Erie Otters are Western Conference Champions
The Erie Otters are Western Conference Champions, earning the Wayne Gretzky Trophy for the third time in their history following a 7-2 victory in Owen Sound on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Anthony Cirelli (11, 12, 13) led the way with a hat-trick and an assist while captain Dylan Strome (10, 11) also scored twice and added a helper as the Otters took their Western Conference Final matchup against the Owen Sound Attack in six games.
The Otters cashed in on their chances, scoring seven times on 33 shots to advance to the Rogers OHL Championship Series.
“It’s been an emotional ride and our journey through the playoffs has been quite something with the teams that we’ve gone up against,” said Otters head coach Kris Knoblauch. “Owen Sound is a very well organized structured team and we had to make a lot of adjustments to counter that.
“A lot of credit goes to our players for getting out of their comfort zone and trying some things we typically don’t do. I’m very proud of them.”
The two clubs ended one period knotted at one as Owen Sound’s Aidan Dudas (3) and Erie’s Cirelli (11) traded goals.
The Attack lost captain Santino Centorame late in the first period as the overage veteran was assessed a five minute major for slew footing and a game misconduct, leaving big minutes to be filled on the Owen Sound blue line.
Erie took advantage, scoring on the ensuing power play 2:56 into the second on a goal from defenceman Darren Raddysh (8). Cirelli (12) would add another just under three minutes later to give the Otters a 3-1 lead.
“We almost got through the penalty kill,” said Attack head coach Ryan McGill reflecting on the loss of Centorame. “I think if we get through that there’s an opportunity for us to generate some momentum. In saying that, we’re still tied and we’ve got to get going. I thought we were a little bit hesitant after that.”
Owen Sound fought back late in the second as Petrus Palmu (13) found the back of the net past Troy Timpano, but Erie would regain the two-goal edge just over a minute later at 17:36 as Strome (10) took a Kyle Maksimovich feed and gave the Otters a 4-2 edge headed to the intermission.
Third period markers from Strome (11), Cirelli (13) and Warren Foegele (8) cemented a 7-2 Otters road win as they advance to their third Rogers OHL Championship Series appearance in club history following trips to the Final in 2002 and 2015.
“I thought Dylan Strome the other night in Erie played one of the best games I’ve ever seen from him and he only had an assist to show for it,” said Knoblauch of his captain post-game. “I had a feeling Dylan was going to have a big game today. Guys that we got at the trade deadline like Foegele and Cirelli, we thought that those were big-time players. We can always count on those guys to be at their best and they’ve proven that in this series.”
Cirelli extended his current point streak to four games with his standout performance while other Erie notables included Darren Raddysh and Foegele with a goal and two helpers each. Kyle Maksimovich collected three assists and goaltender Troy Timpano turned aside 31 of the 33 shots that came his way.
After a record-setting season in Owen Sound, the Attack were still processing the loss that brings an end to a memorable season.
“I think we beat ourselves in this series,” McGill noted. “There were opportunities inside the series for us to put a lot more pressure on them (Erie). I hope our young guys learn from this just how hard it is to win. That second and third effort is huge inside the playoffs.
“The ones that want to win and give that second and third effort are the ones that are going to end up on top. I hope our young guys realize how hard it is.”
Attack overagers Centorame, Cordell James and Matt Schmalz played their final OHL contests while other veterans in goaltender Michael McNiven, Petrus Palmu, Ethan Szypula and defenceman Jacob Friend close out their 19-year-old campaigns.
The Erie Otters advance to the Rogers OHL Championship Series that begins on Thursday at home to the Mississauga Steelheads as they continue the quest for their second OHL title in club history.
SERIES AT A GLANCE:
Game 1 – OS 1 @ ER 6
Game 2 – OS 4 @ ER 3 OT
Game 3 – ER 3 @ OS 6
Game 4 – ER 4 @ OS 3
Game 5 – OS 2 @ ER 4
Game 6 – ER 7 @ OS 2
HIGHLIGHTS:
POST-GAME COMMENTS:
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