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OHL Erie Otters

Otters Vanquished in 8-3 Shocker by Spirit

November 18, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


On a two-game losing streak entering the game against Saginaw, the Erie Otters continued their extended road trip looking for two points against the OHL's last-placed team. The Spirit took advantage of a sleepy Otters team, however, and won in shocking fashion, 8-3.

The Otters started the game slowly, and Saginaw was able to capitalize: Matthew Kreis banked a quick snap-shot off Erie goaltender Troy Timpano to give the Spirit the early lead. With the momentum swinging heavily in their favor, Saginaw built on that lead with two goals in quick succession: Jesse Barwell was credited with the Spirit's power play tally to give them the 2-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Saginaw's Cole Coskey won his battle along the half-boards to keep the puck alive in Erie's zone; Brady Gilmour picked up the puck and wristed a shot over Timpano's shoulder, and the Otters left for the first intermission down a daunting three goals despite outshooting their opponents 10-8.

Erie, the OHL's first place team and featuring the league's two leading scorers in Taylor Raddysh and Alex DeBrincat, would not be denied early in the second period. Raddysh sent a hard shot on goal that appeared to initially miss the net--it careened off the boards behind Saginaw goaltender Evan Cormier. The play was whistled dead, however, and upon video review it was determined that Taylor Raddysh's shot not only went through Cormier but the net as well. His goal pulled the Otters to within two, but the Spirit regained their three-goal lead mere shifts later when Kirill Maksimov deflected a routine point-shot, which beat Timpano. Timpano, one of the OHL's top goaltenders, was relieved of duty in favor of longtime Erie backup Jake Lawr. The quick goal against severed Erie's comeback at the knee and shifted momentum back in the Spirit's favor: Robert Proner, Damien Giroux, Hayden Hodgson, and Max Grondin all scored late in the period to give Saginaw the shocking 8-1 lead. Erie's Taylor Raddysh scored his second of the game in the final minute of the period, but the Otters left the ice for the second intermission down six goals.

Erie rookie Allan McShane scored early in the third, but Evan Cormier and the Spirit defense locked the period down from there to win the game 8-3.

Taylor Raddysh scored Erie's only two goals. In net, Troy Timpano started the game and saved 6 of the 10 shots he faced; Jake Lawr stopped 7 of 11 in relief.

For Saginaw, Kirill Maksimov and Matthew Kreis each scored a goal and an assist; Marcus Crawford and Markus Niemelainen each had two assists; and Max Grondin scored his first career OHL goal. In net, New Jersey Devils prospect Evan Cormier saved 33 of the 36 shots for the victory against Erie.

The Otters continue a tough road trip on Saturday, November 19 against the Sarnia Sting.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2016


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