OHL Erie Otters

Otters Bombarded by Rangers in 5-3 Defeat

Published on January 1, 2017 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


After losing two straight to the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Otters went back on the road to face the Rangers in Kitchener looking to end their two-game losing skid. Joe Murdaca, who made 21 saves on 22 shots in his Erie debut the night previous, made his second start as Troy Timpano was given the night off-a precautionary measure after the Otters starter aggravated an injury during practice. Erie was unable to pull off a win against Kitchener, however, losing 5-3.

The beginning half of the first period was largely uneventful; each team tested the goaltenders with shots, but Murdaca and Rangers starter Luke Opilka handled the attempts easily. It wasn't until nine minutes into the period that someone broke through the goaltenders: Kitchener's Mason Kohn, who entered the game against the Otters on a nine-game goal-drought, beat Murdaca to give his team the 1-0 lead. Later, with just five seconds left in the period, Connor Bunnaman batted a mid-air rebound past Murdaca and into the net. The play was reviewed for a high-stick, but the officials were unable to conclusively prove Bunnaman's stick was above his shoulders when it made contact with the puck. The Otters skated off for the first intermission down 2-0.

The first half of the second period proved just as troublesome for the Otters as the first period. Greg Meireles, OHL leading scorer among rookies, scored a quick snap-shot goal on the rush to give the Rangers a commanding 3-0 lead early in the second, and Connor Bunnaman scored his second of the game for the Rangers. Kitchener took hold of a 4-0 lead midway through game, but Allan McShane-Otters rookie and 2016 first-round pick-put a hard shot through Luke Opilka, pulling Erie to within three goals late in the second period. Murdaca was forced to make a penalty-shot save late in the second, and the Otters went into the third period down 4-1.

The Otters skated out for the final third of the game with a desperate energy, needing three goals just to tie the game. Erie's Jordan Sambrook cut Kitchener's lead to two early in the period: he wristed the puck over Opilka's glove to score, but Kitchener's Darby Llewellyn regained the three-goal lead for his team shortly thereafter. The Otters were unable to get another goal past Opilka, the St. Louis Blues prospect, and they lost 5-3 to the Rangers. It was the Otters' third straight loss.

Allan McShane and Jordan Sambrook scored Erie's goals, and Christian Girhiny notched two assists. Joe Murdaca made 25 saves on 30 shots in his second game with the Otters this season.

For Kitchener, Connor Bunnaman scored two goals; Adam Mascherin had three assists; and Joseph Garreffa also had three assists. Luke Opilka made 33 saves on 35 shots and was named the third star of the game for his performance in Kitchener's victory.

The Otters return to Erie to face the Niagara IceDogs on Wednesday, January 4, where they'll look to end their three-game losing skid.

For more information on the Erie Otters, contact aaron@ottershockey.com

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 1, 2017


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