OHL Erie Otters

Otters Take Seventh Straight Victory

November 1, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - The Otters fought for a 7-4 win over Ottawa to extend their winning streak to seven games, remaining undefeated in regulation for a 13-0-0-1 start to the season. Travis Wood scored during his first shift of the season and Daniel Dekoning notched his fourth win in as many starts in the Otters victory.

Alex DeBrincat put the Otters up to another early lead, poking the puck into the net at the end of a tic-tac-toe from Nick Betz and Connor McDavid. After the first line opened the scoring, the fourth line brought the Otters to a 2-0 lead. Wood scored his first goal of the season on his first shot of his first shift from line mates Kyle Maksimovich and Patrick Fellows. With Kurtis MacDermid in the box for interference, the 67's cut the lead in half 19 seconds into the power play with a goal from Connor Graham.

TJ Fergus scored his first OHL goal to make it 3-1 Otters, DeBrincat and McDavid both picking up their second points of the night with assists. Wood was sent off for high sticking after an argument in front of the net, and the 67's nearly cut the lead to one, but Dekoning went post-to-post with a huge save to keep Dante Salituro off the board.

DeBrincat rang the puck off the crossbar and the goal light started up, but with the play under review, the goal was quickly waved off. The Otters didn't score on the subsequent power play, but Dylan Strome found the back of the net to give the Otters a 4-1 lead to close out the first.

Ottawa didn't back down. With two goals in the first five minutes, Erik Bradford and Jeremiah Addison made it 4-3 in favor of Erie. But 19 seconds after Addison's goal, Betz gave the first line their second goal of the night to give the Otters a two-goal lead.

A turnover nearly put the 67's once again within a goal, but Dekoning made a huge save to keep Ottawa at bay. The Otters had nearly two minutes of a 5-on-3 advantage with Travis Konecny serving a double minor for high sticking and Alex Linutiemi called for hooking, but Ottawa rallied to stop each chance. Konecny headed back to the box at 18:08 for unsportsmanlike conduct, but the Otters power play was negated when the Otters were caught with too many men on the ice at the end of the period.

Wood nearly had his second goal of the game on a small breakaway as he left the box to start the third, but Leo Lazarev made a big save to spoil the chance. Four and a half minutes in, Addison scored his second of the game for a 5-4 Otters lead. But Dekoning and Betz made a nice defensive play to send the puck into the offensive zone and McDavid scored to make it 6-4.

As DeBrincat left the box after being called for closing his hand on the puck, he was pulled down on a breakaway and the net was dislodged as bodies - and the puck - went into the goal. The play was reviewed and the no-goal call was confirmed, giving DeBrincat a penalty shot. Lazarev made a big save, but a minute later Strome scored his second of the game with help from Trent Fox and Troy Donnay, finishing off the Otters' 7-4 win.

The game keeps Dekoning's record perfect with four wins in four starts. DeBrincat's penalty shot was the first for the Otters since March 2, 2013 (Betz was stopped by Jordan DeKort at home against Windsor.) Betz (5 games), DeBrincat (6 games), and McDavid (14 games) all continue their scoring streaks, and their goals gave the entire first line a goal in the game. Wood's first goal of the season was also his first goal since March 5 of last season against Plymouth.

Erie travels to Niagara on Thursday before coming home for the weekend to take on Sarnia on Friday and Saginaw on Saturday.

The Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 Ironmen of the Game:

3. Nick Betz - 1G, 2A

2. Dylan Strome - 2

1. Connor McDavid - 1G, 3A

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2014


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