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OHL Erie Otters

Erie Otters Upset CHL #2 London Behind Terrance's Pair

October 20, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


London, Ontario - Following an overall successful three game weekend last time out, the Erie Otters rode their points-in-three-of-four-games success into their biggest test of the season - a Friday night in London. While the Budweiser Gardens already holds its own prestige for being a challenging building to play in, the task would be made even more difficult in facing a London Knights team ranked #2 in the entire Canadian Hockey League. The second-place team in the Ontario Hockey League - behind Erie's familiar foe of Mississauga - London would look to start the season's Sweet Caroline rivalry series in their favor. Erie, on the other hand, would look to spoil the Friday in western Ontario.

The Otter effort in the first period would be evident, as they would come out of the gate on fire. Having the game's opening power play, Erie would create solid opportunities in the second half of the two minute advantage, but be unable to convert. Despite the offensive pressure and the consistently solid play from the Otters, it would be the London Knights who would strike for first blood. 14:30 into the opening frame, Sam O'Reilly (4) would overwhelm goaltender Ben Gaudreau enough to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. London would take an 11-8 shot advantage into the break, but momentum would certainly swing in Erie's direction.

Period two would have a very similar feel to the prior frame, with a tight, scoreless affair emanating through the first 15 minutes. Erie would once again be put to the task of a pair of penalty kills, and would once again do their job in killing off the penalties - the latter ending early thanks to an Easton Cowan crosscheck. During the ensuing four-on-four, however, London would strike for their second marker of the night from an Isaiah George (2) snipe from the left circle. As Erie's own power play would begin, it would be Carey Terrance (4) toward the netfront for his eighth point in five games to put the Otters on the board. Scoring can come in bunches, and for the Otters, it would be just :36 between goals, as a Spencer Sova (4) shot from the wide wall would bounce into the back of the net for Erie to knot things up at two. With 40 minutes in the books, Erie and London would be tied up 2-2, with the Knights holding a 19-18 shot advantage.

In the third period, the onus and momentum laid on the Erie side of the ice, knowing the game they'd played so far. Unfortunately for Erie, it would be London's Jacob Julien (2) who would put the London Knights right back on top again, 4:59 into the final frame. From there, Erie would never allow momentum to swing away from them. :59 after the Julien goal, Pano Fimis (2) would immediately give Erie a tie once again. The 3-3 game would remain for an elongated stretch of the period, but it would be Martin Misiak (3) who would break the hearts of Knights nation with the eventual game-winning goal 13:20 into the third. Erie's defense would do their part on the opposing side, and as the net would be emptied by London, the Otters would find an eventual break from Carey Terrance (5) to give the Otters the security in the victory 5-3. Erie would come into London on a Friday night, notch five goals, and take a humongous upset over the CHL #2 Knights.

The Erie Otters first three-in-three weekend of the season continues and concludes on home ice the next two days. On Saturday evening, Erie welcomes in the Sarnia Sting for the first time in the 2023-24 season for Tiki Luau Night. This will be Sarnia's first game against their longtime former goaltender Ben Gaudreau, now a rostered member of Erie. On Sunday afternoon, Erie will host the Niagara IceDogs for the second meeting of the season for Sunday Family Funday. The first 500 kids through the door will receive a free popcorn and soft drink. All fans are invited to Perry's Tavern at the Flagship City Food Hall following the game for an exclusive meet, greet, and eat event.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2023


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