Otters fall 3-2 in the shootout

Belleville, Ontario – The Otters dropped their second to the Belleville Bulls 3-2 Saturday night in the shootout. Nick Betz had two goals and Dylan Strome picked up two assists in the loss.

Belleville jumped out to an early lead from Matt Luff barely two minutes in, but Daniel Dekoning made key saves to keep the Bulls from growing their lead after that first tally. The Otters killed off a Bulls power play with Nick Baptiste in the box, turning that momentum into a goal from Betz at 10:25. Betz brought the puck through his legs and elevated it to go top self behind Charlie Graham. Belleville killed off two penalties in a row to stop the Otters from pulling ahead to close out the period.

The score didn’t change in the second period, but that wasn’t from a lack of effort from the teams. Two sets of nearly-coincidental minors opened up the ice, but both Graham and Dekoning made score-saving saves again and again, keeping the scoreboard at 1-1. A tripping minor to Brett Gustavsen to end the period gave the Otters momentum heading into the third.

Graham continued to be the story for the Bulls, robbing the Otters on more than one play. Alex DeBrincat nearly found the net on more than one occasion, but Graham kept the puck from finding the net. Adam Laishram put the Bulls ahead 2-1 just over halfway through the period, but the Otters weren’t down and out. Strome and Betz teamed up once again to tie the game, Betz earning his second goal of the night. Belleville ended up in the penalty box to end the period for the second period in a row as the game went to overtime.

The extra period, despite more chances for both teams—including one for DeBrincat right on the doorstep—wasn’t enough to decide the game. In the shootout, Graham stopped both Baptiste and Strome while Stephen Harper gave the Bulls an early lead. Graham wasn’t able to stop Betz, but even though Dekoning kept Welychka from scoring, Jordan Subban put the puck between Dekoning’s legs, and the Bulls topped the Otters 3-2.

The Otters head to Oshawa Sunday to battle the Generals before meeting the Rangers in Kitchener Tuesday night.

The Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 Ironmen of the Game:

3. Justin Lemcke – 2A

2. Nick Betz – 2G

1. Charlie Graham – 42 saves