THREE STARS: Erie’s Offensive Explosion Closes Winning Weekend
Erie, Pennsylvania – Never a dull moment for the Erie Otters!
On the road against the Niagara IceDogs, the Otters completed a 5-4 comeback victory after scoring five unanswered goals across all three periods. At home against the Flint Firebirds, Erie fell 6-3 before rallying on Sunday against the Peterborough Petes with an explosive 7-2 final.
Here are the players who made this week happen.
THIRD STAR – DYLAN EDWARDS
It’s the beginning of a three-game point streak for Dylan Edwards!
On Thursday against the Niagara IceDogs, Edwards notched an assist on the game-tying goal to Martin Misiak just 72 seconds into the third period.
At home against the Flint Firebirds and trailing 1-0, Edwards was quick to retaliate with a goal of his own less than 90 seconds after the Firebirds took the lead.
It was at home on Sunday against the Peterborough Petes that Edwards truly came to life – with a one goal and two assist performance, Edwards was Sunday’s Third Star. On a powerplay four minutes into the first period, Edwards and Pano Fimis found Sam Alfano to give the Otters a 2-0 lead. Edwards had a solo assist to Martin Misiak early in the second in what would end up being the game winner to bring the score to 3-0. In the third period, after two unanswered Peterborough goals, Edwards found the back of the net himself to dash hopes of a comeback and make it a 6-2 game.
SECOND STAR – MALCOLM SPENCE
It was a thunderous three goal and one assist weekend for Malcolm Spence!
Spence opened March with a goal against the Flint Firebirds halfway through the third period to cut the Flint lead to 5-3.
On Sunday against the Petes, Spence was one goal away from completing a hat trick with a two goal night, as well as one assist. Spence was the solo assist on the opening goal of the game less than two minutes into the game. Spence found his 25th goal of the season, a short handed insurance goal, off the rebound in the second period. Five minutes later, Spence earned goal #26 to give the Otters a 5-0 lead. With an exceptional night, Malcolm Spence earned First Star honors on Sunday.
FIRST STAR – MARTIN MISIAK
After going six games without making the scoresheet, Martin Misiak made up for lost time with a three goal and three assist week!
On the road against the IceDogs, Misiak earned First Star honors with a two-goal performance. Misiak helped launch the comeback bid with two back-to-back goals across the second and third periods to both tie and take the lead against Niagara.
At home against Flint, Misiak picked up an assist on the first goal of the game to Dylan Edwards.
Finally, against the Peterborough Petes, Misiak’s breakaway goal in the opening minutes of the second period ensured the Erie victory. Not satisfied with the game-winner, Misiak picked up another assist on the insurance goal six minutes later to Malcolm Spence. To cap off his night, Misiak found Dylan Edwards for the second time on the weekend to give Erie a 6-2 lead.
We’re down to the single digits in games left in the regular season, and we’ll kick it off with a weekend series at home against the Owen Sound Attack!
Friday night’s game against the Attack is Erie’s annual Women’s Empowerment Night! The Otters are proud to promote and uplift the future generation of women professionals. Along with women-owned vendors around the concourse, it’s a 3-2-1 Friday as well – $3 Labatt Blue drafts, $2 hotdogs, and $1 popcorn! The Otters will take the ice in specialty themed jerseys that will be auctioned off post-game, with proceeds benefiting Erie Women’s Empowerment.
On Saturday against the Attack again, it’s Erie’s much loved Kids Takeover Game! We shine a spotlight on the kids of Erie and the surrounding counties. From broadcaster to coaching staff, these kids will do it all!
