The Ivankovic Show-Steelheads win 5-2 against Otters
ERIE, PA- The Brampton Steelheads win 5-2 against the Erie Otters as Jack Ivankovic stands strong between the pipes.
It was the Ivankovic Show at the Erie Insurance Arena as the Steelheads goalie made 35 incredible saves throughout the game. Building off the momentum from a shutout at home, Ivankovic continued his streak in period one as he stopped all 12 shots from the Otters.
The Steelheads made no mistakes as they entered game two of the regular season. From puck drop, the Trout established their first-period dominance and took the lead 2-0.
Macgregor Richmond scored his first goal of the season and the first goal of the game after receiving a great feed out front from Martin Vaculik and Spencer Sova. Continuing the energy, the Steelheads put the Otters on the defence as they kept their offensive hold.
A two-minute minor for Erie’s Wesley Royston and Brampton’s Reed Gee for unsportsmanlike conduct sent the game to 4-on-4. Utilizing special teams, the Steelheads brought their lead to two. With an east-to-west play into the Otter’s zone, Sova set Carson Rehkopf up for a beauty shot from the right face-off dot.
The Otters caused an energy shift in the second after adding a point to the board. With two back-to-back penalties, the Steelheads fought hard to get the puck out of their end, but after another two minutes running a man-down, the Otters brought the game to one.
Sam Alfano had many chances throughout the game but finally got one past Ivankovic on the power play. With a rebound off Martin Misiak’s shot, Alfano sneaked it to the bottom corner to put Erie on the board.
Despite the goal, Ivankovic remained strong in the net and played phenomenally, making repeated saves and keeping the Trout in the lead to close out the second.
Within one, the Otters started the third with a fire underneath them and quickly turned on their offence. Alfano added another point to his tally as he set up Malcom Spence for the equalizing goal.
The tie game did not last long as Lucas Karmiris scored his first goal of the season and gave the Steelheads the lead following a tip-in off Gabriel Chiarot’s shot. With the win in sight, the Trout continued their scoring streak and added two more to the board.
Adam Zidlicky brought the lead to four after receiving a breakaway feed from Jack Van Volsen.
Down by two and looking to make a comeback, the Otters pulled Noah Erliden and added the extra attacker. With a turnover in the neutral zone and a passing play from Rehkopf and Porter Martone, Angus MacDonell gave the game its final with the empty net goal.
The Steelheads look to continue their win streak on Oct. 3 against the Barrie Colts.
