Sports stats



OHL Erie Otters

Otters Offense Explodes for Four in Third, Steals 7-4 Win out of Kitchener

March 31, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Kitchener, Ontario - No need to hunt for Easter eggs on the holiday Sunday - the Erie Otters goal for the final day of the opening week of the Ontario Hockey League post-season was to put a win in their proverbial basket before headed home. Following a slower-starting opening game of the playoffs, Erie would settle in offensively in the final period of game one, but fall by a multi-goal effort. Battling against a number of players out of the lineup, Erie would rely upon a next-man-up mentality in the second game of the opening round - including the OHL debut of 7th Round pick Keagan Knight, after a season in the GOJHL. They say a series isn't a series until the home team loses, and Erie would look to make it a series on Sunday.

Penalty trouble from game one would carry over early in period one of the new game, as Wesley Royston would head to the box in the opening :50. With an opportunity on the man-advantage, Carson Rehkopf (2, PPG) would score the opening goal - the third-straight game such has been the case for the Rangers against the Otters - just 1:44 in. A 1-0 lead would turn into a 2-0 lead after a poor turnover from Erie, as Tanner Lam would feed Matheas Stark (1) for Kitchener's second goal in 2:27. With Erie right back onto the penalty kill, Erie's shorthanded unit would appear ready for the task. As the penalty expired, Pano Fimis (1) would find a breakaway for his first-career OHL playoff goal to cut the Kitchener lead in half with just over five minutes gone by. Erie would close the period out with a shot-advantage of 8-6, but trail 2-1 through 20.

A dominant second period for the Erie Otters would be a necessity for momentum, and Erie would have just that. Opening scoring in the frame, it would be the dynamic sophomore Malcolm Spence (1) just 2:11 in to even things up for the first time in the series. Erie wouldn't stay tied for long, as Sam Alfano (2) would put home a Dylan Edwards feed to put Erie up for the first time, 3-2. Penalty trouble would start to creep its way around the Otters, but they would up to task to kill off a four-on-three, five-on-three, and five-on-four. All wouldn't stay rosy for too long, as Carson Rehkopf (3) would score on a four-on-four to knot things up at 3-3 in the final minutes. Kitchener would lead in shots 18-15, but the score would be a tie through 40.

The tone for the period would be set early, as Ducks' prospect Carey Terrance (1) would give Erie the lead 1:26 into the final frame. A power play goal from Matthew Sop (2, PPG) 4:17 in would put the game back at tied in a 4-4 game, but from here, Erie would never look back. Big Game Big Rig Sam Alfano (3, GWG) would collect his third point of the night - and what would be his first-career post-season game-winner - with his second goal of the night. With Kitchener pressuring offensively, a Bruce McDonald block would lead to a Kaleb Smith (1) opportunity where he would give Erie its first multi-goal lead of the playoffs, 6-4 with under four left. With an empty net, Dylan Edwards (3, ENG) would be sure to etch his name in the goal column to win it for Erie 7-4. The win would be Erie's first in the post-season in seven years, and the first in the career of goaltender Ethan Fraser - who would stop 24/28.

The series now shifts to the Flagship City as week two of the post-season begin. Home action in the playoffs begin for Erie on Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M., as Erie plays its first home playoff game since winning the 2017 J. Ross Robertson Cup at the EIA. As part of Tuesday's festivities, the first 2000 fans in the arena will receive a free DEFEND THE DEN rally towel (pres. by Rebich Investments). There will also be a very special light and balloon display created by familiar friends at Rubber Ducky Balloon Designs, that will be up for game three and game four - which takes place at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday night. Game five will be Friday, April 5 back in Kitchener, with game six, if necessary, back in Erie at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 8.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2024


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.

OurSports Central