Trick-Or-Treating at Compuware

By Brian Kalisher –

PLYMOUTH – It was quite a frightening sight Saturday evening at Compuware Arena as youngsters from around the area packed the concourse to take part in the Plymouth Whalers’ Trick-or-Treat Night.  As a new staffer for Michigan Hockey, I stopped by to check out the action and help pass out candy to the kids.

At Michigan Hockey, we try not to flaunt our creative genius too much.  However, when the idea was brought up to use hockey helmets in place of bowls when passing out candy, it was immediately agreed upon.

As ghosts and goblins stopped by our hockey helmet bowls to grab their favorite candy, the question quickly shifted from how much candy was acceptable to stuff into one’s Trick-or-Treat bag, to how long it had been since these helmets had been used.  And maybe even whose sweaty head they once laid upon.  As one kid put it, “we don’t want smelly suckers!” While some of the children tried to make off with the entire helmet full of candy, others cringed when attempting to pick out that one piece of candy that wasn’t touching any other surface besides the wrapper.

You could tell that plenty of hockey players were in attendance for the game. The hungry-for-candy youngsters were charging to our booth, eager to scoop up a handful or two. At one point, our stand-up Michigan Hockey sign was treated like the lone obstacle between a forward and an empty net. We can only hope that they show the same tenacity on the sidewalks today; go get that candy, hockey players in the great state of Michigan.

There were many interesting costumes on display.  However, it became apparent who was going to win best-dressed on this particular occasion – the fellas with the hockey jerseys on warming up at ice-level.  Yes, there was in fact a hockey game going on as well.

Even though the rink was buzzing with Halloween excitement, the Kingston Frontenacs were in town to square off against the Plymouth Whalers.  This marked the second time the two squads have met this season, with the Whalers coming out victorious 3-1 in their first meeting.  The Frontenacs were seeking to improve on a 2-10-2-1 record on the season.

The teams came out playing typical OHL-style physical hockey.  Both Plymouth and Kingston had powerplay opportunities midway through the first period that they could not capitalize on.  Finally, at 19:41 of the first, Dario Trutmann took advantage of the Whalers second power-play chance, netting his third goal of the season.

Kingston’s Trevor Morebeck knotted the game at 6:30 of the second period.  Morebeck’s goal concluded the scoring for both sides until 1:20 of the third period, when Rickard Rackell scored his sixth goal of the season sending the Whalers on to victory.  The win marked the second consecutive season sweep for the Whalers over the Frontenacs.

Goalie Matt Mahalak, who stopped 34 of the 35 shots he faced, picked up his fourth win of the season.  Garrett Meurs added an empty-netter with 30 seconds remaining. Another notable performance was Plymouth’s Stefan Noesen, who recorded three helpers.

It was a successful night for both the Plymouth Whalers and the spooky children who showed up to take part in Trick-or-Treat Night.  Michigan Hockey was happy to be able to stop by and take part in this event.  We sure hope that the candy was up to par for the children and nobody arrived at home with a “sweaty” piece of candy in his or her bag.  Happy Halloween!