RECAP: Beamish Scores Twice as Otters Head Home with Victory in Kitchener
Kitchener, Ontario — Following an electric 5-1 win on the road in Guelph to open the season, the Otters would once again find themselves away from the EIA as they would head to Kitchener to take on the Rangers. On the eve of their home opener, the Otters would look to put themselves in a strong position in the first of a home-and-home with this Midwest Division rival.
The opening 20 minutes saw both the Otters and Rangers battle for possession as each team looked to strike first. But after almost 10 minutes of play, Ty Henry (PPG, 1) found the back of the net during an Otters powerplay to give the lead to the visiting Otters, and Henry his first goal of the year. Just after gaining the lead, Lucas Ambrosio (1) snuck the puck through the defenders for an even strength goal and increased the Otters lead to 2-0 with 9 minutes left in the frame. Erie finished the opening period with 6 shots, while Kitchener recorded 7.
Erie carried its momentum into the middle frame, as Liam Beamish (1) scored with 16 minutes remaining in the second period, marking his first goal of the season and the 26th of his Otters career. Kitchener answered back when Charlie Puglisi (1) came out of the penalty box and capitalized on an opening in the Otters’ defense, scoring with 13 minutes remaining to cut Erie’s lead to two. The Otters would end the middle frame with a 3-1 lead as they would look for back-to-back wins to begin the season. Kitchener held the edge in shots through two periods, 20-15, despite Erie’s two goal lead after 40 minutes of play.
With 20 minutes remaining, Erie looked to protect its lead as Kitchener increased the pressure. Nearly seven minutes into the third period, Liam Beamish (GWG, 2) shifted the momentum back in Erie’s favor, finishing from close range for his second goal of the night and restoring the Otters’ three-goal advantage. Luca Santala (1) continued the offensive battle for Kitchener and got in the kitchen on a shorthanded goal with a little more than nine minutes remaining in the game, cutting back the Otters lead to two. With just two minutes remaining in the third period, Rangers Luca Romano (PPG, 1) delivered a highlight-reel finish, cutting through the Otters’ lead and bringing the Rangers within one. Kitchener continued to add pressure, but the Otters kept the Rangers off the scoreboard in the final minutes. Goalie David Egorov held his own in the goal today, saving 15 goals on the night. Erie would hang on in the final moments and escape the Aud with a 4-3 win. Erie recorded 23 shots in the third, while Kitchener finished with 29.
The Otters will return home Saturday as they conclude their home-and-home with the Rangers for the 2026 Home Opener (pres. by Rebich Investments). The festivities begin at 2 P.M. with Fan Fest on the front lawn of the Erie Insurance Arena. The first 5,000 fans through the doors once they open will take home an Otters Rally Towel (pres. by Rebich Investments). A truly unforgettable night awaits in the Flagship City!
