Then the Whalers will see what their newly drafted goalie Kasperi can do.

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Comment #3:

Bobby Bobcalf Dominates on the Dot

Center isn't what Vancouver Whaler rookie sniper Bobby Bobcalf is used to, but he always steps up to the occasion. Tonight was one of those situations. He was tasked with facing the best of the best in the playoff circle and he came out with a 100% face off percentage. With success like that, will Bobby Bobcalf consider a move to the center position. Or will he stay at wing and only impose his will on weaker faceoff participants when the time is truly dire. (Editor's note: Bobby Bobcalf went 1 for 1 in the faceoff circle)

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Le_Kris · 05-23-2019, 07:51 AM

Comment #1

“Step right up, step right up we have fun for a whole family.” That might be the headline for first period in this game here. First Theo Morgan with penalty for tripping. Minute in to power play for Armada and what a disaster and shorthanded goal for Whalers and Aaron Wilson is the hero of the game at least at this moment he is. 18 seconds later and Armada ties the things up with Spencer MacLean scoring and Brock Emmerton assist to tie things up in this game. Things are even after first half with 1:1 on the boards. Have to say that Armada is leading this game with shots so far.

Comment #2
Rivalry at it’s finest here. A lot of power play opportunities, a lot of shots on goals. Casimir Stevens and Peter Larson had full hands of work in this game. Stevens with 27 saves from 29 shots and overall record of 6-2-1. While on the opponents side Peter Larson had little bit work to do. He faced 33 shots and saved 29 of them. Stating a record of 8-4-3. have to say that Aaron Wilson was the one disappointing Larson twice in this game. Wilson was awarded first star of the game. No one of the goalkeepers played their best and didn’t get recognized as one of three stars of the game.

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