Plymouth advances to Memorial Cup semi-final

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Whalers defeat MAINEiacs; advance to semi-final contest VANCOUVER, Thursday, May 24, 2007 – The Whalers’ offence was on full display this evening at the Pacific Coliseum as Plymouth sent the MAINEiacs on a flight home thanks to a 5-1 win. The Whalers will now face the Vancouver Giants in the MasterCard Memorial Cup semi-final tomorrow night.

The Whalers put pressure on Lewiston backstop Jonathan Bernier right from the start, managing three shots on goal in the first thirty seconds of play. Tom Sestito was the first to capitalize as he beat the Lewiston goaltender between the pads at 5:39 of the inaugural period to put the Whalers up by a goal. James Neal then doubled the Whalers’ lead by scoring his fourth marker of the tournament with a gorgeous slap shot that found the back of the Lewiston net.

The MAINEiacs got a few good opportunities in the late stages of the opening frame while Evan Brophy was serving a two-minute penalty for roughing, but Whalers’ goaltender Michal Neuvirth closed the door.

Clément Jodoin was forced to go to back-up goaltender Peter Delmas at the start of the second period due to an ankle injury to starter Jonathan Bernier. The MAINEiacs could never get on track in this do or die contest. Forward Evan Brophy put Plymouth up by three goals at 14:30 of the second period to put the game out of reach. James Neal and Tom Sestito were credited with assists.

Simon Courcelles scored the lone Lewiston goal while James Neal and Tom Sestito added markers for the Whalers. Sestito was named the game’s first star. “We worked hard tonight and we never panicked even while we were down by a goal in the late stages of our last game against the MAINEacs,” commented Sestito. “I have to give all the credit to my teammates. They did all the work on both of my goals.”

Lewiston MAINEiacs bench boss Clément Jodoin congratulated his players. “I’m very proud of them and of our season,” he said. “We built this organization from the ground up, with sound draft choices. We didn’t make any trades prior to the deadline. We missed a few opportunities to reach the final, but we couldn’t convert on any of our chances. I wish the best of luck to the three remaining teams in this tournament.”

On Friday, the Plymouth Whalers will face the Vancouver Giants in the semi-final game at 5:00 PT / 8:00 ET on Rogers Sportsnet, RDS and INSINC. The winner will then battle the Medicine Hat Tigers in the MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship game, which is scheduled at 1:00 PT / 4:00 ET on Sunday.

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