Visors and Risers

The Erie Otters used an eight goal second period to absolutely dismantle the Niagara Ice Dogs 10-1 in front of 5,015 fans at the Erie Insurance Center. The first period was actually quite misleading as the Ice Dogs ended the period with a 1-0 lead despite being outshot 14 to 7 in said period. The second period was another story altogether as the Otters rattled off eight straight goals and 29 total shots, the Otters would fire home two more goals before the end of the game as well as outshooting the Ice Dogs 60-14, yes 60-14. The Otters were led offensively by Anthony Cirelli (3 goals), Christian Girhiny (2 goals), and Cam Lizotte (2 goals) and goaltender TroyTimpano stopped 13 of 14 shots for the victory. Ice Dogs goaltender StephenDhillon stopped 35 of 43 shots before rookie goaltender Colton Incze came in relief and stopped 15 of 17 shots to end the game. This was the 5 th time in Otters team history that the team had 60 or more shots in one game, it

Ryan Mantha Finally Gets His Shot  Credit Harry Scull Jr. It has been a long time coming for Niagara Ice Dogs defenseman Ryan Mantha , but he has finally signed a 3 year entry level contract with an NHL team earlier today. After being drafted by the New York Rangers in the 4th round of the 2014 Entry Draft (#104 overall) Mantha continued to play for the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL, but was deemed to not be a part of the Rangers long term future and was never offered a contract. After becoming a free agent in June of this year, Mantha was invited to the Buffalo Sabres pre-season camp but was let go soon after. Mantha was soon after named the 2016/2017 captain of the Ice dogs and has been a solid offensive contributor to the team, producing 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists) in 58 games this season. Just following the NHL Trade Deadline today, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they had signed Mantha to a 3-year entry level deal.  In an Interview with The Buffalo News du

Friday March 3, 2017  Erie Insurance Center, Erie PA  Erie Otters (44-12-3, 1st in the Western Conference)    Vs.  Niagara Ice Dogs (20-29-10, 8th in the Eastern Conference)  Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America This is a Matchup of two teams in almost polar opposite positions in the standings. Erie, who clinched a playoff spot almost two weeks ago to the day, is just coming off of a 14 game win streak but more recently has been struggling with lower seeded teams due to injuries and lack of motivation. Niagara, who on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs baring a late season surge, has been unable to find a way to consistently win more than one or two games in a row. I believe that this matchup will be closer than you think, as Erie is most likely going to coast into the playoffs while Niagara is still fighting for their playoff lives. Erie:  Taylor Raddysh  (Tampa Bay Lightning 2016 2nd round pick, #58 overall)\ - Drafted by the Otters in the first

OHL in Primetime: LA Kings Prospect Erik Cernak traded to Tampa Bay  Credit NHL.com Just four days before the NHL trade deadline the LA Kings and Tampa Bay Lighting have completed a trade sending goaltender Ben Bishop and a 2017 5th round pick in the draft to Los Angeles and in return Tampa Bay receives Erie Otters Defensemen Erik Cernak, Goaltender Peter Budaj, and a 2017 7th round draft pick. Erik Cernak  Credit Hockeyfutures.com Cernak , a six foot tall 19 year old defenseman, is currently playing in his second season in the OHL for the Erie Otters. He was drafted by the otters in the first round of the 2015 OHL import draft, #54 overall, and in the second round of the 2015 NHL draft by the LA Kings, #43 overall.  In 82 total games Cernak has 32 points (7 goals, 25 assists) and a  +34 rating helping to lead the Otters to the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Cernak is now one of three Otters players who's rights are owned by Tampa Bay (Anthony Cirelli 2015 3rd roun

Atlantic Hockey Rankings  1- Canisius  2- Air Force  3- Army  4- RMU  5- Holy Cross  6- RIT  7- Mercyhurst  8- Bentley  9- Sacred Heart  10- AIC  11- Niagara  Playoff Round #1 (March 3rd-5th) This round is a best of 3 game series hosted by the higher. The top 5 teams in the conference receive a bye and will host the winners from round #1  #11 Niagara Vs. #6 RIT  - RIT will be hosting this series at the Gene Polisseni Center  in Rochester, NY  - RIT swept the regular season series against Niagara, beating Niagara 7-1 and 6-2  - Niagara is currently on a 12 game losing streak  #10 AIC Vs. #7 Mercyhurst  - Mercyhurst will be hosting this series at the Mercyhurst Ice Center in Erie, PA  - Mercyhurst split the season series with AIC, losing the first game 3-5 but coming back the next night and winning 6-3 - Mercyhurst is currently on a three game losing streak while AIC enters this series unbeaten in their last three (one win, t