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OHL Erie Otters

Gibbons Stops 30, Edwards Nabs Fourth in Erie Loss to #1 Kitchener

January 12, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Kitchener, Ontario - A later start to the week than anticipated for Erie, due to ice issues at the Erie Insurance Arena delaying Wednesday's originally scheduled game against Barrie, would see a much-more rested Otters team invade Kitchener on Friday night. In the final trip to The Aud during the 2023-24 regular season, Erie would challenge the top team in the Ontario Hockey League, looking to pick up their lone win of the season in the historic barn. With the return of leading goal-scorers Carey Terrance and Martin Misiak from the IIHF World Junior Championships, Erie would earn a big-time scoring punch back into the lineup.

A gut-punch of a start to the game would see Carson Rehkopf (35) draw first blood on scoring from an odd-angle shot, just :42 into the contest. Despite this start, Erie would actually control most of the period's momentum. Erie would outshoot Kitchener 9-8 in the period, create a number of high-quality scoring opportunities, and successfully kill off their only penalty kill. All that would be missing from Erie's impressive 19 minutes would be the most important category - a tying goal. Erie would trail 1-0 after 20 minutes.

After a more pedestrian-scoring first period, such defense would take a back seat in the second period, as the two teams would combine for five goals in the middle 20. Erie would get a power play opportunity just four minutes into the second, and Pano Fimis (12, PPG) would waste no time in getting the game tied up with his fifth PPG of the year. From there, Kitchener would flip the momentum script with a pair of goals in 3:34 from Matthew Sop (25) and Carson Rehkopf (36). Erie would strike back with exactly four minutes left in the period, as the tale of Dylan Edwards (4) would continue in the game after his shootout game-winner. Erie would knock the Kitchener lead to 3-2. With just over a minute left in the period, Adrian Misaljevic (22) would give Kitchener back a two-goal lead. After 40, Erie would be outshot 25-15 and trail 4-2.

Erie's defense would start the period locking down, giving their offense a chance to lessen the 4-2 deficit. Erie's power play would get a short opportunity following a kill on four-on-four, but would then find a five-on-three chance that would be unable to be converted on. With the game getting to its desperation stages, Erie would empty the net - leading to Carson Rehkopf's (37) hat trick marker. Kitchener would add a final nail in the coffin in the final minute to take a 6-2 victory over Erie, and take a 3-0 home record against the Otters. Edwards would earn third star honors in the loss.

The Otters return home for the next two games, before seeing four-straight on the road - including the Northern Swing next weekend. The weekend of home games begins on Saturday evening against Flint for Youth Sports Night, welcoming out the future sports stars of Erie County. The first 1500 fans in attendance will receive a First-Overall Pick Matthew Schaefer Bobblehead (pres. by Rebich Investments). After a Sunday off-day, Erie will host Sarnia for the third-annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Game, honoring the American icon and voice of the Civil Rights Movement. This rare Monday afternoon contest will feature $5 tickets for fans 17-and-younger, as well as $2 hot dogs and soft drinks, and $1 popcorns. Erie will then head to North Bay, Sudbury, and the Soo for the ensuing three games.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2024


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