The Erie Otters (34-26-1-1) scored three goals in the third period en route to a 4-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs Wednesday night at Tullio Arena. The win clinched a spot in the 2011 OHL Playoffs for the Otters. The IceDogs grabbed a 1-0 lead 8:38 into the game after a turnover by Anthony Luciani allowed Ryan Strome to come in untouched towards Chris Festarini. Strom deposited the puck between the legs of Festarini for his 29 th goal of the season. Like Saturday night, that would be the lone blemish for Festarini for the night as he was perfect for the remainder of the game. The Otters were able to tie the game 1:35 into the second as Luciani redeemed himself by squeaking the puck between the legs of Mark Visentin for a goal in his fourth straight game. The Otters would take control in the third period, as Phil Varone's goal 1:22 into the frame would end up as the eventual game-winner. Varone deked around Shayne Rover down the right wing of the IceDogs zone and fired a shot from the bottom of the circle through Visentin for his 30th goal of the season. The teams battled through the remainder of the period with neither side allowing many opportunities. The IceDogs started to pressure the Otters as the period wore on, leading Otters head coach Robbie Ftorek to call a timeout with six minutes remaining. The timeout worked, as the Otters settled down and scored an important insurance goal with 4:42 remaining. Luciani hustled to keep the puck in the high slot of the Otters zone, which continued the play for Brett Thompson to jam home the biscuit in the basket from the top of the crease for his 41stgoal of the season. Greg McKegg added an empty netter with 78 seconds left to play with his team-leading 42nd goal of the season and seal a spot in the OHL postseason for the Otters. Festarini was sharp in net for the second game in a row, making 23 saves for the victory. The Otters' penalty kill continued to impress by stopping the IceDogs on all five of their power plays. Thompson and Varone each had a goal and two assists for the Otters. The Otters will head out on the road Friday night to take on the Guelph Storm at 7:30 p.m. Fans can listen to the action on Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 The Fan or online at ottershockey.com (courtesy of the James H. Cross Company). Individual tickets for the 2011 OHL Playoffs will go on sale starting at the first intermission of Sunday afternoon's game against the Sarnia Sting only at the Erie Civic Center Box Office until the end of the game. Tickets will be on sale starting at 10:00 a.m. Monday morning at all outlets. Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster, the Civic Center Box Office, online at ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.
