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OHL Erie Otters

McDonald Secures a Three-Point Night in Loss to Barrie

February 5, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Bruce McDonald of the Erie Otters
Bruce McDonald of the Erie Otters
(Erie Otters)

Erie, Pennsylvania - Monday night hockey in Erie; a welcome rarity to start off a new week! Riding off the heels off a weekend that jumped the Otters up to 10th in the Ontario Hockey League power rankings - downing Guelph and Kitchener in two of the weekend's three games - Erie would have its final home game for nine days. This unique week day game would be the rescheduled January 10 game against the Barrie Colts, as Erie would look to sweep the season series against their Eastern Conference adversary.

The first period of play would open with a slow tempo, and it wouldn't be long until the Colts caught the Otters on their heels. Barrie's first goal, short-handed and courtesy of Zach Wigle (11), would come just over five minutes into the first period. The Otters' first shot on goal wouldn't come until almost nine minutes into the frame and from then on, Erie's offense would show a bit more life. Still, despite getting more pucks on frame, the Otters would concede another goal in the period after an Owain Johnston interference penalty would put them on the penalty kill. Blair Scott (3) found the back of the net for the Colts to extend their lead to 2-0 to end the first frame.

The second frame would begin with the Otters finally showing off their offensive abilities with three shots in quick succession to keep the Colts from getting too comfortable in their lead. Seven minutes into the period, the Otters would start to outshoot the Colts 16-15, but Barrie defense would hold strong and keep the Otters scoreless. But something always has to give and the Otters finally got themselves on the board at the 7:26 mark. Bruce McDonald (9) found the back of the net for the Otters to cut the Barrie lead in half and bring some energy to the ice. Charlie Burns in the crease for Erie would keep it a one goal game until the fifteenth minute when Zach Wigle (12) would score his second goal of the night to put Barrie up 3-1. It would be just over a minute later that Bode Stewart (5) would extend the Barrie lead 4-1. Despite still outshooting the Colts 29-20, the Otters couldn't manage to find the back of the net for the rest of the period.

The third period would start with the Otters on the attack. Less than 45 seconds into the frame, it would be Bruce McDonald (10) again to close the gap for Erie and make it 4-2. Ninety seconds later, an Ondrej Molnar breakaway would look as though it would make it a one goal game once again but after a quick review from the referees, it would remain 4-2. The Colts and Tai York (13) would take advantage of the slight decrease in momentum to find the back of the net two minutes later to bring the score to 5-2 with 15:28 left to go in the game. A penalty from both teams would lead to four-on-four hockey that neither team would capitalize on. It would be Malcolm Spence (15) to get the Otters on the board in the third frame, closing the gap to 5-3 with 11:15 left to go. Beau Jelsma (20) would have the Barrie response, ripping a slapshot from the circle to extend the Colts' lead 6-3. The game would end with that 6-3 final and it would be Ben West having himself a night with 37 saves on 40 shots, several of them momentum changing. The Erie Otters would outshoot the Colts 41-33, and it would be Bruce McDonald earning second star honors on the night, with two goals and one assist on the night.

Erie will enjoy an off day tomorrow, and prepare to hit the road for a three-in-three in Windsor/Sarnia/Saginaw this weekend, battling familiar foes of the West Division. The Otters will then return home on Valentine's Day to battle the Niagara IceDogs, hit the road one final time for Guelph on Friday, and return home for Mascot Mania (pres. by Chick-fil-A) against the Oshawa Generals.

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Bruce McDonald of the Erie Otters
Bruce McDonald of the Erie Otters
   

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2024


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