THREE STARS: Points Galore to Open Season
Erie, Pennsylvania – The first week of the 2024-25 Ontario Hockey League season is in the books and the stars shone bright on the ice for Erie.
The Erie Otters won their season opener on the road against the Kitchener Rangers with a 5-2 final score on Friday. However, the tables were turned on Saturday’s exciting Home Opener against the Brampton Steelheads, where the Otters fell in a 5-2 decision after tying the game late.
Here are the players who made this week possible:
THIRD STAR — PANO FIMIS
Picking up where he left off last season, alternate captain Pano Fimis is an assisting machine.
In the first two games of the season, Fimis has logged not one, not two, but four assists. In the road game against Kitchener, Fimis had a hand in the first two goals of the night, the first being a short-handed goal by Sam Alfano and the second a power play Martin Misiak goal. Again, Fimis would set up Misiak on another power play goal in the third to end his night.
On Saturday’s Home Opener, Fimis would team up with Misiak to set up Sam Alfano for the first Erie goal of the night, a power play opportunity that would cut the Brampton lead in half and light a fire in the Otters’ offense.
A two-point-per-game average may or may not be sustainable, but it showcased exactly what we can come to expect this season from the overage phenom.
SECOND STAR – MARTIN MISIAK
Martin Misiak is making a name for himself in his sophomore OHL season!
On Friday, Misiak scored his first goal of the season and the night just over halfway into the first period off a power play opportunity. He would find the back of the net again in the third period and put the nails in the coffin with an insurance goal off another power play. His two goals against the Kitchener Rangers earned him First Star honors on the night.
In Saturday’s Home Opener, Misiak would contribute an assist in the second period with help from Pano Fimis, and Sam Alfano would strike true.
High-scoring is to be expected this season from the Slovak – and this weekend was the right step forward.
FIRST STAR – SAM ALFANO
The Big Rig Sam Alfano is back better than ever!
Alfano racked up four points (3G+1A), entering the ring with an explosive opening weekend. Away at Kitchener, Alfano opened the scoring for the Otters’ season with a short handed goal, courtesy of Pano Fimis. He would also end the scoring for the night with an empty net goal from Malcolm Spence with just over a minute to go.
On Saturday’s Home Opener, Alfano would open the scoring again for the Otters and turn it into a 2-1 game in the second period. Over halfway through the third period, Alfano would combine with Nathan Sauder to help Malcolm Spence find his first goal of the season and tie the game up 2-2.
The Otters go west to play the west in week two of the season. They will first travel to face the London Knights on Friday and then turn around on Saturday to play the Saginaw Spirit.
