OHL Erie Otters

DeBrincat Leads Erie to 5-0 Victory Over Kitchener

Published on January 24, 2017 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Otters returned to the Erie Insurance Arena to face the Kitchener Rangers, a makeup game for the one that was cancelled on December 14 due to adverse weather conditions. Otters captain Dylan Strome rejoined the Otters lineup after missing two games with an illness. Strome made an immediate impact, scoring a goal and an assist en route to a 5-0 victory.

The first period began with a trio of penalties, including two in a row to the Rangers for tripping. The resulting five-on-three power play for the Otters led to an early goal by Kyle Maksimovich: Maksimovich took the pass in front of Rangers goaltender and St. Louis Blues prospect Luke Opilka and one-timed the shot, beating the goalie over his shoulder. Then, minutes later, Dylan Strome entered the Kitchener zone with speed, circled around behind the net, and slipped the puck behind Opilka on a quick wraparound. The Otters took an early 2-0 lead over a Rangers squad that sold veteran players at the OHL Trade Deadline, including star forward Jeremy Bracco. Erie maintained consistent offensive pressure throughout the remaining minutes of the period, and Alex DeBrincat-who assisted on the Otters' first two goals-scored his third point and first goal of the game when he put away Darren Raddysh's rebound. Raddysh tied Chris Campoli for the Otters' all-time points from a defenseman record at 150 on the play. Heading into the second period, Erie led Kitchener 3-0 while limiting the Rangers to just two shots through twenty minutes.

Darren Raddysh became the all-time points leader among defensemen in Otter history in the second period; he walked in on Opilka and wristed a hard shot through the goaltender, scoring his 151st point in an Erie Otters uniform and passing Chris Campoli for the record. Raddysh also leads the OHL in defender scoring this season. It was the only goal of the period, and the Otters headed into the third period up 4-0. They dominated in the shot department, outshooting the Rangers 25-4 through forty minutes.

The Otters continued their dominance in the third period. Past the halfway mark, Taylor Raddysh executed a perfect passing play started by Dylan Strome; Raddysh scored his 28th of the season, giving Erie the commanding 5-0 lead. DeBrincat picked up his fourth point of the game on the play. Kitchener was unable to mount any semblance of a comeback, putting up only 13 shots in 5-0 defeat.

For the Otters, Alex DeBrincat scored one goal and three assists; Dylan Strome and Darren Raddysh each scored a goal and an assist; and Troy Timpano stopped all 13 shots he faced for his third shutout and league-leading 28th win of the season. Darren Raddysh became the Otters' all-time points leading defenseman, and DeBrincat regained the OHL scoring lead.

Luke Opilka stopped 32 shots of the 37 he faced in the Kitchener loss.

The Otters head onto the road to face rival and Western Conference powerhouse London on Friday, January 27. The game could be a preview of a potential playoff matchup this season.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2017


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