The Erie Otters won back-to-back games for the first time this season in a 3-2 victory over the Niagara Ice Dogs at Tullio Arena Friday night.Three second period goals by the Otters, including two on the man advantage, were the key for the Otters in taking their second straight win at home.
Down 1-0 after the first period, the Otters capitalized on the power play 1:50 into the second. Greg McKegg tried to stuff in a turnaround shot that IceDogs goaltender Petteri Simila stopped, but could not cover as David Broll found the loose puck and jammed it in the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Michael Limabas made his presence felt in his return to the lineup with his physical play, but he contributed offensively as well. The enforcer made a nifty pass from the left corner that deflected off the tape of Matthew Paton's stick in the slot past Simila for Paton's second of the season at 5:08.
Otters captain Zack Torquato drew a penalty late in the period, and made the IceDogs pay quickly 17 seconds later. Andrew Yogan camped behind the net and found Torquato for a one-timer at the bottom of the left circle at 15:17 for Torquato's fourth goal of the season.
The IceDogs made things interesting with just over six minutes remaining with a goal by Andrew Agozzino that trimmed the deficit to one, but the Otters held off the late rush by the IceDogs to secure their first regulation victory at Tullio Arena this season.
Ramis Sadikov was terrific in his second straight start, turning aside 27 out of 29 IceDogs shots for his second win of the season. The Otters power play went 2-for-6, and the penalty kill was a perfect 6-for-6.
The Otters return to action tomorrow night for their third annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a pink Otters jar opener, courtesy of Hansen's Errand Service. For tickets, call 814-452-4857, online at ticketmaster.com, or stop by the Tullio Arena box office.
Hockey for the Hungry returns to Tullio Arena! Bring a non-perishable food item to the Otters office, Hungry Howie's Pizza or Chiropractic Fitness and receive a free ticket to Wednesday's game against the Guelph Storm! It's also Buck Night with dollar hot dogs, popcorn and beverages! For more information on Hockey for the Hungry, visit ottershockey.com.
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