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Erie Otters

Late Erie Goal Earns Team Point in OT Loss

March 9, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie Otters on game night
Erie Otters on game night
(Erie Otters)

Erie, Pennsylvania - Riding three-straight wins out of a three-game road weekend out east, the Erie Otters would come into their first weekend home games of March knowing what was at stake: an opportunity to not only secure their first appearance in the post-season since 2017, but a chance to further solidify their opportunity to hold 5th in the OHL Western Conference. The opponent for the weekend's battles would be the downtrodden Owen Sound Attack, who were looking to right the ship after four-straight losses. With a ton to play for on a Saturday night in front of a large crowd, Erie would look to put on a show.

It would be rapid fire off the rip for Erie with three shots coming in the first ninety seconds. The Otters would outshoot the Owen Sound Attack in the first four and a half minutes 4-2, and hard work would eventually pay off when Dylan Edwards (12) would find the back of the net. Defense would be the name of the game for the next eight minutes with Ethan Fraser in net for the Otters recording three back-to-back saves in four seconds to keep Owen Sound off the board. Now outshooting the Otters 15-7 and with five minutes left in the period, the Attack would eventually find the back of the net to make it a 1-1 game. The game's first power play would come with four and a half minutes left after an Owen Sound hooking penalty, where the Otters would add six more shots to their period total but be unable to score. After a player from each team would be sent to the box for roughing, Ondrej Molnar (18) and the Otters would strike gold during four-on-four play to make it a 2-1 game just before the end of the first period.

The second period would begin with the same back-and-forth play that characterized much of the first. The Otters would be successful in two penalty kills within five minutes of each other, holding the Attack scoreless in the second. Ethan Fraser would once again come up big in the crease with a lightning-quick snag of the glove to keep it a one-goal game. With just over two minutes into the game, Owen Sound would equalize with Landen Hookey (10) finding the back of the net. Sam McCue (20) would add to the Owen Sound lead two minutes later, with 33 seconds left in the frame to give the Attack their first lead of the game.

The third and final period of the game would begin with the Otters down 3-2 and on the penalty kill after an Alex Messier penalty in the final seconds of the second frame. The penalty would be killed cleanly, making it the second successful penalty kill of the game. Stalemate play would resume with neither team adding to their total until the 14-minute mark, where Sam Alfano (23) would capitalize on a loose puck in front of the net and tie the game up at 3-3. The Otters would gain momentum from here and close the shot gap between them and the Owen Sound, testing Attack goaltender Carter George. Neither team would be able to break through and the game would head into overtime.

Overtime play would follow the same back-and-forth theme as regulation play, with both sides having their chances at breakaways but neither being able to capitalize. With nine seconds left in OT, Deni Goure (33) would find the back of the net and win it for the Owen Sound Attack.

Erie will once again host divisional foe Owen Sound for the season-series finale on Sunday, March 10. Sunday's game will be the final Sunday Family Funday of the season, with the first 1000 fans in the arena receiving a free 2023-24 Team Card Set (pres. by Turn 2 Sports Cards & Collectibles). Erie will then prepare for a three-game weekend, starting at home on Wednesday against London for Women's Empowerment Night (pres. by Erie Women's Empowerment), play their final game against an Eastern Conference foe on Thursday in Niagara, and return home for Saturday's St. Patrick's Celebration.

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Erie Otters on game night
Erie Otters on game night
   

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