
Otters Hold on to Beat Sarnia
September 25, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release
Sarnia, Ontario - It was a little closer than they would have liked, but the Otters will take the win nonetheless. Erie scored just enough to keep the Sarnia Sting from making a comeback and won the game 5-4 at the RBC Centre in Sarnia to improve to 2-0-0-0 on the season.
The first goal of the game came from a player who was absent in the Otters' season opener. Fresh off his USA Hockey All American Prospects game appearence, Alex Debrincat scored the game's first goal on assists from Kyle Maksimovich and Darren Raddysh. Erie looked to have things going its way just a few minutes later when Shaun Bily drew a slashing penalty on Sarnia's Alex Black. Daniel Nikandrov would change that on the penalty kill when he scored shorthanded for the Sting to tie the game at one. Erie would respond right back 57 seconds later when Nick Betz scored his first of the season, giving Erie the lead right back 2-1.
While Erie was able to kill two penalties in the first period, Sarnia would finally take advantage of a power play opportunity in the second when Jakob Chychrun scored to tie the game 2-2 midway through the second period. The score remained tied until late in the second period, when the Otters would strike twice in 40 seconds. Maksimovich put a rebound past Justin Fazio for his second of the season, shortly followed by Kyle Pettit scoring his second of the year, putting Erie up 4-2 at the end of two periods.
Erie was 0-3 on the power play for the game entering the third period and still haven't scored a goal with the man advantage through the young season. That would change when Jake Marchment snuck one past Fazio seven seconds into a crosschecking minor by Kevin Spinozzi. That extended Erie's lead to 5-2.
Sarnia would get one back when Hayden Hodgson scored from in front of the net with 11:20 to play, making it 5-3. The Sting would continue to put the pressure on the Otters late in third, outshooting the Otters 19-9 in the third and 39-27 for the game. Devin Williams made some big saves in the third to keep Erie's lead at two, until Alexandre Renaud crashed the net and cut the score to 5-4 with 90 seconds to play. Sarnia would pull the goalie Fazio to try and tie it, but Erie was able to hold on to come out with the one goal victory. Williams finished with 35 saves on 39 shots.
Erie will take its 2-0 record to Niagara and take on the IceDogs Thursday, October 1. Game time is scheduled for 7:00.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2015
- Petes Appropriate Party for 60th Season - North Bay Battalion
- Steelheads Shut out 67s in Home Opener - Brampton Steelheads
- Sting Edged by Otters at Home - Sarnia Sting
- Peterborough Prevails in Battalion's Opener - North Bay Battalion
- Generals Spoil Storm Opener with 3-0 Win - Guelph Storm
- Hounds Drop Season Opener in Overtime to Windsor - Soo Greyhounds
- Rangers Fall 5-4 in OT in Season Opener - Kitchener Rangers
- Wolves Drop Season Opener - Sudbury Wolves
- 67's Seeking First Win at Home - Ottawa 67's
- Cianfrone Makes Big Splash in Win - Owen Sound Attack
- Otters Hold on to Beat Sarnia - Erie Otters
- IceDogs Maul Wolves 8-1 in 2015/16 Opener - Niagara IceDogs
- Erie Acquires Pick from Owen Sound - Erie Otters
- Knights Lace up in Gold this Weekend - London Knights
- Attack Acquire Cianfrone and Dekoning - Owen Sound Attack
- Steelheads Acquire Jack Flinn from Owen Sound - Brampton Steelheads
- Flinn Traded to Steelheads; Attack Acquire Pair - Owen Sound Attack
- Hectic Summer for GM DeGray - Owen Sound Attack
- Spits Fall in OT on Opening Night - Windsor Spitfires
- Flint Shuts out Saginaw 3-0 in Historic OHL Season Opener - Flint Firebirds
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
- Robert Morris Commit Tristen Trevino Signs with Erie Otters
- #74 Overall Pick AJ Gladman Commits to Erie Otters
- Erie Otters Announce 2025-26 Ontario Hockey League Schedule
- Erie Otters Announce 2025-26 Ontario Hockey League Schedule
- Matthew Schaefer Named CHL Top Prospect at 2025 CHL Awards

