S30: A Look Back presents the 4th episode of the year, and we're looking to brighten you spirits some after the last edition covered a loss. This time around, we're looking at the Game 121 contest between Montreal and Vancouver on our ice.

Season to Date
This was the 5th meeting between these two teams on the year, so at this point, trends are really starting to surface. In the first 4 games, it was the Militia taking the win 3 times, to Vancouver's lone win. Not only were 3 of them defeats, but the Whalers couldn't force extra time in any of those losses, losing out on at least gaining a single point on occasion. The whalers had been outscored 7 to 16, their PP was only scoring on 13.33% of their opportunities (the lowest percentage against all teams in the league), and the PK was only at a 68.4% success rate (again, lowest against all teams in the SMJHL).

Needless to say, this has been a series which was dominated by the Militia pretty handily thus far. Montreal was dominating in ever facet of special teams, and stymieing Vancouver in 5 on 5 play. But, in tonight match up, the Whalers were able to figure out a way to win the special teams battle, and with it, the game. Let's see how it happened:

<center> Montreal Militia 1 at Vancouver Whalers 2</center>

Highlights

<center> Period 1, 0:04: Goal by VAN

Vancouver didn't waste any time in making a statement in this game</center>
If there's one way to flip the script on an opponent who has had your number over the course of the season, it's to go ahead and score in under 5 seconds on home ice. Ross won the face off back to Connor MacDonald, who skated in on Jeff Kirkstone, ripping the puck over his shoulder. The shock and awe repercussions of such a goal were strong... driving Kristofer Hallfredsson to a hooking penalty a mere 11 seconds later. The Whalers didn't convert on it, but it was clear that their opponents were on their backs immediately-

<center> Period 1, 2:52: Goal by MTL

Montreal Struck back quickly, but they never truly regained their usual form...</center>
Winning faceoffs proved to be a large factor in this game. While the Militia's goal didn't come as a direct result as Vancouver's had, it allowed them to start the play which led to the score. Marcos Maciel won the face off against Frankie Latta while filling in for the ejected Zach Zyvleski... which started a series of passes which ended in a shot by Zach Zyvleski. Whaler goal tender Maximilian Wehner saved the initial shot, but was unable to collect the rebound. The loose puck was scooped up by sniper Nolan Angello, whose quick shot was too much for Wehner to handle. So ended the scoring in the first period... but there was still a dramatic moment worth mentining to come...

<center>Period 1, 19:58: Penalty on MTL

Nerokov couldn't help but try and get his team going with a big hit with seconds left in the period... his teammates just wish he hadn't used his stick in the process.</center>
Despite drawing even, Montreal made their displeasure clear, with Viktor Nerokov committing a high sticking penalty with merely 2 seconds left in the period. An entirely unneeded penalty, at a foolish point in the game.

<center> Period 2, 0:04: Goal by VAN

It worked so well the first time, why not try it again?</center>
So here we were, 1 period in the books, and the Whalers had kept the Militia at bay, which had clearly been frustrating for them. As the puck was about to drop for the 2nd period (albeit down a man this time), they had no idea how frustrated they would soon be... Again, Ross won the face off back to Connor MacDonald, who again skated into the Montreal zone, and yet again, drew down on Kirkstone. You'd think after being beaten earlier in the game, Kirkstone might expect the same move coming- since this was the exact same situation... But alas, he was caught unaware yet again, and it was another lightning strike goal for Vancouver. Yet again- how did MTL respond? Poorly, again- 11 seconds later, another hooking penalty, this time by Ilmari Maatta.

The effect of the first goal on Montreal was clear enough as it was, while the second Vancouver goal took any remaining drive out of the legs and sticks of the Militia. They'd play out the rest of the game, going through the motions, but there was never any real threats after the fact. Vancouver was able to lock down 5 on 5 play, and even saw a 100% success rate on the PK, as the Militia were clearly ready to head back to their own building to lick their wounds. So expired the final buzzer with a 2-1 score line in favor of your home town Whalers.

Our 3 Stars
The 3 stars from the game are mostly derived from who racked up the stats. We like to look at a bigger picture, so our 3 stars don't always align perfectly with the stat sheet's suggestions. This week, it was these guys who made the real difference:

3. Brynjar Tusk - Tusk didn't show up on the score sheet in a way that makes one think third star right away... with no shots, a -1 rating, and no shots blocked- but his physical play kept the air out of the lungs of the Montreal Militia attack. Posting 5 hits in just under 20 minutes of ice time, he made his presence felt often. Honorary mentions go out to Farris and Llewellyn for also bringing physicality to the ice- but with both serving a penalty, they put their team in a compromising position.


2. Jon Ross - It was Ross' prowess in the face off dot which put his teammates in a position to succeed. Posting an impressive 21 of 31 in the dot (good for 67.7%), he consistently helped the Whalers dominate possession, and keep their opponents shots to a minimum. His 2 assists on opening face offs were pivotal in the win.


1. Connor MacDonald - A perfect 100% shooting percentage, notching his 2 goals on only 2 shots. His ability to convert on the opportunities he had earned him the first star on this evening, and fully deserved.