ERIE OTTERS 26TH SEASON HOME OPENER UNVEILED
Erie, Pennsylvania – The preparations for the highly-anticipated 26th season of Erie Otters hockey begin, as the Ontario Hockey League announces the Home Opener dates for all 20 member teams.
On Saturday, October 8 at 7:00 P.M., the puck will drop at the Erie Insurance Arena for a new year of Otters Hockey. After home-opening the 2021-22 season in Mid-October, the earlier date will represent a more return-to-norm for the Otters and fans, and the first of 34 game days in one of the league’s premier facilities. Erie has won three-straight home openers, with an overtime penalty-shot game-winner being the most recent in October 2021. Over 3600 fans were in attendance for the 2021 Home Opener game against Saginaw.
To add to the excitement, the Otters will host Midwest Division foe and bitter rival London Knights for the Home Opener, representing the 136th all-time regular season meeting between Erie and London. The on-and-off-the-ice rivalry with London has always stoked the flames and interest of Otters fans, with raucous atmospheres and the time-honored singing of a platinum single from 1969. Senior Vice President of Business Operations Chad Westerburg expressed the anticipated excitement of the fans with the announcement.
“We are ecstatic to be opening at home on Saturday, October 8th against the Knights. We know our games against London at home are always circled on the calendar so for us to be playing them in our home opener is going to be super exciting.” said Westerburg, “We have the best fans in the league, and I expect our fans to pack the house with lots of energy for this game specifically. We have a lot of great things planned for the home opener and can’t wait to open our doors in October.”
During the 2021-22 season, nearly 10,000 fans entered the EIA for the two games against London, and with the newest chapter of the rivalry kicking off at home for Otters fans, the anticipation builds for an unforgettable night downtown. This will be the first time the Otters open the home portion of the schedule against London since the 2009-10 season, and the third time overall (2006, 2009). General Manager Dave Brown spoke with excitement about the renewed-rivalry kicking off a renewed season.
“The fact that we can open our season at the Erie Insurance Arena against an opponent we have all become fond of playing for the rival it has become is super exciting.” said Brown, “I can feel the energy building already, and it will undoubtedly be an event fans won’t want to miss.”
Erie will be the visiting team for the home openers of the Peterborough Petes, Kingston Frontenacs, and Ottawa 67’s. The Otters will visit the Petes on Thursday, September 29, the Frontenacs on Friday, September 30, and the 67’s on Sunday, October 2. The complete 2022-23 season schedule will be unveiled Thursday, June 16 at 3:00 P.M. on Otters’ social media and OttersHockey.com.
Don’t miss a single moment of the new year of Otters Hockey; 2022-23 Full Season Tickets are on sale now for as low as $11/game.
For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at shawn.bednard@ottershockey.com.
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