OHL Erie Otters

Otters Complete Home Stand

Published on December 6, 2007 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Last updated: December 6, 2007
Source: Erie Otters News Release


The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League wrap up a four-game home stand this weekend with 7:30 p.m. games against the Sarnia Sting on Friday and the London Knights on Saturday at the Tullio Arena.

Friday the first 1,000 fans into the game receive a free appetizer card courtesy of TGI Friday's. It's also $5 College ID Fridays and all AAA members receive $2 off a ticket with an active AAA Card. Saturday's game is presented by Erie County Recycling. Bring a recyclable item and receive two tickets to the Otters game on January 2nd (limit two tickets per person) and the first 1,000 fans into the game receive a free sports bottle. Tickets for both games are available at all Erie-area TicketMaster locations, by visiting the Civic Center Box Office, on line-at www.ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

The Otters enter weekend action coming off a 5-4 shootout victory over the Guelph Storm Saturday to end a four-game winless streak (0-3-1-0). The victory upped Erie's record to 5-20-2-1.

Nick Palmieri (pictured) paced the offense in the win over the Storm with a goal and an assist during regulation and what turned out to be the winner in the shootout. The veteran forward has seven goals and two assists in nine games since returning from the injured list to boost his overall totals to 10 goals and two assists in 14 games.

Sean Jones, Zack Torquato and Justin Hodgman are all in the midst of six-game point-scoring streaks. Jones has registered at least one point in every game he's played for the Otters with three goals and four assists for seven points; Torquato has five goals and four assists and Hodgman has collected four goals and five assists.

The Sting arrives at the Tullio Arena sporting a record of 17-12-0-0 and in the middle of the pack as far as playoff positioning in the Western Conference is concerned.

Steven Stamkos, rated No. 1 in the OHL by NHL Central Scouting in their preliminary rankings for the 2008 NHL Draft, leads Sarnia. The second-year forward has 28 goals and 20 assists for 48 points in 29 games this season. His 28 goals are the second most in the OHL while his 48 points rank as fifth most in the League. Offensive support comes from fellow forward Justin DiBenedetto, who is second in team scoring with 42 points in 29 games.

Sarnia won the first meeting between the two teams 5-3 on home ice on October 18th.

The Knights visit the Tullio Arena with an 18-9-0-2 record prior to a home game Friday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. London rebounded from a 0-6 start and are 18-3-0-2 in their last 23 games, including a current 7-1-0-2 stretch in their last 10 games.

Patrick Maroon leads the way offensively for the Knights. The 19 year-old is the top rookie scorer in the OHL with 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 27 games. Former Otters forward Sean O'Connor has been a nice overage addition with a goal and seven assists for eight points in nine games since arriving in London.

While not as offensively overpowering as last season, the Knights still feature the best money goaltender in the OHL in Steve Mason. The 19 year-old has almost single-handedly resurrected the season for the Knights spearheading their revival. The veteran goalie is 18-3-0-2 on the season and sports a 2.85 goals against average.

Both games can be heard live on FOX Sports Radio AM 1330 The FAN and on-line at www.ottershockey.com (presented by the James H. Cross Company) beginning with the pre-game show at 7:15 p.m. Saturday's game can also be seen live on the Image Sports Network starting at 7:30 p.m.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2007


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