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OHL Erie Otters

Career Night Sees Lalonde Make 44 Saves in Shutout, Game-Winner for Messier on First Goal in Win at Owen Sound

February 22, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Owen Sound, Ontario - The final game of the season-series between the Erie Otters and the Midwest Division foe Owen Sound Attack took the former team to the latter's arena for the third time in 2022-23. Taking four of a six possible points from the northern Ontario three-in-three swing last weekend, the Otters came in with momentum and a hunger to close the gap in the Western Conference playoff race. Erie would also look to exorcise the demons of the Bayshore, after being swept in back-to-back three goal losses at Owen Sound back in November.

Looking to build off the success they'd had in their last outing, the Erie Otters would be held without a shot for the opening four minutes. As the Otters would finally record their first shot, they would quickly jump ahead of the Attack in shots - including scoring the game's first goal and the only one of the first period. Kaleb Smith and Carey Terrance would bring the puck into the offensive end, and at point blank range, rookie Alex Messier (1) would record his first career Ontario Hockey League goal (and point!) to give Erie a 1-0 lead. Goaltender Nolan Lalonde would have to stand on his head to close the frame, as Owen Sound would fire five shots in the final minute, but be stonewalled by a 16-save first from Lalonde. Erie would lead 1-0, trailing in shots 16-11.

It became quickly evident in the second period that the Wednesday night showdown would be regarded as the Nolan Lalonde show, as the Blue Jackets' prospect had to stop another 19 shots in the frame. Penalties would begin to amass in the second against the Otters, but Erie would kill off both penalty kills to go 11/11 in the last eight periods of play. While Erie would fire 10 shots, Attack goaltender Carter George would stop everything that came his way in a truly defensive battle. The score would remain a 1-0 Erie Otters lead, as the Attack would hold a 35-21 shots advantage.

The third period would be one of a palpable anxiety in the Bayshore Community Centre, as the Otters would look to preserve the shutout for their goaltender. A career-high in saves would need to be set to make it happen, as Nolan Lalonde would stop all 44 shots faced by the Attack to keep them off the scoresheet. Erie would finally land the insurance goal, as a 200-foot Artyom Kulakov (4) empty-netter would give Erie a 2-0 lead, and the Russian goals in back-to-back games. Erie would hold off the Attack 2-0, despite being outshot 44-30. Lalonde's shutout would be the team's first of the season, and the second of the goaltenders career. The loss would be the fifth-straight for the Owen Sound Attack, and keep the Erie playoff hopes alive as they draw within eight points of the Kitchener Rangers with an equal number of games left.

The final game of the Erie Otters foray of eight-straight on the road finally comes to a conclusion on Thursday night, as the team travels to Barrie to battle the Colts at the Sadlon Arena. This will be Erie's first game in Barrie in over three years, as the Otters look to split the season-series with the Colts. The Otters will return home for the first time in 21 days on Saturday, February 25 for Kids Takeover Night (pres. by Wendy's), and Black Ice Night (pres. by Erie's Black Wall Street) on Tuesday, February 28.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2023


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