THREE STARS: CELEBRATIONS AND A SELLOUT LEAD THE WAY
Erie, Pennsylvania – A successful weekend of hockey closed out the month of January for the Erie Otters, taking home back-to-back wins to close out the first month.
Erie started the week off with their final trip to Niagara on Thursday. The game would slip away from Erie early as the Otters fell to the IceDogs 5-1. The team needed a bounce back win and they delivered as the Otters defeated the Kitchener Rangers 6-4 at home on Saturday for Hockey Fights Cancer Night (pres. by UPMC). Erie would get one more victory on the weekend, getting revenge on the IceDogs in a 6-2 win.
With Sunday’s victory, the Otters have won three-straight games at the Erie Insurance Arena. It was a great weekend and continued to move Erie towards a playoff push. These are the individuals that made an impact this weekend.
THIRD STAR – CAREY TERRANCE
From a terrific outing at the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, to a highlight-reel heavy weekend, Carey Terrance had his fingerprints all over the week.
A sensational three-point game (2G+1A) from #10 on Saturday night was a huge factor in the victory. After returning from Vancouver following Thursday’s game, Terrance was ready to roll on Saturday. The second-year forward would start the night with a masterpiece shorthanded goal, stealing the puck from Kitchener’s goaltender and undressing him in front of the net. #10 would then help Ondrej Molnar record his second goal of the season. Terrance would end the night with the empty net insurance goal and record his 20th goal of the season. Terrance, whose stock is rising in the NHL Draft every day, continues to play exceptionally for the Otters.
SECOND STAR – LIAM GILMARTIN
How do you snap an 11-game goal-less skid? By scoring goals!
A major factor in Erie’s wins on Saturday and Sunday, Liam Gilmartin had himself an incredible five point weekend (4G+1A). Gilmartin would score two goals in Saturday’s win against the Rangers, with both goals key for the team. #9’s first goal would tie the game at 2 to cap off an Otter comeback in the second period. His second goal would give Erie the lead, and help lead the team to victory.
If it worked the first time, why not try it again? Gilmartin repeated himself with another two goals on Sunday. He would get things going for Erie on the power play, as well as giving the team an insurance goal. Liam would also record an assist on the weekend helping Malcolm Spence record his tenth of the season.
The San Jose Sharks prospect has been a great addition all season for Erie, but if his goal scoring can remain consistent, he will be a deadly top-end forward.
FIRST STAR – OTTERS NATION
During UPMC Health Plan Member Appreciation Weekend, the Erie community brought over 10,000 fans out to the Erie Insurance Arena to see the Otters sweep the weekend.
It all started with a jam-packed house at the EIA on Saturday, as the Otters faithful recorded a sellout crowd for the first time since 2017 with 6563 in attendance. The arena was loud, and it helped the team bounce back from an early 2-0 deficit to take a thrilling 6-4 victory. Nearly 3500 fans filled the arena on the final Sunday Family Funday for the Erie Otters, seeing the team dominate in a 6-2 win over Niagara.
In a season that’s had its ups and downs, the support of Otters Nation for the guys on the ice and the bench will be critical for a playoff push for Erie.
