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OHL Erie Otters

LeBlanc's Return, Two Points Downs Erie 3-2

April 11, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - After a disappointing finale to the road season by way of a 4-1 loss in Flint on Saturday night, the Erie Otters returned home to close out the final week of the Ontario Hockey League Regular Season. The final four games would kick off on Monday night as the team hosted a division foe looking to clinch a playoff spot, the Kitchener Rangers. The Rangers, 7th in the OHL, would find their way into the OHL post-season with either a win or overtime/shootout loss; Erie would be able to jump back into the final playoff spot for the night with a win.

With what was at stake in this game, the first period was reflective of that anxiety. Erie would find three power play opportunities in the period, but be unable to convert on the trio thanks to three Kitchener kills. Outshooting the Rangers 14-8, it would be Kitchener who would find the lone goal of the frame, as Adam Zidlicky (6) would beat Nolan Lalonde on a two-on-one 16:45 into the game to make it 1-0 Kitchener after one.

Down by a goal after one, the Otters would find themselves down by a pair to start the second period 4:49 in, as Reid Valade (29) would put the Rangers up 2-0. Erie would look to make it a one-goal game minutes later, but the Dan D'Amato tip would be called off for an earlier offside on the zone possession. Erie would find themselves back to the goal column - officially - as Daniel D'Amato (22) would run away on a shorthanded breakaway and roof it over Pavel Cajan to make it a one goal game. Despite being outshot 11-7 in the frame, the Otters would finally get on the board, and find a one goal game into the third. Erie lead in shots after 40 21-19.

It would remain at the same score as the end of the second for over half the period, but it would be the returning rookie Andrew LeBlanc (6) who would give the Rangers their eventual game-winner 10:58 into the game. The Otters would continue their fight back with Ryan Thompson firing a prayer off the shoulder of Carey Terrance (10) 12:42 into the period, but that would be as close as the Otters would get in a 3-2 game. Erie would have a six-on-four power play with :10 left in the game, but Kitchener would jam it in front to take the win. Erie would outshoot Kitchener 38-32.

Kitchener locks up the seventh playoff spot with the win, and will hold in at #7 in the OHL West. It's back-to-back early week games for the Otters, as the team hosts a division foe one last time in the regular season in the Guelph Storm on Tuesday night. Three games remain in the OHL regular season for the Erie Otters, making their push to their first playoff appearance since 2017. With three games remaining and a point behind Sarnia, it'll be a battle to the end.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2022


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