Erie drops second straight to London

The Otters lost their second straight preseason game to the London Knights 6-5. The game was held in Stratford, Ontario.

London jumped on the Otters early, a similar script to the teams’ preseason game last night. Sam Miletic opened the scoring for the Knights just over a minute into the game. Owen MacDonald then followed up London’s first goal by putting another behind Daniel Dekoning, putting the Knights up 2-0. The Knights weren’t done there, as Ryan Valentini tallied another one at the 8:40 mark in the first period, extending their lead to three. The Otters would respond when Shaun Bily cashed in on the power play to make it 3-1. TJ Fergus and Taylor Radddysh had the assists.

In the second period, London extended their lead back to three when Olli Juolevi scored his second in two days on the power play to put the Knights up three. Taylor Raddysh would respond for the Otters 3:54 into the period, scoring on the power play. Niccolas Mattienen turned the tide back into London’s favor with a shorthanded goal at 6:04. Taylor Raddysh would then score his second of the game for Erie when he put in another power play goal, making the score 5-3 at the end of two periods.

Brandon Crawley opened up the scoring in the third period for London with a power play goal, putting the Knights ahead 6-3. Alex Debrincat and Taylor Egan would score back-to-back power play goals for the Otters to make the score 6-5, but that would be it for scoring in the game.

Daniel Dekoning started the game in net for Erie, allowing five goals on 21 shot attempts. Jake Lawr replaced Deckoning midway through the second period. He allowed one goal on 15 shot attempts.

Erie will play its final preseason game in Burlington against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Puck drops at 2 p.m.