Otters Open Home Season with Hard-Fought Loss, 5-3
Erie, Pennsylvania – The 2023-24 Erie Otters home schedule opened on Saturday night, as nearly 5000 fans packed into the downtown Erie-based arena for the long-anticipated return of the Ontario Hockey League. After a disappointing 5-0 loss out of the season opener in Mississauga on Friday night, the Otters would come in hungry and hopeful for revenge at home. Taking on the same Steelheads as the previous nights contest, the Otters would walk the red carpet into the EIA with hope and optimism.
A much cleaner start to the first period would allow for the Otters to get more set into their systems and ways in the second game of the season. During the opening 20 minutes, the two teams would once again split penalties heavily with a trio for each side. Just past the halfway mark of period one, Marc Boudreau (1) would open scoring for the Steelheads – their second night in a row taking a 1-0 lead. Erie would finally get on the scoreboard near the end of the frame, as Ondrej Molnar (1) would strike on the power play from Brett Bressette and Pano Fimis with just over two minutes remaining. Erie’s positive offensive feelings would not come to last, as Porter Martone (2) would earn a power play marker to give Mississauga a 2-1 lead after 20. Erie would outshoot Mississauga 11-5 in the frame, but trail.
11 total penalties would encompass the entirety of the middle frame. Nolan Lalonde would give the Otters momentum with a number of big saves in the second period, as Erie would begin the comeback trail. After holding off a shooting onslaught from the Steelhead side, Erie would finally strike for their own from Martin Misiak (1) for his first OHL goal – also coming on the power play. The marker from the second of the Slovakian brothers would knot things up for Erie with just under six minutes left. Before the period would come to a close, Sam Alfano (1) would earn Erie’s first even-strength goal to give the Otters its first lead of the season. After 40 minutes of play, Erie would lead 3-2, outshooting the Steelheads 23-19.
Mississauga would return the pace of play and momentum to their direction in the third period to overcome Erie’s momentum swing. In a span of 9:17, the Steelheads would take three goals back from Luke Misa (2), Lucas Karmiris (1), and Angus MacDonnell (2) to find their way to a 5-3 victory. The Steelheads would be outshot by Erie 35-30, but sweep the weekend series over Erie with 5-0 and 5-3 victories.
The Erie Otters return to action on Friday, October 6 in Guelph before heading north to Owen Sound on Saturday, October 7. These will be the team’s first games against divisional and conference foes in the 2023-24 season. Erie will have one more contest on the road – in Niagara on October 12 – before finally returning home on Saturday, October 14 against the Windsor Spitfires.
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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