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OHL Erie Otters

Alfano/Fimis/Edwards Line Combines for Six Points in Wild 6-5 Loss in Oshawa

January 26, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Oshawa, Ontario - On the road again! Coming off a 1-2 record on the Northern Swing against three top teams in the Ontario Hockey League, Erie would make their only trip of the season to Oshawa to battle a rising Generals team. 7-3 in the last 10 games, the Generals would look to continue their recent success against the Otters, who they swept in the 2022-23 season series. Erie would look to goaltender Jacob Gibbons in net for the game to win their penultimate game of January.

A less than ideal start to the game would see Erie on the penalty kill early in the first period, and while Pano Fimis would have a solid opportunity shorthanded, it would be Rasmus Kumpulainen (18, PPG) to put the Generals up 1-0 with 3:35 gone by. As Erie would start to create offensive opportunities inside of their offensive end, a costly turnover inside of the Otter defensive end would lead to a Dylan Rooebroeck (14) goal to make it 2-0 Oshawa with still half the period to go. In four-on-four hockey, Calum Ritchie (15) would notch the third goal for the Generals. It would be all Oshawa through 20 minutes, as Erie was outscored 3-0 and outshot 13-6.

Erie would entirely flip the script in the second period, outshooting the Generals 11-9 enroute to beating the comeback drum heavy. On a power play opportunity near the halfway mark of the period and game, Ondrej Molnar (14, PPG) would put Erie on the board for the first time in the day. Not even two minutes later, an all-effort play from Brett Hammond would force a turnover and a high-quality offensive opportunity that would be finished by Alex Messier (3) to put Erie within one. Near the end of the period, back on the power play, Rasmus Kumpulainen (19, PPG) would net his second power play marker of the evening to return the Generals to a two-goal lead. On their own ensuing power play, Sam Alfano (16, PPG) would record his fourth goal in five games, and put Erie within one once again in the final :65 seconds. Erie would earn another power play opportunity in the final minute, and carry it into the third period with momentum on their side down just 4-3.

A wild back-and-forth third period would begin with Stuart Rolofs (20) opening scoring just :91 into the frame to put Oshawa up 5-3. Erie would waste no time as Pano Fimis (15) would earn his 52nd point of the season just under three minutes into the third to make it a one-goal game once again. With a one goal game persisting as the proverbial hump Erie couldn't jump, Dylan Edwards (9) would send his fan section into a frenzy with a goal in his homecoming-of-sorts game to knot things up 5-5. With a power play minutes later, Stuart Rolofs (21, PPG) would earn what would be good for the eventual game-winning goal 8:40 into the third. Erie would muster just four shots on goal in the final frame, and end the game with a four minute double-minor kill to fall 6-5 in a wild, call-and-response game.

For the first time in 12 days, the Erie Otters will return home to play a hockey game. This won't be any ordinary Saturday night for the team, as they host their rival London for the ever-popular Star Wars Night (pres. by the Millcreek Mall). Under 500 tickets remain for the game, as the Otters eye their first sellout of the 2023-24 season. With this game expected to be sold out before doors open, fans are encouraged to buy their tickets now to avoid missing out on another edition of the Sweet Caroline rivalry. Erie is 2-1 against the Knights this season. Thanks to the Millcreek Mall, the first 2500 fans in attendance will receive their very own Let's Go Otters / Star Wars Night poster.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2024


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