OHL Erie Otters

Otters Humiliate Colts in 12-3 Demolition

Published on January 14, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Erie Otters (21-20-1-1) took advantage of the worst team in the Ontario Hockey League, the Barrie Colts, and hammered the defending Eastern Conference champions Friday night at Tullio Arena with a 12-3 win that was one of the biggest offensive outputs in Otters history.

The Otters scored more than 10 goals for the first time since January 10, 1999, a 10-1 win at Toronto. The 12 goals are the most since the Otters destroyed the Windsor Spitfires, 13-4, on home ice March 5, 1998.

Greg McKegg put the Otters on the board early after a Colts turnover. Mike Cazzola stole the puck from Kyler Nixon in the high slot to start a two-on-one, passing it the McKegg at the side of the far circle where the captain put it home for his 29th of the season at 1:53.

Anthony Luciani ended a nine-game goal drought with a power play tally at 4:09 to put the Otters ahead by two. Luciani knocked in a rebound from a David Shields shot for his 14th of the season.

Recent callup Johnny McGuire, playing in his second OHL game and making his Tullio Arena debut, scored his first OHL goal as he floated a shot from the far half-boards that eluded Josh Malecki at 16:21.

McKegg picked up his second of the game with a power play goal at 18:00 as he deflected a shot by Derek Holden between the legs of Malecki. The Otters took a 4-0 lead into the first intermission, but it was only a taste of what was to come in the second.

Phil Varone found Shawn Szydlowski with a great cross ice pass to the left circle, where Szydlowski ripped a shot for his 21st of the season at 5:21. Fellow Michigan native Mac McDonnell knocked in a rebound at the crease 58 seconds later for his sixth of the season to make it 6-0, ending Malecki's night.

The Otters made it a lucky seven after a shorthanded goal by Varone, who took a Barrie turnover and streaked in for a breakaway, sneaking a shot off of relief goaltender John Chartrand for his 17th goal of the season at 7:40.

Matt Paton scored his sixth of the season on a shot off the far half-boards that squeaked through the glove of Chartrand at 12:08, and Brett Cook added a power play market for his sixth of the season at 14:56. Brett Thompson, acquired at the deadline from Sault Ste. Marie, completed the second period rout with his 26th of the season at 16:40, making it 10-0 going into the third.

Tanner Pearson finally ended the Otters run with a power play goal 4:50 into the third, but the Otters struck back twice on goals by Cazzola shorthanded and Luciani at even-strength. Barrie scored the final two goals of the contest to result in Erie's 12-3 win.

Cazzola tallied a goal and three assists to lead the Otters with a four-point night. Varone and Szydlowski each had a goal and two assists for the Otters, who just had three skaters that didn't record a point. The Otters had a shooting percentage of 36 percent by scoring on 12 of 33 shots, something that most basketball teams would envy.

The Otters return to action Saturday night at 7:00 p.m., when the London Knights come into town for Cowbell Night presented by Hungry Howie's Pizza and a post-game concert featuring The O'Needers presented by Erie General Electric Credit Union. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2011


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