Otters rally past IceDogs
Lucas Theriault of the Niagara IceDogs scored his fourth goal of the season in a losing cause at Erie Saturday. Photo by: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs started slowly and finished poorly as they dropped a 5-4 decision to the Erie Otters in Ontario Hockey League action Saturday night in Erie.
It was the first game back from the Christmas break for the IceDogs, whose record dipped below .500 to 13-14-4-1.
Erie jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Elias Cohen and Brendan Hoffman. The Otters held a 13-2 edge in shots in the opening 20 minutes.
“The first game back after the break is always a little sloppy,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said. “I thought we were in half speed in the first, not a lot of details to our game.”
The IceDogs turned things around in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals by Dakota Betts, Ethan Sims, Lucas Theriault and Mason Howard in a span of just over 11 minutes to take a 4-2 lead into the third.
The Otters began chipping away at the lead when Maxim Golod scored at the 9:11 mark. Austen Swankler then tied the game at 16:54 before Connor Lockhart netted the winer with 1:26 to play.
Erie outshot Niagara 18-6 in the final period and 45-22 overall.
“In the second period we were better, skated better, puck management was better and we were rewarded,” Burke said. “I think in the third we sat back too much and did not match their desperation, unfortunately.
“It stings not coming home with anything.”
Christan Sbaraglia took the loss in goal for Niagara.
Niagara Falls native Kurtis Henry was a plus-3 for the Otters.
The IceDogs host the Peterborough Petes New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m., then travel to North Bay Thursday, Jan. 2.
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