![\"Kitchener](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91968518007-p-1-lam-092626-jpg-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cThe guys are mad right now,\u201d Mallette said, \u201cand that\u2019s awesome. They wanted to win, and they did a lot of things early that gave us that opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, they\u2019re sitting in (the locker room) mad. But again, that\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mallette also took solace that the loss occurred in the Otters\u2019 third game of their new season and that they recorded five team points over that stretch.<\/p>\n
Erie (2-0-1-0) sought to win its first home opener since 2022 and start 3-0 for the first time since its 2015-16 team won its first nine.<\/p>\n
More: Erie Otters’ Ontario Hockey League preview<\/a>\u2018A sense of calmness\u2019<\/p>\n Egorov, especially early on, demonstrated why the Otters sent four draft picks to Brampton for his full-time service. The 20-year old was the veteran backup to Ryerson Leenders, who\u2019s back for his fifth season with the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n Egorov turned aside the Rangers\u2019 first 19 shots before Weston Cameron converted a rebound chance. Included in those 19 was his denial of a penalty shot by Lam.<\/p>\n The four goals Egorov allowed to Kitchener matched the amount he permitted over Erie\u2019s wins at Guelph and Kitchener.<\/p>\n Despite that, Mallette said the Ottawa native has been as advertised.<\/p>\n \u201c`Ego\u2019 works extremely hard,\u201d he said, \u201cand gives us a sense of calmness back there. He\u2019s given us the ability to make mistakes and still get through our growing pains.\u201d<\/p>\n More: Erie Otters coach Kris Mallette expresses faith in new goaltender David Egorov<\/a>Other Erie debuts<\/p>\n Egorov wasn\u2019t the only newcomer who represented EIA\u2019s hockey tenant for the first time.<\/p>\n Colin Kennedy, whom Erie chose with the second overall pick in this year\u2019s OHL priority selection draft, also debuted at home before a crowd of more than 4,400. The rookie forward was held off the scoresheet for a second straight game after he scored twice during its 5-1 season-opening victory at Guelph.<\/p>\n Defenseman Ty Henry started but also didn\u2019t record a point in his first action for the Otters since April 2025. The Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> draft pick was injured for the duration of their ensuing 18-41-5-4 season.<\/p>\n Michael Dec and McLean Agrette, who experienced part or all of that season, each recorded a goal and an assist during Erie\u2019s loss.<\/p>\n![\"Goaltender](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91968197007-p-1-egorov-092626-jpg.jpg\")