Sibling rivalry at the rink: Brothers tend nets in Herder hockey final
It will be brother versus brother when the Herder hockey finals are held this weekend in Clarenville.
A.J. Whiffen, 27, will be in net for the Harbour Grace CeeBee Stars. His younger brother Tyler, 20, is suiting up for the Clarenville Caribous, also as goalie.
"It adds a bit of fuel to the fire," A.J. told the St. John's Morning Show on Friday.
The brothers already have a Herder Memorial Trophy to their credit, from two years ago, when they both played for their hometown team, the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts.
Tyler Whiffen jokes that he got tired of playing backup to his big brother.
"Standing in his spotlight all the time."
When asked what will be key to winning the trophy, they disagree.
"Experience, of course," said A.J. "Last year, we did play against each other, one game, and that went right down to the third period, but experience prevailed."
"I'm climbing, I'm still climbing," his brother retorts. "He's played me once, and he's won once, so it's risky to brag."
The Caribous have the home ice advantage in the best of five series, which is tied at one game apiece. The series continues Friday at 8 p.m. and will go into Sunday, if necessary.
"I think it's going to go the distance," said Tyler. "It's not going to be easy and both teams are fighting for everything right now … it's just got the makings of a good series."
