The renovations at Erie Insurance Arena aren’t finished yet. But the Erie Otters already feel at home.
Connor McDavid scored twice, and Oscar Dansk made 34 saves, in their home debut to lead the Otters to a 5-1 win in front of a home-opening crowd of 3,474 fans Friday night. Stephen Harper had a goal and assist, while Connor Brown and J.P. Labardo added two assists apiece.
The Otters (2-3-1-0) snapped a two-game losing streak. Brampton fell to 2-3-0-1.
The Otters were excited to finally play at home after spending the first five games on the road. Then in a heartwarming and emotional pregame ceremony, the club honored Anna Ftorek, the youngest daughter of Robbie Ftorek and Wendy Ftorek who died July 21 at the age of 23, by unveiling a banner in her memory and dedicating the season to her. The players also exchanged hugs with the Ftorek family.
The Otters used that spark to gain momentum early, and then took a 1-0 lead on a goal from an unlikely source – Johnny McGuire. The physical winger scored his first goal of the season – and his fourth in 64 career OHL games – 8:48 into the opening period.
The Otters’ offense sputtered after that. The defense, which allowed 40 or more shots in every game of last weekend’s three-game trip to Peterborough, Kingston and Ottawa, surrendered 13 shots on goal in the period to a Battalion club averaging two goals per game.
Yet rookie goaltender Dansk stopped them all. He stood strong in the second perod as well with 14 more saves. Meanwhile, No. 1 pick McDavid scored in his home debut – his second goal and seventh point of the season – to hand the Otters a 2-0 lead at the 6:06 mark. The rookie center redirected Brown’s cross-ice pass past goaltender Jake Smith before barreling into the net.
Brampton began the third on the power play, as Brown took a holding penalty as time expired in the second. But the Otters capitalized instead, with Luke Cairns scoring short-handed from in close on an assist from J.P. Labardo 10 seconds into the period.
Blake Clarke‘s wrist shot from in front – his second goal of the season – ended Dansk’s bid for his first OHL shutout 7:30 into the third period. But the Otters responded with 4:51 left, as Harper slipped past the Battalion’s normally staunch defense for his third goal of the season and a 4-1 Otters’ lead. Harper tied Brown for the team lead in goals. McDavid tied them in goals two minutes later.
McDavid posted his first career two-goal game, on assists from Brown and Labardo, to open a four-goal advantage at 5-1.

- Victor Fernandes

The Erie Otters acquired defenseman Spencer Abraham from Brampton Wednesday for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2014 Priority Selection.
Abraham, 19, a native of Campbellville, Ontario, has nine goals, 42 points and 28 penalty minutes in 116 career games, all with the Battalion, including a career-best six goals and 31 points in 67 games as a rookie in 2010-11.
He had nine points in 45 games in 2011-12 before reportedly suffering a season-ending ankle injury last February. He has a goal, two points and two penalty minutes in four games this season. Abraham makes his Otters debut against the Battalion in Friday’s 7 p.m. home opener at Erie Insurance Arena. He joins a defense that has allowed a league-high 27 goals in five games.
In other news, the Otters announced at a news conference Wednesday that Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will serve as the club’s exclusive medical provider for the 2012-13 season. The partnership includes medical coverage at all home games, as well as office visits, continuing medical care, x-rays and rehabilitation for all injured players.
LECOM President John Ferretti said, “Not only will our doctors be on hand to treat injuries, but through their skills in sports medicine, they’ll be able to guide the players to prevent injuries and improve their health.” Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, who recently toured LECOM’s Wellness Center, said, “They’ve got a phenomenal facility.”

KANATA, Ontario – The Erie Otters continue to surrender goals at an alarming rate.
They equaled a season high in goals against in an 8-1 loss against Ottawa Saturday in front of 3,981 at Scotiabank Place. Erie also allowed eight goals in a loss at London last weekend, as well as six in an overtime defeat at Kingston Friday night.
The Otters (1-3-1-0) have allowed a league-high 27 goals – more than five per game – in their first five games of the season.
The 67′s built a 3-0 lead 8 minutes into the game on Tyler Graovac‘s natural hat trick before rolling to a convincing win. They had lost the first three games of a season-opening, four-game home stand in their new rink. The 67′s (1-3-0-0) will play in the home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators for the next two seasons while the Ottawa Civic Centre undergoes renovations.
Connor Brown scored the Otters’ lone goal on the power play, his third of the season, with 5:32 left in the first period.
Connor McDavid had an assist for the sixth point in his first five career games. J.P. Labardo also assisted on the goal for his fifth point in four games with the Otters. But Ottawa scored the final five goals, including two by Remy Giftopoulos. He added an assist to finish with three points, while Brett Gustavsen had a goal and two assists.
Jacob Blair stopped 22-of-23 shots to earn the win in net. In contrast, Oscar Dansk allowed all eight goals on 41 shots two days after stopping 47-of-48 in his first OHL win, a 5-1 victory at Peterborough Thursday. The Otters allowed 40 or more shots in all three games on this road trip. The Otters play their home opener Friday at 7 p.m. against Brampton in the first event at Erie Insurance Arena since the facility closed this past May for renovations. They face London at home Saturday.

Victor Fernandes unveils his predictions for the 2012-13 OHL season:

REGULAR SEASON

Eastern Conference
East Division
1. Belleville
2. Oshawa
3. Ottawa
4. Peterborough
5. Kingston

Central Division
1. Barrie
2. Niagara
3. Brampton
4. Mississauga
5. Sudbury

Western Conference
Midwest Division
1. Kitchener
2. Guelph
3. Owen Sound
4. London
5. Erie

West Division
1. Plymouth
2. Windsor
3. Sarnia
4. Saginaw
5. Sault Ste. Marie

PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Barrie def. No. 8 Peterborough, 4-0
No. 2 Belleville def. No. 7 Mississauga, 4-1
No. 3 Niagara def. No. 6 Ottawa, 4-1
No. 4 Oshawa def. No. 5 Brampton, 4-3
Semifinals
No. 1 Barrie def. No. 4 Oshawa, 4-2
No. 2 Belleville def. No. 3 Niagara, 4-2
Finals
No. 2 Belleville def. No. 1 Barrie, 4-3

Western Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Kitchener def. No. 8 Erie, 4-1
No. 2 Plymouth def. No. 7 Sarnia, 4-1
No. 3 Guelph def. No. 6 Windsor, 4-2
No. 4 Owen Sound def. No. 5 London, 4-2
Semifinals
No. 1 Kitchener def. No. 4 Owen Sound, 4-1
No. 2 Plymouth def. No. 3 Guelph, 4-2
Finals
No. 1 Kitchener def. No. 2 Plymouth, 4-3

League finals
No. 1 Kitchener def. No. 2 Belleville, 4-2

- Victor Fernandes

This week, I’ll break down all 20 OHL clubs division by division and unveil my predictions for the 2012-13 season. Today, let’s look at the Eastern Conference’s Central Division (listed in alphabetical order):

Barrie Colts
Coach/GM: Dale Hawerchuk/Jason Ford
2011-12 finish: 40-23-3-2, 2nd division, 3rd conference
Playoff finish: Lost to Ottawa in conference semifinals
Key players: LW Tanner Pearson (37 goals, 54 assists, 91 points; signed with Los Angeles), C Mark Scheifele (23-40-63 in 47 games; signed with Winnipeg), G Mathias Niederberger (29-14-1-2 record, 2.68 goals-against average, .918 save percentage, 3 shutouts), C Zach Hall (19-40-59), D Ryan O’Connor (8-28-36)
Key losses: C Colin Behenna (26-48-74), C Ivan Telegin (35-29-64; signed with Winnipeg)
Outlook: The continued emergence of standouts like Pearson and Scheifele, and the play of Niederberger in his first season, sparked the Colts to a 25-game improvement in the win column. Now these Colts could be tough to contend with this year.

Brampton Battalion
Coach/GM: Stan Butler
2011-12 finish: 36-22-3-7, 3rd division, 4th conference
Playoff finish: Lost to Niagara 4-0 in conference semifinals
Key players: RW Barclay Goodrow (26-26-52; Carolina prospect), G Matej Machovsky (24-13-0-4, 2.36, .902, 5 SO; Ottawa prospect), D Dylan Blujus (7-27-34), D Cameron Wind (2-19-21, +16), LW Brandon Robinson (15-9-24)
Key losses: C Sam Carrick (16-23-39; signed with Toronto), LW Ian Watters (16-14-30)
Outlook: Defense is the name of the game in Brampton, which has featured one of the league’s top defenses the past several seasons. Machovsky anchors this year’s unit, while a defense led by Blujus and Wind provide plenty of help.

Mississauga Steelheads
Coach/GM: James Boyd
2011-12 finish: 33-28-1-6, 5th division, 6th conference
Playoff finish: Lost to Barrie 4-2 in conference quarterfinals
Key players: LW Riley Brace (33-49-82), D Dylan DeMelo (7-40-47; signed with San Jose), C Kristoff Kontos (15-32-47), D Stuart Percy (4-30-34, plus-50; signed with Toronto), D Trevor Carrick (6-13-19)
Key losses: G Brandon Maxwell (33-22-1-3, 2.92, .913, 6 SO), LW Jamie Wise (31-17-48)
Outlook: This club has a new owner – Mississauga, Ontario, businessman Elliott Kerr, and nickname. But the Steelheads’ new goaltending tandem of Spencer Martin and former Otter Tyson Teichmann will have the biggest impact on this team’s success.

Niagara IceDogs
Coach/GM: Marty Williamson
2011-12 finish: 47-18-0-3, 1st division, 1st conference
Playoff finish: Lost to London 4-1 in league finals
Key players: C Ryan Strome (30-38-68 in 46 games; signed with N.Y. Islanders), D Dougie Hamilton (17-55-72, +37; signed with Boston), D Jesse Graham (4-37-41, +25; N.Y. Islanders prospect), RW Brett Ritchie (24-21-45; signed with Dallas), G Chris Festarini (16-10-0-0, 2.85, .904, 2 SO; former Otter)
Key losses: G Mark Visentin (30-9-0-2, 1.99, .926, 10 SO; signed with Phoenix), C Andrew Agozzino (40-48-88), LW Freddie Hamilton (35-51-86; signed with San Jose), C Alex Friesen (26-45-71; signed with Vancouver), RW David Pacan (29-35-64)
Outlook: Festarini faces serious pressure as Visentin’s replacement in net. But Festarini has plenty of experienced talent – led by Strome and Hamilton – in front of him that will help keep the puck out of the net as well as score a lot of goals.

Sudbury Wolves
Coach/GM: Trent Cull/Blaine Smith
2011-12 finish: 36-26-4-2, 4th division, 5th conference
Playoff finish: Lost to Brampton 4-0 in conference quarterfinals
Key players: LW Joshua Leivo (32-41-73), D Justin Sefton (3-16-19, 143 penalty minutes; San Jose prospect), LW Nathan Pancel (23-21-44), D Frank Corrado (3-23-26, +26), C Matthew Campagna (8-23-31 in 45 games)
Key losses: C Michael Sgarbossa (36-46-82; signed with San Jose), D Josh McFadden (19-53-72; signed with Florida), G Johan Mattsson (23-11-2-1, 3.16, .910), LW Andrey Kuchin (25-40-65), RW Derek Schoenmakers (26-24-50; traded to Windsor)
Outlook: The Wolves spent little time in the playoffs the past two seasons, as they were swept both times. But the departure of skilled leaders like Sgarbossa, McFadden, Mattsson and Kuchin might keep these Wolves out of the playoffs entirely.

- Victor Fernandes

The OHL has unveiled its 2012-13 schedule. The Erie Otters’ season begins Sept. 20 in St. Catharines, Ontario, against the defending Eastern Conference champion Niagara IceDogs. The Otters’ home opener in the newly renamed Erie Insurance Arena is Oct. 5 against the Brampton Battalion.
Check out the Erie Otters‘ schedule …

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that a media conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 12 pm at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario, to announce the winner of the Red Tilson Trophy presented to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season.

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented annually by the league to the Most Outstanding Player in the Ontario Hockey League during the regular season schedule of games as voted by sports writers and broadcasters in the OHL. The award is in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals. Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires captured the award last season.

2011-12 Red Tilson Trophy Nominees
Barrie Colts – Tanner Pearson
Belleville Bulls – Brendan Gaunce
Brampton Battalion – Sam Carrick
Erie Otters – Adam Pelech
Guelph Storm – Matt Finn
Kingston Frontenacs – Darcy Greenaway
Kitchener Rangers – Tobias Rieder
London Knights – Michael Houser
Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – Riley Brace
Niagara IceDogs – Mark Visentin
Oshawa Generals – Kevin Bailie
Ottawa 67’s – Tyler Toffoli
Owen Sound Attack – Mike Halmo
Peterborough Petes – Andrew Yogan
Plymouth Whalers – Stefan Noesen
Saginaw Spirit – Brandon Saad
Sarnia Sting – Nail Yakupov
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – Nick Cousins
Sudbury Wolves – Michael Sgarbossa
Windsor Spitfires – Kerby Rychel

- From OHL news release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Brandon Saad of the Saginaw Spirit is the 2011-12 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.

Saad, a 19-year-old from Gibsonia, PA, scored 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points in just 44 games while recording just 38 penalty minutes in his second OHL season with the Spirit. He becomes the second member of the Spirit to win the award following current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tom Pyatt who received the honour in 2006-07.

“It’s an honor to win any award and be recognized by the league,” commented Saad. “I’m excited about the news and happy to win the award and accept this award on behalf of the Saginaw Spirit and my teammates.”

The Spirit captain led all OHL players with 1.73 points-per-game after beginning the season with the Chicago Blackhawks who selected him in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Upon his return to Saginaw he immediately produced an eight-game point-streak and received OHL Player of the Week honours following his second week in action ending October 23. That week included his first career five-point game where he scored a career-high four goals October 20 as first star of a 5-2 win over the Brampton Battalion.

A member of the U.S National Junior Team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, Saad recorded 21 multi-point games this season and had the fourth longest point-streak in the league at 16 games between January 15 and February 24. He also finished with the sixth-best plus-minus rating in the OHL with a mark of plus-35.

“Brandon has been an outstanding player for the Spirit organization,” said Head Coach Greg Gilbert. “His commitment both on and off the ice exemplifies the type of player and person he is. His passion for the game and his leadership for our club have been second to none. He plays each game with determination and respect, not only for the game itself, but for his team and opponents. He is a true leader.”

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League. Teams are not permitted to vote for their own candidate with players receiving five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

“Since his first day in Saginaw, Brandon Saad has displayed an extraordinary commitment to doing things right, both on and off the ice,” said Craig Goslin, Spirit Managing Partner, President and Governor. “Whether communicating with his teammates or visiting sick kids in a local hospital or doing a community appearance, his approach is consistently conducted with class and respect for others. Our franchise has certainly been the recipient of an outstanding future NHL hockey player and an outstanding person as well.”

Saad received 45 points in the voting process ahead of Tobias Rieder of the Kitchener Rangers who received 38 voting points, and Freddie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs who finished in third place with 31 voting points.

Former winners of the William Hanley Trophy include Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie 1977-78), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1998-99), Brad Boyes (Erie 2000-01 and 2001-02), Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2004-05), Wojtek Wolski (Brampton 2005-06), and Cody Hodgson (Brampton 2008-09). Last season OHL top scorer Jason Akeson of the Kitchener Rangers claimed the award, while Ryan Spooner won the award in 2009-10 as a member of the Peterborough Petes.

Saad will be presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the 2011-12 OHL Awards Ceremony set for Tuesday June 5 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He will also be the OHL’s nominee for Sportsman of the Year at the Annual CHL Awards.

- From OHL news release

The Erie Otters have a rare winning streak.

The Otters captured their second straight win with a 7-4 come-from-behind victory against Brampton in front of 2,565 at Tullio Arena Friday night. The Otters (7-37-3-1) rallied from a 3-0 second-period deficit.

Erie was propelled by rookie Connor Brown’s first OHL hat trick and the power play’s four goals on five chances. Luke Cairns added three assists, as 12 different Otters contributed points.

The Battalion (27-14-3-6), which entered the game near the bottom of the OHL with 147 goals scored, took control with two goals in the opening 7 minutes, 20 seconds.

Matt MacLeod scored off a scramble in front 1:57 into the game. Jamie Lewis and Jordan Auld assisted on the goal. Then Brandon Robinson scored off assists from Brett Mackie and Patrik Machac 7:20 into the opening period for a 2-0 lead.

Brampton extended its lead to 3-0 on Robinson’s second goal of the night 7:04 into the second period.

But Brown’s tip-in on the power play 8:48 into the second ignited the Otters’ three-goal comeback. Fellow rookie Stephen Harper poked a rebound of Kris Grant’s shot past Battalion goaltender Keegan Wilson 1:20 later to pull the Otters within 3-2. Then Adam Pelech’s blast from the point, which briefly lifted the net off its moorings, tied the score at 3 with 1:59 left in the period.

Meanwhile, Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov overcame his struggles earlier in the game to stop 20-of-21 shots in the middle period. The Otters entered the third tied despite being outshot 36-17. Sadikov finished with 47 saves to offset Brampton’s 51-30 shot advantage.

Both teams took a conservative approach through the opening half of the third. But the Otters capitalized on the power play for the second time, this time from an unexpected source – Mac McDonnell.

He scored his first goal since Dec. 10 and fifth of the season on an assist from Troy Donnay to snap the 3-3 tie with 9:26 left. The Battalion tied the score at 4 with 6:13 left on Sam Carrick’s 26^th goal of the season.

But the Battalion’s second penalty for delay of the game – and the fourth such penalty overall – led to Brown’s tiebreaking power-play goal with 3:13 left. McDonnell’s second goal iced the victory.

- Victor Fernandes

SUMMARY

Otters 7, Battalion 4

Brampton  2  1  1  —  4

Erie  0  3  4  —  7

1^st Period — 1. Brampton, Matt MacLeod 7 (Lewis, Auld), 1:57. 2. Brampton, Brandon Robinson 11 (Mackie, Machac), 7:20. Penalties — Maaskant (E) delay of game, 13:56; Pelech (E) delay of game, 3:48.

2^nd Period — 3. Brampton, Robinson 12 (Machac), 7:04. 4. Erie, Connor Brown 16 (Grant, Cairns), 8:48 (pp). 5. Erie, Stephen Harper 16 (Grant, Olden), 10:08. 6. Erie, Adam Pelech 2 (Fox, McDowell), 18:01. Penalties — Mackie (B) interference, 7:40; Pelech (E) tripping, 14:29.

3^rd Period — 7. Erie, Mac McDonnell 5 (Donnay), 10:34 (pp). 8. Brampton, Sam Carrick 26 (Goodrow, Miller), 13:47. 9. Erie, Brown 17 (Wood, Cairns), 16:37 (pp). 10. Erie, McDonnell 6 (McCarthy), 17:13. 11. Erie, Brown 18 (Cairns), 19:42 (pp-en). Penalties — Wind (B) tripping, 1:04; Carrick (B) delay of game, 8:41; Watters (B) delay of game, 14:55; Carrick (B) cross checking, 18:25; Donnay (E) roughing, 18:25; Miller (B) roughing, 18:25; Carrick (B) 10-min. misconduct, 18:25.

Shots on goal — Brampton, 15-21-15—51; Erie, 9-8-13—30.

Goaltenders — Brampton, Keegan Wilson 9-5-3-2 (29 shots, 23 saves); Erie, Ramis Sadikov 4-18-3-1 (51 shots, 47 saves).

Power plays — Brampton (0-3), Erie (4-5).

Referees — Keith Kaval, Joe Celestin. Linesmen — Ryan Holmstead, Jesse Wilmot.

Attendance — 2,565.

Three stars

* Connor Brown, Otters (3 goals) ** Mac McDonnell, Otters (2 goals) *** Ramis Sadikov, Otters (47 saves)

Brampton Battalion (27-13-3-6) at Erie Otters (6-37-3-1)

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Where: Tullio Arena

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Up next: vs. Saginaw (Saturday, 7 p.m.), vs. Owen Sound (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)

Fast facts: The Otters snapped a 12-game winless streak, the third longest in franchise history, in a 7-4 win at Sudbury last Saturday. They also snapped an 11-game winless skid on the road that night. … The Otters have lost four straight at home, but the last three were by two goals or fewer. They lost by a goal in their last two home games (3-2 vs. Niagara Jan. 20 and 2-1 in overtime to Peterborough Jan. 21). … The Otters, which have allowed an OHL-worst 228 goals, surrendered three goals or fewer in five of their last eight games. … The league’s worst offense (111 goals) tied a season high last Saturday with seven goals. The Otters also scored seven in a 7-5 home win against Owen Sound Oct. 7. … RW Johnny McGuire (hand) was held out of last weekend’s games despite making the trip, while D Jimmy McDowell (ill) missed the Sudbury game. Both are expected to play this weekend. … D/RW Tyler McCarthy (ill) returned to practice this week. He has missed the past six games. … The Battalion have used the league’s stingiest defense (125 goals against) to move within percentage points of first-place Niagara in the Central Division and within four points of Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa. … They have scored the fifth fewest goals in the league (147). … G Matej Machovsky ranks among the top five in goals-against average (2.21) and shutouts (5). He also ranks sixth in wins (18) and is tied for 12^th in save percentage (.910). … Rookie G Keegan Wilson has a 9-4-3-2 record, 2.56 GAA, .904 save percentage and one shutout. … The Battalion (6 shutouts) trail only Niagara (8) on the league’s list. … Jason Ward, the Battalion’s first-year assistant coach and a former NHL player, played for the Otters from 1996-98.

- Victor Fernandes