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OHL Erie Otters

Gilmartin Strikes for Eighth Goal of 2023, Otters Fall in Kitchener

March 3, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Kitchener, Ontario - The final month of the Ontario Hockey League regular season is underway, and the Erie Otters kicked off the final 22 days of play 12 points back of the final playoff spot with 12 games remaining. As fate would have it for Erie, they would open the month against the team they're battling for the final playoff position, the 8th place Kitchener Rangers. In the fifth meeting of the season - and final at The Aud - Erie would have an opportunity to create a four-point swing in their favor with a win. History had been on the side of the Otters coming into the Friday night battle, as the team held a 3-1 record against the Rangers in the previous battles this season. With Kyle Downey in net for the Otters, the team would look to start March 1-0.

One shot, one goal would be the way the Kitchener Rangers would start the game, as Matthew Sop (16) would put the puck away standing in the blue paint just 1:18 into the first. From there, the Rangers would grab another pair of goals separated by less than a minute, as Reid Valade (28) and Danny Zhilkin (26) would increase the Kitchener lead to 3-0. Kyle Downey would have nine saves to close the period, but Erie would muster just seven shots in a 3-0 deficit after 20 minutes of play.

A much lower shooting second period would play to the favor of the already-leading Kitchener Rangers. Scoreless through the first half of the period, Kitchener would strike on its first man-advantage of the night from Francesco Arcuri (42) to make it a 4-0 Ranger lead. Erie would have a pair of power plays to close the second, but be unable to convert them into goals. After 40, Erie would be down 4-0 and outshot 18-12.

Erie would accomplish a few silver linings in the contest in the third period. Firstly, Downey would stop 16/16 in period three to keep the Rangers off the board in the closing period, stopping 30/34 on the night. Erie would also find the back of the net in the period, as Liam Gilmartin (14) would strike on the power play for his 8th goal of 2023, but it would be too little too late for the Otter effort. Erie would drop a decisive contest to the Kitchener Rangers 4-1, being outshot 34-24. Erie sits 14 points back from Kitchener for the final playoff spot with 11 games remaining in the 2022-23 OHL season.

The final three-in-three weekend of the season takes the Erie Otters back to the Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday night for the highly-anticipated, long-awaited Throwback Night celebration of the Erie Blades Hockey Club. With alumni in attendance, a celebration of the three-time champion Blades, and the Otters taking the ice in the predecessors white/orange/black jerseys, the night promises to be a true commemoration of Erie's hockey history. The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive a free Erie Blades Mini Locker Replica (pres. by Rebich Investments), with post-game jersey auction proceeds benefiting the Erie City Mission and its Urban University program.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2023


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