Doyle: Whalers even up series with Greyhounds

In what was the closest thing to a must-win game at this early stage of the 2010 Ontario Hockey League playoffs, the Plymouth Whalers got the job done on home ice against Sault Ste. Marie.

Tyler Seguin was among five Plymouth players to score as the Whalers defeated the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 5-2 Saturday night. The series is all tied at one with the next two games being played in Sault Ste. Marie. The Greyhounds won the series opener Friday night in Plymouth. AJ Jenks, Joe Gaynor, Phil McRae and former Greyhounds forward James Livingston added singles in the victory. Former Whaler Vern Cooper, along with Jake Carrick replied for the Greyhounds. Plymouth goalie Matt Hackett was pulled after the first period after he earned a roughing double-minor late in the opening frame, where he also allowed one goal on 12 shots. Scott Wedgewood took over for the final 40 minutes, surrendering one goal on 14 shots.

The Saginaw Spirit bounced back from an overtime loss Friday night in Kitchener by picking up a 3-1 home ice victory against the Kitchener Rangers to even that OHL Western Conference Quarterfinal series. Anthony Camara, Jordan Skellett and Barry Sanderson (into an empty net) scored for the Spirit while Michael Catenacci had the lone goal for the Rangers. Kitchener was 0-for-8 on the powerplay in the game compared to Saginaw's 1-for-6 mark with the extra man.

The Barrie Colts are the first team to win a second game in their series after a 2-1 win in Sudbury. The road victory comes after opening the series with an 11-4 win Thursday night in Barrie. Every goal in this game was scored on the powerplay - Alexander Burmistrov and Bryan Cameron for the Colts along with John McFarland for Sudbury.

tdoyle@loosepucks.com
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