Whalers Gain Split

The Plymouth Whalers celebrate double overtime win in game two of Western Conference Final

Few expected anything different in the playoff series between the London Knights and the Plymouth Whalers.  Every inch of ice comes with some pain.  The double overtime win by the Whalers in game two at Budweiser Gardens gives home ice advantage to Plymouth.  A power play goal by Rickard Rakell at 10:16 of the 2nd overtime ended a tough afternoon for all players.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 58 saves in game two

Tom Wilson gave the 9,016 fans at Budweiser Gardens a good look at an NHL top-six forward in the making.  He scored the first three Whaler goals including the tying goal with just 21 seconds left in regulation time.  The 6' 4" Wilson has improved his speed, mobility and puck handling since being taken in the 1st round of the NHL draft by the Washington Capitals (16th overall) last year.

What might be surprising about the Knights and Whalers is who is stopping the pucks.  At the start of the regular season few would have imagined the Whalers would be relying on Parma, Ohio native Alex Nedeljkovic in goal.  Nedeljkovic forced his way into a starting role with a 19-2-1 record, a 2.28 GAA and a .923 save percentage.  His numbers are even better in the playoffs.

Anthony Stolarz save percentage in the playoffs is .944

Anthony Stolarz of the London Knights was a 2nd round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012. Few Knights fans had even heard of him at the start of the year.  His numbers are eye-popping in the playoffs (.944 save percentage) and he is playing like he relishes the challenge of backstopping a contending team.

Referee Sean Reid gets the word that Remi Elie scored the game one winner.