OHL Erie Otters

Otters Win Their First as Fimis Nets OT Winner

Published on October 12, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO - After earning their first point of the season last time out in Owen Sound, the Otters returned to the ice Thursday to take on their geographic rivals, the Niagara Ice Dogs for the first time this year. Erie would welcome goaltender Ben Gaudreau to the lineup after he was acquired from the Sarnia Sting on Tuesday. This would be the first of six meetings between the two teams this season, the first of three at the Meridian Centre. Tonight's contest was Erie's third against an Eastern Conference foe. The two teams would head into battle with identical records, each looking for their first win of the season.

The first period commenced with chances at both ends. Toward the middle of the frame, Ice Dogs forward Ryan Humphrey would be robbed by Otters goaltender Ben Gaudreau. Moments later, the Otters would have their best chance of the period with Taeo Artichuk being denied by the glove of the Niagara netminder Marcus Vandenburg. These would be the best two chances for either team in period number one. It would end 0-0 with each team looking for the opener in period two. The Ice Dogs would lead in shots, 15-13.

The Otters jumped out on the front foot in the second period. With the majority of the possession in their attacking end, the would continue to pepper Vandenburg with shots. At the 8:44 mark of the frame, on the power play, it would be this past year's first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, Matthew Schaefer firing a shot past the pad of the Niagara netminder to score his first OHL goal. A moment he will never forget gave Erie a 1-0 lead. 10 minutes later, a clever faceoff play would give room to the captain Spencer Sova for him to rip a top shelf wrister double the Otters lead, making the score, 2-0. The Otters would take the lead into the break, looking for more of the same. Erie led in shots 29-21 after two.

The Ice Dogs would come out on fire in the third, creating a number of chances with Gaudreau standing tall. Alex Assadourian would score his first of the year to make it 2-1. As the period played out, the chances would keep coming. It would be Zakary Lavoie to score his second of the year to knot the game at 2-2. After a late Erie push, the game would need overtime to decide the winner.

In OT, Erie would start well with plenty of possession. A penalty on Kevin He would set Erie up well on the power play with a chance to win it. It would be the former Ice Dog Pano Fimis to come away with the winner upon his return to give Erie its first win of the year.

The Otters will return home Saturday night to take on the Windsor Spitfires with the first 1,500 fans through the doors receiving a free magnet schedule, thanks to Harrell Automotive.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2023


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