Round 1 Is Over......

Well the Otters finished the regular season in fine shape, with Devin getting the final two wins.   He also, in conjunction with the starting goalie, won the Dave Pickney trophy for least amount of goals scored in a season, a franchise record.  Round one of the playoffs found us playing against Saginaw, which we wanted, that way we would be able to attend more games.  Lo and behold, coach started Devin in the playoffs, we were surprised and elated.  The first two games were in Erie and we took them both 4-3, the second game going into overtime.  The third game was in Saginaw and, though Devin was told he would be in net, the night before the game they informed him they were playing the starter.  After allowing 5 goals on 20 shots, with the game tied at 5, they put Devin in.  This game too went into OT; however, we lost and the series was 2-1.  Wednesday found Devin back in net and we won that game 7-3.  Thursday was the game to end it and what a game it was.  Tied 2-2 with Devin keeping the team in the game with three incredible saves, we again go to overtime.  We end up winning and the series was over.  Now the team will face off against SSM and the Soo will have home ice advantage.  Excited for the 2nd round.

End of regular season...

Only three more regular season games to go and the Erie Otters remain in third place at this time one point behind first and one point ahead of fourth.  Devin has had a very good year, posting 21-5-1 with a 2.63 gaa and a 903 save percentage.  Though he has not played a lot of games, he has done well when it counted.  Erie will either play Saginaw or Windsor in the playoffs, either of which are close to home.  Not sure how much he will play in the playoffs; however, the starting goalie has been pulled in two of his last seven games, so Devin may very well get a start or two, we can only hope.  The Otters have broken just about every franchise record this season.  Most home wins, most wins in a season, most shutouts, most goals for, two 100 point scorers and the list goes on.  They were in a slump for a month or more; however, seem to be coming back on track here in the end.  It would be a shame to not make it past the first round with the season they are having, just hope they can play smart hockey and stay out of the penalty box.  The draft is in June and he is hoping to be drafted, we will keep our fingers crossed that he ends the season strong.  Go Otters!

Past the midpoint.....

Well we are past the midpoint of the season and the Otters continue to roll, though they had a slight setback after the Christmas break.  With our top players at WJ's, the team struggled, including Devin.  They went 3-2-1 during that time and could not seem to get on a roll.  They remained in the top of the OHL however, and with the return of their main players got back into the groove.  Another franchise record was broken, most shutouts in a season by the goalies with nine.  Oscar has five and Devin has four so far.  The Otters did finally lose on home ice after 19 straight wins; however, not yet in regulation, it was an overtime loss.  Current record is 42 games played 33 wins, 7 losses 1 OT loss and 1 SO loss.  The Otters are first in the league in goals against, second in the league in goals scored and #2 in the CHL.  They were at #1 for several weeks until the Christmas break.  Three teams are close on the Otters heals though, Guelph, London and SSM.  The trade deadline was yesterday and the Otters acquired a new defencemen, so the team is set for the playoff run.

12+ and Counting......

 

Well the season is almost at mid point and Devin is doing very well.  He has won his last twelve games in a row and is fourth on the top goalie leader board.  He has a 2.44 g.a.a. with a .909 save percentage.  He is also the top goaltender in the OHL for the month of November.  The other goalie will be leaving for WJ soon and Devin will be playing most of the games in his absence, lets keep the ball rolling Otters.  The Otters are the number one team in the CHL right now with 24 wins, 4 losses and one OT loss, and are still undefeated at home.  The team is playing great and that is thanks to our coaching staff and the players buying into the system.  Way to go Otters!

The Season So Far

Well the Otters have made an amazing turn around so far this season.  They are 16-3-0-1 on the season and have broken two franchise records.  They broke the record for most consecutive wins in a season with 12 and they broke the record for most consecutive home wins at 9 and counting.  Due to an issue with the other goalie, Devin is playing.  He has six consecutive wins and has a gaa of 2.64.  His save % dropped a hair; however, he is playing well since his surgery.  He has two back to back shutouts to his credit as well.  The team is playing extremely well and the Otters are first in the Western Conference at this moment.  We will savor the feeling!

Nine Month Update.........

Well due to forgetting my password, I have not updated Devin's blog since December.   The Otters ended the season slightly better than 2011-12, coming in second to last instead of last place in the league.  Devin also came home extremely sore and, after doing some investigating, it was suspected he had a sports hernia.  Given that the best sports hernia physician was in Philadelphia, PA, we drove twelve hours leaving on a Sunday, July 22nd, he was diagnosed on Monday, surgery on Tuesday and at 1:00 a.m. in the morning we drove another twelve hours home.  He has done remarkably well, worked hard; however, was unable to participate in training camp.   He began taking shots again two weeks before the end of the preseason and played the last preseason game, Otters winning 4-2.  He now feels the best he has felt in a year and a half, having played that long on the injury.  Devin made the NHL futures list for players eligible for the 2014 draft next June.  The Otters first regular season game is tonight; however, most likely Dansk will start in net.  Will keep the blog updated for the season.

On A Roll..................

Devin was the starting goalie for the past three games in three nights. The team played on the road in Niagara and Kitchener and home with Kitchener on Saturday. The Otters beat Niagara 4-2, went into Kitchener and won 6-2, then came home to a record crowd to beat Kitchener in a shootout. Kitchener came out fighting and were up 2-0 after the first period. In the first few minutes of the second Otters scored and followed that with another goal a few minutes later to tie the game. Otters went up 3-2 in the third period; however, with two minutes left in the game Kitchener tied it up and the game went into overtime. After one minute of play the Otters got a penalty and it was 4 on 3 for two minutes. Devin made some stellar saves and the game went into a shootout. The crowd was on their feet, Devin stopped the first goal and the Otters scored so its 1-0. The next shooter scores and we score so its 2-1. Devin stops the next shooter and Otters win the game4-3. A six point weekend before the holiday break was a huge win for the team and a great confidence booster. Devin was a third star in two of the three games. Now they have a ten day break before they have to be back in Erie to prepare for the next few games.