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Erie Otters

Four-Unanswered Goals Not Enough in Otters' Loss at Windsor

February 8, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Windsor, Ontario - Three games in three cities in three nights would begin the final leg of seven games in 10 days for the Erie Otters. Making their first trip to the WFCU Centre in Windsor in over a year - and the first time with Stan Butler behind the bench - Erie would look to continue their success against the Spitfires that saw the team sweep the home portion of the season series. Erie won the first meeting 7-1 in October, and just over a month ago downed a then-hot Spitfire team in a shootout. Looking to get back on track after a loss at home to Barrie on Monday, Erie would march Charlie Burns back to the goalmouth.

A slower-paced start to the game for either side would see no shots recorded in the opening five minutes of the game. When the shots did begin to find their way on goal, it would be the Windsor Spitfires who would strike. Under seven minutes into the contest, Liam Greentree (28) would continue his terrific season with his 67th point and give Windsor a 1-0 lead. Less than four minutes later, Ethan Martin (3) would net his fifth-career OHL goal to give the Spitfires a 2-0 lead. This lead would remain through the remainder of the period, as Windsor would lead Erie by a pair after 20, shots even at 6-6.

Fired up after an early deficit, Erie would dominate the second period. Thanks to a high-stick to close the first period, the Erie Otters would start the second on the man-advantage, and would waste no time to get on the board as Martin Misiak (16, PPG) would net Erie's first goal :28 into the period. From there, it would be all Erie. Less than four minutes into the second, the Otters would score again as Brett Bressette (14) would find the tying-goal. The leading-goal for the Otters would come before the halfway mark of the game, as Pano Fimis (17) would continue the trend of Otter success. With a breakaway opportunity the opposite way, Malcolm Spence (16) would extend his point-streak to 12 points (6G+6A) in eight-straight games. Outshooting Windsor 13-4 in the middle frame, Erie would grab a 4-2 lead.

The script would flip again, as the Windsor Spitfires would do to the Otters in the third what Erie did to Windsor. 2:28 into the final frame, Ryan Abraham (19, SHG) would ruin an Otter power play by an all-effort shorthanded marker to make it a one-goal deficit for the Spitfires. Just over three minutes later, Cole Davis (17, PPG) would knot things up for the Spitfires as Erie would run into consecutive penalty trouble to turn the tide. With just under six minutes left in the game, Ethan Martin (4) would get his sixth-career goal and second of the game as he would put the Spitfires up for the first time since they held a 2-1 lead. Windsor would hold off the empty-netted Erie attack, and steal a huge victory over the Otters - their first - 5-4.

The road trip continues for the Erie Otters as they travel to Sarnia on Friday night and Saginaw on Saturday, closing out the West Division swing. Erie will then return home on Wednesday, February 14 against Niagra, travel to Guelph for the final time this season on Friday the 16th, and return home for the highly-anticipated Mascot Mania (pres. by Chick-fil-A) to celebrate Otto's birthday party with all his friends! The first 1500 fans in the arena will receive an Otto Bobblehead (pres. by Rebich Investments). The "week" closes for Erie on Monday afternoon for Canada's Family Day, making their only trip of the season to Brantford against the Bulldogs.

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