SmartStop Post Game Recap – Witkowski Shines as Steelheads Dominate on the Road Against Erie

ERIE, PA – Coming off a dominant 8-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday, the Steelheads headed to Erie Insurance Arena on Wednesday night for a matchup against the Otters. Riding the momentum from their strongest offensive showing of the season, Brampton looked to carry that energy onto the road and deliver another confident performance. The Steelheads came away with a 5-2 victory over Erie.

The Steelheads got off to a fast start, as Kieran Witkowski scored just 1:38 into his 150th career game, finishing a setup from David Green.

At 5:53, the Steelheads handed the Otters a power-play opportunity when David Green was called for holding. Erie, however, couldn’t take advantage, as Zach Bowen remained locked in between the pipes, turning aside every chance that came his way.

A brief stretch of 4-on-4 play followed before the Steelheads went to the power play after Garrett Frazer was called for charging at 7:34.

The Trout wasted no time converting, as Julian Demiglio beat Noah Erliden at 7:58 to extend the lead to 2-0.

Shortly after, Erie was given another opportunity to get on the board when Reed Gee was called for high-sticking at 8:59. The Otters generated multiple looks on the man advantage but still couldn’t get it past Zach Bowen.

At 17:32, 4-on-4 action returned as Troy Patton and Dylan Edwards were both sent to the box for fighting, firing up both benches as the first period entered its final minutes.

At 19:23, the end of the first period saw more 4-on-4 action as the gloves came off once again. Gabriel Chiarot was assessed a game misconduct for Brampton, while Erie’s Brett Hammond received a fighting major, a misconduct for instigating, and an additional two minutes for instigating.

Erie generated plenty of offensive pressure throughout the opening frame and outshot Brampton 12-8, but their defensive play struggled to contain the Steelheads’ attack. The Otters entered the second period with a significant power-play opportunity, while Brampton was forced to continue without Gabriel Chiarot following his game misconduct.

Despite starting the second frame down a man for three minutes, the Steelheads stood their ground. Erie created several strong looks on the extended power play, but Brampton’s penalty killers stayed composed and denied the Otters any chance to get on board.

The Steelheads continued their hot streak, unstoppable despite Erie’s efforts. At 8:03, Justin Bottineau extended the lead with a goal, assisted by Owen Cartwright and Reed Gee, making it 3-0.

At 10:05, the Trout earned another chance to extend their lead as Dylan Edwards was called for high-sticking. Brampton capitalized on the opportunity, with Kieran Witkowski scoring his second goal of the game at 10:53 to make it 4-0.

After allowing two goals in the second period and falling behind 4-0, the Otters made a goaltending change, with Charlie Burns replacing Noah Erliden.

Yet again, the Otters found themselves on the power play at 12:30 after Peter Green was assessed a tripping penalty. Erie pressed hard during the man advantage, cycling the puck and creating several quality scoring chances, but the Steelheads’ penalty killers and goaltender Zach Bowen held strong to maintain the lead.

At 15:38, some hope would enter for Erie as they would finally get on the scoreboard, with a goal from Dyland Edwards making it 4-1.

At 19:12, the Steelheads went on a power play following a holding call on Tristen Trevino, but were unable to convert the opportunity into a goal.

After two strong periods for Brampton and a hopeful end to the second for Erie, who scored their first goal and outshot the Steelheads 15-13 in the frame, the Steelheads looked to extend their lead and continue their dominant play, while the Otters aimed to build on the momentum from their first goal heading into the final period.

The Steelheads came out firing in the final frame, as team captain Mason Zebeski scored at 0:47, extending the lead to 5-1 with an assist from Jakub Fibigr.

Early in the third period, Brampton earned a power-play opportunity at 4:44 after Erie was called for too many men on the ice. The back-and-forth continued at 5:08, as Julian Demiglio was called for tripping, followed immediately by a roughing penalty on Brampton, while Erie’s Gabriel Frasca was also assessed a roughing minor, resulting in multiple penalties and power-play action for both teams.

At 12:51, the Steelheads went on the penalty kill after Kieran Witkowski was called for high-sticking. The intensity stayed high, as three more penalties followed just three seconds later; Julian Demiglio for fighting, Ritter Coombs for misconduct, and Gabriel Frasca for fighting, keeping both teams shorthanded and the action tense.

At 16:31, Reed Gee was called for tripping, giving Erie another power-play opportunity. The Otters finally converted at 16:59 when Jake Murray scored, cutting into Brampton’s lead, but the Steelheads held strong to secure a 5-2 victory and complete the season series sweep.

The Trout return to home ice on Friday to face the Brantford Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m., aiming to extend their two-game winning streak.

 

Shots

ER: 38

BRAM: 30

 

3 Stars of Game

1. Kieran Witkowski (2G, 1A)
2. Zach Bowen (36 saves)
3. Dylan Edwards (1G)