[ratings]
The Huntsville Otters (2-0-0) started their season off on the right foot with back-to-back 5-3 wins over the Orillia Terriers (0-3-0) and Caledon Golden Hawks (0-2-0) this weekend.
Captain Jake McIntyre got things going with two goals and an assist in Otters home opener on Friday night, including scoring the game’s first goal just over six minutes into the season in front of a lively crowd of 340 at the Canada Summit Centre.
“We have very high expectations and we want to be one of the top teams in the league this year,” said McIntyre after the win. “I think we did a good job tonight but we need to focus on playing a full 60. We want to come out focused, get pucks deep, keep things simple and really be a hard team to play against.”
Forward Cam Russell recorded three assists in the victory, while Myles York, Josh Zantingh and Corey Miller all notched goals for the home team. Goaltender Connor Christansen made 22 saves, including several on a long 5-on-3 penalty kill midway through the second period, to keep the things tight with the score tied.
It was a back and forth affair throughout the first half of the contest, as the Otters took the lead on three separate occasions only to have the Terriers even things up each time. It wasn’t until 15:54 of the second period that the home team went up to stay, when 16-year-old Andy Baker took a pass in the corner from Kyle Burns and cut hard towards the front of the net. When his initial shot was stopped, Miller was in perfect position to bury the rebound and send the Otters to the intermission up 4-3.
York added an insurance marker in the final frame and the Otters played solid defensive hockey to preserve their lead, including the team going a perfect 9/9 on the penalty kill.
“The grinders really stood out tonight, the third and fourth liners that pick up the tempo for everybody else on the team,” said Head Coach Shawn Crozier. “It sets the right example of good work ethic out on the ice, and its guys like that who really bring the team together.”
Sunday night’s game was a hard fought affair that saw the Otters travel to Caledon for their first road tilt of the year. 96 penalty minutes were dished out between the two teams, including five misconducts and a game ejection for Golden Hawks forward Ryan Mouser, however the visitors were able to keep their cool after being down twice in the opening two periods.
Special lines once again proved pivotal, as Baker notched his first hat-trick of the year on the strength of two powerplay goals (and one shorthanded) to power the Otters offense to a second 5-3 win. Defensemen Dalton McEachran and Burns each added two assists while Christansen was again sharp between the pipes in recording his second victory.
It’s a long season and it’s important getting a good start,” said Crozier, who added the group is bonding and moving forward with a positive attitude. “We are getting a good feel for everybody on the team, matching lines with other teams, and getting chemistry on defense with some of the new guys.
With the wins, the Otters move into a tie for second place with the Penetang Kings in the Georgian Mid-Ontario Jr. C Hockey League standings.
It’s certainly looking like the Huntsville side has found an early balance of skill and grit on the ice, with 16 different players having recorded at least a point over their first two games, and six players already reaching double-digit penalty minutes. McIntyre and Baker lead the team in scoring with four points a piece, while Russell and York each have three.
For more information on the Otters or to order tickets, please visit their website here. The Otters next game will be at home this Friday, September 25 at the Canada Summit Centre beginning at 8:00 pm.
Join the discussion: