Erie Otters vs. Sudbury Wolves in Ontario Hockey League play at EIA
The Erie Otters, in their first of only three Ontario Hockey League home games this month, faced the Sudbury Wolves at Erie Insurance Arena.
The Erie Otters were ‘that’ team on Oct. 11.
The dreaded one that none wants to be recognized as, even if only in passing.
The one that’s the first victim of an opponent which began play with a notable winless record.
The one the Sudbury Wolves doubled up at Erie Insurance Arena.
Sudbury, highlighted by two power play goals within a two-minute span of the second period, howled in delight after its 6-3 victory. The visitors, highlighted by Chase Coughlan’s two goals and an assist, finally cracked the win column after an 0-6-1-0 start to their Ontario Hockey League season.
The Otters, struggling themselves at 2-7-0-0, lost their fourth in a row.
Erie coach Kris Mallette credited the Wolves for a performance that exceeded their formerly winless record. They would have vanquished some team sooner rather than later.
Mallette, though, was conscious of the Otters’ status after their latest setback.
“Do we want to be ‘that’ team? Absolutely not,” Mallette said. “We had some opportunities to pull ahead (vs. Sudbury), but we got into penalty trouble again and that’s what bit us.
“We’ll get better because of this, but it does really (stink) right now.”
‘Has to come from within’
Mallette took solace, albeit miniscule, that the Otters’ three goals exceeded the total from their previous three losses.
Erie was outscored 11-2 over the last three games of its four-game road trip, which concluded with a 6-1 loss at London on Oct. 10. The Otters won their opener via a 3-2 shootout final at Peterborough.
Against the Wolves, Erie’s Gabriel Frasca assisted on Dylan Edwards’ power play goal and then scored himself against Sudbury goaltender Owen Leonard. That goal, with eight seconds left in the second period, pulled the hosts within 4-2.
Jake Murray’s first career OHL game further cut into the Wolves’ advantage. Erie, though, came no closer.
Sudbury countered with Kieron Walton’s insurance goal against Otters’ goalie Charlie Burns with less than six minutes left in regulation, Blake Clayton followed with an empty-netter.
“We’re going to have to realize our details have to be better,” Mallette said, “and it has to come from within that (locker room).”
Who’s next
The Otters and the Niagara IceDogs have a home-and-home series next weekend. Erie will host on Oct. 17 and Niagara at its Meridian Centre on Oct. 18.
Each have 7 p.m. start times.
Erie’s Oct. 17 game follows a 5:30 p.m. meet-and-greet with Carlo Colaiacovo. The former defenseman skated for the Otters from 1999-2003, a span that included his contributions to their 2001-02 OHL Robertson Cup title team.
Colaiacovo, 42, was drafted by his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in 2001. The current Toronto radio personality manned the blue line for five teams over 14 NHL seasons.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
