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Erie Otters

Otters Deliver Stinging 8-2 Defeat to Sarnia

January 20, 2017 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Defenseman Owen Headrick, the Lake Superior State University product and new signing by Erie, joined the Otters in Sarnia to make his debut against the Sting. Headrick scored a goal in the third period as the Otters decisively defeated Sarnia 8-2.

The Otters jumped out of the gate for the first period, testing Sarnia goaltender Aidan Hughes with a few early shots. Erie's offense pinned Sarnia into their own zone for nearly two minutes early in the period, but the Sting eventually managed to clear the puck before the surging Otters scored. Then, with the extra attacker on the ice after a delayed penalty was called, Alex DeBrincat snapped a shot through Hughes's five-hole to give Erie the 1-0 lead midway through the period. Sarnia was unable to muster a response until the final minute in the first period: Jordan Kyrou entered the Otters' zone with speed, crashed the net, and managed to cram the puck past Erie netminder Joe Murdaca, tying the game at one. Both teams expected to go into the first intermission tied, but with just two seconds left in the period, DeBrincat scored off the faceoff draw to put the Otters up 2-1. DeBrincat, a Chicago Blackhawks second-round pick, has 36 goals and 73 points through 39 games played after his two goal effort early in the game.

On a power play in the second period, Kyle Pettit put the Otters up 3-1 when he put a hard wristshot over Hughes's shoulder. Then, just minutes later, Kyle Maksimovich followed up on Jordan Sambrook's rebound-Maksimovich scored his twelfth of the season on the follow-up. The goal was reviewed due to a possible off-sides earlier in the play, but the officials were unable to conclusively determine that Erie's Gera Poddubnyi had crossed the line before the puck; the goal stood, and Erie took a commanding 4-1 lead. Sarnia's Jaden Lindo beat Murdaca low blocker side in the closing minutes of the period to make it 4-2, but Christian Girhiny snuck a puck through the Sting's goaltender to regain the three-goal lead for the Otters. Jordan Sambrook scored his tenth goal of the season with just two seconds left, and the Otters headed into the 3rd period with a comfortable 6-2 lead.

Owen Headrick scored his first career OHL goal in the third period: his slapshot from the point beat Sarnia goaltender Justin Fazio-who entered the game in relief of Hughes-to make it 7-2 for the Otters. Gera Poddubnyi scored in the closing minutes of the game, and the Otters left Sarnia with the 8-2 victory.

For the Otters, Alex DeBrincat scored two goals; Jordan Sambrook, Gera Poddubnyi, and Kyle Maksimovich each scored a goal and an assist; and Taylor Raddysh notched two assists. Joe Murdaca stopped 19 of 21 shots in the victory for Erie.

Jordan Kyrou and Jaden Lindo scored Sarnia's goals. Aidan Hughes made 18 saves on 24 shots, and Justin Fazio stopped 9 of 11 in relief.

The Otters head to Flint, Michigan to face the Firebirds on Saturday, January 21, where they look to continue their recent winning streak.

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