Otters Find Offense, But Fall Short 4-3 to Saginaw at Home

October 6, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release

ERIE, PA - The Otters played at home for the second night in a row, hoping to turn a new leaf and rediscover their game. They were given an early opportunity to do just that, as Saginaw forward Aidan Prueter was sent to the box for checking from behind, but were unable to connect on the chance. Near the midpoint of the period, the Spirit saw their first powerplay chance on a Hayden Fowler blindsiding penalty, but were unsuccessful as well.

The Spirit opened the second stanza with all guns firing, and Nicholas Porco managed to put two pucks behind Erie goalie Noah Battaglia in just the first three minutes. Minutes later, an Emmett Sproule goal off of a Christian Girhiny feed cut the Spirit lead to one as the team began to find a bit of offensive momentum, despite the Spirit answering quickly with a DJ Busdeker goal. This continued late into the period when Gera Poddubnyi scored on a powerplay wrist shot to make it a one goal game heading into the intermission.

The third period began with the Otters getting an early 2-on-0 chance that supplied Petr Cajka with his first OHL goal, also tying the game at three. This lasted only a few minutes, as Damien Giroux found the back of the net to put the Spirit back on top with still lots of time on the clock. The Otters held their own in the offensive zone for the majority of the period, but ultimately came up short on a number of chances and dropped their fourth straight game, 4-3 the final score.

The Otters will look to bounce back this Thursday night in Peterborough, where they will take on the Petes to kick off a three-game road trip.

Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2018

• Attack Triumph over Generals, Win 4-2 at Home - Owen Sound Attack
• Kitchener Takes Playoff Rematch - Sarnia Sting
• Porco Scores Twice, Spirit Sweep Three-Game Trip - Saginaw Spirit
• Otters Find Offense, But Fall Short 4-3 to Saginaw at Home - Erie Otters
• Rangers Soar to a 4-3 Victory over the Sting - Kitchener Rangers
• Bulldogs Down Petes 3-2 - Brantford Bulldogs
• Comeback Falls Just Short as Petes Drop Second Game to Hamilton - Peterborough Petes
• Colts Fall to 67's 4-3 in Ottawa - Barrie Colts
• Clark, Rossi Lead the Way as 67's Edge Barrie at Home - Ottawa 67's
• Rangers Fall to Saginaw in a 4-3 Overtime Loss - Kitchener Rangers
• Spirit Wrap up Road Trip Saturday Night against Otters - Saginaw Spirit
• Knights Defend against the Attack - London Knights
• Sting Drop 6-5 Road Duel against Storm - Sarnia Sting
• Fronts Fall 4-1 to Greyhounds - Kingston Frontenacs
• Steelheads Win Fourth Straight in OT - Brampton Steelheads

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Erie Otters Stories

• Malcolm Spence Commits to University of Michigan
• Erie Otters Announce Changes in Hockey Operations Department
• Erie Otters Announce Changes in Communications Department
• Resilient Otters Season Ends in Second Round Loss to London; Future Bright in Erie
• Erie Otters Select Two Players in 2025 U18 Priority Selection