Played on Dec 2, 2025
Game Played in Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
General Game Notes: December 2, 2025 – Kitchener, ON The Erie Otters jumped out to an early three-goal lead and held on late to secure a 3-2 road victory over the Kitchener Rangers. Despite a strong push from the Rangers in the final frames, the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Erie’s Dylan Edwards (#11) led the way offensively with a goal and an assist, playing a key role in building the Otters’ early cushion. In net, Noah Erliden (#1) turned aside several high-quality chances, delivering timely saves that helped preserve the win as Kitchener mounted its comeback attempt.
Noah Erliden (G, L, 5’11”, 183, Erie Otters, 09/09/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Erliden is a well-rounded goaltender who consistently displays a strong sense of control and composure in the crease. His positioning and quick reflexes allow him to cover a significant amount of space, making up for his relatively small stature. He maintains a calm demeanor, carefully reading the play and waiting for the right moment to act. Erliden’s ability to stay square to the puck and track it efficiently enables him to make some saves look effortless. On the penalty kill, he excels at anticipation and reaction time, allowing him to effectively challenge shooters. His fluid movements from side to side are particularly notable in these situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Erliden is a pure puck-stopper. He does whatever it takes to get in front of the puck, even if it means diving head-first into a scramble. Despite that battle level, he still shows a strong technical foundation, which is evident in how he quickly retreats back to his posts and into the RVH as an ‘anchor’ after chaotic plays. By resetting early, he stays calm and gives himself a chance on the next shot. He was excellent down low, making second-chance saves with a composed demeanor, sliding across and sealing the five-hole to shut down rebound opportunities. His hands were active, he fought through traffic effectively, and he came up with several big stops late to preserve the victory for his team.
Garrett Frazer (D, R, 6’0″, 188, Erie Otters, 02/10/2006, Northeastern)
Game Rating
B
Frazer is a dependable two-way defenseman known for his sound decision-making and consistent play. He excels at reading opposing players, allowing him to effectively control gaps and shut down scoring opportunities in his own end. When joining the rush, he displays smart awareness and timing, making the most of open chances. As a penalty killer, Frazer is an asset due to his active stick and willingness to put himself in harm’s way. He consistently makes timely defensive plays, disrupting opponents’ attacks and preventing goals. His physicality and maturity make him a reliable contributor on special teams.
1 Viewing
Comments: Frazer opened the scoring by one-touching a puck on net from the blue line during an extended 5-on-5 shift. The play highlighted strong offensive instincts – he didn’t allow the opposition to get set in their structure and used his own teammate as a quick flash screen. His release was crisp, and the shot carried enough power to beat the goaltender cleanly. He was solid in all situations, defending with an active, tight gap and making smart, efficient decisions with the puck. He didn’t force plays, instead choosing reliable, effective options that kept possession and maintained flow.
Dylan Edwards (C, L, 5’8″, 172, Erie Otters, 07/20/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Edwards demonstrated a well-rounded skillset on the ice, showcasing his versatility in various power play scenarios. He effectively moved through different positions, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates. His quick one-timers generated quality chances, often leading to second-scoring opportunities around the net. Edwards’ ability to deceive defenders with his release allowed him to create space and confusion on the ice. His combination of speed, agility, and hockey IQ enabled him to make precise passes that caught opponents off guard. Overall, Edwards’ unique blend of shooting and passing abilities made him a challenging player to defend against.
1 Viewing
Comments: Edwards contributed to the first goal by doing all the little things right. He collected a loose puck in the slot and, instead of panicking, calmly moved it back to his defenseman. From there, he filtered into the high slot and positioned himself perfectly to act as a moving screen. It was an excellent display of his skill set – showcasing puck protection, poise, and strong body positioning. Beyond his offensive contributions (1+1), Edwards made an impact in several other areas. He was consistently hard on pucks and, despite being a smaller player, competed with real determination. When he won puck battles, he didn’t just regain possession – he made plays and generated offense. Overall, it was a strong, well-rounded performance that highlighted both his effort and his skill.
Michael Dec (RW, L, 5’9″, 164, Erie Otters, 01/29/2007, Cornell)
Game Rating
B+
Dec is a dynamic forward who excels in both offense and defense. He utilizes his speed to create chaos on the forecheck, using his relentless motor to pressure defenders and force turnovers. With the puck, Dec displays sharp vision and playmaking ability, frequently finding teammates in high-percentage areas with accurate passes. His fearless attitude allows him to win puck battles through effort, making him a formidable opponent in tight spaces. Dec’s defensive prowess is also notable, as he consistently demonstrates strong awareness and a commitment to helping his team. His backchecking is purposeful and effective, showing that he prioritizes defense without sacrificing offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dec shows high-end offensive instincts and has the ability to create something every time he enters the offensive zone. While he isn’t the biggest player, he compensates by doing everything at full speed – using his edge-work and quick hands to deceive opponents, create space, and get pucks toward the net. He consistently plays with his head up, keeping his hands in position to make quick passes or release shots in stride. He’s difficult to read defensively, and his skill set allows him to beat opponents in one-on-one situations. He demonstrated this repeatedly, using his speed to take defenders wide and drive hard to the net.
Ritter Coombs (LW, L, 6’0″, 182, Erie Otters, 11/03/2006, Providence)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Coombs is a two-way forward who plays a ‘sandpaper’ style, getting involved in all areas of the ice. He finishes his checks with authority, using his bigger frame to create separation, and when he has possession, he protects pucks well and builds plays from there. He drives the net with purpose and generated several second-chance opportunities, even though he wasn’t able to capitalize.
Luc Plante (LW, L, 5’10”, 172, Erie Otters, 05/21/2007, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Plante has a lot of upside to his game, including his ability to play hard in the defensive zone and support his teammates all over the ice. He back-checks with purpose and swings low in the defensive zone to pick up pucks and initiate transition. He’s a strong skater who stays low to the ice, allowing him to disrupt plays both on the back-check and the forecheck. When he gets the puck, his skill shows – leading to effective puck protection and the creation of offensive chances. Even though he didn’t appear on the scoresheet, he brought a lot to the table and was a true ‘driver’ in all three zones, logging valuable minutes and making plays.
Gabriel Frasca (C, L, 6’0″, 191, Erie Otters, 02/18/2006, Quinnipiac)
Game Rating
B
Frasca’s hockey game is characterized by strong puck control and a keen sense of anticipation. He effectively uses his hockey IQ to navigate through the game, often choosing to hold onto the puck rather than taking unnecessary risks. As a skilled playmaker, Frasca possesses excellent vision and a powerful shot, which he can utilize when given space. He excels on the power play, handling the puck with confidence along the half-wall and using his agility to create scoring opportunities. In tight spaces, Frasco’s edgework is notable, as he uses clever deception to set up his teammates for quality chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Frasca is a solid two-way center who plays a well-rounded yet offensively capable game. He’s reliable in his own end, stopping on pucks, using his long reach, and winning battles to regain possession. He can move pucks up ice efficiently and start transition, using both his speed and size to get to the hard areas, often driving to the net himself and stopping there. He has a nice set of hands and a strong shot, which he utilized in the slot and in tight, creating chances for himself and for his line-mates.
Brett Hammond (RW, R, 6’3″, 198, Erie Otters, 09/08/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Hammond’s well-rounded skill set makes him an asset in various situations on the ice. He effectively controls the puck, demonstrating patience and poise when making decisions. His skating ability allows for smooth transitions through the ice, utilizing powerful strides to cover ground efficiently. His size provides a distinct advantage in physical battles, enabling him to secure pucks along the boards and in open space. As a center, Hammond excels in defense, using his strength and positioning to outmaneuver opponents. In offense, he finds ways to create scoring opportunities through puck possession or aggressive play at the net front. His versatility makes him a valuable asset to his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hammond is a power-forward type who brings physicality but also possesses a high skill set and a strong nose for the net. He drives play through grit and determination, and he understands that success often comes from getting to the front of the goal. He showed that on the game-winning goal, planting himself net-front and finishing on his second attempt, displaying a strong stick and excellent body positioning against his opponents. He has a heavy shot, and his size allows him to get to the middle of the ice and into high-danger areas, generating offense with a shoot-first, drive-to-the-net mentality.
Christian Kirsch (G, L, 6’4″, 204, Kitchener Rangers, 06/18/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Kirsch was solid and gave his team a real chance to win. He shut down the Otters in the third period, keeping the game within reach and preventing the score from getting out of hand. He’s a big goalie who understands his game well – he doesn’t over-challenge, instead playing a bit deeper in his crease and relying on his reads rather than chasing plays. He gets hit in the belly often, which is a good sign that he stays square to shots. He’s not the type to make flashy saves because he rarely puts himself out of position. He also uses the RVH frequently, which helps him seal off plays down low. For a goalie his size, though, there may be times when staying on his feet would benefit him more, keeping him available, square, and big to pucks – especially on low-to-high sequences.
Haeden Ellis (C, R, 5’8″, 172, Kitchener Rangers, 03/07/2007, Northeastern)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Ellis is a speedy forward with an upright skating stride, carrying the puck out in front of him and using his momentum to take defenders wide and drive toward the net. While he didn’t find the scoresheet, he consistently created chances – particularly off the rush – where his teammates were able to move pucks to him in stride, allowing him to lower his shoulder and push into the blue paint. His speed was evident throughout the game, and his ability to make plays while operating at full pace stood out. He also showed a quick-release shot that generated second-chance opportunities.
Jack Pridham (RW, R, 6’1″, 182, Kitchener Rangers, 10/08/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Pridham is a versatile forward who excels with his physical presence and skillset. He consistently wins puck battles and makes smart plays in all three zones, relying on his size and agility to outmaneuver opponents. His ability to create separation allows him to receive pucks and get them towards the net, making him a reliable contributor. In the offensive zone, Pridham’s passing and shooting abilities are notable assets. He can make excellent “no-look” passes and shoot with a quick release, often finding himself in scoring positions. His range and reach with his stick also allow him to hold pucks out in front of him, making it difficult for defenders to check him. Pridham’s skills are complemented by his speed and agility, allowing him to cover a lot of ice on both ends of the rink. He is a solid 2-way winger who can create turnovers with his stick or physicality, and also capitalize on scoring opportunities when presented.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pridham was arguably the best player on the ice. He generated chance after chance through a combination of speed, hockey IQ, and relentless competitiveness. He consistently found his way into scoring areas – both with and without the puck – and funneled pucks to the net any time a lane opened. He drove play with confidence, making those around him better by holding onto pucks, pulling defenders toward him, and distributing to open space at the right moments. He scored twice, and realistically could have had more. His quick release and heavy shot were major weapons, often beating defenders and getting through traffic cleanly. His off-puck game was equally impressive – reading plays early, jumping into lanes, and even delivering a big open-ice hit where he stepped up and made a heavy, momentum-shifting impact. Pridham played fast, played smart, and played hard – a true driver every time he touched the ice.
Andrew Vermeulen (C, L, 6’2″, 222, Kitchener Rangers, 07/01/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Vermeulen is a big, strong center who was effective in the faceoff dot. He’s the type of player who can simply outmuscle opponents in any situation. While skating isn’t his strongest attribute, he consistently wins puck battles and brings a physical presence on the ice. His combination of size, strength, and ability to compete at a relatively high level gives him an element that many players don’t possess.
Christian Humphreys (C, R, 5’11”, 173, Kitchener Rangers, 02/04/2006, Michigan)
Game Rating
B
Humphreys possesses excellent puck control, allowing him to move with precision through tight spaces. He has exceptional vision, often making plays while maintaining head position, which enables him to set up his teammates in scoring areas.
1 Viewing
Comments: Humphreys generated offense, particularly off the rush where he used his speed to attack defenders. He wasn’t shy about taking on one-on-one situations, and he showed that confidence late in the third period when he nearly tied the game with a terrific individual effort – attacking with pace, cutting through the middle, and narrowly missing on a high-quality chance. He showed flashes of brilliance throughout the night, receiving pucks in stride and getting them on net to create both primary and second-chance opportunities. His speed and willingness to challenge defenders made him a consistent threat whenever he had the puck.
Jack LaBrash (C, L, 6’5″, 219, Kitchener Rangers, 03/04/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Labrash made his net-front presence felt all night. He positioned himself perfectly to allow his linemates to get pucks to the net, using his big frame to screen the goalie and create tip opportunities. His long reach allows him to make plays in tight, but he can also simply get his stick on pucks and put them on net. He has plenty of upside in his game, but his strength at the front of the crease is his most dangerous and noticeable attribute.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images