Sambrook Hoists the Otters to 5-3 Win
The Erie Otters clawed their way back against the Kitchener Rangers thanks to rookie Jordan Sambrook’s first career two-goal game. Devin Williams held strong in net racking up 35 saves on the night.
Despite both teams being tied at the first intermission of play, there was no lack of excitement in the opening period. The entertainment started abruptly as the Rangers jumped to a one goal lead a minute and a half into the game. Some Kitchener infractions led to key opportunities for the Otters. Six minutes into the frame Erie got their first man advantage and Kyle Maksimovich made the Rangers pay as he tipped a shot by Dylan Strome into the net. Less than two minutes later Kitchener took another penalty that opened the ice for Taylor Raddysh as he ripped a wicked wrist shot past Luke Opilka to put the Otters up 2-1. The Rangers responded shortly after the Otters go ahead goal as Connor Hall picked up his first goal of his career to knot the game at two.
The Rangers out shot the Otters 12-8 in the middle stanza and the advantage paid off. Despite Erie’s power play at the midway point in the second Darby Llewellyn broke away from the Otters defense and stormed in on Williams. The Ranger was hauled down by an Otter, but still found a way to shove the puck past Wiliams to put Kitchener on top.
Although Erie found themselves down heading into the final period defenseman Jordan Sambrook came through in the clutch for the Otters. 41 seconds into the third Kyle Pettit moved the puck to Sambrook who launched a clapper into the Rangers net to level the contest. Nearly six minutes later Sambrook scored his second of the night as he fired a quick wrist shot on net that snuck by Opilka to give the Otters the lead. As the clocked was ticking down towards the end of the game Nick Betz got loose and sealed the deal with an empty net goal to lock up a 5-3 win.
The Otters play again in less than 24 hours when they take on the Niagara Ice Dogs on home ice Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Iron Worker’s Local Union No. 3 Ironmen of the game:
1) Jordan Sambrook, 2 goals
2) Darby Llewellyn, 2 goals
3) Dylan Strome, 2 goals
