RECAP: Henry Scores Second of the Year as Knights Down Otters
Erie, Pennsylvania — The Otters would return to home ice for the final game of their four-game homestand as they would welcome in the London Knights for the first of three first half visits from their division rival. Looking to bounce back following a tough loss Friday, the Otters would look to make it two wins in-a-row over the Knights after last week’s win at Canada Life Place.
The chippy hockey continued inside Erie Insurance Arena as the Erie Otters and London Knights opened the contest with plenty of intensity. Just 1:03 into the first period, a fight broke out near the faceoff circle, resulting in a fighting penalty and sending a player from each team to the penalty box. Despite the early altercation, both teams settled back into play and continued battling for possession. The pace remained relentless, with the two sides playing nearly 10 consecutive minutes without a whistle as the action went back and forth across the ice. The Knights eventually broke through the Otters tough defense at 17:57 when Evan Van Gorp (5) found the back of the net, giving London a much needed offensive spark late in the opening period. The Knights also led the Otters 11-7 for SOG in the first 20 minutes.
The Knights carried their momentum into the second period, continuing to pressure the Otters from the opening seconds. Just 46 seconds into the period, Carson Harmer (3) found the back of the net to get the Knights on the scoreboard. The physicality continued to escalate at 2:04, when a fighting penalty involving Lucas Ambrosio and Kane Barch added to the intensity between the two teams, and counted for the second brawl of the night in Erie. Carson Harmer ([2],4) struck again at 5:26, recording his fourth goal of the season and adding to London’s offensive push. At 14:23, Jaxon Cover (3) added another goal for London, further extending the Knights’ advantage. Marcus Nordmark (3, PPG) made a final statement at 19:44 during a London powerplay to increase the Knights lead to 5-0 going into the third period. The Knights continued their offensive push with 27 SOG, compared to Erie’s 18.
The third period opened with the London Knights continuing to apply offensive pressure against the Erie Otters. At 4:49, Jaxon Cover ([2], 4) found the back of the net for London, adding to the Knights lead to make it 5-0. The Otters looked to respond and gained an opportunity on the power play, where Ty Henry (2, PPG) capitalized at 13:27 to put Erie on the scoreboard in the period, making the score 6-1. However, the Knights answered just 41 seconds later when Mikhail Zakharov (1) scored at 14:08, quickly regaining control and slowing the Otters’ momentum. Erie continued to battle through the closing minutes, but London maintained its offensive pressure and finished the contest with a 40-28 advantage in shots on goal. Despite the Otters’ efforts to fight back, the Knights continued to capitalize on their opportunities throughout the final period and closed out Erie’s homestand with a 7-0 loss.
The Otters will hit the road Friday to take on the Niagara IceDogs before they return home in one week to battle those same IceDogs on ’02 Championship Night (pres. by Rebich Investments). The first 2,000 fans will take home an Otters Viewfinder (pres. by Rebich Investments) and the Otters will take the ice in specialty throwback jerseys to commemorate the occasion. For tickets and more information, head to Ottershockey.com.
