OHL Erie Otters

Two Goal Saginaw Burst Lifts Spirit to Win

Published on October 17, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie Otters face off with the Saginaw Spirit
Erie Otters face off with the Saginaw Spirit
(Erie Otters)

Saginaw, Michigan - An early evening game awaited the Erie Otters on the backend of three-game road trip in Michigan, closing out the second of four-straight games against the Saginaw Spirit. Erie (1-2) picked up its first win of the season on Saturday night, scoring four unanswered goals on Saginaw to ruin the Spirit's home and season opener. First-year Goaltender Nolan Lalonde ('04), who'd get his first game off of the young season, would pick up his first career Ontario Hockey League win in the game. With rookie goaltender Marshall Nicholls ('04) in net, the Otters would look to close out their long weekend in the Midwest with a win.

Unlike the previous night's opening frame, the first period on Sunday night would be more of a defensive struggle between Saginaw and Erie. The Otters would fail to capitalize on their three power play opportunities, but would kill off the one penalty against them. After 20 minutes of play, the Spirit would lead 9-4 in shots, but the score would remain at zeroes.

Just three minutes into period two, the Otters headed onto their fourth power play, where Brett Bressette (1) would strike for his first of the season, and see the team take a 1-0 lead for the first time this season. Unfortunately for Erie, they'd only be able to enjoy their new-found lead for :60, as Calem Mangone (1) and Davis 'T-Bone' Codd (1) would score their first goals of the season within a minute of each other for a 2-1 lead. The Otters would continue their offensive fortitude in the waning minutes of the second, as Taeo Artichuk and Connor Lockhart would find breakaways while down one. On the latter's breakaway, Lockhart would crash hard into the boards, and be taken back to the training room. Erie would trail 2-1 heading into the locker room for period three, trailing in shots 18-15.

Needing a goal to tie things up in the third period, Erie would fail to get much going through the final 20. A pair of penalties against would give the Spirit four minutes of man-advantage time, that the Penalty Killers would kill off - finishing their night 4/4. Erie's closest opportunity would come in the mid-late stages of the third period, as a rebound offered in front from Saginaw goaltender Tristans Lennox would slide off the crossbar and stay out of the net. As time would run down with an extra attacker, the Otters would be unable to capitalize, dropping the game 2-1.

With the loss, Erie drops to 1-3 on the season, finishing their long weekend road trip 1-2. The Otters return home to Erie tonight, as they prepare to host the Spirit this weekend. Saturday, October 23 is the Home Opener for the Erie Otters, who spent their first four games on the road against Western Conference foes Flint and Saginaw. The team closes out its October schedule against the Spirit on Sunday, October 24. Erie closes out an eight-game October against their Michigan foes on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 hosting the Flint Firebirds at the Erie Insurance Arena.

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Erie Otters face off with the Saginaw Spirit
Erie Otters face off with the Saginaw Spirit
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2021


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