OHL Erie Otters

Otters Weather Storm, Win in OT

November 2, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Entering the game against Guelph on a three-game winning streak, Erie increased its streak to four wins as they defeated the Storm in OT, 5-4.

Though the first half of the period saw a sleepy effort from both Erie and Guelph, the Otters struck twice in under a minute to jump to a 2-0 lead in the latter half of the first: Erie's Christian Girhiny redirected a point-shot from defenseman TJ Fergus, beating Guelph goaltender Liam Herbst; 47 seconds later Kyle Maksimovich caught a pass in front of Herbst, spun to his forehand, and scored the Otters' second goal of the game. Then, in the final minutes of the period, Erie goaltender Troy Timpano was forced to make a save partial breakaway save, preserving the Otters' lead. Buoyed by Timpano's save, Erie rushed the puck back into Guelph's defensive zone, and DeBrincat snapped a quick shot past Herbst's blocker. Erie possessed the puck for the majority of the period, and it showed on the scoreboard: the Otters left the first period with a 3-0 lead and out-shot Guelph 19-4.

Guelph refused to allow the game to escape them early in the second period: Dmitri Samorukov scored on a hard shot from the point during the power play to pull the Storm within 2 goals. Two minutes later, Guelph's Isaac Ratcliffe walked in on the Otters' net after a miscommunication between Erie defensemen; Ratcliffe put the shot short-side, past Timpano, to make the score 3-2 early in the period. Guelph would score again on the power play just minutes later to tie the game 3-3: Albert Michnac wristed the shot low blocker, beating Timpano cleanly. Timpano, who was undefeated in eight starts for Erie coming into the game, bounced back quickly: with the Otters on the penalty kill once again, he came across the crease to make a pad save, then gloved the rebound shot to keep the score tied at three. Otters' leading scorer Taylor Raddysh regained the lead for Erie on a 2-on-1 rush, and the Otters left the period up 4-3.

The third period was a scoreless endeavour until Erie's Darren Raddysh turned the puck over in the defensive zone, leading to the five-hole shot and goal by Guelph's Nate Schnarr and tying the game 4-4. The game headed to overtime has neither team was able to break the tie late in the period.

In overtime, Alex DeBrincat broke away from the Guelph defenders and roofed the puck past Herbst to give Erie the win.

For Erie, Kyle Maksimovich had a goal and two assists; Alex DeBrincat had two goals an assist; and Taylor Raddysh had a goal and an assist. Troy Timpano made 21 saves on 25 shots for the Erie victory; he's undefeated through nine starts this season.

Nate Schnarr scored a goal and an assist for Guelph, and Liam Herbst made 39 saves on 44 shots for the OT loss.

Erie goes on the road to face the Mississauga Steelheads on November 4.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2016


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