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OHL Erie Otters

Storybook Night for Goaltender Charlie Burns Lifts Erie to 5-4 SO Win Over #1 London

January 27, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie Otters' Charlie Burns on the ice
Erie Otters' Charlie Burns on the ice
(Erie Otters)

Erie, Pennsylvania - Long-anticipated and always highly-regarded; the newly-annual Star Wars Night (pres. by the Millcreek Mall) battle with the London "Knights of Ren" would have all the hype leading into Erie's first home game in 12 days. For the first time in Erie Otters history, the team would see a sellout hours before doors opened at the Erie Insurance Arena. Taking on a London team that fell in a shootout to Peterborough the night before - the team's first loss since early December - the Knights would come in looking to tie up the Sweet Caroline rivalry season-series. With Charlie Burns making his Erie Otter debut in net, the Otters would look to give the sold out crowd a story to tell.

In the game's opening 12 minutes, the Erie Otters would strike three times in six shots. Alexis Daviault (5) would open the night's scoring to send the crowd of 6.581 to its feet early. Just over two minutes later, defensive scoring success would continue as Spencer Sova (12) would find the back of the net. Just past the halfway mark of the period, Sam Alfano (17) would net his fifth goal in six games. Erie would finish out the period sustaining the lead 3-0, despite being outshot 9-8.

London would finally get on the board to start the second period, as Jacob Julien (21, PPG) would give the Knights a spark. Erie would return to a three-goal lead late in the frame from Malcolm Spence (11), but suffer back-to-back goals from Max McCue (20) and Sam O'Reilly (15, SHG). Despite a strong lead for most of the game, Erie would lead by just a goal into the final frame, 4-3. Erie would be outshot 16-12 in the period.

Erie's lead would maintain for the majority of the final frame, despite being outshot 9-4 in the final 20 minutes. Erie would be desperate for insurance to get a cushion for its young netminder, and with an empty-net on the London side, it looked like an opportunity would present itself. Instead, with 1:19 left in the game, Oliver Bonk (15) would score the tying goal to force overtime, 4-4. In the extra frame, Erie would be outshot 3-1, but both goaltenders would get the job done as the shootout would be on the horizon for the second time in the month of January for Erie.

In the shootout, Charlie Burns would be perfect - stonewalling Ruslan Gazizov and Denver Barkey in the two opportunities for London. Ondrej Molnar would give Erie a 1-0 lead, and Malcolm Spence would earn hero-status with the game-winning shootout goal, as Erie would down the Knights 5-4 in the shootout. Erie's win would secure them a 3-1 record against the Knights this season, with two games remaining in the series.

The month of January closes, as Erie looks ahead to four games in the first five days of February. Erie will host the Guelph Storm for School Day Game (pres. by Aetna Better Health Kids / CHIP) at 11A.M., before making their final trip of the season to London on Friday. The Otters will return home on Saturday for Blue & White Night (pres. by Penn State Behrend), wearing one-night-only Blue & White jerseys to benefit the Lion's Pantry. A full month of fun lies ahead!

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Images from this story

Erie Otters' Charlie Burns on the ice
Erie Otters' Charlie Burns on the ice
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2024


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