Welcome back to the interview room. Tonight we have Kris Knoblauch, Devin Williams, Dane Fox, and Connor Brown. We also have Guelph Storm head coach Scott Walker and captain Matt Finn. The Otters stay alive and will travel to Guelph on Friday for game 5.
Kris Knoblauch and Devin Williams:
Dane Fox:
Connor Brown:
Matt Finn and Scott Walker:
Erie 5 Guelph 2
Shots: Erie 44 Guelph 28
PP: Erie 0-2 Guelph 0-2
3 Stars:
3. Devin Williams (26 saves)
2. Dylan Strome (G)
1. Connor Brown (2 G-1 A)
THIRD PERIOD
It’s over. Otters win 5-2. We head back to Guelph.
Brownie ices it with :14 left. 5-2 Otters.
1:32 to play actually.
Timeout Guelph. 1:00 to play.
Mancina pulled for the sixth attacker.
4012 the attendance tonight at EIA.
5 to play. still 4-2 Otters. Playing smart.
Dane Fox with a wide open net. Misses just wide.
Otters playing very smart this third period. Nothing too aggressive. Just trying to get out with a win.
Williams with another big save, this time on Fabbri point blank.
STONE COLD DEVIN WILLIAMS DOES IT AGAIN BAH GAWD. Huge toe save.
Kosmachuk got loose but MacDermid breaks it up nicely.
Puck drops. Back underway.
This is a completely different Otters team than we saw in Game 3. Let’s hope it continues for the 3rd and this series continues.
SECOND PERIOD
End of 2. Otters still lead 4-2. Outplayed the Storm the entire frame.
Both teams full.
Otters going to the PP as Abraham has his stick slashed out of his hands by Bertuzzi.
2:58 to go in the frame. Still 4-2 Otters
Both teams full strength.
Fabbri is being sent off for holding. Otters to the PP after the media.
DEVIN WILLIAMS WITH A STONE COLD ACROBATIC SAVE ON RYCHEL!
Great chances for the first line last time out but nothing in the net. 9 to go in the second
McDavid REALLY needs to learn to be selfish. Always thinking pass first just cost the Otters a goal.
Otters kill the penalty.
MacDermid shaken up after blocking a slapper point blank. He’s being looked at on the bench.
Otters to the PK as Donnay is sent of for holding.
Penalty time is up. Full strength for both teams.
McGinn with a shorthanded steal in the Otters zone. Williams steps up to make the stop.
Puck drops and the 2nd is underway. Otters with :46 PP carrying over from the 1st.
FIRST PERIOD
That’s the end of the first. Otters lead 4-2. They will have :46 of PP time to start the 2nd.
Less than a minute to play in the period.
Joel Wigle down after a hit from Trojanovic behind the net. He gets up. 2 for boardsing for Trojanovic.
Otters goals reads Fox (8) from Genovese and Brown
Genovese floats one in from the point and it’s tipped in by Fox for his first of the series. 4-2 Otters
Guelph Goal reads Rychel from Fabbri and FJinn.
Otters goal reads Wigle (2) from Gaunce. Mancina now in goal for Guelph.
Rychel finishes on the doorstep. 3-2
Joel Wigle rips a sizzler past Nichols from the slot. 3-1 Otters
McDavid sets Brown up for a great one-timer but Brownie couldn’t get good wood/carbon fiber/aluminum/graphite on it.
Otters goal reads Brown (7) from McDavid at 9:44.
Connor Brown takes a wrister from the near circle. Nichols gets a piece with his glove but it goes in. 2-1 Otters
Otters goal reads Strome (3) from McDavid 4:48.
Otters killed the penalty and then Dylan Strome ripped a wrister from the slot past Nichols. We’re tied at 1.
Now an interference call on Troy Donnay as he shoves Tyler Bertuzzi into the net. Guelph PP.
First shot goes in as Zack Mitchell finishes a 2-on-1 with Rychel. 1-0 Storm.
Puck drop: We’re underway here at EIA.
Welcome back to the in-game blog here on Otters Press Box. The Otters find themselves down 3-0 in the series to a powerful Guelph squad. It’s do or die.
Here are the lines for tonight:
Erie:
Forwards:
Fox-McDavid-Brown
Curtis-Strome-Burakovsky
Wood-Gaunce-Wigle
Evans-Pettit-Murphy
Defense:
Genovese-Pelech
MacDermid-Abraham
Dermott-Donnay
Goaltender: Williams
Scratches: Felker, Raddysh, Maksimovich, Betz
Guleph:
Forwards:
Rychel-Fabbri-Mitchell
Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Kosmachuk
McGinn-Horvat-Auger
Bauman-Suter-Pierog
Defense:
Finn-Trojanovic
Leslie-Ebert
Baltisberger-Harpur
Goaltender: Nichols
Scratches: Craievich, Stevens, McFadden.
Both teams have been waiting for what seems like an eternity but tonight, the Western Conference Final between the Otters and Storm begins in Guelph.
The top two teams in the west during the regular season, Erie and Guelph had a back-and-forth-battle for the number one spot in the West with the Storm, tying for the league lead with 52 wins. Guelph came out on top by two points and earned home rink advantage for the duration of their playoff run.
The two teams met five times during the regular season. The Storm got the best of the Otters in the season series with a record of 3-1-1-0. The two losses came in Erie in November. The overtime loss is where Connor McDavid sniped a highlight reel game winning goal.
Much like the Otters, the Storm have dispatched their first two playoff opponents with ease, knocking out Plymouth and London with 4-1 series victories in each.
With the exception of a 5-0 loss in December, the Otters have played the Storm pretty evenly throughout the season. This matchup features the two best teams in the league and should burn down the barns right to the very end.
What to watch for.
Devin Williams. He is the key to the Otters success in the post season so far. In the past series vs. Sault Ste. Marie, the Otters netminder gave up a grand total of three goals in four games, including two shutout victories. Coach Kris Knoblauch will continue to ride Williams for as long as he can. Meanwhile, Oscar Dansk, who everyone thought was the Otters number one guy throughout the season, will continue to ride the bench while the 2014 Draft Eligible Williams has the reigns. If Williams continues his dominance, the Otters will have a difficult time losing this series.
Players to watch.
Besides Williams, Connor McDavid will be the one to watch. He has used his skill to devastate the Storm earlier in the year. Not only that, this is the first time McDavid (as well as the rest of the Otters) has played in an OHL playoff series as big as this. He has shone on the world stage before so he should have no problem bringing that experience here. All eyes will be on the wunderkind throughout the series. McDavid has four goals and 10 assists in nine games during the postseason.
Look for McDavid to shine on the big stage yet again.
For Guelph, it will be Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick Kerby Rychel. Rychel was acquired mid-season by the Storm from the Windsor Spitfires and immediately put his playmaking abilities on show. He is a dangerous winger with an underrated shot. The Otters will need to prevent Rychel from making plays in order to keep the pressure off Devin Williams. Rychel has two goals and eleven assists in ten playoff games.
Rychel’s hot hands can potentially be deadly for the Otters.
Goaltending for the Storm will be another 2014 draft eligible, Justin Nichols. Nichols hasn’t been tested too tremendously in this postseason, but was remarkably consistent throughout the regular season. He has a 2.77 GAA and a .919 save percentage through ten games this postseason.
Series prediction.
This one goes down to the wire. I will say the Otters. In seven. In triple overtime.
Now it’s your turn. Vote in the poll below.
Random notes.
Puck drops for the series in Guelph tonight at 7:05. Otters Press Box will be at all home games during the series, beginning Monday. You can follow @RealJeffSnyder and @theZothman for information throughout the series.
Images from the Ontario Hockey League were used in this report.
The 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection took place yesterday. 300 young men were drafted among 20 member teams. The Otters made 16 selections, some of whom we may potentially see in Erie next season.
These are the sixteen players the Otters drafted yesterday.
Taylor Raddysh, RW, Toronto Marlboros, first round, 19th overall.
Taylor is the brother of current Otters D Darren Raddysh. Taylor stood out on the famous Marlboros squad this season, netting 25 goals and adding 27 assists for a total of 52 points over 31 games this past season. He led the OHL Cup tournament in scoring with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) en rout to the Marlboros championship.
Taylor Raddysh, seen here with Don Cherry, helped lead the Marlboros to the OHL Cup championship.
The Marlboros have produced a ton of talent over the past few years, including current Otters Connor McDavid, Connor Brown, Adam Pelech, Dylan Strome, Darren Raddysh, and Michael Curtis. The team has also produced current NHL talent including John Tavares, Sam Gagner, and Ryan Strome,
Taylor has all the tools to continue the success of Marlboros alumni in the OHL.
Jake Lawr, G, Halton Hurricanes, second round, 28th overall.
The Otters are preparing for the day Oscar Dansk leaves for the professional ranks. With Devin Williams and Daniel Dekoning already in the fold, Lawr could be the third man for awhile. At 6’2″, he has the size to cover the net. If he has another growth spurt, that could be huge in boosting his potential. He has been one of the top goaltenders in his age group this season.
Of course, just who ends up between the pipes is unpredictable at this level of hockey. Many goaltenders drafted to the OHL never play a game whether it be a lack of talent or choosing a different path to the pros. It will be interesting to see how Lawr develops as he grows.
Shaun Bily, C, New Jersey, third round, 45th overall.
Bily is a Pennsylvania native who has speed, which is becoming more important in the OHL. Bily was the only American taken by the Otters in the draft.
Kyle Maksimovich, LW, Toronto Marlboros, third round, 59th overall.
The brother of current Otters F Quentin Maksimovich, Kyle is a winger with a ton of skill. He had 24 goals and 34 assists over 33 games for the Marlboros this season. In the OHL Cup, he had two goals and eight points. Kyle is projected to be a top-line player but his size is what sent him down in the draft. He stands only 5’6″. However, if he hits a growth spurt, he has the potential to become one of the top players in the OHL in the future.
Mitchell Byrne, D, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, fifth round, 85th overall.
Byrne had five goals and 23 assists in 33 games with the Jr. Habs this past season.
Taylor Egan, D, Ottawa Valley, sixth round, 119th overall.
Egan had five goals and 21 assists with the Titans last season. He can quarterback the power play and shows a great offensive mind.
Riley MacRae, RW, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, seventh round, 130th overall.
MacRae had seven goals and fifteen assists with the Jr. Bulldogs this past season. Has the potential to be a power forward in the OHL, much like Joel Wigle.
Zack Hoffmann, D, Clarington Toros, seventh round, 139th overall.
Hoffmann had eight goals and 17 assists with the Toros last season. Offensive minded defensman but can play well in both ends.
Jack Gill, RW, Upper Canada Cyclones, eighth round, 159th overall.
Gill had eight goals and 18 assists with the Cyclones this past season.
Cole Evans, D, Vaughan Kings, ninth round, 179th overall.
Evans had no goals and seven assists with the Kings last season. Has great size and plays smart defense.
Jordan Sambrook, D, South Central Coyotes, tenth round, 199th overall.
Sambrook had five goals and thirteen assists with the Coyotes this past season. Is a d-man who likes to join the rush. Comparable to Adam Pelech.
Christian Girhiny, LW, Southern Tier Admirals, eleventh round, 219th overall.
Girhiny had nine goals and 10 assists with the Admirals this past season.
Holdyn Lansink, LW, Huron Perth Lakers, twelfth round, 239th overall.
Lansink had 16 goals and 13 assists in 31 games with the Lakers this past season. Hard worker.
Bailey Newton, D, Halton Hurricanes, thirteenth round, 259th overall.
Newton had one goal and six assists with the Hurricanes this past season. Defensive-defenseman.
Colton Point, G, North Bay Trappers, fourteenth round, 279th overall.
Noah Tooke, D, London, fifteenth round, 299th overall.
Images from the GTHL were used in this article.
After about a week of waiting, the #3 seed Erie Otters return to the ice tonight as they head to #2 seed Sault Ste. Marie to take on the Greyhounds for the second round of the OHL playoffs.
The Otters will start this series on the road as the first round of the postseason produced no upsets in the Western Conference, with the top four seeds winning their respective series. The Otters dispatched the Saginaw Spirit in five games, including three which went to overtime. The West Division champion Greyhounds needed five games to send the Owen Sound Attack packing.
Erie should have their young playoff jitters under control. Lack of postseason experience showed throughout the first round. Never was it more evident in Game 3 of the series. The Otters sloppy play in their own end and a lackluster performance by G Oscar Dansk resulted in the Otters only loss in the series. They were able to rebound the next two games in the opponents rink and take care of the Spirit, thanks to series heroics from Dane Fox and Michael Curtis.
The Soo had a much easier time in their first round series. With exception of an overtime loss in the first game, the Soo overpowered the Attack, winning each game by two goals or more.
Season Series
The Otters and Greyhounds met just twice during the regular season. Erie got the upper-hand in the first meeting on Nov. 15 with the Otters cruising to a 3-0 victory at Erie Insurance Arena. Dylan Strome, Patrick Murphy, and Dane Fox were the goal scorers as the Otters peppered Soo netminder Matt Murray with 33 shots in the victory. Devin Williams stopped 18 shots en rout to the shutout.
The second time around, it was all Greyhounds. The Soo blew out the Otters 8-2. Bryan Moore netted a hat-trick in the rout. Oscar Dansk was chased after allowing six goals.
It will be hard to gauge just how this series will turn out just based on the two sample of these teams meetings this season. That said, it will come down to individual performances.
Players to Watch
For Erie, it will be on the shoulders of the always clutch Dane Fox. The Canucks prospect led all of the CHL in goals this season with 64 and is known to score when his team needs it most. Playing on a line with Connor Brown and Connor McDavid definitely helps Fox get loose and be in the right place at the right time to net markers. He netted two out of the three game-winning goals in overtime against Saginaw. Expect a few goals from the circles from Fox.
Dane Fox has six goals and six assists in five games this postseason,
Expect Andre Burakovsky to keep up his stellar play. The winger scored goals in four out of five games in the previous series, including two two-goal games. He has six total this postseason so far.
Goaltending may be Erie’s biggest question mark. Devin Williams held his own in the last series with Saginaw, while Oscar Dansk rode the struggle bus in his only start of the series. However, as Victor Fernandes of the Erie Times-News reported earlier in the week, head coach Kris Knoblauch is planning on sticking with the two goaltender system. It will be interesting to see how Dansk responds after struggling hard the past couple of months.
For the Soo, it will be all about the defense, most notably Edmonton Oilers first-round pick Darnell Nurse. The nephew of former Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, Nurse has been a standout on the back end ever since breaking into the league. He is one of the top defenders in league and can contribute to the offensive game as well. The Otters need to solve the Soo defense to advance to the conference championship.
Nurse has two goals and five assists this postseason.
Prediction
It will be a hard-fought series, but the Otters will come away with another victory. Erie in six.
MAKE YOUR PREDICTION: Vote in the poll below.
The Otters begin the series on the road in Sault Ste. Marie tonight at 7:07 p.m. Otters Press Box will be at Game 3, which is scheduled for Monday at 7:05. Keep following Otters Press Box for updates. You can also follow @RealJeffSnyder and @theZothman for Twitter updates.
Midway through the first period, it was announced that the Otters have agreed in principle to a five-year lease at Erie Insurance Arena. I caught up with GM Sherry Bassin at the first intermission and after the game. Here’s what he had to say.
Welcome to the first playoff edition of the Otters Press Box interview room. We have a full slate of personality tonight. This edition includes head coach Kris Knoblauch, F Dane Fox, F Andre Burakovsky, D Travis Dermott, G Devin Williams, and two special appearances from Otters GM Sherry Bassin discussing the Otters new five year lease at Erie Insurance Arena.
Kris Knoblauch:
Dane Fox:
Andre Burakovsky:
Travis Dermott:
Devin Williams:
It took the Erie Otters 58:22 to take a lead in their first playoff game since 2010-2011. That 1:38 they were in-front was all they needed.
The Otters netted three power play goals, yet had to come from behind to beat the Saginaw Spirit 4-3 in-front of a loud crowd of 3806.
Andre Burakovsky had two goals while Dane Fox netted the game winner on the power play.
Coach Kris Knoblauch surprised many when he named Devin Williams the starter for this first game of the series.
“I was shocked,” said Williams, who notched his first career playoff victory. “But at the same time I knew I had to step in and be good for the guys.”
Williams, and the rest of the Otters, came out with jitters. For many on the team, this was the first time they had a taste of the playoff experience at this level.
Saginaw was able to take advantage of the playoff inexperience early. Eric Locke sniped Williams with a shot right off a face-off just 1:04 into the contest.
“That’s one I should have had,” said Williams.
Five minutes later, Williams gave up another, this time to former teammate Luke Cairns from the slot. It was 2-0 early. However, this did not quiet the crowd.
Devin Williams stopped 25 shots in his first playoff victory.
The Otters began to battle back. They were peppering Saginaw G Jake Paterson the entire night. It was because of Paterson’s stellar play in net that the Otters didn’t end up running away with this. Paterson stood on his head for most of the night.
On a two-man advantage late in the first, Connor Brown netted his first career playoff goal on a rebound from a Dane Fox shot. That sent the Erie Insurance Arena into a frenzy.
“It looked like we were about to be shutout on that five-on-three,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “That would have been heartbreaking for us. If we didn’t score there, they would have had a lot life and energy. In the playoffs it comes down to special teams and there was a lot of that tonight.”
On another power play chance early in the second frame, Andre Burakovsky took a shot from the left circle. Paterson appeared to get a piece but the puck trickled by him, tying the game at two.
Play then started to get chippy. Paterson was run into a few times and the Spirit players were having none of it. Dane Fox and Brandon Prophet got into it after one such instance. Brendan Gaunce took exception to being tripped up by Sean Callaghan. Things would cool down as the game progressed, however.
With less than five minutes remaining in the second, the Otters would again find themselves behind. The Spirit’s leading scorer in the regular season Kristoff Kontos blew one by Williams. The Otters went into the final break trailing.
Five minutes into the third, the Otters responded. Andre Burakovsky used his quick shot from the slot to blow a wrister past Paterson to tie the game at three. Despite his impressive performance, Burakovsky was feeling the nerves coming in.
“It wasn’t until after the first shift I started feeling comfortable,” said Burakovsky, who was playing in his first playoff game in North America. “I’ve never played in the playoffs before so I was feeling nervous.”
Andre Burakovsky netted two goals in the victory.
The Otters then had many chances throughout the third. For a bit, it looked like the game may go into overtime. That was until Saginaw’s Jesse Graham put the puck over the boards in his defensive zone, earning him a delay of game penalty late in the period.
The Otters were throwing everything at Paterson on this opportunity. That was until Dane Fox grabbed a loose puck in the slot. He then ripped a slapper and put it past Paterson for his first of the playoffs.
Dane Fox’s GWG was his first playoff goal since 2011 with London.
Saginaw was then forced to pull the goalie for the sixth attacker but it was nothing doing. The Otters won their first playoff game since 2010-2011, on a night that they announced that they will be staying in Erie for the foreseeable future.
The Otters and Spirit meet for the second game at Erie Insurance Arena tomorrow night. Otters Press Box will be there with Spencer Zoth handling the live blogging and tweeting duties. You can follow him at @theZothman.
Images from the Ontario Hockey League were used in this article.
Welcome to the first ever playoff edition of the Otters Press Box in-game blog. Here are some developing stories.
It appears Otters C Kyle Pettit will be in the lineup tonight. The 2014 draft eligible hasn’t played since Feb. 15 after being sidelined with an upper-body injury. His presence will be huge for the Otters checking lines. He had five goals and five assists in 53 games this season.
Devin Williams will get the call in-net for Erie. Williams is a Saginaw native so this will be a huge opportunity for the 18-year-old netminder to shine against his hometown team.
Just a reminder: in addition to the blog, you can follow me on Twitter at @RealJeffSnyder for live tweets.
In-game:
Erie 4 Saginaw 3
Shots: Erie 48 Saginaw 27
PP: Erie 3-5 Saginaw 0-3
3 Stars:
3. Dermott (2 A)
2. Burakovsky (2 G)
1. Fox (GWG, A)
THIRD PERIOD:
THAT’S IT. Otters comeback to win 4-3.
Erie goal reads Fox (1) from Gaunce and Pelech on the PP.
Fox blasts a slapper by Paterson. 4-3 late.
Jesse Graham puts the puck out of play in his own zone. D.O.G. Huge PP for Erie.
Crowd of 3806 on-hand for playoff hockey at EIA.
We’ve reached the media timeout. 9:16 remaining. Still tied at 3.
Kontos released. Still tied at 3.
Kontos now being sent off for hooking. Otters to the PP
Burakovsky beats Paterson with a sick wrister. Tied at 3.
Donnay out of the box. Solid kill from the Otters.
Donnay sent off for hooking. Otters need a huge PK.
Puck drops. Final frame underway.
SECOND PERIOD:
End of the frame. Erie trails 3-2.
Graham now takes exception to Burakovsky stuffing away at Paterson after the whistle.
Fox and Prophet both released. Back to five aside hockey.
Gaunce loses his temper with Sean Callaghan after being tripped up. Both men to the box.
Saginaw goal reads Kontos (1) from Ringuette and Locke
Kristoff Kontos tips-in a shot from the point. Saginaw back on top 3-2
4-on-4 hockey as Fox and Prophet get matching minors.
Fox runs into Paterson on accident and is pummeled Prophet. Fox fights back.Both men in the box.
Burakovsky netted a PP goal earlier in the period. We’re tied at 2.
Travis Wood tripped up on his way to the net. De Sousa to the box for the infraction.
Paterson makes another ridiculous save on McDavid. Out of his mind tonight.
Gaunce has been showing the dangles tonight. He’s due for one.
Paterson came to play tonight. Another good save, this time on Burakovsky.
We’re back underway at EIA.
FIRST PERIOD:
Otters goal reads Burakovsky (1) from Dermott and Abraham.
A Burakovsky shot from the far circle trickles by Paterson. We’re tied at 2.
End of the period. Otters down 2-1 after a shaky first ten minutes from Williams. Let’s see how he adjusts for the 2nd.
Otters kill the Dermott penalty. Still trail 2-1 with 1:30 to play in the frame.
Travis Dermott to the box for boarding. Otters back on the PK.
Otters goal reads Brown (1) from Fox and Pelech on the PP.
The captain nets a rebound off a Dane Fox shot. Otters still trail 2-1.
Otters on a two-man advantage as Sadowy got a high-sticking penalty.
Otters kill the penalty and get a PP of their own as Justin Sefton is sent off for hooking.
Joel Wigle gets the gate. Otters to the PK.
Just announced at the media timeout that the Otters have agreed in principle to a five year lease at Erie Insurance Arena.
Saginaw goal reads Cairns (1) from Kontos and Locke at 6:18.
Former Otter Luke Cairns nets one on a two-on-one from the slot. 2-0 Spirit.
The Otters with a flurry of chances but Paterson and the post keep the puck out.
McDavid danced in close on Paterson but was denied.
Saginaw goal reads Locke (1) from Kontos.
Eric Locke with a quick shot off the face off. Puts it over the shoulder of Williams. 1-0 Spirit.
Anthems have been sung. The puck drops. We’re underway with some playoff hockey.
It appears the internet is struggling yet again with the extra traffic up here. I’ll try my best to update.
Here are the lines for tonight:
*Denotes starters
Erie:
Forwards:
Fox-McDavid-Brown
*Burakovsky-Gaunce-Wigle
Curtis-Strome-Pettit
Wood-Evans-Betz
Defense:
Genovese-Pelech
*MacDermid-Abraham
Dermott-Donnay
Goaltender: Williams
Scratches: Felker, Murphy, Raddysh, Maksimovich (all healthy)
Saginaw:
Forwards:
Moutrey-Kea-Sadowy
*Locke-Kontos-Cairns
Lodge-Stephens-Payne
Bennett-Alexeev-Addison
Defense:
*Ringuette-Sefton
Prophet-Graham
Callaghan-De Sousa
Goaltender: Paterson
Scratches: Orban, Holmes, Clarke, Ovajannikov
After a few days of waiting, the Erie Otters (52-14-2-0) found out their opponent for the first round of the postseason will be the Saginaw Spirit (33-30-4-1).
Erie holds the third seed in the Western Conference. Saginaw holds the sixth. The Otters were 3-1-0-0 against the Spirit in the regular season with one of those victories coming in a shootout. Erie’s only loss was in the third game of the season when Saginaw beat them 2-1 at the Dow Event Center on September 25. The Otters have outscored the Spirit 11-9 in those four contests this season.
Erie is coming off a record setting season in all aspects of play. As a team, Erie set the franchise record for most points in a season (106), wins in a season (52), goals scored in a season (312), and fewest goals allowed in a season (170).
Individuals shined brightly during the regular season. The Otters boasted three of the leagues top four scorers. Connor Brown set the team record for assists (83) and points (128). The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect earned the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the leagues top scorer as well as the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the top scoring right winger.
Brown led the league with 128 points during the regular season.
Dane Fox set the franchise record for goals in a season with 64. He added 43 assists to bring his point total to 107. Before this season, no Otter ever accumulated more than 99 points in a campaign.
Connor McDavid came just one point shy of the century mark. However, the 17-year-old played in just 56 games this season, mainly due to being away while playing internationally. His slick hands have earned him international attention. Look for him to turn it up to eleven for the playoffs.
Andre Burakovsky had a stellar season as well. The first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals showed off his wicked shot, netting 41 goals in 57 games. The additions of Michael Curtis, Brendan Gaunce, and Dylan Strome have also boosted the offense.
The Otters defense has done a complete 180 from previous years. The additions of Travis Dermott, Kurtis MacDermid, and Cory Genovese have kept the opponents shot totals low. Mainstay’s Adam Pelech and Spencer Abraham contributed thoroughly on offense this season. Look for that to continue in the postseason.
The year was also kind to goaltenders Oscar Dansk and Devin Williams. As mentioned previously, the netminding duo let in a mere 170 goals combined this year. That earned them the Dave Pinkley Trophy for fewest goals against. Both showed they are more than capable of being between the pipes whenever called upon.
Dansk went 29-9-1-0 on the season. He was the league’s top goaltender with a 2.39 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 42 games. Dansk gave up a total of 96 goals this season. He backstopped Team Sweden to a silver medal at the IIHF World Junior Championships in January.
Williams had a breakout season. After spending two seasons playing second fiddle to Ramis Sadikov and Dansk, Williams showed that he is more than capable as a potential number one goaltender. Williams allowed a league low 72 goals in 31 games this season while going 23-5-1-0. He was the 14th ranked North American goaltender in the latest rankings from NHL Central Scouting in January.
Expect Dansk to get the nod for all but one game of this series. Williams is a Saginaw native and head coach Kris Knoblauch will most likely give him a playoff start in his hometown.
In contrast to the Otters massive offensive production, Saginaw scored 254 goals this season. They had no players in the top 20 in scoring. However, team chemistry has boosted this squad to where they are.
The Spirit are led by Kristoff Kontos. The overage forward had 25 goals and 50 assists during the regular season. Another player to watch will be Eric Locke. The Buffalo Sabres prospect was limited to 48 games this season but was very productive when he did play. Locke had 26 goals and 34 assists with a plus-14 rating.
On the blueline, Justin Sefton and Jesse Graham have been huge producers on both ends of the ice. Sefton had 16 goals on the season, including a team leading 11 on the power play. Graham was acquired from Niagara about mid-way through the campaign. He totaled 54 points on the season, including 37 while with the Spirit, which tied him with Sefton for the team lead. A team with offense on the back end can be lethal. The Otters need to contain these two talents to be successful.
Sefton had 11 goals on the power play this season.
The goaltending duties have been split by Jake Paterson and Nikita Serebryakov. Paterson handled the majority of the load this season, going 24-18-2-0 in 45 games. Paterson had a 3.41 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Serebryakov was shaky at best this year, going 9-12-2-1 with a 3.53 GAA and a .897 save percentage. Paterson should be the go-to-guy for Saginaw in this series.
The Spirit come into this series playing with a heavy heart. Forward Terry Trafford apparently took his own life just last week. The entire league paid tribute to Trafford over the weekend, holding a moment of silence in every rink. Needless to say, the Spirit should be coming out and playing with a ton of heart. They’re going to try to keep this season going as long as the can.
PREDICTION:
The Otters high powered offense will be too much for the Spirit. Erie will win the series in five games. The line of Brown-McDavid-Fox will pepper Paterson and/or Serebryakov the entire series. Even though the Spirit have played well against the Otters this season, the defense and goaltending tandem of Dansk and Williams will over power Saginaw quickly. Erie will be moving on to the second round.
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Otters Press Box will be at the first two games of the series at Erie Insurance Arena on Friday and Saturday. For Friday’s game, Jeff Snyder will be handling the in-game blog and live tweeting. You can follow him at @RealJeffSnyder. For Saturday, Spencer Zoth will be handling the in-game blog and live tweeting. You can follow him at @theZothman. Check Otters Press Box regularly for content and updates before the puck drops Friday night.
Images from the Ontario Hockey League website were used in this article.
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