skip navigation

Whalers Elite Sweeps Eels, Punch Return Ticket to USPHL Finals

By Whaler Nation, 02/27/17, 8:45PM EST

Share

Game 1 (5-4 WIN)

Round 2 of the USPHL Elite playoffs saw a rematch of last season’s USPHL Championship game, in which the Whalers won the title with a 3-2 win over the Florida Eels.  Despite a 50-22 advantage in shots, the Whalers found themselves down 4-3 with under 30 seconds left in the game before their never say die attitude prevailed in a 5-4 win.

Brendon Zack scored the game’s 1st two goals followed by Andriy Denyskin.  It was the league’s leading point scorer, Brandon Osmundson who came to the rescue with just .26 seconds left to tie the game, then the league’s leading goal scorer, John Moncovich who tallied the unbelievable game winning goal with just .03 seconds left.  Osmundson, Moncovich, Zack, and Billy Brock each had 2 assists in the game, as those 4 tallied every Whaler point but the Denyskin goal.  Zach Alvarado made 18 saves for his 1st Elite level playoff victory.

The Whalers held the shot advantage 50-22.  Hampton Roads went 1 for 4 on the power play, while the Florida Eels went 1 for 2.

Game 2 (4-2 WIN)

In game 2, the Whalers offensive onslaught continued, as the boys jumped out to an easy 3-0 lead mid-way through the game before the Eels push began.  With 13:34 left in the 2nd the Eels finally got on the board and made a big offensive push, but Whalers goalie Zach Alvarado denied every attempt that came his way after, as the Whalers tacked on an empty net goal late in the 3rd, and the Eels didn’t dent the armor of Alvarado until just .32 seconds remained in the game, as the Whales took the 4-2 win and weekend sweep.

4 different Whalers scored goals, as Tyler Besner, Andriy Denyskin, John Moncovich, and Brandon Osmundson all found the back of the net.  Liam Walsh, Seamus O’Kane, Brendon Zack, and Brandon Osmundson each posted a helper.  Zach Alvarado made 22 saves for back to back playoff wins.

The Whalers held a 33-24 advantage in shots.  Hampton Roads went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Florida Eels went 1 for 5.

USP3 Swept in Charlotte

After a hard fought round 1 battle in Richmond, the Whalers USP3 team was eliminated at the hands of the 2nd seed Charlotte Rush on Thursday and Friday by scores of 5-1 and 8-3.  In game 1, the Whalers just couldn’t muster any momentum, as Cody Wilson tallied the lone goal in the 5-1 loss.  In game 2, the Whalers again struggled to find their footing, and were done in by 15 Charlotte power play opportunities, 5 of which they converted in a 8-3 loss.  Cole Helgemo, Caelan Bolanowski, and Matthew Hanchon scored the Whalers goals.

What's on Tap?

The Whalers will get a week to rest and prepare for a return trip to Boston for the USPHL finals as the Whalers look to defend last season’s USPHL Elite Championship starting on Wednesday March 8th.  The team will be joined by the Charlotte Rush in the South, along with 2 yet to be determined teams from both the Mid-West and North divisions to make up the championship 6.  After a round robin event on Wednesday and Thursday, the remaining 4 teams with play a semi-final, with the two winning teams playing a best of 3 final Friday through Sunday.  As more information is released, we will post a Finals preview.