FLAMBOROUGH, Ontario – Rookie winger Hayden Hodgson and second-year winger Nick Betz scored their first goals of the preseason, and veteran center Jake Evans scored his second goal for the Erie Otters.
But that wasn’t enough to overcome a scoring barrage by the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Otters’ 7-3 loss at North Wentworth Arena Saturday night.
The Huskies snapped a scoreless tie with three second-period goals. Then they broke the game open with three goals in a span of 2 minutes, 37 seconds of the third period that built a 6-1 lead. Evans added two assists to his goal for a three-point outing.
No. 1 pick Connor McDavid had his third assist in two games, and Stephen Harper had an assist after scoring two goals in a 3-2 win against Niagara Friday night. The Otters return to preseason action Thursday at 7 p.m. against the IceDogs at Gatorade Garden City Complex.

ANCASTER, Ontario – The Erie Otters’ past two first-round draft picks opened the preseason in grand fashion Friday night.
Stephen Harper, their top choice in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, scored two goals in a 3-2 win against Niagara at Morgan Firestone Arena. Connor McDavid, the high-profile No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, assisted on both goals in his Otters’ debut.
Their linemate, second-year winger Nick Betz, added an assist. Second-year center Jake Evans’ goal snapped a 2-2 tie 6 minutes, 20 seconds into the third period on an assist from rookie winger Hayden Hodgson.
Devin Williams stopped 12-of-14 shots in the first two periods. Keinan Brown followed with four saves in the third to earn the win.
The Otters continue the preseason Saturday at 7 p.m. against Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) at North Wentworth Arena in Flamborough, Ontario.

The Erie Otters officially announced today that they will hold training camp at Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster, Ontario, during a news conference at the facility. Players report for camp Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. All on-ice sessions are open to the public and free of charge.
The Otters will end camp with their preseason opener Aug. 31 against Niagara at Firestone Arena. Tickets for the 7 p.m. game cost $10, and a portion of the proceeds will support the Rotary Splash Pad Project. The Otters also will face Rouyn-Noranda, of the QMJHL, in a preseason game Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at North Wentworth Arena in Flamborough, Ontario. The game that benefits the Skate the Dream program, which provides underprivileged children the chance to play ice hockey.
Tickets are $12 or $10 with a donation to the Flamborough Food Bank.