Courtesy of the Erie Otters
The OHL released its full regular-season schedule Tuesday, outlining a 68-game slate for Erie that begins Sept. 18 with a road game against the Guelph Storm. The Otters’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 27 at Erie Insurance Arena against the reigning Memorial Cup champions.
The upcoming season marks a milestone for the organization, which enters its 30th year in Erie while looking to return to the OHL playoffs under head coach Kris Mallette.
The Otters are expected to return several key players, including captain Tristen Trevino, veteran forward Michael Dec and NHL prospect Lucas Ambrosio. Young players Jake Murray and Tyler Cooper are also expected to play prominent roles.
Among the changes for fans this season is a new 6 p.m. start time for Saturday home games.
October will be Erie’s busiest month, featuring 13 games. The schedule includes an Eastern Conference road swing through Peterborough, Ottawa and Kingston before a series of matchups against several of the league’s top teams.
Rivalry Week will feature a home-and-home series against the Niagara IceDogs on Oct. 23 and 24. The Otters will also host the London Knights, Ottawa 67’s, Barrie Colts and Soo Greyhounds during the month.
November includes Erie’s annual Thanksgiving Eve game, which will be played Nov. 25 against the London Knights. The month also features home games against Kitchener, Niagara, Saginaw, Owen Sound and Windsor.
The Otters will play four consecutive home games before the league’s holiday break in December, hosting Saginaw, London, Kingston and Sarnia. The team’s annual New Year’s Eve game is scheduled for Dec. 31 against the Brantford Bulldogs.
February will provide Erie with its most favorable stretch of home dates, as the Otters are scheduled to play seven games at Erie Insurance Arena during the month.
The regular season concludes March 20 when the Otters host Brantford. The OHL playoffs are expected to begin shortly afterward.