Login

Skeleton Party · 04-23-2020, 11:05 AM

Vancouver Whalers (13-15-1)

at

Colorado Raptors (11-18-2)

Stars of the Game

Marcus Ohlsson (VAN, 3 assists)
Chris Cerullo (COL, 1 assist)
Luke Spinelli (VAN, 1 goal/2 assists)

1st period

Vancouver has a chance to take a commanding lead over Colorado in the conference, and right off the bat they shoot themselves in the foot for the thousandth time with a penalty. This has been the Whalers’ major bugaboo this season, and they don’t disappoint. Going down 5 on 4, they wear themselves down on the PK for Hiroshi Ohira to kick down the door and open up a 1-0 game. The battle went back and forth for almost ten minutes before Slapskinnenen came back with a good shot to tie it up. The mysterious hero of the year for the Whalers, Luke Spinelli manages to sneak one through to end the period 2-1. This ends up being a fairly even period for both, and Vancouver is holding a tenuous lead 2-1.

2nd period

Hey look, it’s a Vancouver penalty, imagine that! Vancouver doesn’t have penalty problems at all! James Brown takes a penalty just a few seconds in to the stanza. The Whalers manage to kill it off ok, but Asts manages to snipe one home once 5 on 5 resumes, tying it up at two a piece. Figuring that they did fine on the last PK, William Hartmann decides to take another trip to the bin a few minutes after the equalizer. Colorado is able to capitalize when Bryce Turner lights the lamp on a nice feed from Sven Svenson, putting the Raptors in the lead 3-2 early in the period. Vancouver decided at that point to stop taking penalties, and with a little under 7 minutes left, Hartmann redeems himself with an even strength goal on a good feed from Ohlsson. This puts Spinelli and Ohlsson both at 2 points for the night and the game back to a tie.

3rd period

The Whalers don’t waste any time getting it rolling this period. Reinvigorated by their second chance at life, the Whalers send out the dream team of Tiberius Maximus, Luke Spinelli and Marcus Ohlsson, who put together a nice passing play and get the puck in the twine just two minutes into the period. Vancouver leads 4-3. Unable to go two minutes without being on the scoresheet somehow, Ohlsson takes an interference penalty two minutes later. There would be no powerplay goals this period however, as the Raptors and Whalers traded minor penalties up through the twelfth minute, but no one could get any offense going. Finally, down by one, the Raptors were forced to pull for an extra attacker. Unfortunately for them, Vancouver was up to the task. Making a nice little steal at the blueline, Tiberius Maximus was able to feed Hartmann, who dished it to Francois Breton for the nail-in-the-coffin empty-netter. Ohlsson had an amazing night with 3 points, and Maximus doubled his point total for the year, so some great solo performances this night. This puts a bit of breathing room between Vancouver and Colorado in the standings, so it was an important team win too.

(542)

Matty7478 · 04-23-2020, 12:34 PM

Penalties Mean Closer Games
The Whalers were in control of this game for the vast majority of the time. Scoring 5 goals is testament to this level of pressure and goal scoring ability that they possess. What they seem to lack however, is the ability to keep themselves out of trouble. 10 minutes worth of penalties is an above average tally - especially compared to the 2 racked up by their opponents today - although by itself is not a problem. However, the lack of a good penalty kill by the remaining Whalers during those 10 minutes led to 2 Powerplay goals for the Raptors. This game should not have been as close as it was come end of regulation and, if they don't solve the penalty problem, their season could take a wrong turn fast.

Giveaways? For Me? You Shouldn't Have!
The Raptors held a giveaway party tonight at the InGEN Center tonight. It was a small invite list, made up entirely of Vancouver players. Giving away the puck 9 times is a death knell at all levels of Ice Hockey. But to do it at the professional level is downright troubling for an already struggling Colorado team. Though they are still only 5 points behind Vancouver in the table - and put up a 3 goal effort offensively, which should give them heart - such a result will not help them towards their key objectives in this season. They have to do better.

Puck Movement Aficionado
As a person who tends to look for the pass first instead of seeking an open shot, I tend to marvel at the assisting genius of other players when I watch other SMJHL games. And what we saw today from Ohlsson was somewhat special. 3 assists in any situation is fantastic to see, and shows a time when a setup man is at his best. The teammates who scored from his goals - Spinelli, Hartmann and Maximus - all scored their lone goals during even strength. And while they did a good job to get open, it was the vision and ability of Ohlsson that pushed another win into the record for the Whalers today. A good job all round.

***hockeyiscool*** · 04-24-2020, 05:27 AM

Comment 1: Infographic

[Image: oZDGBWD.png]

Comment 2: Bryce Turner tries to do it all!

It seems that Colorado really has a core player that they work through and that player is Bryce Turner. This left defenseman tried to carry the load tonight. However his supporting cast was nowhere to be seen. It seems that every time Turner tried to give some of the younger guys a chance to make a difference in the game, the only difference was being made in the Whalers favor. Bryce really tried to put everything he had out there on the ice. He had one goal on five shots, one missed shot, was able to get his body in front of two of the Whalers shots and was the game leader in hits with three. Due to having the puck so many times and teammates that struggle to get open on the break-out. It is no surprise that Turner also has the title for the most give-aways in the game with three. Hopefully Turner can get support as the season progresses, but that looks unlikely.

Comment 3: Marcus Ohlsson setting the team up for success!

Marcus Ohlsson received the first star of the night award with three assists. This is a deep dive into those three goals. The first goal is a textbook offensive set play. Starting with a clean face off win in the offensive zone for Ohlsson. He kicks the puck back to Sven Yxskaft who wrists one from close to the blue line. Then Luke Spinelli deflects it out in front of the net for a goal! The second goal comes from Ohlsson from behind the net throwing a poor angled shot at the side of the net that gets deflected by William Hartmann! The third assist has a possession start from an errant pass from Noah Johns II that was intercepted by Slimy Snail. Slimy Snail passes the puck to Ohlsson who relays it over to Luke Spinelli along the corner boards. Spinelli then deals the puck to Tiberius Maximus between the circles who then sends a fluffernutter that finds it's way to the back of the net.

***Wally*** · 04-24-2020, 01:00 PM

Infographic
[Image: Game-7.jpg]

Steve · 05-06-2020, 09:52 PM

15/15

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us