OHL Erie Otters

Szydlowski's Late PP Goal Sparks Otters in 4-2 Win

January 5, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Shawn Szydlowski's power play goal with 5:04 remaining in regulation helped the Erie Otters (19-18-1-1) earn a 4-2 win over the No. 10 CHL-ranked Niagara IceDogs Wednesday night at Tullio Arena.

The goal came just six seconds after Luke Mercer was whistled off for hauling down Brett Appio. The Otters made quick work as Phil Varone found Szydlowski at the top of the left circle, where the Michigan native drilled a shot into the glove-side top corner for his 19th of the season.

The Otters killed off an early double minor penalty to Anthony Luciani en route to their first goal of the contest at 7:32. David Shields floated an entry slot into the slot of the IceDogs zone, where Greg McKegg roofed a backhand over the left shoulder of Dalton McGrath for his team-leading 26th goal of the season.

The Otters held the lead until the 18:18 mark of the second period, as Ryan Strome threw a pass in front of the Otters crease off the body of Freddie Hamilton and past a sprawling Ramis Sadikov for Hamilton's 16th goal of the season, tying the game going into the second intermission.

Compared to the slower pace of the first two periods, the third period belonged to the Otters, who controlled the pace throughout the final 20 minutes. McKegg scored his second goal of the game shortly after seeing an earlier goal disallowed. McKegg put the puck into an open net from the left circle 6:39 into the third period.

Ryan Strome tied the game two minutes later on a breakaway, but the game would be decided after the Mercer penalty as Szydlowski scored the game-winner. David Broll added insurance with just over two minutes remaining as he batted a puck out of mid-air at the side of the crease for his seventh goal of the season.

McKegg (2a), Szydlowski (1g, 1a) and Shields (2a) all had two-point nights for the Otters, who fired 32 shots towards McGrath and held their opponent to a season-low 22 shots.

Up next for the Otters is a road game against the Kitchener Rangers Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Fans can tune into the Toyota Pregame Show starting at 7:15 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 The Fan or online at ottershockey.com(courtesy of the James H. Cross Company).

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2011


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