EC3 PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Do-or-Die for Erie in Round 1
Erie, Pennsylvania – Erie playoff hockey is coming down to the wire. With the series at 3-2 in favor of the Kitchener Rangers, the Erie Otters have one last chance at home to tie it up and force a game seven.
The Otters split the last two games with a 5-3 victory in front of the home crowd before dropping the next game on the road 3-2 in overtime on Friday. Friday’s game marks the fifth time these two teams have gone into extra periods in the 2023-2024 season, and second this post-season.
Game six’s new date is on Tuesday at home with a 7 P.M. puck drop, and game seven – if necessary – will be in Kitchener at 8 P.M. on Wednesday.
FREE TUITION IS IN BLOOM
The new class of EC3 was welcomed with free Tuition in February – but now is the time to look ahead to the Mid-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
The Otters were able to knot the series up 2-2 with a thrilling 5-3 victory, with an empty net goal courtesy of Martin Misiak in the last few seconds of the game sealing the deal in front of over 4300 at the EIA.
Back on the road on Friday, the Otters fell in a high-shooting, low-scoring 3-2 overtime game. Pano Fimis and Dylan Edwards captured the Erie goals.
AROUND THE ARENA
It’s do or die this week for the Otters, and we’re counting on Otters Nation to show up and show out in support of your team. With crowds of well over 4000 for both games of the OHL playoffs at the EIA, the best fans in the OHL are being requested to show up one more time – and hopefully, more after!
Bring the energy to the Erie Insurance Arena and let’s force a game seven!
WHO TO WATCH
Since returning to the ice for the Otters, Ben Gaudreau has been nothing short of amazing. In his last three games, Gaudreau has racked up 100 saves off of 110 shots and has been awarded First Star honors in two straight games. With sprawling saves and heroic efforts, Gaudreau has made Kitchener work for every inch. “Benny G” is playing to extend his major junior career as long as he can.
With six points in the last three games, Pano Fimis is making the most of his first-ever OHL playoff run. So far, Fimis has nabbed a total of nine points in the first round of playoffs with three goals and six assists. Fimis was involved with both goals in Friday night’s game at Kitchener when he scored the first and assisted on the second. Notably, Fimis has also been nominated for the Red Tilson Trophy, an award that goes to the most outstanding player in the OHL regular season.
KNOW THE FOE
In the crease on the other side, Jackson Parsons has put up some big numbers too. In his last three games, Parsons has acquired 106 saves off of 115 Erie shots and has allowed 10 goals.
Luca Romano has three assists in the last three games, with two from the Rangers’ 4-3 OT victory and one from game four’s 5-3 Otters’ win.
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!
NEW to the Erie Otters for the 2024 Playoff Run, all away games will also be livestreamed on the team’s Facebook page. The stream will be video for pregame/intermission/post-game coverage, but due to licensing agreements, will be audio-only during game play. This is a terrific way to easily tune in to the highest-quality Otters-centric broadcast of the game. Video Highlights with the Otters Radio Network call will be shown during the UPMC Health Plan & UPMC Hamot intermission reports.
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
What’s next? Who is to say just yet. If Erie is able to upset the Kitchener Rangers, they will take on the rival London Knights in the second round. Erie needs to win the next two games to earn the right for the rivalry battle, but don’t ever count the Erie Otters out.
All Erie knows for sure that is on the horizon is the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft, with Erie’s draft coverage presented for the second-straight season by Voodoo Brewing Company – Erie Pub. The Voodoo Brewing Draft Weekend (pres. by Voodoo Brewing Co.) will kick off at 7 P.M. on Friday, April 12 with rounds 1-3, and conclude on Saturday, April 13 in the afternoon with rounds 4-13.
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 Rebich Investments:
Rebich Investments takes a “client-first approach” when it comes to serving the financial needs of its clients. Their services cover all areas of wealth management, from investment and retirement planning to risk mitigation strategies and issues surrounding estate planning. Rebich Investments specializes in helping its clients develop a comprehensive, cohesive financial strategy that fits their unique needs and enables them to pursue both short-and long-term goals. The 2024 Erie Otters playoffs are proudly presented by Rebich Investments.
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].
###