Erie Opens Preseason with 5-3 Win Over Mississauga
Erie, PA — Dylan Strome notched a hat trick and the Otters only power play goal of the night in Erie’s 5-3 win over the Mississauga Steelheads Saturday afternoon in Erie.
The Otters started off the pre-season with a bang. Dylan Strome kicked off the scoring 4:44 into the first period with a wrist shot behind Mississauga goaltender Dawson Carty. Mississauga’s Jesse Barwell took the first trip to the penalty box for holding the stick. The Steelheads killed off the man advantage, and six minutes later Jared Walsh put the Steelheads on the board, but the Otters wasted no time. Jake Evans put Erie up 2-1 off the faceoff, before the floodgates opened to the penalty box. Patrick Fellows was sent off for holding before Cody Thompson grabbed a rebound and tied the game for Mississauga. Alex Debrincat took two for slashing with no addition to the scoreboard, but with Jesse Saban in the box, Nick Betz picked up a huge steal and put the puck behind Carty with a shorthanded goal for the 3-2 lead.
Erie held their lead into the second with scoring chances exchanged between the two teams. Lawr made several impressive saves before Taylor Raddysh had a great wrap around chance, but was denied by Carty. Mississauga killed another Otters power play opportunity with Jacob Graves in the box for checking to the head. The second ended with the Steelheads back on an abbreviated power play after a 4-on-4 from staggered penalties to Jason Smith (tripping) and Shaun Bily (hooking).
The Steelheads tied up the game at three on a goal by Lucas Venuto, but it wasn’t to be. Despite being held to 0-5 on the power play up through the middle of the third, Strome put his second goal of the night behind Carty with 2:47 left in the game on the power play with Everett Clark in the box for roughing. Strome finished up the game with an empty netter and a hat trick in the Otters 5-3 win.
