OHL Erie Otters

Otters Capture Game 1 in Windsor, 2-1

Published on March 24, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Ramis Sadikov was sensational in picking up his first OHL postseason win with 40 saves in a 2-1 win for the Erie Otters in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre. The Otters gain home ice advantage as they take a 1-0 series lead back to Erie.

The Otters broke the ice with a shorthanded goal at 15:11 of the first period. Brett Thompson found a loose puck in the right corner and found Phil Varone at the top of the crease for an easy tap in by Varone to give the Otters a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

Anthony Luciani doubled the Otters lead 80 seconds into the second with a similar goal to Varone's, as Thompson found Luciani at the top of the crease from the right corner for Luciani's first of the postseason. Stephen Johnston put the Spitfires on the board less than two minutes later with a power play goal, and thanks to some strong penalty killing by the Otters in the second period, the Otters held a 2-1 lead going into the third period.

That would be all the scoring in the game, as the goaltenders took center stage with Sadikov outdueling Jack Campbell. Sadikov rarely gave up any rebounds and was the best penalty killer for an Erie team that was shorthanded a season-high 11 times, snuffing the Spitfires on 10 power play opportunities. The Spitfires outshot the Otters, 41-37.

Thompson collected a pair of assists for Erie, while Varone netted a goal and an assist. The win was the first on the road for the Otters in the postseason since a 2-1 double overtime victory in Kitchener on March 25, 2005.

Individual tickets for the first round of the 2011 OHL Playoffs against the Windsor Spitfires are now on sale, with Game 2 (Home Game "A") at Tullio Arena Saturday March 26 at 7:00 p.m. The first 2,000 fans to the game will receive a t-shirt for the "Whiteout", courtesy of Sluggers Sports Bar and Grill, Esser Family Dental, Plyler Overhead Door, J.C. Orengia Landscaping, Burhenn's Pharmacy, Springhill Suites and JET-TV/Fox 66. Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster, the Civic Center Box Office, online at ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2011


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