Sports stats

OHL Erie Otters

Schooled: Charlie Burns First-Career Shutout Earns Erie 3-0 Victory

February 1, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie Otters goaltender Charlie Burns
Erie Otters goaltender Charlie Burns
(Erie Otters)

Erie, Pennsylvania - Rise & shine! Class was in session early on Thursday morning for the Erie Otters, hosting division foe Guelph for the annual School Day Game (pres. by AETNA Better Health Kids / CHIP). Coming off a dramatic shootout victory over the rival London Knights on Saturday night, Erie would open up a weekend gauntlet of back-to-back-to-back divisional games between Thursday and Saturday. Looking to even up the season-series with Guelph, Erie would hope the piercing screams of thousands of eager students would lead the way.

The Otters took an early lead after a penalty from both teams saw four-on-four play on the ice. Malcolm Spence (12) opened the scoring on the morning in the first five minutes of the game, and it would remain the only goal of the period as the Otters went into the second frame with a 1-0 lead. Erie would take a 9-4 shots advantage out of the opening 20 minutes.

After a quiet first period, Charlie Burns would brave the storm of back-to-back shots to keep the second scoreless through the first six minutes. Burns, getting his second start in the net for Erie, would look to replicate his Cinderella story from last week's game against London. With just under seven minutes into the second frame, Brett Bressette (13) found the back of the net to bring the score to 2-0. Despite both sides combining for 25 shots, the second period would end with Erie maintaining their 2-0 lead - Erie outshooting Guelph 15-10 in the frame.

Tempers would flare and play would get chippy through the start of the third period. Nine minutes into the frame, captain Spencer Sova (13) would add to the lead. Holding steady at 3-0 16 minutes into the third, two Erie penalties would lead to a five-on-three advantage in favor of the Guelph Storm. The Otters would successfully kill off a potentially dangerous power play opportunity for the Storm, thanks to strong defense and a sprawling Burns save to keep Guelph scoreless. In keeping with the day's theme, defense would be the hero today for the Erie Otters as Charlie Burns had a two-for-one day, clinching both his first career OHL shutout and earning the Otters' their first home shutout of the season as well. The Otters successfully completed four penalty kills and outshot the Storm 31-23 to tie up the season series 2-2, with two games against Guelph still to come in February. Burns would earn back-to-back First Star honors in the victory.

Erie immediately hits the road for London on Thursday afternoon, preparing for a quick turnaround rematch with their rivals in the Forest City. Erie will then return home for a pair, hosting Kitchener on Saturday night for Blue & White Night (pres. by Penn State Behrend) where the Otters will don specialty PSB-inspired jerseys, and then the Barrie Colts on Monday for the makeup date of January 10's postponed Mental Health Awareness Night (pres. by NAMI Erie County) and Winning "Wednesday" (pres. by Widget Financial). Erie will then hit the road for a three-in-three in Windsor/Sarnia/Saginaw next weekend.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics




Images from this story

Erie Otters goaltender Charlie Burns
Erie Otters goaltender Charlie Burns
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2024


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.

Other Recent Erie Otters Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central