Five things to ponder about the Erie Otters during the OHL's Christmas break
Erie Otters personnel scattered to their homes after last Saturday’s 4-2 loss against Ottawa.
That game was the team’s final one before the Ontario Hockey League’s traditional week-plus Christmas break.
The hiatus was privately welcomed in recent seasons according to Wes Wolfe, the team’s veteran assistant coach. The Otters haven’t qualified for the Robertson Cup playoffs since their 2016-17 championship season.
It’s understandable then why the Otters, with a 14-12-4-0 record in the league’s Midwest Division, are conflicted about the break.
“To be honest,” Wolfe said, “we have a lot of guys who wish we were still playing these next couple (days). We got some momentum and were stringing together some wins before (last Saturday). As far as the Western Conference (standings), we feel like we’re right in the mix.”
“That’s definitely a different vibe than in year’s past.”
Wolfe, who’s frequently stood in for Erie head coach Stan Butler in postgame media sessions this season, is a rarity among the current Otters. He and general manager Dave Brown are among the few employees remaining who were with the organization six years ago, when the franchise became an OHL champion for a second time.
A happier holiday
Ottawa, the league’s best team in its Eastern Conference, scuttled Erie’s bid for a fifth consecutive victory last Saturday.
However, the Otters went into the break knowing they won four straight twice over the season’s first two months.
Erie, despite its winning record, went into its holiday break last in the league’s Midwest Division. The Otters’ 32 points were 18 fewer than the first-place Kitchener Rangers, who were second in the latest Canadian Hockey League rankings.
The good news for Erie is its playoff drought is on track to end. West Division members Windsor (21), Sarnia (25) and Flint (29) each have fewer points than the Otters in the Western Conference standings.
Getting Gaudreau
Brown made a seismic trade Oct. 10 to help Erie in its bid to sever its run of playoff absences.
The Otters acquired overage goaltender Ben Gaudreau from Sarnia in exchange for goalie Nolan Lalonde and three draft picks.
The San Jose Sharks chose Gaudreau in the third round of the 2021 NHL draft. The Corbell, Ontario, native also owns two international junior gold medals as a Hockey Canada player.
Gaudreau, in 24 starts for Erie, has been in net for each of its 14 victories. His 3.37 goals-against average over those starts is lower than his 3.60 career mark with the Sting.
More victories as visitors
Erie also traded for Gaudreau to provide leadership to its relatively young roster.
However, the Otters have fared better on the road than at Erie Insurance Arena this season. They went into the break with an 8-5-2 record as visitors as opposed to 6-7-2 as hosts.
Although the Otters only played one road game between Nov. 10-29, they only managed a 3-5 home record over that stretch.
Erie has two home games left for the 2023 portion of its schedule. The Otters return to action Dec. 28 at Guelph and then welcome Niagara on Dec. 30 and Brantford on New Year’s Eve.
Seeking success in Sweden
Not every Otter is idle through Christmas.
Centers Carey Terrance and Martin Misiak are preparing for their appearances in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. The tournament, considered the sport’s most elite for players under age 20, runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 at rinks throughout Gothenburg, Sweden.
Unlike with Erie, Terrance and Misiak, will be opponents.
Terrance will skate for the United States. The Anaheim Ducks’ second-round draft pick is Erie’s leader for goals (22) and points (34).
Misiak, whose 13 goals are second to Terrance, will represent his native Slovakia.
Those countries are two of five listed in the tournament’s Group B standings. They’ll meet in pool play on New Year’s Eve.
The Czech Republic, Switzerland and Norway also will challenge those countries.
Canada, tournament’s two-time defending champion, is in Pool A.
No need for passport
Erie would be part of notable OHL history should it win the Robertson Cup a third time.
Even better for the team's fans, they won’t need to leave the country to be part of it.
The 2024 Memorial Cup will take place at Saginaw, Michigan, from May 24 through June 2. It’s the first time this century an American franchise will host the CHL’s ultimate tournament.
All games are scheduled at Saginaw’s Dow Event Center. The Spirit will automatically participate, along with the champs of the OHL, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
The CHL’s current Memorial Cup format began in 1983. The last time one of its few American franchises hosted the four-team event was WHL’s Spokane (Washington) Chiefs in 1998.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Otters review: Team 'conflicted' about timing of Christmas break
