OHL Erie Otters

Lalonde, Overagers Shine as Otters Down Sting 5-2

Published on February 4, 2022 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Sarnia, Ontario - After a 5-2-0-1 January, the upstart Erie Otters find themselves right back in the thick of the playoff race. With a weekend three-in-three against the two teams directly above them in the standings, Erie would get a chance to gain some serious traction in a chance to get crucial points. First up for the Otters was a solo game in Sarnia, taking on the 8th place Sting for the third time this season. The two teams had split the season series 1-1 coming into Friday night's battle, with Sarnia winning 4-1 at home in November, and Erie winning 4-3 at home in December. Erie would entrust the same starters from their last-week's win over Niagara to lead the way.

Despite Sarnia spending plenty of time in their offensive end to start the frame, it would be the Otters who would find the net first. After scoring the game-winner on Thursday, January 27th against Niagara, Brendan Hoffmann (13) would score again on the power play to give the Otters a 1-0 lead 10:50 into the contest. Erie would then head on a penalty kill of their own, but have no issue in killing it off to finish 2/2 on special teams in the first 20. Hoffmann's goal would be the only of the opening frame, as Erie took a 1-0 lead despite trialing in shots 9-7.

It would take just over three minutes in the new frame for scoring to open up, as Ethan Ritchie (4) would put the Sting on the board. :22 later, Brendan Sellan (11) would make sure the Otters didn't stay tied for long, as he'd give the Otters a 2-1 lead. With penalties back and forth, the Otters penalty kill would continue to flex its muscles, killing off every man-advantage from the Sting. Late stages in the second period, with the Otters on the man-advantage, Dan D'Amato (13) would ensure that every Otters overager got in the goal column, giving Erie insurance with a 3-1 lead. Taeo Artichuk and Chandler Romeo would drop the gloves in the final minute, sending them both back to the locker room, and the Otters would follow shortly after with a 3-1 lead, despite being outshot 19-18.

The Sarnia Sting would create some pressure on Erie halfway into the third period, as former Guelph Storm Marko Sikic (7) would make it a 3-2 game, and the Sting would push from there. With desperation setting in in a crucial Western Conference Game, Sarnia would pull the net with 3:30 to go into the contest, and Erie would quickly take advantage. 17:50 into the third, Brendan Sellan (12) would net the insurance goal Erie was looking for, and with the net empty yet again, Elias Cohen (14) would put the final nail in the coffin, as Erie would take a 5-2 victory. Nolan Lalonde would stop 29/31 for the Otters in net to help lead the way from the defense out.

The Otters have now won back-to-back games over Sarnia, and three-straight victories. Erie returns stateside tonight, preparing for the first of two games against the new-found rival Saginaw Spirit on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. These games will represent the 9th and 10th meetings of the season against Saginaw, with the season series knotted up 4-4.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2022


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