OHL Erie Otters

Otters Complete Trip, Then Home for Two

Published on January 28, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League finish a five-game road trip Thursday when they travel to St. Catharines to face the Niagara IceDogs in a 7:30 p.m. start. Following the game the Otters return to the Tullio Arena for home games Friday and Saturday against the Oshawa Generals and Guelph Storm respectively.

Tomorrow's game 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.

The first 2,000 fans into the game Friday against the Generals will receive a free cheesy role coupon courtesy of Taco Bell. First 1,000 fans into the game Saturday against the Storm will receive an autograph book compliments of M.A. Sprickman Heating & Cooling and fans are invited to an Otters Meet and Greet immediately following the game. Tickets for both games are available at the Civic Center Box Office, all Erie-area Ticketmaster locations, on-line at www.ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

The Otters enter the three-game stretch winners of two of the first four games of a season-long five-game trip but coming off a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa 67's in their last outing on Sunday. Erie is 23-23-2-0 on the season to stand seventh in the Western Conference, one point behind the Plymouth Whalers and five behind the Sarnia Sting in the race for playoff positioning.

Mike Cazzola and Andrew Yogan have paced the Otters offensively as of late.

Cazzola has assumed the Otters rookie scoring lead (8-8-16) thanks to a stretch in which he has collected four goals and three assists in his last four games. Yogan has been equally as hot with a goal and six assists in his last four games. Since being acquired by the Otters in early November, the 17 year-old forward has registered 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points in 28 games.

On Thursday the Otters face an IceDogs team that has been on a tear. Niagara (20-19-4-5) has lost only once in regulation in their last 10 game and are making a serious move in the Eastern Conference standings. Veteran goaltender Jeremy Smith has spearheaded the IceDogs surge. Since being acquired from the Whalers just prior to the Trade Deadline the Nashville Predators prospect is 6-1-0-1 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .925 save percentage.

The Generals arrive at the Tullio Arena for their only visit of the season sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-21-1-4 (prior to a home game Thursday against Brampton).

The Generals, losers of their last three, are 3-5 since trading away John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto to the London Knights in one of the biggest OHL Trade Deadline deals in League history. In return, Oshawa received six picks and three prospects, including Christian Thomas. The former Knights first rounder has enjoyed his time with the Generals collecting two goals and six assists in eight games after registering 11 points in 32 games with London.

Brett Parnham leads the Generals in scoring with 33 goals and 16 assists for 49 points in 45 games. The veteran forward's 33 goals are tied for the second most in the OHL. Calvin de Haan has been one of the League's biggest surprises. The 17 year-old defenseman rates third in rookie scoring with 43 points in 47 games. He ranks fifth among all OHL defensemen in scoring and his 38 assists are the fourth most in the League.

On Saturday the Storm make their second appearance of the season at the Tullio Arena tied for third in the Western Conference with a 26-17-2-3 record (prior to a home game Friday night against Peterborough).

Similar to Oshawa, the Storm also pulled the trigger on a big deal at the OHL Trade Deadline, sending all-star goaltender Thomas McCollum to Brampton for prospects.

Matt Kennedy leads Guelph in scoring with 26 goals and 24 assist for 50 points in 48 games. The fourth-year forward has registered more points so far this season than he managed in his first three OHL seasons combined. The Storm also feature a wealth of young talent with forwards Peter Holland, Taylor Beck and Michael Latta all participating in the Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game played in Oshawa a couple of weeks ago.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2009


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