OHL Erie Otters

McKegg and Cairns Lead Otters to First Win

Published on October 7, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pa. - A historic night by Greg McKegg and a career game by Luke Cairns helped the Erie Otters (1-4-0-0) earn their first win of the OHL season in a 7-5 triumph over the Owen Sound Attack Friday night at Tullio Arena.

McKegg tallied a team-record six assists while Cairns collected two goals and three assists in his first career five-point game. The second of Cairns' goals proved to be the game-winner.

The Attack grabbed the first lead of the contest four minutes, 33 seconds into the game as Joe Blandisi put home a one-timer for the visitors.

Travis Wood, whose parents were in attendance after a long drive from Wisconsin, made their trip worth it as he scored his first career OHL goal to tie the game. The defenseman faked a shot from the left circle and unleashed a shot through the legs of J.P. Cesario to knot the game at one at 13 minutes, 43 seconds.

Matt Petgrave broke the tie 108 seconds into the second period, but the lead was wiped out on Derek Holden's first goal of the season at three minutes, 28 seconds. Holden put in his own rebound from on top of the crease to tie the game at two.

Holden added another goal 38 seconds later to put the Otters in front. The overage defenseman blasted a shot from the left point during an Erie power play to give the Otters a 3-2 lead. McKegg's assist on this goal was his 200th point in the OHL.

That lead would last for a minute, as Gemel Smith scored for Owen Sound to tie up the game at five minutes, six seconds.

The game would then settle down until the Otters killed off a penalty late in the second. McKegg found a camping Brett Thompson all alone on the Owen Sound line, and the winger converted the breakaway with a backhander with five minutes, 32 seconds left in the period for his team-leading third goal of the season.

Cairns scored the first of his two goals with a power play marker at 16 minutes, 12 seconds, as he came strong towards Cesario and put in his own rebound around the right pad to make it 5-3, Otters. The Otters went into the locker room with their first lead after two periods of play this season.

The Attack grabbed a goal 61 seconds into the third to crawl within one, but Cairns scored a vital goal with just under 10 minutes remaining after McKegg forced a Petgrave turnover in the Attack zone and Cairns ripped a shot from the right circle for his second goal of the game.

Owen Sound would not go quietly, as Jake Dotchin scored on the power play to put the Attack within one with just over seven minutes left to play.

In what was a familiar scene for the Otters during the evening, McKegg had one final setup to enter the team record books as he found Brett Cook in the slot for a power play goal with four minutes, six seconds remaining. All of McKegg's helpers were primary assists.

Along with big nights from McKegg and Cairns, Nathan Glass had two assists in the evening as he collected his first two OHL points, while Cook and Thompson each had a goal and an assist.

The Otters have a rematch against the Attack Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Civic Center Box Office at (814) 452-4857 or online at Ottershockey.com.

Hockey for the Hungry returns Wednesday! Bring a non-perishable food item and get into the game against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors for $2.00. Enjoy Wendy's Buck Night specials with $1.00 Smith's hot dogs, beer, pop and popcorn. To find out more about Hockey for the Hungry, call the Otters Front Office at (814) 455-7779.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2011


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