Gilmartin Scores First as an Otter, Erie Earns Second Point of the Season
October 7, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Erie Otters News Release
Mississauga, Ontario – After the eastern swing started the 2022-23 season for the Erie Otters, the team would finish out their road-opening start of the year on Friday night in Mississauga. This would be Erie’s first time to the Paramount Fine Foods Centre since February 2020, and represent a homecoming for second-year Defenseman Nathan Sauder and #2 overall pick Malcolm Spence. With Nolan Lalonde freshly returned from the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a three-year ELC with the club, the Otters would seek their first victory of the season.
A slow-start to the first period awaited both teams in Mississauga, as the two clubs combined for just 11 shots total in the first 20. The only true error of the first period would come in the first six minutes, as Ethan Del Mastro would go to the box for a roughing penalty, and put Erie on the Power Play. With the man-advantage on their side, Elias Cohen would put a shot on net from the top of the left circle, and Liam Gilmartin (1) would put it away for his first goal in Navy and Gold to make it 1-0. From there, the two teams would mostly play back-and-forth with limited opportunities. The Otters would finish the opening 20 with a 1-0 lead, leafing in shots 7-4.
The tide would turn quickly in favor of the Steelheads in period two, as just :82 into the new frame, Luca Del Bel Belluz (1) scored his first goal of the season to make it a 1-1 game. With a minor equipment issue halfway into the period, Marshall Nicholls would come in relief for a couple minutes, recording a save. Minutes later, after a major hit thrown against his team, Kaleb Smith would drop the gloves with Charlie Callaghan. With penalties galore in the period, the teams would swap power play opportunities. It would be on their last of the period that Mississauga would end Erie’s streak of perfection on the penalty kill at their 15, as James Hardie (2) would give the Steelheads the lead 2-1 late in the second and a 17-14 shot advantage.
The third period would start with the Erie Otters carrying over a power play opportunity, but be unable to convert. This would prove to be a theme of the night, as Erie would finish 1/7 on the man-advantage. With marvelous chaos in front, Carey Terrance would put a puck on net, and Brett Bressette (2) would put it away for his fifth point of the year, and a game-tying goal. This goal would prove to be a major difference maker, as neither team would be able to find the back of the net the rest of the way, forcing extra hockey to be played in Mississauga. In the extra frame, Erie would outshoot Mississauga 4-2, and have high-quality scoring chances, but the game would come down to a shootout.
In their second shootout of the season, the Erie Otters would look to earn their first win of the season. Unfortunately, with goals from Luca Del Bel Belluz and James Hardie, the Steelheads would win the shootout 2-0, and the game 3-2.
Erie would earn its second point of the season, dropping to 0-2-0-2. At long-last, after a four-game road opener to the 2022-23 season, the Erie Otters kick off their home schedule on Saturday, hosting the London Knights in the 26th Home Opener in team history. This highly anticipated event is preceded by the team’s inaugural Home Opener Fan Fest, featuring up-and-coming country music stars, local food trucks, family-friendly activities, and so much more. The first 4500 fans will receive a FREE Rally Towel (pres. by APec and Creative Imprints). This event promises to be an unforgettable night of rivalry hockey and affordable, family-friendly fun. Tickets are available now on OttersHockey.com.
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