PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The Plymouth Whalers broke open a scoreless first period with four goals in the second period and to defeat the Brampton Battalion, 4-2, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Friday night before 2,369 at Compuware Arena.
Plymouth improves to 20-13-5-3, good for 48 points and second place in the OHL West. The Whalers gained on first place Sarnia (24-15-0-3, 51 points), who lost, 5-1, on Friday in Kitchener. Brampton is now 19-18-3-4.
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Matt Mistele led the Whalers' attack as the game's first star with a pair of goals (team-leading 20th and 21st). Ryan Hartman (13th) and Tom Wilson (13th) scored a goal and an assist each while Vince Trocheck – playing his first game for the Whalers after being acquired in a trade with Saginaw on Thursday – contributed two assists. Matt Mahalak stopped 32-of-34 shots in goal for the Whalers to improve his record to 13-9-4-3.
Brenden Miller (6) and Brandon Robinson (9) replied for Brampton.
After Miller tied the game at 1-1 at 8:14 of the second period, the Whalers replied with three straight goals in the period – Hartman at 10:47, Mistele at 11:49 and Wilson on a power play at 19:20 – to lead, 4-1, and put the game away.
Plymouth outshot Brampton, 44-34.
The Whalers remain home Saturday night, hosting the Erie Otters at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena (6:45 pm, 88.1FM WSDP).
The Whalers played without Stefan Noesen, a first round pick of the Ottawa Senators, who is attending the Senators' NHL training camp. Rickard Rakell (first round pick of the Anaheim Ducks) is schedule to leave for Anaheim's camp on Saturday. Tom Wilson – a first round pick of the Washington Capitals – will leave Sunday for their training camp.