WEEKEND PREVIEW: A STUFFED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Erie, Pennsylvania – A busier-than-expected week continues during the holiday season for the Erie Otters, as they prepare for a three-game weekend. As two of Erie’s favorite Thanksgiving Weekend traditions continue on the ice, the fun of the season is truly underway. Here’s what lies ahead.
LAST TIME (SNOWED) OUT
The Erie Otters were supposed to host two games against the Saginaw Spirit and Ottawa 67’s during the previous weekend. However, due to one of the largest blizzards to strike November in years – and a perfect storm of scheduling that saw both opponents cross through the afflicted areas twice – the OHL postponed both games out of an abundance of caution.
Luckily for both Erie and Ottawa – given their long distance from one another – scheduling played favorably for a make-up date. The two cross-conference foes would do battle on Monday night at the Erie Insurance Arena in an unexpected early week game for either squad. After falling 4-1 in the opening 20, Erie would strike for five-unanswered goals (incl. three on the Power Play) and Kyle Downey would stop 21/21 enroute to a major upset 6-4 win for the Otters. This would be just the second loss of the season for Ottawa.
The Otters will meet the Spirit in a rescheduled game now scheduled for Tuesday, December 6 at the Erie Insurance Arena.
Erie has a current record of 9-7-0 sitting in seventh place in the OHL Western Conference. Three critical games are due ahead as the Otters look to get back to consistent winning ways.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Spencer Sova is playing as good as anybody – if not better – in the OHL right now. Sova has scored eight goals in his last nine games – two of which (incl. the GWG) recently came off the teams win against the 67’s. Sova is now tied with Brett Bressette in team goals (9). Sova looks to continue his development with the Otters and be a key factor on the team’s success.
Carey Terrance was another key player in Monday’s win against Ottawa. Terrance scored the second goal of the night, as well as the empty-net insurance goal in the Otters victory. This is Carey’s second multi-goal night of the season. His first multi-goal night happened against Sunday’s opponent, Kitchener, resulting in a 7-3 victory.
Goaltender Kyle Downey continues to excel for the Otters following his acquisition by the team. In four outings, he has given the team three victories – including Monday’s 21/21 save effort in the 6-4 win over Ottawa. Downey has found a 3.23 GAA with a .882 SV%.
GIVE THANKS, GIVE BEARS
Thanksgiving Week Hockey is finally upon us, as the Otters host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the 47th Annual Thanksgiving Game. Battling the Soo for the second-straight season on the holiday, a 7:00 P.M. puck drop after the turkey dinner is a great way to end your holiday. Generations of hockey fans and families in Erie, PA have been part of the holiday hockey night, and it is an honor to continue that tradition. During the game, the team will host a team-signed, team-made Tie Blanket “enter to win” raffle – all proceeds from the raffle will go to benefit Community Shelter Services. Tickets for this raffle can be purchased at the Harrell Automotive Fan Assistance Center for $5 each.
Another holiday favorite follows right after, as the Salvation Army Erie Corps. and Erie Otters team up for the 13th Annual Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday at 7:00 P.M. The Otters will host the Barrie Colts, as fans are encouraged to stock up on teddy bears and be ready to throw them onto the ice when the Otters score their first goal of the night. All teddy bears will be collected, dried, cleaned, and given to children in need in the Erie Community during this holiday season. This is the first meeting against Barrie since February 2020.
KNOW THE FOES
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds come into Erie standing eighth in the OHL Western Conference with a record of 5-8-4. The Soo are coming off some not-so-good times, losing their last six games. Players to look out for on the ‘Hounds would be Bryce McConnell-Barker (New York Rangers), who leads the team in goals (12) and points (23). Both winger Kalvyn Watson and defenseman Kirill Kudryavtsev (Vancouver) lead the team in assists (13). In net for the Soo is Charlie Schenkel, who has a SV% of .905. The Greyhounds start their week of play in Erie before playing two Eastern Conference teams – in Mississauga on Friday and Hamilton on Sunday.
Erie will then host the Barrie Colts for the first time since February 12, 2020 – a game that resulted in a Colts shootout victory, 4-3. This year’s Colts team sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-6-2 record. Currently, the Colts have won back-to-back games before the weekend starts up. The Colts will play a game in Niagara on Friday before heading to Erie on Saturday. Barrie is home to four NHL prospect including points (22) and assist (15) leader Ethan Cardwell (San Jose), fellow Forward Hunter Haight (Minnesota), defenseman Artur Cholach (Vegas), and goalie Anson Thornton (Arizona). Thornton has 5-5-1 record with a SV% of .889.
Sunday will be the third matchup of the season for the Otters against their divisional foes, the Kitchener Rangers. Erie has soundly defeated the Rangers in their two meetings this season, as the Rangers stand at 8-11 on the season. The team is led of course by Francesco Pinelli (Los Angeles) who leads the team in goals (13), assists (9), and points (22). Fellow forwards Joseph Serpa and Mitchell Martin both have 15 points onto the season. In net for the Rangers has been Marco Costantini who has an SV% of .900.
HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN, & FOLLOW ALONG
WATCH:
“OHL Live” is the Ontario Hockey League’s broadcast home on CHL TV! OHL Live delivers a high-quality viewing experience while providing access to more than 700 OHL games streamed across a range of platforms including:
- PC and/or Tablet on Safari and Google Chrome web browsers
- iOS / Android mobile devices.
- Amazon Fire
- Apple TV
- Roku platforms
For less than $2/game, OHL Live provides live game action all season long, plus free-to-access video-on-demand content and a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. For more information, head to watch.chl.ca/ohl!
LISTEN:
The League’s largest radio network, the Otters Radio Network gives fans the most-accessible and high-quality way to experience every moment of Otters’ game night – from pregame to postgame.
Every game can feel like a home game as a fan with the Otters Radio Network. With live-game broadcasts of all 68 Regular Season games, fans can always hear the action as it happens. Thanks to the Broadcast Home for Otters Hockey, iHeart Media Erie, fans can listen to every game LIVE on the iHeart App from ANYWHERE in the world! From Pennsylvania to Transylvania and everywhere in between, you’ll always be in range to hear Otters Hockey.
The Otters Radio Network is larger than ever before on terrestrial & digital radio – from Southeast Michigan to Southwest New York!
- iHeart Media (Erie, PA) is the Flagship Station for the Otters on WJET 1400 AM, and home to Otters Hockey in Pennsylvania. Games can be heard on terrestrial radio on 1400 AM in Erie and surrounding communities of NWPA, or can be livestreamed worldwide on the iHeart App.
- Media One Radio Group – Ohio (Ashtabula, OH) is home to Otters Hockey in Ohio on ESPN 970 WFUN. Games can be heard on terrestrial radio on 970 AM in Ashtabula and surrounding communities of Northeast Ohio and NWPA, or can be livestreamed worldwide on WFUN’s website.
- Media One Radio Group – New York (Jamestown, NY) is home to Otters Hockey in New York State on Kissin’ Oldies 1340 WKSN. Games can be heard on terrestrial radio on 1340 AM in Jamestown and surrounding communities of Southwest New York and NWPA, or can be livestreamed worldwide on WKSN’s website.
- ESPN Radio Michigan Regional Sports Network (Flint, MI) is home to Otters Hockey in Michigan. Games can be livestreamed worldwide on MRSN’s website.
Fans can also listen to the game on any of the Otters’ four radio-homes on the Listen Live page. The Lavery Brewing Pregame Show starts 20 minutes prior to the Drop The Gloves Puck Drop, hosted by the Voice of the Otters Shawn Bednard.
Make sure to tune in week days from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Fox Sports 1330, Happi 92.7 FM, WERG 90.5 FM, Kinzua County 104.3 FM (Warren, PA), Channel 98.9 FM & Sunny 105.7 FM (Corry, PA), FOX Sports Radio Oil City 1120 & 104.1 FM (Oil City), ESPN 970 WFUN (Ashtabula, OH), WKSN 1340 AM & WQFX 103.1 (Jamestown, NY), and ESPN Radio MRSN (Flint, MI) to hear the ‘Otters Daily Update’, giving you all the insight on your Otters.
FOLLOW ALONG:
If you want to follow along in-real-time to the weekends games, make sure you’re following the Otters on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. From live tweets of the action, scoring updates, photos, and highlights, Otters’ social media is the best way to keep up with the team wherever they are.
UP NEXT
As the prelude to the United Way of Erie County’s Month of Million in December, the organization teams up with the Erie Otters for “Imagination Library Night” on Wednesday, November 30. This special celebratory night – which will feature a free book for the first 100 kids through the door – will also be the second home game of the season between Erie and the rival London Knights. A Sweet Caroline singin’ night of celebrating reading and community togetherness is the perfect way to start December.
Erie will travel to Guelph on Friday, December 2 for their first meeting of the season with the Storm.
The Otters return home on Saturday, December 3 for “Mascot Mania (pres. by Chick-fil-A)” – a celebration of everyone’s favorite representatives of sports and organizations! With over a dozen of Otto’s closest mascoteering friends to be in attendance, this will be the perfect celebration of zanyness and fun.
