Whitby uses big second period to beat Burlington, 6-0
(pictured - Whitby's Patrick McAuliffe was named the Player of the Game during a 6-0 victory over Burlington - photo credit: Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)
The Whitby Fury scored four goals in the second period to pull away from the Burlington Cougars and clinch a 6-0 win.
Matt Fischer had two goals and two assists to lead Whitby. Fischer scored the first of his two goals at 10:36 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Whitby. Mitch Emerson assisted on the tally. Fischer's next tally made the score 4-0 Whitby with 5:23 left in the second period. Patrick McAuliffe provided the assist.
The Fury put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Burlington to score on any of its five power plays. Whitby's defensive play was more effective than usual against the Cougars. The Fury average 2.3 goals allowed per game. Whitby forced Burlington goalie Evgueni Makarski to work between the pipes, taking 46 shots. The Fury got an offensive boost from their blueliners, who contributed three goals during the game.
Whitby also got points from McAuliffe, who also finished with two goals and one assist. Others who scored for Whitby included Scott Kirton and Daniel Barnes, who each put in one. More assists for Whitby came via Zack Elson and Ryan Kirkup, who contributed one each and Jonathan OHara, Jeremy Wu, and Davis Kuksis, who each chipped in two.
The Cougars could not produce up to their normal offensive output. Burlington averages 2.7 goals per game. The Cougars' offense were handcuffed by Whitby's defensive play, and Burlington managed only 13 shots on goal during the game. The Cougars struggled to stay out of the sin bin throughout the game as they finished the game with 28 penalty minutes for nine opposing power plays.
Tyler Feaver recorded 13 saves for the Fury. Whitby ended with 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. Team's Mitchell Burghardt and Emerson were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. Evgueni Makarski made 40 saves for Burlington on 46 shots. The Cougars ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Matt Holmes was ejected from the game.
