OHL Erie Otters

Edwards Nets Third in Four Games, Otters Fall to Owen Sound

Published on January 4, 2024 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - Home after the holidays! For the first time in 2024, the Erie Otters would return to the Erie Insurance Arena. After a disappointing 5-1 loss to the hottest team in the Ontario Hockey League, rival London, Erie would look to reset in a critical divisional battle against the Owen Sound Attack. With the first half of the season series all taking place at the Bayshore, Erie would turn the final three games of the series to home ice, looking to improve upon a 1-1-1 record against the Attack. All three contests leading into Thursday's game have been high-scoring, physically intensive affairs.

The opening frame of the game would be entirely different, offensively speaking, from any of the three prior meetings between the two teams. Erie would outshoot Owen Sound 10-5, but the goaltenders would do their jobs in the first 20 to see a 0-0 game. Both teams' penalty kill would be successful in their lone attempts.

The proverbial cap on the game would pop off in the middle frame, in a much more chaotic, physical period. Headlined early by a big tilt between Alex Messier and recently acquired Attack Konnor Smith, Erie would up the physical ante. Off an odd-man rush the other way minutes later, a wide Sam McCue shot would turn opportunistic for Taos Jordan (4) as he would finally break the scoreless dry spell of the game 13:43 into the second. As Erie's physicality and offense would start to take over the game, it would be a Bruce McDonald shot that would lead to a Dylan Edwards (3) goal in the final :28 of the period to give Erie momentum going into the third. Erie would lead in shots 23-17 through 40.

With a tight game in the final frame, Erie would look to complete the comeback attempt and win this big divisional game. With a 15-6 shot advantage in the third period, it would be the Attack who would find pucks to the back of the net, starting off with Landen Hookey (9) for the second Owen Sound Attack goal 11:37 into the third. With a one-goal game still in hand, the Attack would get necessary insurance thanks to a Colby Barlow (12) goal with just over four minutes remaining. With the net empty on the Erie side in the waning minute, it would be Colby Barlow (13, ENG) again to put the game away for a 4-1 Owen Sound win. With the win, the Attack would jump the Otters in the standings for sixth place, as Erie drops back-to-back to start off 2024.

Erie concludes the first week of 2024 on Saturday evening for Nickelodeon Night, as the Windsor Spitfires come to town for the first time since October 14. Erie decimated the Spitfires in the lone meeting, but Windsor has proven to be an upstart squad in the last few weeks. Erie will wear specialty SpongeBob Squarepants jerseys during the contest, with post-game auction proceeds benefiting Erie Homes for Children & Adults.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2024


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