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Erie Otters

Baptiste's Pair Ends Erie's 2014 with Win

December 31, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - The Erie Otters, led by Nick Baptiste's pair of goals, rally from an early deficit to defeat the Guelph Storm 4-3 from the Erie Insurance Arena on New Year's Eve.

The Otters fell behind just 2:20 into the game, giving up the first goal to Adam Craievich who snuck the puck by Daniel Dekoning in tight around the crease. Justin Nichols stopped ten Erie shots to take the 1-0 into the first intermission.

The Otters rebounded in the second period, where they've now outscored opponents 62to 29. Erie's top power-play unit went to work as Travis Dermott faked a one-time shot to set up Nick Baptiste to blast the puck by Nichols from the left wing circle. Two minutes later, Nick Betz forced a turnover in the offensive zone and poked the puck to Dylan Strome. The Otters leading point getter moved into the slot to rip the puck past the Guelph goaltender to take a 2-1 lead. It took Erie just 59 to extend the lead to two as Baptiste, Alex DeBrincat and Trent Foxed connected to make the score 3-1. Baptiste found DeBrincat in the slot, who one-touched the puck between his legs to Fox in front of the netminder. Fox beat Nichols to the short side for his sixth of the season as Erie took the 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

Guelph's Tyler Bertuzzi made things interesting to start the third, as he wired the puck over Dekoning's glove side to draw within one just 3:14 in. The Otters answered back as Fox, DeBrincat and Baptiste teamed up again. The line cycled the puck behind the Storm goal where Baptiste took control. He blew by the lone Guelph defender back to position himself in front of a sprawled out Justin Nichols to bury his second of the night and 12th of the campaign. A late power play goal from Jason Dickinson brought Guelph within one, but the Otters fended off the comeback attempt to win their final game in the calendar year of 2014 by the score of 4-3.

Alex DeBrincat recorded his second straight three point night with a trio of assists. Daniel Dekoning won his 13th game of the season stopping 16 shots. The Otters will hit the road to face the Mississauga Steelheads Friday night at 7:30, before returning home to take on the Windsor Spitfires Saturday night at the Erie Insurance Arena.

Iron Workers Local Union #3 Ironmen of the Game

1. Nick Baptiste - Erie Otters - 2G 1A

2. Alex DeBrincat - Erie Otters - 3A

3. Tyler Bertuzzi - Erie Otters - 1G 1A

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