OHL Erie Otters

Otters Score a Touchdown to Close 2021; Win Back to Back Games for First Time this Season

December 30, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Hamilton, Ontario - With 18 days of rest from their home win against Sarnia, the Erie Otters returned to the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton for the second time in the month of December, looking to finish the job they started last time they were in this building. Forcing overtime and eventually a shootout against Hamilton on December 5, the Otters were able to steal a point from a top five Ontario Hockey League foe. Now with a win "fresh" under their belts, and ample rest time, they'd look to close out the 2021 portion of the schedule with another mark in the win column.

Shaking the rust of an elongated break off, both teams would come out in a slower fashion than the last time they'd met. Erie would get a four minute power play as Avery Hayes would sit for a double minor for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct. Unable to capitalize on the man advantage, Hayes would come out of the box and fire a shot on net that Logan Morrison (12) would tip through for the night's first goal. The Otters wouldn't stay down for long, as Christian Kyrou (5) would net one just :33 later to tie things up at 1-1. Each team would get an opportunity on the man advantage following this, but neither team would find the net again in the frame, as the period would finish in a 1-1 tie. Hamilton lead in shots 7-6 after 20.

Similiar to the first period, the Bulldogs would start off the scoring for the second, this time just 3:03 into the frame as Brenden Anderson (1) would score his first of the season. However, just like the first, the Otters would retaliate and knot things up less than a minute later, as Noah Sedore (6) would score 3:25 into the frame. After a crosscheck was thrown against Otters' Captain Brendan Sellan, Cameron Morton would drop the glove in a short and decisively won fight against Artem Grushnikov. The Otters would serve a few more penalties before getting a four minute power play of their own to end the period. With just :21 left in the frame, Spencer Sova would fire a perfectly-placed shot to Brendan Sellan (7) for a power play goal and the first Erie lead of the night. After 40, the Otters would hold a 3-2 lead despite being outshot 17-16.

For the first time in the season series against the Bulldogs, the Erie Otters would find themselves with a lead - and they'd do so starting the third period with the advantage. The Otters wouldn't be pleased enough with a one goal lead, scoring four unanswered goals in the third period to take a massive 7-2 win. Goals would come from Colby Saganiuk (4), Spencer Sova (2), Noah Sedore (7, ENG), and Cameron Lowe (4). Nolan Lalonde would make 28/30 saves in the winning performance, and for the first time this season, the Otters would take back-to-back wins.

With the win, Erie has picked up its eighth of the season, and closes out the calendar year with a win. Due to positive COVID-19 cases affecting the Guelph Storm, Friday night's home game for the Erie Otters has been postponed. At this time, the Otters game against the London Knights scheduled for New Year's Day Saturday at the Erie Insurance Arena is still on. If there are any changes regarding scheduling, notice will be made on the Otters website and social media. The Erie Otters look forward to hockey's return in 2022.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2021


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