Tonight at the Harry Jerome Rec Centre, the North Vancouver Wolf Pack look to wrap up the month of October in winning fashion when they play host to the White Rock Whalers in the very first meeting of the season between these two clubs.
White Rock Whalers
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Jason Rogers
Record: 8-6-1-0
Away Record: 5-3-0-0
Last Game: A 6-5 road win in Aldergrove on October 27.
Goals For/Goals Against: 51GF / 50GA (+1)
Power Play: 12/33 (36.36%)
Penalty Kill: 12/41 (70.3%)
Leading Scorers: Chris Fortems (13GP – 6G – 13A – 19PTS), Matthew Burry (11GP – 8G – 7A – 15PTS), Samuel Dowell (13GP – 4G – 7A – 11PTS)
“Butch” La Roue
Since the Whalers joined the Pacific Junior B Hockey League (PJHL) in 2018, Francis “Butch” La Roue has been a defensive stalwart for the franchise. A vocal leader, La Roue, 20, played in his 100th PJHL game – all with the Pod – on October 16. La Roue has been a solid player over the years for the Whalers and has 6 points in 15 games this season. He will be missed when the season ends and he is too old to play, but for now he plans on helping his team in any way that he can.
Tough Swimming
The Whalers have not won a game in regulation since Tuesday, October 19 when they beat the Port Moody Panthers 6-3. Since then the team has played 3 more games posting a 1-2-0-0 record with that win coming in a shootout against the Aldergrove Kodiaks. The Whalers started off their season 3-0-0-0 and although they haven’t been that successful lately the team hopes that will soon change and with a game tonight they would love to add another game to their win column.
NORTH VANCOUVER WOLF PACK
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Matt Samson
Record: 12-1-0-1
Home Record: 4-1-0-1
Last Game: A 7-1 road victory over the Surrey Knights on October 28.
Goals For/Goals Against: 65GF / 27GA (+38)
Power Play: 14/61 (22.95%)
Penalty Kill: 5/44 (88.64%)
Leading Scorers: JJ Pickell (14GP – 15G – 6A – 21PTS), David Coyle (13GP – 9G – 11A – 20PTS), Alex Binette (14GP – 4G – 13A – 17PTS)
The ‘man’
In 13 games this season Mr. Penman has 9 goals and 4 assists for a total of 13 points. Corson currently averages 1 point a game and is a reliable player who can play at both ends of the ice. Penman is also a leader on this team and that is something that he does not take lightly. Expect Corson to have another dominant performance as he and his team take on the struggling White Rock Whalers.
Hunting Early
The Pack have won their last eight games. In seven of those eight games they have scored the first goal of the game. Scoring the first goal is always important, but it has greatly benefited the Pack this season and if they can get the lead in the game tonight then they are in a great spot to win the hockey game.
COMPARISON:
When you look at the matchup between these two clubs, the Pack lead in all of the categories. It is the Whalers who have played an extra game, but it is the Pack that has a much nicer record. It is important to note that the Wolf Pack is 6-1-1-0 against the Whalers over the last five seasons. Despite this stat and the many others that favour the Pack, no team should ever be taken lightly in the PJHL.
