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OHL Erie Otters

Bressette & McDonald Strike for Erie in Close Loss at Brantford

February 19, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Brantford, Ontario - Happy Family Day! For the only time in the 2023-24 season, the Erie Otters would travel to the Telephone City to battle the newest "team" in the Ontario Hockey League - the Brantford Bulldogs. After downing the Bulldogs 7-4 on New Year's Eve at the Erie Insurance Arena, the Otters would look to sweep the season series against the familiar Eastern Conference foe. After taking points in back-to-back games with a win and shootout loss, Erie would look to continue its return to consistency. Former QMJHL netminder Sergei Litvinov would get the start in net for the Otters in the afternoon midweek road game.

Erie would come out as a team on a mission in the first period, doubling the Bulldogs up in shots 18-10. In the first :29 of the game, a shot for Erie would be reviewed for a potential goal, but it would be officially called as not a goal. It wouldn't be :50 later that Erie would score, as Brett Bressette (16) would put the Otters on the board with 1:16 gone by. The Otters would control the majority of the puck possession in period one, but fall into penalty trouble late in. With a late five-on-three for the Bulldogs, Patrick Thomas (16, PPG) would get Brantford on the board. Despite a dominant opening 20, Erie would be in a 1-1 game with an 18-10 shot advantage.

The Bulldogs would bookend their offensive close to the first with the first goal of the second period, as Daniil Sobolev (5) would strike with a dribbler 3:08 into the new frame. Erie would use the ensuing minutes of the period to find their rhythm, and it would be Bruce McDonald (13) to knot things up at 2-2 with 9:07 gone by. The goal would continue Owain Johnston's point-streak to three games. The two teams would exchange opportunities in the final 11 minutes of the period, but be unable to find paydirt once again. With a 10-8 shot advantage in the second, Erie would be tied 2-2 through 40.

Period three would be the only of the game where Erie was outshot, as Brantford would take an 11-8 shot advantage to close the game. 90 seconds into the final frame, Patrick Thomas (17, GWG) would put the game's final goal on the board. Erie would be stuck inside of its defensive end for an extended stretch of time in the third period, and struggle to create sustained offensive pressure. With the net-empty, Erie would begin to push in its offensive end, and with a puck covered near the goal, Ondrej Molnar would have the opportunity to tie the game in the final 40 seconds with a penalty shot, but be stonewalled by David Egorov in net. Time would run out on Erie, falling 3-2 to the Bulldogs on the road. Erie would win the shot battle 36-29.

The Erie Otters officially close out their most game-heavy stretch of the season, and enjoy a reprieve before playing a pair of weekend games on home ice. Erie will play host to divisional foe Guelph for the final time this season on Saturday for the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night (pres. by UPMC Health Plan & UPMC Hamot) with a specialty jersey to be worn by the team. On Sunday, Erie will host the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday Family Funday for the only time this season to close out February home game action.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2024


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