OHL Playoff Spotlight: Erie Otters Go "All In" at the Right Time

Credit Erie Otters

In recent history the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have not been good. From 2005 to the end of the 2013 season they either did not qualify for the playoffs or were quickly bounced in the first round. All of this started to change when they drafted future NHL superstar Connor McDavid first overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection Draft. This pickup of one of the greatest young players of this decade along with other players beginning to step up allowed for the Otters to jump into serious playoff contention, as they made it to the Conference Finals each of the last three years.

Credit Erie Highlight Reel

Unfortunately each of the last three years the Otters have failed to win the OHL championship and qualify for a shot at the coveted Memorial cup, but this year just might be their chance. After management took a look at all of the aging star power on their team that will soon be gone, most of whom will be gone at the end of the season, they decided that 2017 was their year to go "all in". This "all in" move took place at the OHL trade deadline when they traded for Oshawa Generals Captain and 3rd year OHL Center Anthony Cirelli. In return the Otters gave up their 2016 first round pick and 5 other future picks, a hefty price but hopefully worth it in the long run. Cirelli brings veteran depth to the large talent pool of Otters goal scorers along with championship experience as he won the OHL playoffs with Oshawa in 2015.

Credit Otters Hockey

This move did not go unnoticed by Otters players and fans alike as they each responded with their third straight 50 win season, good for first overall in the OHL, and large home attendances respectively. Hopefully 2017 will finally be the year that the Otters find championship success.

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Ottawa 67's Vs. London Knights February 20, 2017

Monday February 20, 2017 TD Place, Ottawa Ontario Ottawa 67’s* (20-29-6, 8 th in Eastern Conference) Vs. London Knights (36-11-7, 3 rd in Western Conference) Claus Anderson-Getty Images This is game is a story of teams going in two different directions in the standings. London (6-4-0 last 10 games) is in the middle of a two game losing streak, but that does not take away from their stellar regular season that has them clinching a playoff spot over a month before the season ends. Ottawa (2-7-1 last 10 games) is in the middle of a 6 game losing streak and is in danger of missing out on the playoffs baring a huge end of season push. Skaters in the spotlight: Ottawa: Chris Martenet (Dallas Stars 2015 4 th round pick, #103 overall) - - Acquired from London at the OHL trade deadline ( http://www.ottawasun.com/2017/01/09/ottawa-67s-acquire-big-defenceman-chris-martenet-from-london-kni

Atlantic Hockey Showdown: Playoff Round #3

"Canisius Wins 2013 Championship" Courtesy Canisius Athletics Round #2 Recap: #7 Mercyhurst (1) Vs. #3 Army (2) The Army Black Knights barely avoided one of the largest upsets of the tournament thus far by beating the Mercyhurst Lakers in a very close 3 game series 2 games to 1. On Friday night Army exploded with 6 goals to take game #1 6-4, the Golden Knights were lead by freshman forward Brendan Soucie with 2 goals. In game #2 it took overtime but Mercyhurst was able to pull out the victory and extend their visit to West Point for another day with a 3-2 overtime victory, Sophomore Forward Matthew Whittaker led Mercyhurst with two goals including the overtime winner. On Sunday night Army managed to sneak away with a 4-3 victory after being down 3-1 in the 2nd period. #8 Bentley (0) Vs. #2 Air Force (2) Air Force won the battle of the Falcons this weekend by sweeping Bentley 2 games to nothing to advance to Rochester. In game #1 Air Force scored 3 goals i

Steelheads Use Six Goal 3rd Period to Roll Over Petes

The Mississauga Steelheads defeated the Peterborough Petes 10-1 in front of 2,282 of their home fans. The Steelheads opened up the scoring at around the midway point of the first period and didn’t stop scoring until near the end of the second period, by that time the Steelheads where up 4-0. At 17:30 of the 2 nd period Peterborough’s Logan DeNoble scored his 32 nd goal of the season to break the Steelheads run, however this would be the only goal they would score all game. The Steelheads would continue to pour it on the in the third period, scoring six more goals before the end of the game. Mississauga was lead offensively by Michael McLeod 93 (3 goals, 3 assists) and Spencer Watson (2 goals, 2 assists) and rookie goaltender Jacob Ingham stopped 26 of 27 shots faced for the victory. Petes goaltender Scott Smith was left in for all 10 goals and only managed to stop 24 of 34 shots faced in the loss. This was the first win of the season over the Petes this

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