OHL Erie Otters

Appio Scores Game-Winner to Lead Otters to 7-6 Win in Sarnia

Published on March 17, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Brett Appio scored the game-winning goal against his former team to lead the Erie Otters (39-26-1-1) to their seventh straight win in a 7-6 victory over the Sarnia Sting Thursday night. A loss by the Windsor Spitfires against the Saginaw Spirit also sets up a first round matchup between Erie and Windsor in the first round of the OHL Playoffs for the second straight year, with home ice yet to be determined.

Connor Crisp put the Otters on the board with his fifth goal of the season 6:09 into the game. Mac McDonnell freed the puck loose to Crisp at the left circle, where the rookie blasted a shot over the right shoulder of Troy Passingham and into the net.

The Sting then rallied for a pair of goals 70 seconds apart, a minor hiccup in what wound up as a good period for the Otters. David Shields tied the game for Erie 13 seconds after the Sting took the lead as he redirected a pass from Anthony Luciani at top of the crease for his sixth goal of the season at 9:27.

The Otters regained the lead at 12:08 when Phil Varone blasted a shot from the slot for his 32nd goal of the season. The lead increased to two at 16:37 after a great goal by Shawn Szydlowski for his 40th tally of the season. The winger spun around a defender to the front of the Sarnia net and shoveled a backhand over the right shoulder of Passingham to give the Otters a 4-2 lead into the second period.

Brett Cook scored 34 seconds into the second period with a power play goal to give the Otters a 5-2 lead. Cook blasted a shot from the right circle for his eighth goal of the season.

Szydlowski then did his best Babe Ruth impression as he smacked in a loose puck out of mid-air with a baseball swing just under the crossbar for his second goal of the game at 5:52 to make it a four-goal lead for the Otters.

The Sting then started their comeback at 7:54 with Alex Galchenyuk's second goal of the game. In the third period, the Sting scored three times in a span of four minutes, 41 seconds to tie the game with 11:32 remaining, which included Galchenyuk's hat trick goal.

Appio provided the heroics with 8:47 remaining with his game-winner, as he whacked in a puck out of mid-air through the stick side of Passingham for his 12th goal of the season.

The Sting attempted another comeback, but were denied by Ramis Sadikov through the remainder of regulation. The best opportunity came with 13.5 seconds remaining as Galchenyuk was denied of his fourth goal of the game with a great left arm save by Sadikov.

Szydlowski led the way with two goals and an assist, while Mike Cazzola and Anthony Luciani each had two assists.

The Otters close out the regular season Friday night against the Saginaw Spirit at 7:11 p.m. Fans can listen to the action on Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 The Fan or online at ottershockey.com (courtesy of the James H. Cross Company).

Individual tickets for the first round of the 2011 OHL Playoffs against the Windsor Spitfires are now on sale. Playoff dates are yet to be determined. Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster, the Civic Center Box Office, online at ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2011


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