The Whalers Elite team had a tough time gaining traction on Saturday night as Carolina came out fast and physical, looking to avenge a sweep in Hampton Roads in September.  After a scoreless opening frame, the Eagles would open the scoring at 13:27 of the 2nd period, converting on a rebound in front.  With less than 2 minites left in the 2nd, the Whalers had a power play chance to tie the game, but it was the Eagles finding the shorthanded marker to go up 2-0.  With just 2 seconds left in the period the Whalers would draw within one, but were unable to find the net in the 3rd and fell 2-1.

James Rowe scored the lone goal for the Whalers.  Everett Yasinski stopped 29 shots in a losing effort.

Carolina held a 31-24 shot on goal advantage.  The Whalers finished 0 for 4 on the power play while Carolina was 0 for 3.

The fight for the top spot in the USPHL Premier Southeastern Conference heated up this weekend as the 1st place Eagles held a 2 point advantage on the 3rd place Whalers.  On Saturday both teams exchanged 1st period goals as the game would go 1-1 into the locker room.  In the middle frame the Whalers power play would give them a 2-1 lead just about 2 minutes in and a goal with under 5 minutes left gave them a 3-1 lead into the locker room.  In the 3rd, the Whalers would score just :48 seconds in and again in the final 2 minutes for a 5-1 win.

Nikita Anistratenko, Conner Hunt, Zach Zalar, Matthew Hanchon, and Jared Sanchez scored for the Whalers.  Trent Wydrowski and Nikita Anistratenko each had 2 assists while Jake Leone, Adam Toor, Brandon Leitz, Zach Zalar, and Geoff George each had 1.  Sean Dickson made 28 saves in a winning effort in goal.

The Whalers held a 37-29 shot on goal advantage.  Hampton Roads went 2 for 7 on the power play while Carolina was 0 for 3.

On Sunday, the Whalers were a different team.  They came out fast, and took the play to Carolina.  Just 3:50 into the 1st the Whalers would go up 1-0. At 9:37, they would score again and go into the locker room up 2-0.  In the 2nd period, the Whalers would score 3 more goals to go up 5-0 before Carolina finaly answered on a 5 on 3 power play to make it 5-1.  In the last 14 seconds of the period, the Whalers would score twice more to lead 7-1 after 40.  In the 3rd, the Whalers took their foot off the gas and allowed Carolina to score 3 times, but a 6 goal deficit would prove to be too much as the Whalers held on for the 7-4 win.

Caelan Bolanowski, Tanner Davis, Nolan Cavanagh, Shane Ziegler, Ryan Lorenz, Gary Eastlack, and Bryce Leger scored for the Whalers.  Cody Wilson, Noah Kramer, and Ty Brandt each has 2 assists while James Rowe, Michael Volmert, Justin Jiang, Tyler Dienna, and Nolan Cavanagh each had 1.  Everett Yasinski stopped 24 shots in a net for the win.

The Whalers held a 50-25 shot on goal advantage.  The Whalers finished 2 for 10 on the power play while Carolina was 2 for 5.

The Whalers Elite team finishes the 8 game road trip winning 7 of 8.

On Sunday, the Whalers didn’t have the same jump, as the Eagles controlled most of the first 2 periods of play.  Carolina took a 1-0 lead 7 minutes into the 1st before the Whalers tied it 1-1 late in the frame.  In the 2nd, the Eagles got a power play goal with under 5 minutes to play to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission.  In the 3rd, Carolina scored just under 4 minutes into the period to go up 3-1.   The Whalers continued to push, narrowing the lead to 3-2 at 8:39, but the continued offensive onslaught in the 3rd period wasn’t enough as the Whalers fell 3-2, losing for just the second time this season.

Hayden Knight and Matthew Hanchon each scored once for the Whalers.  John Horn, Zach Zalar, Conner Hunt, and Adam Toor each had 1 assist.  Zach Alvarado suffered his first loss of the year in goal with 22 saves.

The Whalers held a 34-25 shot on goal advantage.  Hampton Roads finished 2 for 6 on the power play while Carolina was 2 for 5.

The Whalers Premier team finishes the 8 game road trip winning 7 of 8.

After 8 games and more than a month on the road, the Whalers finally return home as they face off with the Potomac Patriots this weekend.

Saturday November 4th

Elite: 4:30pm

Premier: 7:30pm

Sunday November 5th

Elite: 9:30am

Premier: 12:30pm

Baker Street will before performing live before the Premier game and during the intermission.  Tickets are just $10 for the weekend at the door.  All youth players get in free when you wear your jersey.  If you can’t make it out, catch all the action live online in HD on HockeyTV.

The Whalers have signed 1998 defenseman Jake Leone from Bohemia, NY.  Jake will wear #5.

The Whalers have signed 1997 defenseman Riley Wagner from Washington, IL.  Riley will wear #3.

The Whalers have signed 1997 forward Hayden Knight from Las Vegas, NV.  Hayden will wear #20.

Forward John Moncovich returned from his stint with the Minnesota Wilderness in the NAHL and will return to the line-up this weekend against Potomac.