Hoffmann, Swankler Each Pot Two as Otters Down Sting 6-2
Erie, Pennsylvania – The Erie Otters jumped back into a playoff position Sunday after defeating the Sarnia Sting 6-2, powered by a pair of two-goal performances by Brendan Hoffmann and Austen Swankler, in front of 4,024 at the Erie Insurance Arena.
The Otters would open the scoring for the second straight night, and again it would be Kyen Sopa getting on the score sheet. The newly acquired winger would take a pass from Hayden Fowler and fire a shot from the high slot that would find its way past Ethan Langevin to give the Otters a 1-0 lead. Sarnia would answer nearly four minutes later on a two-on-one rush with Theo Hill firing home the game tying goal.
Things would open up midway through the game as the Otters offense would explode for three goals in a 2:27 span. Brendan Sellan started things off by picking the pocket of a Sting defender starting an odd man rush. Sellan set up D’Amato, who faked a shot and dished to Hoffmann for the go-ahead goal. Chad Yetman would snap his eight-game goalless drought when he banged home a rebound on the next shift. Hoffmann would end Langevin’s night as he deflected a Jacob Golden point shot past the goaltender for his first career two-goal game, handing the Otters a 4-1 lead. Ryan McGregor would draw the Sting back within two with a power play goal with 34 seconds left in the period as Erie took a 4-2 lead into the break.
Erie would slam the door shut in the third period when Austen Swankler slammed home a beautiful setup from Jamie Drysdale for his tenth of the season. Swankler would add the empty netter for his third multi-goal of the season handing the Otters a 6-2 victory.
The win, and some help around the league, moved Erie into sole possession of seventh place in the Western Conference, sliding two points ahead of Sault Ste. Marie and Owen Sound. Jamie Drysdale recorded another multi-point effort since returning from the 2020 World Junior Championship. The Otters take to the road for a three games in three days weekend starting Friday night in Sarnia with a rematch against the Sting.
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).