Sports stats



OHL Erie Otters

Otters win pivotal game against Spirit, 4-3

February 6, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Erie Otters (25-22-5-2) completed the season sweep of Saginaw Saturday evening, defeating the Spirit by a 4-3 decision in front of 4,402 fans at the Tullio Arena.

It was their fourth win over the Western Conference foe, and the pivotal two points moved the Otters into the sixth-spot in the Western Conference. The Otters didn't take long to push the Spirit into an early hole in the first period.

Second year forward Anthony Luciani put his 24th goal of the season past Saginaw goalie Edward Pasquale just 54 seconds into the game off a defensive zone turnover.

Defenseman Brad Walch tried to go up the boards with a clearing attempt, but whiffed on his attempt and Luciani was in the right place at the right time and beat Pasquale on the blocker side. David Shields and Shawn Szydlowski picked up the assists.

The club would extend its lead on a shorthanded goal by Greg McKegg at 7:32 after Shields threaded the needle in the middle of the ice to find the streaking McKegg for a breakaway opportunity. The team leader in goals did a nifty forehand-backhand deke before he roofed the puck over the glove of Pasquale for his 27th of the season.

McKegg wasn't finished there, as he would give Erie a 3-0 cushion on an outstanding goal with 1:51 to go in the frame.

Mike Cazzola fed McKegg who was stationed behind the net on the right side of Pasquale. McKegg would skate to the crease, the move the puck past a defender before going top shelf for his 28th goal of the season. Erie captain Zack Torquato picked up the secondary assist.

The offense was doing its part in the period, but Otters goalie Adam Courchaine kept Saginaw off the board, as the Boston Bruins prospect stopped all 14 shots he faced, including two sprawling glove saves on Mitch Fillman and Tyler Murovich.

Erie fired 13 shots at a visibly rattled Pasquale, who entered the game with a .906 save percentage and a three game winning streak.

But in the second, the offenses were put on hold and defense took command of the battle for sixth place in the Western Conference.

Each team fired nine shots on goal, but none tickled the twine and the Otters headed into the third period in command with their three goal cushion.

The Otters would find their offense in the third from a familiar face - Torquato.

The team's leading point scorer collected his 26th goal of the season as he went top shelf on a two-on-one with McKegg to extend the lead to four. Derek Holden sprung McKegg and Torquato with a nice pass up the right boards. The assist was Holden's fourth in as many games.

The goal by Torquato was his 100th as an Otter, joining Brad Boyes, Michel Blunden and Shane Nash as the fourth Otter to accomplish the feat.

The Spirit would make things interesting in the latter stages of the third period as Michael Sgarbossa would score two goals, sandwiched in-between those was a Jordan Skellett tally, but the Otters held on to take sole possession of sixth place in the Western Conference.

Shields was the games third star with his assist on the game's first two goals, while Torquato (1g,1a) and McKegg (2g,1a) were the second and first stars, respectively.

The Otters have a rare Friday off, before another weekend of hockey at the Tullio Arena, as the Peterborough Petes will make its lone visit to Erie next Saturday evening for a 7:00 p.m. start. The first 1,000 fans will receive a poster of a Ryan O'Reilly painting by Harborcreek High School art teacher George Humes. The giveaway is presented by EMTA and WJET-TV. The Otters will then host Midwest Division rival Kitchener on Valentine's Day, slated for a 4:30 p.m. start.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, the Tullio Arena box office, ottershockey.com or by calling 452-4857.

Fans can listen to game action on Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 The Fan and ottershockey.com, starting at 6:45 p.m. with the pre-game show.

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

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...

Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central