Otters fall 6-5 to Peterborough
Peterborough, Ontario – Despite staging a comeback in the second period, a third period power play lifted the Peterborough Petes over the Otters 6-5. Dylan Strome, Nick Betz, Remi Elie, and Connor McDavid all recorded two-point nights in the loss.
A high-scoring first period started off quickly with Eric Cornel netting Peterborough’s first goal just over two minutes in. McDavid had a huge chance in close, but Matthew Mancina made a monstrous save, keeping the Otters off the board. The Petes scored again, this one coming from Josh MacDonald at 6:21.
McDavid cut the lead in half after a beautiful pass from Patrick Murphy found McDavid’s stick and he flew in past the Peterborough defender and put the puck behind Mancina in close. A minute and a half later, Steven Lorentz put the Petes back up by two before Daniel Dekoning went to the bench in favor of Devin Williams. A minute later, Steven Varga made it 4-1. Darren Raddysh closed out the period’s scoring, getting the puck past Mancina to cut the lead to 4-2.
The Otters began their comback attempt early in the second period. Nick Baptiste brought the Otters within one barely four minutes in, but Artem Vladimirov put the Petes back on a two-goal leaf three minutes later. Baptiste nearly scored shorthanded, but the puck hit Mancina in the chest. After a short stint in the defensive zone, Erie moved the puck back towards Mancina, still shorthanded, and McDavid fed the puck to Betz, who made it 5-4.
A minute later, Strome nearly scored, found Elie, and Elie tied the game at five. It looked as though Peterborough would go ahead with another goal to close the period, but Williams absolutely robbed the Petes, closing out the period still tied.
Penalty trouble for the Otters spurred a Peterborough goal early in the third. After killing a penalty to Alex DeBrincat, a boarding call to Cory Genovese gave the Petes another quick man advantage. Greg Betzold took advantage of the extra man, putting the puck behind Williams to make it 6-5. The Otters continued to pressure the Petes defense, but the puck couldn’t find the back of the net. With Williams on the bench for the extra attacker, Baptiste and Strome both looked as though they were posed to score, but both were robbed by Mancina before the horn sounded on the 6-5 final.
Ten different players combined for points and McDavid, Elie, and Betz all picked up a goal and an assist, while Strome notched two assists. The Otters outshot the Petes 46-25.
The Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 Ironmen of the Game:
1. Greg Betzold – 1G, 1A
2. Eric Cornel – 1G, 1A
3. Remi Elie – 1G, 1A
