OHL Erie Otters

Resurgent Otters Return to Action

Published on October 22, 2008 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League return to action with three games in three days starting Thursday night in St. Catharines when they face the Niagara IceDogs. The Otters return home to start a two-game set, meeting the Saginaw Spirit Friday and the Kitchener Rangers Saturday in 7 p.m. games at the Tullio Arena.

Friday's game against the Spirit is sponsored by Taco Bell with the first 2,000 fans receiving a free cheese roll coupon. In addition, the first 2,000 fans into the game will also receive an Otters Team Photo Poster courtesy of Ice Center of Erie.

Saturday is Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Arlington Lawn Care as the Otters meet the Kitchener Rangers. The Otters will be sporting one-of-a-kind pink jerseys during the game as the team raises money and awareness during the annual event.

Tickets for both games are available at all Erie-area Ticketmaster locations, at the Civic Center Box Office, on-line at www.ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

The Otters enter weekend action winners of two of their last three games to move to 4-7-1-0 on the season. After a slow start to the season Zack Torquato has started to heat up with three goals and an assist in his last three games. The veteran Otters captain is now tied for fifth in team scoring with three goals and four assists for seven points in 10 games.

Thursday the Otters meet the IceDogs as they finish a stretch of games in which they will have played six of seven on the road. Niagara has struggled early in the season with a 3-6-1-3 record and have lost their last three games, including a 4-2 setback in Erie last Wednesday. Andrew Agozzino and Drew Schiestel share the team scoring lead for the 'Dogs with 14 points each. Agozzino has a club-high nine goals in 13 games while Schiestel leads the team with 12 assists in 12 games.

The game can be heard live on FOX Sports Radio AM 1330 The FAN and on-line at www.ottershockey.com (presented by the James H. Cross Company) beginning with the pre-game show at 7:15 p.m.

Friday night the Otters face the Saginaw Spirit in the first of four games between the two teams this season.

Saginaw started the season with a 7-4-0-0 record and arrive in Erie coming off a 4-2 win over the IceDogs on Saturday. Former Otters forward Jordan Skellett netted a goal in the victory to give him three goals and three assists for six points in five games with the Spirit this season.

Jack Combs was a 100-point getter a season ago and will be counted upon to duplicate his efforts this season. The overage forward missed the beginning of the season while attending the Colorado Avalanche Training Camp but has two goals and four assists for six points since his return. Tyler Murovich and Jordan Szwarz are Saginaw's early-season scoring leaders each with 12 points in 11 games.

The Kitchener Rangers visit Saturday for the second time this season. The two teams will hook up eight times in 2008-09 with the Otters attempting to win the season series for the first time since the 2001-02 season.

The Rangers enter this week's action (prior to a home game against Peterborough on Friday) coming off a 3-1 loss in London on Sunday to stand at 7-3-0-1 on the season.

Brandon Mashinter is establishing himself as the early season feel good story in Kitchener. The overage forward heads into weekend action tied for seventh in OHL scoring with nine goals and six assists for 15 points in 11 games after registering only 42 points in his first 190 OHL games. The fact that all 15 of his points have been delivered in the past eight games makes his one of the hottest offensive players in the League.

Erie Otters Mini-Ticket Packages are available to keep you in the action. Packages can be tailored to meet every fan's schedule and budget. Reserve your seats in six, 10 or 17-game packages and receive valuable benefits and special offers. Call the Otters Office at 814-455-7779 to purchase your package or for more information.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2008


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