THREE STARS: New Year, New Stars

Erie, Pennsylvania – The first week of 2025 has come and gone, and the Erie Otters are ready to stake a claim on the second half of the season.

In thrilling fashion on New Year’s Eve, Erie snatched a victory away from the Brampton Bulldogs with a 5-4 final to bring in the new year.

On the road in Kitchener, the Otters fell 3-1 to their divisional foe.

Back at home against the Windsor Spitfires, the Otters battled back and forth before eventually falling 7-5 in the final frame.

Here are the players who made this week happen.

It was a four-point week for Malcolm Spence!

In his final game of 2024, the alternate captain earned Three Star honors with one goal and one assist in the Otters’ 5-4 victory over the Brampton Bulldogs. Spence found the back of the net on a power play opportunity in the second period to even the score at 2-2. Early in the third period, Spence found Sam Alfano to level the score once again at 4-4.

Spence secured the lone Otters goal on the road against Kitchener. In his second power play goal of the week, Spence gave the Otters their first and only lead of the night just over four minutes into the first frame.

On Saturday against the Windsor Spitfires, Spence once again found Sam Alfano in the third period to cut the Windsor lead to 7-5.

Picking up a bit of goodwill with three assists and one goal on the week is Martin Misiak!

On New Year’s Eve, Misiak earned two assists in the 5-4 victory. Misiak’s first came late in the second period, capitalizing on a man advantage to find Malcolm Spence to knot the game up 2-2. Halfway through the third, Misiak found Wesley Royston for the game-winner, securing the Otters’ 5-4 victory.

Against the Rangers, Misiak assisted Malcolm Spence on the only Otters’ goal of the night in another power play opportunity.

Back at home and ready for a goal of his own, Misiak intercepted a pass for a breakaway to slip the puck past the Spitfires goaltender and give the Otters a 2-0 lead. In the opening two minutes of the third period, Misiak found Callum Hughes to bring the Otters to a one-goal deficit and allow for a brief Otters’ surge before eventually falling 7-5.

Golden Gabriel Frasca came up big this week for the Otters!

In Rockin’ New Year’s Eve fashion, Frasca scored two beauties to lead the charge to victory against the Bulldogs. Frasca’s first goal of the night leveled the score at 1-1 early in the second period. Trailing in the third period after two back-to-back goals by Nick Lardis, Frasca slashed down the Spitfires’ lead to make it a 4-3 game and start the beginning of the Otters’ comeback to win 5-4.

Frasca was a part of three unanswered goals in five minutes to give the Otters a 3-0 lead over the Spitfires on Saturday night.

The Otters have another three-game campaign on the horizon. They’ll travel to Guelph for a Wednesday puck drop against the Storm before returning home.

Friday night, in front of a sold out crowd, is McDavid Jersey Retirement Night (pres. by Rebich Investments & Erie Apparel)! The greatest to ever do it in an Otters’ jersey will see his jersey raised in the rafters for all eternity. All fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition commemorative giveaway, as well as be able to watch the special jersey-raising ceremony to honor a legend. A specialty balloon and light display by Rubber Ducky Balloon Designs and more fan-centric fun will be available around the concourse all night as we celebrate a legend.

Saturday night against the Sarnia Sting is Youth Sports Night! The next generation of all-stars will be celebrated in front of a home crowd, and the first 1500 fans to walk in will receive a FREE Ty Henry Bobblehead (pres. by Rebich Investments).

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