2009/2010 CBHL Bantam National Division Champions
The Hampton Roads Whalers Bantam AA team wrapped up a long, hard journey Sunday morning in Laurel, MD as they were crowned 2009/2010 CBHL Bantam National Division Champions. The Whalers faced a long time rival in the #1 seed Richmond Royals. The Whalers frustrated the Royals from the drop of the puck en route to a 4-2 victory. After a scoreless 1st period that saw solid goaltending at both ends, Whalers forward Mitchell Shelton converted a rebound in front of the Richmond net, notching his 5th goal of the season from Shawn Ziegler at the 14:30 mark of the 2nd period to put the Whalers ahead 1-0. The Whalers then killed off a crucial 4 minute Royals power play, followed by another 2 minute Royal power play, as the penalty killers stifled the potent Richmond offense, not allowing them to get set up. In the 3rd period the Royals would knot the game up at 1-1 when Brandon Mills converted a rebound in front of outstretched goalie Trevor Davis from Max Pfaffenberger at 11:32. The Whalers wasted little time regaining the lead as Kaleb Willis converted his 30th goal of the season on a 2 on 1 rush with captain Jonathon Jones 33 seconds later to put the Whalers back up by one. With Joel Naylor off for holding at 8:03, Richmond would tie the game at the 6:53 mark of the period on the power play when Brendan Williams drove home an unassisted marker to make it 2-2. The relentless Whalers offense motored on as Nathan Kanter picked up his 33rd of the season at 3:03 from Jonathon Jones. With only 1:07 remaining Kanter picked up his 34th from Kaleb Willis on a wrap around goal to take away any hope of a Richmond comeback. The Whalers clogged up the Royals the rest of the way and held on for the 4-2 win. Trevor Davis was spectacular in goal, stopping 23 Richmond shots. Royal’s goalie Trevor Dyke took the loss with 14 saves.
Next Up: The Whalers will face the Royals in a best of 3 series in the PVAHA Virginia State Championships. The winner will represent the state of Virginia at the USA Hockey National Championships in New Jersey.
Game Notes: Whalers defenseman Jordan Byrne will be lost for the rest of the season after suffering a fractured patella in Saturday’s semi-final.