Fowler Scores Teddy Bear Toss Goal, but Petes Prevail 3-1
Erie, Pennsylvania – On the Otters’ Annual Teddy Bear Toss night, a first period goal got the Erie fans on their feet and their bears on the ice, but that goal would be all that the Otters could muster on the night, falling 3-1 to the Eastern Conference-leading Peterborough Petes.
With just under 90 seconds remaining in the first period, Hayden Fowler found himself alone in the slot off a pass from Chad Yetman, firing a snapshot past Petes netminder Hunter Jones for his 12th goal of the season. Yetman collected the primary assist for his 12th assist and 30th point on the campaign, while Maxim Golod earned the secondary assist for his 23rd helper and 35th point this season.
The teddy bears rained down on the ice marking the end of the first period, with the Erie Otters organization set to donate the bears to the Salvation Army for children in need this holiday season. Stay tuned to Otters social media for donation numbers from the bears thrown on the ice by the home fans at Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday night.
Peterborough answered midway through the second period as Michael Little collected his fourth goal of the season to tie things up at the 10:16 mark. Then just over a minute later with the Otters on the power play, Zach Gallant scored a highlight reel shorthanded goal from his behind as he slid into the crease to put Peterborough up 2-1 at the 11:51 mark of the second frame. Gallant’s goal was his 14th of the year and was the go-ahead goal for the visiting Petes.
Almost halfway through the third period, the Petes got an insurance goal from Mason MacTavish on a goal that would be reviewed but would end up counting. The goal gave MacTavish, the Petes’ breakout rookie, his 15th marker of the campaign, good for first-most among rookies in the Ontario Hockey League this season.
In net, Petes goaltender Hunter Jones made 38 of 39 saves to pick up first star of the game honours and improve his record to a league-best 17-3-1-0. While Daniel Murphy made 20 saves on 23 shots. Rounding out the three stars were Michael Little who was named second star with the game-tying goal, while Erie’s Hayden Fowler was named third star as the Otters’ lone goal scorer. Fowler was also Erie’s top faceoff man on the night, winning eight of 12 draws.
The Erie Otters are back in action on Friday, December 6th when they host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for Love Your Melon night. Your Love Your Melon Night purchase includes a ticket to the game, plus a Special Limited Edition Love Your Melon Erie Otters Beanie. Love Your Melon is an apparel brand dedicated to giving a hat to every child battling cancer in America as well as supporting nonprofit organizations who lead the fight against pediatric cancer. 50% of net profits from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is donated to Love Your Melon’s nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Single game tickets for the 2019-20 season are on sale now. Erie Otters season tickets and flex packages are also available and can be purchased in person at the Erie Otters front office located at 201 E. 8th Street in Erie, or by calling 814-455-7779. For the latest Otters news, visit www.ottershockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters) and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
