The Hampton Roads Whalers Bantam AA team kicked off its 2010/2011 season with a weekend split against the visiting Metro Maple Leafs. In game one of the weekend the Whalers dropped a 5-3 decision to the Leafs. The Whalers held a 2-0 in the 2nd period off goals from Zach McDaniel, assisted by Jonathon Darrow and Logan Smith and Regen Cavanagh on the power play assisted by Nick Mueller. Metro struck back with 5 minutes remaining in the 2nd period to cut the Whalers lead to 2-1. The Leafs would cash in 4 times in the 3rd period, at 12:30 and 10:55 to take the 3-2 lead. The Whalers responded by tying the game up at 3-3 at 9:32 when Cavanagh connected for his second of the night from Zach McDaniel. Metro struck right back at 8:17 and again at 5:13 to seal the comeback and the 5-3 win. Jack Herrick took the loss in net with 19 saves. The Leafs were 1 for 6 on the power play while the Whalers were 1 for 5.
In the second game of the weekend the Whalers were determined not to blow another two goal lead, putting together a complete 3 period team effort. In the 1st period Dylan Harris connected from Logan Smith to give the Whalers a 1-0 lead. The two teams played back and forth in the 2nd period and in the 3rd Jonathon Darrow picked up an unassisted marker at 7:28 to give the Whalers a 2-0 lead. The Whalers team defense continued to suffocate the Leafs offense, holding them to only 10 shots on goal. With 1 second left Regen Cavanagh buried an empty net goal from Caelan Bolanowski to seal the 3-0 victory. Zach Alvarado picked up his first shut out of the season in goal with 10 saves. The Whalers were 0 for 4 on the power play while the Leafs were 0 for 2.
Next up- The Whalers 1-1-0 in the CBHL take on the Richmond Royals this weekend 10/23 and 10/24 at the Chilled Ponds.