OHL Erie Otters

Late Penalty Gives Knights Power Play Game-Winner in Final Minute

Published on February 19, 2022 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - The long-awaited promotion of Star Wars Night finally came to fruition at the Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday night, as the Erie Otters hosted their bitter-rival from the London Knights. With an 0-3 record against the Knights in the 2021-22 season, the Otters would hope that a major crowd and a fire in their belly from a frustrating Friday night loss would lead the way for win #1 over the Midwest Division enemy.

While Erie would control the offensive time-of-possession for much of period one, it would be the London Knights that would strike for blood first, as Antonio Stranges (16) would net the game's opening goal on the power play, and give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Erie would finish the period 1/2 on the PK, 0/1 on the power play, and trailing in shots 9-7.

Bedlam would break out in the second period as three goals would cross the goal lines in a physical, rivalry battle. 11:06 into the second frame, Connor Lockhart (17) would net a bardown shot in the mid-slot to knot things up 1-1. Nearly four minutes later, London would look for a typical dump-in, but a wayward puck off an officials body would present a wide-open net opportunity, and Luke Evangelista (36) would strike to give London a 2-1 lead. In the dying minute of the frame, on the power play, Noah Sedore (9) would rip a rebounded shot to tie things up. Following the goal celebration, fists would be thrown and bodies would bang in a wild finish to the frame. Erie would lead in shots 21-18, with a dead-knot 2-2 game.

An anxious third period of play would see just a pair of penalties called and a very limited number of shots taken. The latter penalty would come in the final minute of the third period, and with :21.7 left, it would be Antonio Stranges (17) with his second of the night, and second on the power play. Shots would finish in favor of Erie 27-26, but would drop a fantastic battle with the #3 team in the OHL West, 3-2.

Thus ends the six-game homestand for the Otters, finishing with a record of 3-3 in the stretch. Erie prepares for four-straight on the road up next, with a Monday afternoon game in Hamilton for Family Day (CAN) / President's Day (US) hockey before heading back to the Mitten for a three-in-three with Saginaw (2) and Flint (1). The Otters will return home on Friday, March 4 and Saturday March 5 against the Flint Firebirds.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2022


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