EC3 WEEKEND PREVIEW: Big Points at Stake in Road/Home Weekend
Erie, Pennsylvania – After an exciting weekend that saw the team move up in the Ontario Hockey League power rankings, the Erie Otters look toward two upcoming games- looking to get a win streak started.
Erie’s second trip to the Meridian Centre kicks off the weekend on Thursday, as the Otters take on the Niagara IceDogs; a team they haven’t faced since October.
The Otters will then return to Erie on Saturday evening for Native Heritage Night, as they take on Midwest Division foe Guelph for the first time at home.
NEW YEAR ON THE HORIZON
The new class of EC3 was welcomed with free Tuition in October – but it’s never too early to look ahead to the Spring Session!
With flexible online and in-person educational opportunities all across Erie County, EC3 is working to educate around your schedule. If you’ve ever asked yourself “Is an associate’s degree or certificate worth it?” — the answer is a resounding “yes!” Whether your goal is to increase your employable skills in the short term or build toward a more advanced degree in the long term, an associate’s degree or certificates can serve as a stepping stone both academically and professionally.
It’s not too early to apply! For more information on Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania – including their free Spring Tuition – head to EC3PA.org.
LAST TIME OUT
Another three-game week awaited the Otters to close November and start December.
Erie’s lone home contest was also their last game of the eleventh month of the year, battling hard with the OHL’s top team Kitchener, and earning a point in an overtime loss.
Saturday and Sunday was a two-game series against Owen Sound at the Bayshore Community Centre – the team’s final trip to the northernmost point of the Midwest Division. Erie first fell 7-4 on Saturday and came back hotter than ever with a 8-5 Sunday victory, scoring six-unanswered goals in the win to split the weekend.
WHO TO WATCH
Alternate captain Carey Terrance has been red-hot on the ice for the Otters and his efforts have not gone unnoticed. Leading the team in points and landing himself in the top-20 scoring leaders in the OHL, Terrance was recently named to the Preliminary Roster for Team USA for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. With 20 goals on the season, four of them game winners, and 12 assists, Terrance is truly a terror on the ice.
Martin Misiak, the #1 overall import draft pick, was also named to Team Slovakia’s Preliminary Roster. Fourth on the team in scoring with 24 points (12G+12A) in 26 games, Misiak has almost one point per game in his “rookie” season.
The Who To Watch List would be remiss without mentioning the hottest scorer out of the weekend, Pano Fimis. After being named Perry’s Tavern Player of the Month, Fimis would snag seven points in three games – and be named the COGECO OHL Player of the Week as well as honored on the Canadian Hockey League’s Team of the Week! Fimis scored once on Wednesday in the Otters’ OT loss to the Kitchener Rangers . The second-year Otter then went on to score twice and assist once in the 7-4 loss to Owen Sound on Saturday. On Sunday, Fimis settled his tab with one penalty shot goal and two assists to win himself Player of the Week.
AROUND THE ARENA
Saturday is Erie’s first-ever Native Heritage Night. This game of celebration and honor will recognize the contributions of indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada both on and off the ice, and will serve as vehicle for awareness and support.
The Otters will take the ice in specialty orange Truth & Reconciliation jerseys designed by indigenous artist Kory Parkin (Paints by Parkin). After the game, these jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit Hockey Indigenous. An even bigger treat? The first 1500 fans will receive a Carey Terrance Bobblehead (pres. by Rebich Investments).
You won’t want to miss this special celebration of indigenous cultures – the perfect kickoff to December!
KNOW THE FOE
The Otters haven’t seen the IceDogs since the end of October, when they fell to Niagara 5-3. Since then, the IceDogs have won two consecutive games, including an 4-3 OT win against the top ranked Kitchener Rangers. Players to watch for the IceDogs include goaltender Marcus Vandenberg (named Goaltender of the Week in the OHL), stopping 77 of 84 shots to boast a 1.96 GAA and .951 SAV%, and Zakary Lavoie, who scored two back-to-back goals, including the game-winner, for the IceDogs in their win against the Rangers.
The Guelph Storm fell 3-0 to the Windsor Spitfires on Friday before bouncing back to beat the Oshawa Generals 3-2 on Sunday. Players to watch for the Storm include Jett Luchanko, who picked up two goals and one assist on their Sunday win against the Generals, and Vilmer Alriksson, who assisted two goals against Oshawa. Erie will look for redemption after an 8-0 shellacking at the hands of the Storm in the Sleeman Centre on October 6.
HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN, & FOLLOW ALONG
WATCH:
“OHL Live” is the Ontario Hockey League’s broadcast home on CHL TV! OHL Live delivers a high-quality viewing experience while providing access to more than 700 OHL games streamed across a range of platforms including:
- PC and/or Tablet on Safari and Google Chrome web browsers
- iOS / Android mobile devices.
- Amazon Fire
- Apple TV
- Roku platforms
For less than $2/game, OHL Live provides live game action all season long, plus free-to-access video-on-demand content and a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. For more information, head to watch.chl.ca/ohl!
LISTEN:
Listen to Otters Hockey all across Lake Erie on the league’s largest radio network! The Otters Radio Network gives fans the most-accessible and highest-quality way to experience every moment of Otters’ game night – from pregame to postgame.
Every game can feel like a home game as a fan with the Otters Radio Network. With live-game broadcasts of all 68 Regular Season games, fans can always hear the action as it happens. Thanks to the Broadcast Home for Otters Hockey, iHeart Media Erie, fans can listen to every game LIVE on the iHeart App from ANYWHERE in the world! From Pennsylvania to Transylvania and everywhere in between, you’ll always be in range to hear Otters Hockey.
The Otters Radio Network is larger than ever before on terrestrial & digital radio – from Southeast Michigan to Southwest New York!
- iHeart Media (Erie, PA) is the Flagship Station for the Otters on WJET 1400 AM, and home to Otters Hockey in Pennsylvania. Games can be heard on terrestrial radio on 96.7 FM/1400 AM in Erie and surrounding communities of NWPA, or can be livestreamed worldwide on the iHeart App.
- Media One Radio Group – Ohio (Ashtabula, OH) is home to Otters Hockey in Ohio on ESPN 970 WFUN. Games can be heard on terrestrial radio on 970 AM in Ashtabula and surrounding communities of Northeast Ohio and NWPA, or can be livestreamed worldwide on WFUN’s website.
- Media One Radio Group – New York (Jamestown, NY) is home to Otters Hockey in New York State on Legends 1340 WKSN. Games can be heard on terrestrial radio on 1340 AM in Jamestown and surrounding communities of Southwest New York and NWPA, or can be livestreamed worldwide on WKSN’s website.
- ESPN Radio Michigan Regional Sports Network (Flint, MI) is home to Otters Hockey in Michigan. Games can be livestreamed worldwide on MRSN’s website.
Fans can also listen to the game on any of the Otters’ four radio-homes on the Listen Live page. The Otters Hockey Pregame Show starts 20 minutes prior to puck drop, hosted by the Voice of the Otters, Shawn Bednard.
Make sure to tune in weekdays from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Fox Sports 1330, Happi 92.7 FM, WERG 90.5 FM, 106.3 FM WCTL, Kinzua County 104.3 FM (Warren, PA), Channel 98.9 FM & Sunny 105.7 FM (Corry, PA), FOX Sports Radio Oil City 1120 & 104.1 FM (Oil City), ESPN 970 WFUN (Ashtabula, OH), WKSN 1340 AM & WQFX 103.1 (Jamestown, NY), and ESPN Radio MRSN (Flint, MI) to hear the ‘Otters Daily Update’, giving you all the insight on your Otters.
FOLLOW ALONG
If you want to follow along in-real-time to the weekend’s games, make sure you’re following the Otters on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. From live tweets of the action, scoring updates, photos, and highlights, Otters’ social media is the best way to keep up with the team wherever they are.
UP NEXT
Erie has a two-game homestand next week – closing out the pre-Holiday portion of the season. The first contest is Friday against the North Bay Battalion and then on Saturday against the Ottawa 67’s. Both these teams will come to town for the only time this season – talk about exclusive billing before Christmas!
Friday will also be another 3-2-1 Friday, with $3 Labatt Blue Lights, $2 hot dogs, and $1 popcorn from the time the doors open to the start of the third period! The Otters will also work alongside Make-A-Wish for a special celebration during the game – more on that to come.
On Saturday, get your Christmas sweaters (Ugly or otherwise!) out early and join us for a Winter Wonderland! Don’t miss a balloon and light display from Rubber Ducky Balloon Designers and appearances from none other than Saint Nick himself and the Grinch! We’re sending the best fans in hockey into the holiday break happy.
Stay Informed:
Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
About the Erie Otters:
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at [email protected].
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