Erie Otters 2022-23 Season Thread

[Mata]

That was the point I was trying to make. We throw around draft choices like there is an endless supply of them. Some teams are already making big moves to make a run this year or to load up for the next 1-3 years. We wasted a pick to fill a need that didn’t exist.

While I don't agree with a 6th on Downey, I guess the theory would be Lalonde is signed and his future is all in how he plays. Downey is the insurance to mentor Gibbons after this season should Lalonde live up to the hype and perhaps make a roster spot in Columbus. Downey was a 2nd round pick so his upside, in theory, should be above Nicholls and Nicholls was gone next year with 100% certainty.

I think you're eluding to what others have stated in the past year or two with it picking up more steam this season than ever before...wtf is DB and company doing? That is anyone's guess.

From a purely results driven outcome Downey > Nicholls.

 

[G0Otters]

While I don't agree with a 6th on Downey, I guess the theory would be Lalonde is signed and his future is all in how he plays. Downey is the insurance to mentor Gibbons after this season should Lalonde live up to the hype and perhaps make a roster spot in Columbus. Downey was a 2nd round pick so his upside, in theory, should be above Nicholls and Nicholls was gone next year with 100% certainty.

I think you're eluding to what others have stated in the past year or two with it picking up more steam this season than ever before...wtf is DB and company doing? That is anyone's guess.

From a purely results driven outcome Downey > Nicholls.

Respectfully disagree

 

[NOA]

While I don't agree with a 6th on Downey, I guess the theory would be Lalonde is signed and his future is all in how he plays. Downey is the insurance to mentor Gibbons after this season should Lalonde live up to the hype and perhaps make a roster spot in Columbus. Downey was a 2nd round pick so his upside, in theory, should be above Nicholls and Nicholls was gone next year with 100% certainty.

I think you're eluding to what others have stated in the past year or two with it picking up more steam this season than ever before...wtf is DB and company doing? That is anyone's guess.

From a purely results driven outcome Downey > Nicholls.

Lalonde currently can’t play OHL level hockey right now so why the concern about any insurance for him? He’s way too inconsistent and is off to another awful start here tonight. Why in the world they don’t bench him is beyond me but right now he’s the most disappointing player on the team. It looks like another year of bad goalie play for Erie … and Lalonde, even with a good performance this year, was almost a guarantee to be back here in 2023-24. With how he looks now? He will be back

Respectfully disagree
View attachment 610869

.879 about to go to like .860 after today. Yikes. Bench him please. What an embarrassment our goalie play and drafting /development continues to be. We have zero clue how to develop or find success in net for about 12 years now

 

[7D442]

Lalonde currently can’t play OHL level hockey right now so why the concern about any insurance for him? He’s way too inconsistent and is off to another awful start here tonight. Why in the world they don’t bench him is beyond me but right now he’s the most disappointing player on the team. It looks like another year of bad goalie play for Erie … and Lalonde, even with a good performance this year, was almost a guarantee to be back here in 2023-24. With how he looks now? He will be back


.879 about to go to like .860 after today. Yikes. Bench him please. What an embarrassment our goalie play and drafting /development continues to be. We have zero clue how to develop or find success in net for about 12 years now

Agree … and they actually pulled him

 

[Erie Otters Zone]

Agree … and they actually pulled him

Downey is playing well and the team has been lights out this period. Gotta keep it going against the best team in all of hockey

 

[OttersFan]

Wow. Just wow.

 

[Slaminal]

Wow. Just wow.

2 things : the team really seemed to get a jump from having Spence back, and Downey is legit.
Also, where did this power play come from?

 

[OttersFan]

2 things : the team really seemed to get a jump from having Spence back, and Downey is legit.
Also, where did this power play come from?

Spence does a lot of things right. We truly felt the loss of him being away. He has made an impact with the few games he’s played. I think we got lucky getting him as the true #1 overall. Misa is a stud, but I think we will get more out of having Spence.

The power play clicked and quite honestly two weeks ago, struggled to find themselves out of a paper bag. Sova is another impact player. I think he has really developed this year starting from the London game when Kyrou was benched. Sova really stepped up to QB the PP.

Downey made some sick saves. He should be played more often. With a lot of games happening this week, it’ll be interesting to see how they rotate the two tenders. Normally the team would’ve hung Lalonde out to dry in net with 4+ goals. Hopefully Lalonde stepped up and said he wasn’t able to continue and the team accepted the response. He just hasn’t been the same since he came back from CBJ camp.

I know for fact Nicholls wouldn’t have been as sharp as Downey in relief. Coming into the game I expected us to be blown out 10-2, but Downey kept them in it. Nicholls would’ve added many goals to Lalonde’s poor performance.

The first period we just didn’t move our feet and let Ottawa push us around. They turned it around after the 1st intermission. They’re playing for each other and it shows.

Comeback kids? Cardiac kids? Whatever they want to name themselves, if they continue to play like this they will find success. It’s the consistency we need to become better at.

This game doesn’t mean they’re going to be best team ever, but it show that if they really want it they can make it happen. Good for them. Celebrate tonight and back to the drawing board tomorrow. More works needs to be done, but kudos to whatever speech got them going.

 

[Mata]

Respectfully disagree
View attachment 610869

Downey = 3w 1L
Nicholls = 1w 3L

Downey makes the bigger plays and by seasons end I expect the other stats to follow suit.

 

[G0Otters]

Downey = 3w 1L
Nicholls = 1w 3L

Downey makes the bigger plays and by seasons end I expect the other stats to follow suit.

Downey = 3w 1L
Nicholls = 1w 3L

Downey makes the bigger plays and by seasons end I expect the other stats to follow suit.

If only Nicholls could have scored some goals on his own. Losses to Kingston, Ottawa, and Flint, the Otters scored 2 goals or less. In Downey’s wins, Otters have scored 4, 7, and 6 goals.

 

[G0Otters]

Spence does a lot of things right. We truly felt the loss of him being away. He has made an impact with the few games he’s played. I think we got lucky getting him as the true #1 overall. Misa is a stud, but I think we will get more out of having Spence.

The power play clicked and quite honestly two weeks ago, struggled to find themselves out of a paper bag. Sova is another impact player. I think he has really developed this year starting from the London game when Kyrou was benched. Sova really stepped up to QB the PP.

Downey made some sick saves. He should be played more often. With a lot of games happening this week, it’ll be interesting to see how they rotate the two tenders. Normally the team would’ve hung Lalonde out to dry in net with 4+ goals. Hopefully Lalonde stepped up and said he wasn’t able to continue and the team accepted the response. He just hasn’t been the same since he came back from CBJ camp.

I know for fact Nicholls wouldn’t have been as sharp as Downey in relief. Coming into the game I expected us to be blown out 10-2, but Downey kept them in it. Nicholls would’ve added many goals to Lalonde’s poor performance.

The first period we just didn’t move our feet and let Ottawa push us around. They turned it around after the 1st intermission. They’re playing for each other and it shows.

Comeback kids? Cardiac kids? Whatever they want to name themselves, if they continue to play like this they will find success. It’s the consistency we need to become better at.

This game doesn’t mean they’re going to be best team ever, but it show that if they really want it they can make it happen. Good for them. Celebrate tonight and back to the drawing board tomorrow. More works needs to be done, but kudos to whatever speech got them going.

Kyrou, Sova, and Spence get all the attention but the guy that is helping the team the most is Bressette. He’s not flashy, but he does all the little things right.

 

[sirius67fan]

Good compete by u guys last night. Got to respect a team that doesn't quit. Was really impressed by Terrance and Kyrou. Heard that Kyrou was something but Terrance caught my eye. Hard to get a feel for the western players the last two years.

 

[Mata]

If only Nicholls could have scored some goals on his own. Losses to Kingston, Ottawa, and Flint, the Otters scored 2 goals or less. In Downey’s wins, Otters have scored 4, 7, and 6 goals.

If only Nicholls didn't let in as many goals in those games...then he could have more wins!

Downey > Nicholls and thus the reason he has stayed and Nicholls has been released. Maybe now Nicholls will have a place to play and grow and finish out his career.

Let's also not forget the team had 0 confidence in him last season when they played Lalonde and absurd like 50+ games.

 

[HockeyPops]

Respectfully disagree
View attachment 610869

Hmmm, this didn't age well at all, did it?

 

[NOA]

Hmmm, this didn't age well at all, did it?

View attachment 611317

To be fair, people are allowed to analyze in real time…

It’s not really fun to just blah people in hindsight especially when the goalie situation has been bleak at best for many years now. People essentially have PTSD and don’t expect much.

 

[Mata]

Hmmm, this didn't age well at all, did it?

View attachment 611317

Not sure how there is any defense of him at this point. Unfortunately the kid didn't have what it took.

Anyways, moving on from that debate...

Lalonde has played concerning. Let's just hope it's a hiccup because we will need every bit of him in order to play this season. I'd honestly hate to have even the thought of Gibbons/Downey needing to finish the majority of the season. So whatever is going on with Lalonde, I hope it is short lived.

 

[HockeyPops]

I said it when they brought in Downey for a 6th, I really liked the move. He clearly has some talent, but needed a fresh start from Windsor. A 6th is a very acceptible risk to take on him, and the runway needs to be a lot longer than 3 games. What we have seen with this pandemic is that most teams have 3 goaltending options in their system. It doesn't mean Lalonde or Gibbons are losing a spot. The goaltending situation will figure itself out based on how they play this year. No need to come to knee jerk conclusions after Downey had only played 3 games. Sit back and enjoy, you just beat the best team in the league after spotting them a 3 goal lead after 1.

 

[NOA]

I said it when they brought in Downey for a 6th, I really liked the move. He clearly has some talent, but needed a fresh start from Windsor. A 6th is a very acceptible risk to take on him, and the runway needs to be a lot longer than 3 games. What we have seen with this pandemic is that most teams have 3 goaltending options in their system. It doesn't mean Lalonde or Gibbons are losing a spot. The goaltending situation will figure itself out based on how they play this year. No need to come to knee jerk conclusions after Downey had only played 3 games. Sit back and enjoy, you just beat the best team in the league after spotting them a 3 goal lead after 1.

It wasn’t knee jerk when his statistics last year in Windsor were not promising and he showed up here and looked like more of the same… again though, people are allowed to respond in the moment. Fans aren’t really there to project - they respond in the moment.

 

[Dhockey16]

It's occurred to me that this team might actually be good. Still not a title contender, I don't think, but maybe a decent playoff run ahead if they could just add a little more firepower up front. Molnar certainly comes to mind. I don't think they're good enough to be buyers at the deadline, but for the first time in a while I actually expect to see a decent team when I go to the EIA. Glad to see it. I'd be thrilled if every criticism I've levied at team management turned out wrong - OHL hockey is a joy to watch and that joy is multiplied tenfold for me when the Otters are good.

 

[GeoBlue]

Thought I would ask but if there are any Erie fans making the trip to Kitchener on Sunday, I have tickets.
Sec 16, Row B
One pair for $45
etickets can be transfered immediately upon payment.

 

[NOA]

It's occurred to me that this team might actually be good. Still not a title contender, I don't think, but maybe a decent playoff run ahead if they could just add a little more firepower up front. Molnar certainly comes to mind. I don't think they're good enough to be buyers at the deadline, but for the first time in a while I actually expect to see a decent team when I go to the EIA. Glad to see it. I'd be thrilled if every criticism I've levied at team management turned out wrong - OHL hockey is a joy to watch and that joy is multiplied tenfold for me when the Otters are good.

The league is pretty wide open right now too. I mean it’s not unrealistic for them to be in a 4/5 seed range. I agree that they aren’t good enough to be buyers and I hope Brown doesn’t take the cheese on that… I would rather sell Kyrou before even considering the idea of buying. But if Molnar shows and we are a team that can be a 4 seed, I would be okay with standing pat and letting it ride. But if that’s the case, you better at least make round 2 and compete in that round to justify the move

 

[Mata]

We escaped the first period with a 1-0 lead.

Flat as hell and SOO forecheck is relentless, we can't get out of our own zone.

Stupid penalty by Cohen for a mouthguard violation..

We had fewer chances on the double minor PP than the short handed SOO.

 

[OttersFan]

We escaped the first period with a 1-0 lead.

Flat as hell and SOO forecheck is relentless, we can't get out of our own zone.

Stupid penalty by Cohen for a mouthguard violation..

We had fewer chances on the double minor PP than the short handed SOO.

They were warned about the mouth guard violation so it’s inexcusable.

Kyrou picked on up off the ice and the ref questioned him. Kyrou pointed to the mouth as if he had one in and put the one he picked up in his mouth. He got lucky.

 

[Mata]

That was another pretty pathetic, low energy period of hockey.

Lalonde has given up 2 really bad goals tonight, but we have 0 offense and 0 energy. Not really sure what to make of this night through two.

 

[Erie Otters Zone]

That was another pretty pathetic, low energy period of hockey.

Lalonde has given up 2 really bad goals tonight, but we have 0 offense and 0 energy. Not really sure what to make of this night through two.

The Penguins and Canucks scouts are at the game tonight. Not a good showing so far but we play better when down