Erie Otters 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

Dhockey16

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Jun 23, 2011
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Erie, Pennsylvania
That’s how you rebound. It didn’t look pretty in the 1st, but I’m glad they broke the press and found a way to score. The PP has to get better.

I’m glad Erliden finally got a home ice win. His family is in town from Sweden.
And not just a win, a 40 save win! He was great. Saw him waving to people behind the glass after the game and someone said "what, does he have a girlfriend already?". Good for him. Great comeback win.
 
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OttersFan

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Jan 6, 2018
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And not just a win, a 40 save win! He was great. Saw him waving to people behind the glass after the game and someone said "what, does he have a girlfriend already?". Good for him. Great comeback win.
Yeah he does. I don’t know if she came over seas or if he met her here. It doesn’t really matter. I just happened to see the family in passing and know his billet.
 

ZinErie

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Nov 12, 2013
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And not just a win, a 40 save win! He was great. Saw him waving to people behind the glass after the game and someone said "what, does he have a girlfriend already?". Good for him. Great comeback win.
Either more than one person said it, or you were sitting near me. 😅
 

ZinErie

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Nov 12, 2013
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Stan Butler had his weekly meeting with the media today. Schaefer met with them as well. Going to miss all 3 games this weekend. Butler said he's not playing until he's 100%.
 

drearyerie

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Oct 7, 2024
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Lines tonight against Kingston-

Misiak - Terrance - Royston
Spence* - Frasca* - Hammond*
Edwards - Fimis - Alfano
Challenger - Phillips - Messier

Knight - Sauder*
Ambrosio - Daviault
Holomego - Henry*

Erliden*
Burns

Lalonde starts in net for Kingston.
 
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Mata

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Mar 4, 2019
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Got to go in person tonight, finally!!!

Erliden is legit, but he has very awkward movements in net and makes you hold your breath a lot from his unorthodox style of play, whatever works lol!!!

Ty Henry is our #2 Defender once Schaefer returns. His growth from last year is insane. Easy to see why he's a prototypical NHL defender but still can rush a puck with his size and speed.

Overall, we had 9 shots through 2 and we played mediocre at best. We came away with an incredible one time snipe from Misiak in OT, however we were dominated for most of the game and IMO lucky to come away with 2 points. Erliden also saved us that game by playing extremely solid in net, again.

A lot of early struggles tonight that I wouldn't expect from such a veteran team, but happy to come away with the W.
 

Eerie

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Apr 27, 2020
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Welcome back !
 

OttersFan

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Jan 6, 2018
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He's been practicing without the non contact jersey. I wonder if they start him slow, play Thursday and Saturday and scratched Friday. Or, limit his minutes.
That’s why I suspect he didn’t start. They don’t want to put all that pressure on him. Not that he couldn’t handle it, but when you have five other guys conditioned to play whole games, you have no reason to rush back.

He’s been as expected thus far.
 

NOA

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Apr 17, 2015
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The way Erliden tracks the puck is incredible. He’s been stellar.
They better not over play him. It’s tempting and easy to fall into with the way he is playing but they need to try to protect him a bit and not exhaust him early.

The offense right now is lacking and maybe Schaefer gives them a boost over time but right now, I think the depth issue is glaring. They are somewhat forced to stack 1 line, then split up their next 4 forwards on 2 lines with Hammond/Royston. You can tell they are still searching for answers based on the line juggling but I don’t think they are ever going to consistently find it. At some point, they need another top 6/9 forward. I’m still pulling for Musty..
A good offense is also a good defense.. and adding a top tier forward just pushes everyone down and at least gives them 2 realllly good lines, plus a solid 3rd line
 

NOA

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Apr 17, 2015
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I think so too. We didn’t have a goalie coach the last season and a half and it showed.

We can’t take credit for Gaudreau. That was all Sarnia’s coaching to get him where he was.
It definitely helps to at least have a voice and maybe Zapoliski is finally the right fit for the job but only time will tell. Noah is 19 so he’s experienced and I’m sure much of what we are seeing if not all is from prior coaching/experience. He didn’t just become this over night. Let’s see what Burns looks like over time and that will really speak to the coaching
 

Mata

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Mar 4, 2019
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Yeah, they need a new BG…

That was my biggest fear this season. Erliden should solid, but we can't ride him for 50 games in the regular season and expect him to play every game in the playoffs.

They need a competent backup goalie.
 
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Guy In Burlington

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Mar 17, 2022
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I was just joking about Zapolsky, I have no idea if he’s actually the reason. He’s probably got something to do with it though.

I was more just joking about how fired up you guys all were about not having a goalie coach last year.
 
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Mata

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I was just joking about Zapolsky, I have no idea if he’s actually the reason. He’s probably got something to do with it though.

I was more just joking about how fired up you guys all were about not having a goalie coach last year.
It blows my mind at this level for any CHL teams to not employ a higher level specialized, full time, goalie coach. These kids are top of their class most of the time from 16 - 20 years old.

If I were a goalie and a team didn't dedicate resources to my position, why would I be enticed to go there?

Zapolsky played at Mercyhurst University, calls Erie his home, and played at a very high level in Europe and KHL. If the development of our young netminders trends upwards, there is a good chance it is because he had a hand in it.
 
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OttersFan

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It blows my mind at this level for any CHL teams to not employ a higher level specialized, full time, goalie coach. These kids are top of their class most of the time from 16 - 20 years old.

If I were a goalie and a team didn't dedicate resources to my position, why would I be enticed to go there?

Zapolsky played at Mercyhurst University, calls Erie his home, and played at a very high level in Europe and KHL. If the development of our young netminders trends upwards, there is a good chance it is because he had a hand in it.
He also went to the Olympics in 2018.

It just baffles me how Erie has yet to develop a solid goaltender. The last one we developed was Devin Williams but even he only had a save percentage of .898 on a good night. Aiden Campbell comes to mind, but he got injured and couldn’t return.

The goalies deserve better.
 

NOA

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Apr 17, 2015
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He also went to the Olympics in 2018.

It just baffles me how Erie has yet to develop a solid goaltender. The last one we developed was Devin Williams but even he only had a save percentage of .898 on a good night. Aiden Campbell comes to mind, but he got injured and couldn’t return.

The goalies deserve better.
Yeah it’s definitely sad. It’s not just coaching though too, the drafting hasn’t been there either. They should really try to focus more effort into import goalies. Get them here when they are 18/19, already developed more, and try to work on at least developing backup quality goalies…

Burns isn’t the answer right now. And of course Gibbons is finding some success elsewhere. They need to be better
 
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DubCee21

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Nov 28, 2013
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Yeah it’s definitely sad. It’s not just coaching though too, the drafting hasn’t been there either. They should really try to focus more effort into import goalies. Get them here when they are 18/19, already developed more, and try to work on at least developing backup quality goalies…

Burns isn’t the answer right now. And of course Gibbons is finding some success elsewhere. They need to be better
Gibbons is only 1-3-1 so far. I wouldn't say he's had much success and likely a big reason Brampton dropped in the standings while Ivankovic was suspended.

I completely agree that the BUG situation needs addressed with this team as well as the D. For me, Holomego just isn't cutting it. He's a turnover machine and frequently out of position. As a rookie, Ambrosio is light years ahead of him and should be reflected in playing time. Another top 6 forward wouldn't hurt either. That would push Royston and Hammond back down where they belong instead of spreading out the top 3 lines. Musty would be a great pickup but I'm not sure I see this happening with limited assets and the other glaring holes that need filled.
 

Mata

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Mar 4, 2019
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Gibbons is only 1-3-1 so far. I wouldn't say he's had much success and likely a big reason Brampton dropped in the standings while Ivankovic was suspended.

I completely agree that the BUG situation needs addressed with this team as well as the D. For me, Holomego just isn't cutting it. He's a turnover machine and frequently out of position. As a rookie, Ambrosio is light years ahead of him and should be reflected in playing time. Another top 6 forward wouldn't hurt either. That would push Royston and Hammond back down where they belong instead of spreading out the top 3 lines. Musty would be a great pickup but I'm not sure I see this happening with limited assets and the other glaring holes that need filled.

I agree with your team assessments. BUG is probably number 1 priority.

I agree with your assessment on Holomego. Had he progressed like Henry, and they could be challenging for top pairing. Instead he only brings games as experience. He is still slow and is not an enforcer. His specialty is in blocked shots.

I'm kinda liking Knight as well on defense. His skating and transitions are extremely fluid, however, I think he should be used every other game and not be rushed.

I do agree with Ambrosio, kid looks like he could he a stud by the end of the year.

Offensively something just isn't clicking which to me is very concerning considering this should have been our strongest area.
 

NOA

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Apr 17, 2015
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Gibbons is only 1-3-1 so far. I wouldn't say he's had much success and likely a big reason Brampton dropped in the standings while Ivankovic was suspended.
Call me crazy but Gibbons having .892% compared to last year when he was .819% (holy cow!!!) and Burns this year at .837%… I would say that’s finding some success. I would pay decent money to see Erie get .892% from their backup…
 
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