The Erie Otters (8-9-2-1) came from behind in the third period for the first time this season, scoring four goals in the frame to skate past the Saginaw Spirit, 5-2, in the team's first morning start in franchise history.Mike Cazzola started the goal parade with his second goal of the game past Saginaw goaltender Edward Pasquale 5:13 into the final period. Captain Zack Torquato held the puck in front of Pasquale until the goalie was pulled out of position and passed it to Cazzola, who fired it into the empty net.
That goal opened the flood gates as Andrew Yogan netted two goals sandwiched between Greg McKegg's sixth goal of the campaign. Yogan scored the eventual game-winner at 11:12 after Spirit newcomer Michael Sgarbossa turned the puck over to Yogan in the slot, where the Floridian blasted it to the top corner of the net for his ninth goal of the season.
It was a back and forth game heading into the final period, as the Otters controlled the first period and the Spirit returned the favor for the second.
The first period was dominated by the Otters, as they outshot the Spirit, 13-2. Saginaw did not register a shot until the 14:13 mark of the first period.
Erie scored the lone goal in the frame as Mitch Gaulton's shot was deflected by Cazzola through the legs of Pasquale at the 5:59 mark. Fellow defenseman Tyler Hostetter received the secondary assist on the goal, which was Cazzola's ninth of the season.
Pasquale was busy in the opening 20 minutes as the Otters peppered the goaltender with 13 shots. The Toronto, Ont., native made a key save on Erie's leading scorer Anthony Luciani on a two-on-one with Yogan to keep the score at 1-0.
The two teams appeared to change roles in the second period as Saginaw found its legs and scored two second period goals on 16 shots to take a 2-1 advantage into the final stanza.
Former Erie Otter Jordan Skellett wired a shot that found the top-shelf past goalie Jaroslav Janus' glove at the 7:18 mark.
Minutes later, Saginaw center Vincent Trocheck put his sixth goal of the season past Janus at the 10:54 mark to send the Spirit to a 2-1 lead heading into the final period.
The third period belonged to the Otters, who trailed for the first time since Oct. 31 against Plymouth, as they fired 12 shots at Pasquale and outplayed the Spirit throughout the period.
The three stars of the contest were McKegg (1g, 1a), Yogan (2g) and Cazzola (2g, 1a).
The Otters are back at home Friday night as the Oshawa Generals make the trip to the Tullio Arena, scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, the Tullio Arena box office, ottershockey.com, or by calling 452-4857.
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