What: Erie Otters (15-15-1-1) at Guelph Storm (13-13-3-1)

When: Today, 2 p.m.

Where: Sleeman Centre – Guelph, Ontario

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

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (21 goals, 25 assists, 46 points), RW Shawn Szydlowski (17-13-30), RW Anthony Luciani (11-16-27), G Ramis Sadikov (15-11-1-1 record, 2.84 goals-against average, .914 save percentage, 2 shutouts), C Phil Varone (11-11-22)

Guelph – Michael Latta (17-21-38), RW Taylor Beck (18-20-38), C Peter Holland (17-17-34), LW Tyler Carroll (13-9-22), D Tim Campbell (1-16-17)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters snapped a three-game road winning streak with a 6-1 loss in Owen Sound on Saturday night. … Varone’s eight-game point streak, the second-longest streak of his career, ended in that game. … McKegg’s six-game point streak also ended in the defeat. … Sadikov has made 22 straight starts, one shy of equaling Josh Disher’s record of 23 set from Sept. 28-Nov. 27, 2003. … The Otters won the first three meetings in the six-game season series with the Storm, including 3-2 in Guelph on Oct. 8.

Guelph – Holland, Latta and Beck have scored 52 of the Storm’s 91 goals. … The Storm rank near the bottom of the OHL in goals scored and on the power play (16.2 percent). … They are seventh on the penalty kill (81.7). … The Storm have won three of their last four games. … They are 9-6-2-0 at home.

Up next: vs. Brampton (Friday, 7 p.m.), vs. Sudbury (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

– Victor Fernandes

Shawn Szydlowski put the Erie Otters in position. David Shields finished it off.

Shields scored with 3.5 seconds left in overtime to seal a 5-4 win against Guelph in front of 2,444 at Tullio Arena on Sunday. Szydlowski forced overtime with 1:45 left in regulation on his third goal of the game, which capped his second hat trick of the season and fourth of his Ontario Hockey League career.

The Otters have (13-14-1-0) have a four-game winning streak for the first time since the middle of last season. They also have recorded hat tricks in three straight games for the first time in franchise history.

The Otters wasted little time in getting their offense in gear against the Storm.

Szydlowski gathered a loose puck at center ice and fired a wrist shot past goaltender Brandon Foote for a 1-0 lead 1:14 into the opening period. But after that, these Midwest Division rivals settled into a defensive struggle. They combined for 11 more shots in the period, with the Storm holding a 7-5 edge.

The Otters began the second period as they did in the first – with a quick goal. A hooking penalty to Storm center Michael Latta led to David Broll’s fourth goal of the season 1:42 into the period.

Phil Varone assisted on the goal – his ninth point in a season-high, five-game point streak. Greg McKegg also earned an assist for his team-leading 39^th point. The Storm sliced Erie’s lead in half at 2-1 less than three minutes later, as Cody McNaughton scored through a goal-mouth scramble during a delayed penalty.

Then the Storm capitalized on a 4-on-3 power play, as Peter Holland fired a slap shot past a screened Ramis Sadikov 7:31 into the period to tie the score at 2. Guelph took their first lead of the game at 3-2 on Tyler Carroll’s power-play goal with 7:49 left in the period – a rebound of a shot that glanced off the post. But the Otters responded on the power play, with Szydlowski scoring his second goal 1:23 later.

Szydlowski responded after Guelph’s Taylor Beck scored on the power play with 4:41 left in the third period. He completed his hat trick off assists from Shields and Brett Cook to force overtime.

Then Shields stole the spotlight in overtime to cap a franchise-record ninth win in November.

Latta had a goal and three assists for the Storm (10-12-2-1), which have lost five straight games.

* News and notes: The Otters finished November with a 9-3 record. … The Otters won in overtime for the first time in nearly a year – a 5-4 win against Guelph on Nov. 27, 2009. They won in overtime at home for the first time since Nick Palmieri’s goal in a 4-3 win against Belleville on Nov. 22, 2007, which snapped a franchise-record, 16-game losing streak. … Guelph’s No. 1 line of Latta, Beck and Holland combined for three goals and seven goals. They had a goal and two points in the first two meetings with the Otters. … The Storm (10-11-3-1) have lost five straight and eight of their last 11 games.

- Victor Fernandes

What: Guelph Storm (10-10-2-1) at Erie Otters (12-14-1-0)

When: Sunday, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Tullio Arena

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

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (20 goals, 18 assists, 38 points), RW Shawn Szydlowski (11-11-22), RW Anthony Luciani (8-12-20), G Ramis Sadikov (12-10-1-0 record, 2.78 goals-against average, .915 save percentage, 2 shutouts), C Phil Varone (8-7-15)

Guelph – C Peter Holland (15-12-27), Michael Latta (14-13-27), RW Taylor Beck (12-15-27), D Tim Campbell (1-14-15), LW Tyler Carroll (7-5-12)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters complete this three-game home stand with a chance to record their first four-game winning streak since a four-game stretch from Dec. 29, 2009 to Jan. 6, 2010. … They take an 8-3 November record into the final game of the month. … They have moved into fourth in the Midwest Division and eighth in the Western Conference. … The Otters won the first two of six regular-season meetings with the Storm (3-2 in Guelph on Oct. 8 and 5-2 in Erie on Nov. 10). … Luciani’s three-game goal streak ended Saturday. But he extended his point streak to six straight games (four goals, 13 points). He has five goals and 15 points in eight games since returning from a broken wrist. … Varone has points in four straight games (four goals, eight points). … Sadikov has made 17 consecutive starts. … D Brady Austin (shoulder) rejoined the lineup Saturday after missing the previous five games. … LW Brett Appio (leg) has missed five straight games.

Guelph – Holland, Latta and Beck have scored 41 of the Storm’s 68 goals. But they produced only one goal and two points in the first two meetings with the Otters, including no points in the Nov. 10 loss. … The Storm, which rank near the bottom of the league in goals, have lost four straight and seven of their last 10 to fall to last in the West. …  They have been outscored 40-19 in 10 road games (3-6-0-1 record). … Mike Kelly replaced Jason Brooks as general manager on Thursday – a position Kelly held for six seasons in the 1990s, according to the Guelph Mercury. Brooks remains as coach.

Up next: at Kitchener (Friday, 7:30 p.m.), vs. Sarnia (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

- Victor Fernandes

What: Guelph Storm (9-5-1-1) at Erie Otters (6-12-1-0)

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Tullio Arena

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

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points), C Mike Cazzola (9-16-25), G Ramis Sadikov (6-9-1-0 record, 2.96 goals-against average, .912 save percentage, 1 shutout), D Tyler Hostetter (3-10-13), RW Anthony Luciani (3-2-5 in 5 games)

Guelph – C Peter Holland (12-9-21), C Michael Latta (12-7-19), RW Taylor Beck (9-9-18), D Tim Campbell (1-13-14, plus-4), LW Tyler Carroll (4-4-8)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters have a three-game home stand over the next four days, which concludes a stretch of eight home games in nine outings. … They split the first six games of this stretch. … Sadikov has a 2.57 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in seven games since being replaced in the first period of an Oct. 22 loss to Sault Ste. Marie. He stopped 95-of-99 shots, including a shutout, in three games this past weekend (1.29 GAA, .959 save pct.). … Luciani (broken right wrist) said he will play tonight. He hasn’t played since Oct. 2. … RW Shawn Szydlowski (7-8-15) hopes to play after being a last-minute scratch before Saturday’s game against Owen Sound because he was ill. He also suffered a minor undisclosed injury after hitting a rut in pregame warm-up that night. But he could have played if he wasn’t ill, Szydlowski said. … D Brady Austin, who suffered neck spasms on Saturday that sent him to Hamot Medical Center for X-rays during the game, doesn’t expect to play. But he should be ready for this weekend’s games. … The Otters won the first of six regular-season meetings with the Storm 3-2 on the road Oct. 8. … Cazzola has points in six straight games.

Guelph – Holland, Latta and Beck have scored 33 of the Storm’s 50 goals. … Holland and Latta rank among the OHL’s top 10 in goals. … G Brandon Foote (6-3-1-1, 3.07, .921) missed the past two games with an injured left arm, according to the Guelph Mercury. Rookie backups Garret Sparks and Matej Machovsky earned a win apiece in Foote’s absence. … The Storm have won four of their last five games.

Up next: vs. Saginaw (Friday, 7 p.m.), vs. London (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

- Victor Fernandes

Toronto – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Ontario Hockey League, London Knights and Sudbury Wolves announced on Thursday the rosters for Team OHL that will compete against Team Russia in the 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series.

Following two games hosted in the QMJHL, the OHL leg of the six-game series begins in London on Nov. 11 at the John Labatt Centre before moving north to the Sudbury Community Arena on Nov. 15.  Erie Otters captain Greg McKegg will play in the Nov. 15 game.

The series then shifts west for two games hosted in the WHL.

“The SUBWAY® Super Series provides these players with a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that they can compete amongst the best players eligible for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Dave Cameron of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, who will serve as head voach of both Team OHL and Team Canada.  “The OHL has had a lot of success against the Russians in this event and I am confident that we have assembled another strong group of players in all positions that will make us competitive in these games, and with players who will make a strong push to represent the OHL on Team Canada in Buffalo this December.”

A total of 36 players in total were selected for Team OHL rosters, including 2010 Team Canada members Calvin de Haan of the Oshawa Generals and Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires who won silver last year at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

The rosters are also highlighted by three first round picks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, including Erik Gudbranson of the Kingston Frontenacs, Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack and Mark Visentin of the Niagara IceDogs.

In addition to de Haan and Ellis, 2009 first-round picks Peter Holland of the Guelph Storm and Zack Kassian of the Spitfires will compete in the series.  London’s Scott Harrington is one of seven players competing that are eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  He will represent the host Knights in London alongside forward Michael MacDonald, while Wolves forwards Marcus Foligno and John McFarland will represent the host team in Sudbury.

The Team OHL rosters were assembled by a selection committee that includes Brampton Battalion general manager and coach Stan Butler and London general manager Mark Hunter.  They worked in conjunction with Hockey Canada head scout Kevin Prendergast.

Read the rest of this entry »

GUELPH, Ontario – The Erie Otters needed an offensive spark Friday night.

Their No. 1 line provided it. Greg McKegg, Mike Cazzola and Shawn Szydlowski each scored in the second period to erase a two-goal deficit and secure a 3-2 win against Guelph at Sleeman Centre.

McKegg’s team-leading fourth goal of the season, scored 19 seconds into the middle period on assists from Cazzola and Szydlowski, began the Otters’ rally to a second straight win. Mike Cazzola tied the score at 2 with 7:18 left in the period. Defensemen Mitch Gaulton and Tyler Hostetter had the assists.

Then McKegg and Cazzola teamed on Szydlowski’s tiebreaking goal 1:19 later.

Second-year goaltender Ramis Sadikov took over from there. He capped a 33-save effort by stopping all 11 Storm shots in the third. Guelph (3-3-0-0), which built a 2-0 lead on goals from Cody McNaughton and Peter Holland late in the first period, outshot the Otters 11-4 in the period and 35-28 overall.

The Otters (3-3-0-0) also survived a 6-on-4 situation in the game’s final moments.

Cazzola, a native of Guelph, Ontario, led the Otters (3-3-0-0) with a goal and two assists. McKegg and Szydlowski had a goal and assist apiece. The Otters return to the ice today for a 7 p.m. game against Kitchener. It’s the first game of a home-and-home series that concludes Monday in Kitchener.

SUMMARY

Otters 3, Storm 2

Erie  0  3  0  —  3

Guelph  2  0  0  —  2

1^st Period — 1. Guelph, Cody McNaughton 2 (Menard, Sisca), 17:41 (pp). 2. Guelph, Peter Holland 5 (Beck, Latta), 18:33. Penalties — Van Laren (G) tripping, 2:45; Coccimiglio (E) tripping, 9:07; Holden (E) high sticking, 15:45.

2^nd Period — 3. Erie, Greg McKegg 4 (Cazzola, Szydlowski), :19. 4. Erie, Mike Cazzola 3 (Gaulton, Hostetter), 12:42. 5. Erie, Shawn Szydlowski 2 (McKegg, Cazzola), 16:01. Penalties — Paton (E) 5-min. fighting, 1:52; Carroll (G) 5-min. fighting, 1:52; Broll (E) high sticking, 6:16; Broll (E) 5-min. fighting, 12:43; Sandlak (G) 5-min. fighting, 12:43.

3^rd Period — None. Penalties — Erie, too many men (served by Marchese), 1:10; Erie, too many men (served by Paton), 18:24; Beck (G) high sticking, 19:46.

Shots on goal — Erie, 10-14-4—28; Guelph, 14-10-11—35.

Goaltenders — Erie, Ramis Sadikov 3-2-0-0 (35 shots, 33 saves); Guelph, Garret Sparks 0-1-0-0 (28 shots, 25 saves).

Power plays — Erie (0-2), Guelph (1-5).

Referees — N/A. Linesmen — N/A.

Attendance — N/A.

What: Erie Otters (2-3-0-0) at Guelph Storm (3-2-0-0)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sleeman Centre – Guelph, Ontario

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

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points), C Mike Cazzola (2-4-6), RW Anthony Luciani (3-2-5), LW David Broll (2-4-6), D Tyler Hostetter (2-2-4)

Guelph – C Peter Holland (4-5-9), C Michael Latta (4-2-6), RW Taylor Beck (3-3-6), D Tim Campbell (0-6-6), C Mathew Sisca (3-0-3)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 home win against London on Saturday. … They have lost two of their first three on the road (5-4 in Niagara on Sept. 30 and 7-3 in Kitchener last Friday). … They continue a stretch of five straight games against Midwest Division teams. … They play six of the next eight games on the road. … McKegg, the reigning OHL player of the week, has points in four straight games (three goals, five points). … G Ramis Sadikov (2-2-0-0 record, 2.76 goals-against average, .933 save percentage) has made 35 or more saves in three of four outings. … RW Scott Mitchell hasn’t played in a game this season. He has dressed for only 10 games in the past three seasons. … D Brett Cook (undisclosed injury) and rookie C Connor Crisp (mild concussion) remain out of the lineup. … The Otters were 7-for-7 on the penalty kill against London on Saturday, their first game without a power-play goal against this season. … Cazzola snapped a four-game point streak on Saturday.

Guelph – The Storm are playing the 20^th season in franchise history. … They have outscored opponents 12-9 in their three wins and been outscored 14-5 in two losses. … Holland, who signed with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks in April, is tied for third overall in scoring. He has goals and points in four of five games. … Holland, Latta and Beck – the Storm’s top three scorers – have combined for 11 of the club’s 17 goals. … The teams split the six-game season series last year, with the Storm winning two of three at home.

Up next: vs. Kitchener (Saturday, 7 p.m.), at Kitchener (Monday, 1 p.m.)

- Victor Fernandes

OHL players to watch

(listed in alphabetical order; stats from 2009-10 season)

RW Taylor Beck, Guelph – 39 goals, 93 points (61 games)

C Alexander Burmistrov, Barrie – 22 goals, 65 points (62 games)

D Ryan Ellis, Windsor – 12 goals, 61 points (48 games)

D Cam Fowler, Windsor – 8 goals, 55 points (55 games)

D Erik Gudbranson, Kingston – 23 points, +11 rating (41 games)

C Joey Hishon, Owen Sound – 16 goals, 40 points (36 games)

C Peter Holland, Guelph – 30 goals, 80 points (59 games)

C Cody Lindsay, Ottawa – 39 goals, 82 points (68 games)

C Greg McKegg, Erie – 37 goals, 85 points (67 games)

LW Jeremy Morin, Kitchener – 47 goals, 83 points (58 games)*

LW Matt Puempel, Peterborough – 33 goals, 64 points (59 games)

C Tyler Seguin, Plymouth – 48 goals, 106 points (63 games)

C Jeff Skinner, Kitchener – 50 goals, 90 points (64 games)

RW Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa – 37 goals, 79 points (65 games)

G Mark Visentin, Niagara – 24-26-0-5 record, 2.99 goals-against average, .911 save percentage, 7 shutouts

* Eligible to play with Rockford IceHogs, Chicago Blackhawks‘ AHL affiliate, this season

- Victor Fernandes