Otters drop first game at home to Rangers 5-2
Erie, Pennsylvania – The Kitchener Rangers handed the Otters their first home loss of the year Saturday night, 5-2.
Halfway through the first, Nick Betz broke the scoreless tie with a rocket behind Matthew Greenfield. Travis Wood and Jesse Saban picked up assists on the goal, breaking scoreless streaks for both. Kitchener had a big chance with a 2-on-1 against Travis Dermott, but the Rangers shot went wide to the left of Devin Williams.
Troy Donnay was assessed the first penalty of the night, only to be joined by Saban 17 seconds later, giving Kitchener a 5-on-3 advantage. Erie’s defense put on a clinic, keeping the puck out of harm’s way. Donnay left the box and blocked a shot of his own before the Otters killed the penalty.
The second saw Mason Marchment with a huge chance, but Greenfield denied the chance. Cory Genovese and Liam Maaskant dropped the gloves and put on a show at center ice, both receiving five-minute fighting majors. It wasn’t long after that Kitchener appeared to have tied the game, but the goal was quickly reviewed and called off after the puck didn’t fully cross the line.
Erie didn’t capitalize on their first power play, but with Connor Bunnaman in the box for four minutes after a high stick, Dylan Strome gave the Otters an insurance goal from Darren Raddysh and Dermott. Kitchener didn’t go down easily, though. With a shot that clearly went in, Adam Mascherin cut the lead in half with 6.1 seconds to go.
It was Erie’s turn for a two-man advantage to start the third, but Kitchener shot the Otters down despite solid chances. A goal was added to the scoreboard for Kitchener 4:18 into the period, but there was little to no reaction anywhere in the arena. With Kurtis MacDermid in the box at 7:21, the Kitchener goal was announced after extensive review for Justin Bailey, tying the game at two.
From that point on, the momentum – and the game – belonged to Kitchener. Max Iafrate gave the Rangers the lead, and 12 seconds later it was a two-goal game on a goal from Brent Pedersen. Erie made a change in goal, putting Daniel Dekoning between the pipes. Despite a couple of good saves, the final nail in the coffin went to Maaskant with the final goal for the Rangers 5-2 final.
The game ends the Otters’ undefeated streak on home ice, giving them their first home loss of the year. Betz and Raddysh continue their scoring streaks, while Alex DeBrincat’s streak caps at 17 games.
The Otters host the Plymouth Whalers Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. before heading on the road for the weekend.
The Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 Ironmen of the Game:
3. Ryan MacInnis
2. Justin Bailey
1. Liam Maaskant
