OHL Erie Otters

Otters sweep Storm in Guelph, 5-4

March 4, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Brett Thompson's goal in the fourth round of the shootout helped the Erie Otters (35-26-1-1) earn a season sweep over the Guelph Storm in a 5-4 win at Sleeman Centre Friday night.

Thompson was able to fake Brandon Foote to his right and deposit the puck around the left leg of Brandon Foote to seal the victory and give the Otters a three-game winning streak.

The Otters did their damage in the second period, scoring four goals in the frame to take a 4-2 lead going into the third. Down 1-0, Greg McKegg streaked through the Guelph defense and put the puck between the legs of Foote at 3:27 to tie the game.

Guelph native Mike Cazzola had an excellent night for the Otters with a goal and three assists. His goal 7:22 into the second gave the Otters a 2-1 lead. Cazzola ripped a shot from just outside the left circle for his 16th goal of the season.

McKegg made another great move 59 seconds later on the power play for his second goal of the game. The captain spun around in front of Foote and squeaked the puck between the goaltender's legs for his team-leading 44th goal of the season at 8:21.

Peter Holland answered 89 seconds later to trim the Erie lead to one. After Andrey Pedan was ejected for checking Phil Varone in the head, the Otters received a major power play and quickly converted. Shawn Szydlowski roofed a backhander from the left circle at 14:35 to give the Otters a two-goal lead going into the third.

The Storm sscored twice on their special teams in the first three and a half minutes of the third to tie the game. The goaltenders stole the show for the remainder of regulation and overtime. Chris Festarini denied Taylor Beck off a one-timer from point blank range which foreshadowed the theft of a point by the Otters in Guelph.

Thompson scored the shootout winner after each team had a pair of goals in the first three rounds. Varone and McKegg had the other shootout goals for Erie.

The Otters return home for a Sunday afternoon game against the Sarnia Sting, puck drop at 4:30 p.m. The first 1,000 children 14-and-under receive a school notebook courtesy of State Farm Insurance and Erie Times-News. There will also be a post-game meet and greet with Otters players.

Individual tickets for the 2011 OHL Playoffs will go on sale starting at the first intermission of Sunday afternoon's game against the Sarnia Sting only at the Erie Civic Center Box Office until the end of the game. Tickets will be on sale starting at 10:00 a.m. Monday morning at all outlets. Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster, the Civic Center Box Office, online at ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.

For further information contact the Erie Otters at 814-455-7779 or e-mail the Otters at paul@ottershockey.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2011


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