Smith Grabs First Game-Winner, Lalonde Stops 28 in Front of over 5200
October 8, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Erie Otters News Release
Erie, Pennsylvania – Home is where the heart is for the Erie Otters as the team would finally play their first home game of the young OHL season. The Otters were well-welcomed by their hometown faithful, with 5207 crowding the stands. As Nolan Lalonde made his first appearance at home since Easter Sunday, the Erie Otters would look to put on a show as terrific as the one played out front of the arena earlier.
Erie would start the night with an early power play on a hooking call on Easton Cowan, and take advantage less than twenty seconds into the power play asSam Alfano (2) would fire up the home crowd. The early goal would be assisted by Christian Kyrou and Brett Bressette at the 2:08 mark. Erie would be given another early chance power play opportunity on a boarding call, off Connor Federkow. London would take the kill as the early and physical first period is just in its beginnings. Erie would counter right back and counter off a breakaway top-shelf goal scored byKaleb Smith(1) at the 10:32 mark. The first period excitement would be added to, as Otter Owain Johnston and Knight Brody Crane would drop the gloves with each other in the 11:47 mark. The fans would erupt, as Johnston would put Crane on the ground. London would not leave this first period without making some noise for their own asSean McGrun(1) – assisted by Denver Barkey – would get things going for the Knights at the 13:07 mark. Erie would get their late first period shots in. However they would not add to their one goal lead. London would lead the period in shots 11-8. Nolan Lalonde would have a ten save first period.
The second period, just like first, would begin with an early power play off a holding penalty from Sean McGurn. London would get their second kill of the night as they were able to see some shots for themselves on the kill. Erie would see their fourth power play of the night as Max Mccue was called for kneeing. The Otters would add to their power play minutes as Oliver Bonk was called for slashing. Erie would not see a goal in the five-on-three. The physicality would be the talk of the town, as a scrum would break out in the Erie attack side. London players involved were Brett Brochu and Jackson Edward and the Otters involved were Cameron Morton and Artyom Kulakov. After the scrum Erie would be put on their first penalty kill of the game. Erie would yet again kill the penalty, enroute to going perfect on the night. The long-awaited second period goal would come on accident forSpencer Sova(1), as Max McCue’s body would be in the way for an Otter-favoring redirect to make it 3-1. Before the second period would end, Erie would be on the penalty kill off a Spencer Sova slashing call in the final seconds of the period. Erie would get kill the remaining time from the second but would start the third continuing the kill. Shots in the second period were in Erie’s favor as a they would lead shot 14-10. Nolane Lalonde would add ten more saves on his impressive twenty save night through two periods.
In the start of the third, Lalonde would make a sensational save on the penalty kill off a shot from Sam Dickinson. Erie would kill the remaining penalty minutes from the late second period penalty. The Otter penalty kill would start another battle off a call on Christian Kyrou for roughing. The Otters would spend the last two minutes with a man disadvantage as London would see send the goalie to the bench. Erie would stop the Knights last chances and would get their first win of the OHL season. A big one against rival London, and an advantageous win for the Otters in their first OHL Western Conference game.
Nolan Lalonde would have himself a 28-save night only letting one goal in the first period. He would be awarded first star honors for his efforts, and the locker room would dub him player of the game.
The Erie Otters stay at home for seven of their next 10 games, as they play a full home weekend next week against American foes of Flint on Friday, October 14 and against Saginaw on Saturday, October 15. For information on the upcoming promotional nights and what to expect, head to OttersHockey.com.
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