Game played 1/17/2025.
General Game Notes: January 17th, 2025 – OHL action between away team, Erie Otters and home squad Ottawa 67’s. The away team stole the points on the road led by a two goal performance from Pano Fimis #98 and 28 saves from Noah Erliden #1. Final score, Erie 4, Ottawa 1.
Noah Erliden (G, L, 5’11”, 183, Erie Otters, 09/09/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Erliden is a poised, confident goaltender who plays with control and composure in the crease. Although just under 6 feet, he doesn’t appear undersized due to his strong positioning and quick reflexes. He has a calm demeanor, rarely over-challenging shooters but instead reading the play well and staying patient. His ability to stay square to the puck and track it efficiently allows him to make some tough saves look easy. Erliden moves fluidly from side to side, especially on the penalty kill, where his anticipation and reaction time are key assets.
Garrett Frazer (D, R, 6’0″, 185, Erie Otters, 02/10/2006, Northeastern)
Grade: C+
Comments: Frazer is a gritty penalty killer with an active stick, disrupting plays and blocking shots effectively. He’s tough in high-pressure situations, as shown during a critical 5-on-3 penalty kill (in the first period) where he played a key role in preventing a goal. His willingness to sacrifice his body and make timely defensive plays makes him a reliable contributor on the kill.
Ty Henry (D, R, 6’3″, 212, Erie Otters, 07/19/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Henry is a physical, stay-at-home defender who thrives in a gritty, in-your-face style of play. Using his size and strength, he consistently punishes opponents along the boards and in front of the net, making him a tough match-up in physical battles. His reach and positioning are assets on the penalty kill, as he excels at closing shooting lanes, disrupting passes, and using his long stick to win puck battles. While not known for offensive production, he plays a key role in shutting down opposing attacks and providing a reliable defensive presence in his own zone.
Callum Hughes (C, L, 6’1″, 186, Erie Otters, 01/22/2006, Boston University)
Grade: B
Comments: Hughes is a well-rounded forward who blends skill and grit, leading to a responsible game at both ends of the ice. His grit doesn’t come from big hits but from his willingness to get into the corners, support puck battles, and battle hard on his stick. Hughes is a smart passer on the breakout, making clean, accurate passes to transition the puck up ice. His speed allows him to be a constant threat on the rush, using his quickness to create scoring chances.
Malcolm Spence (LW, L, 6’1″, 205, Erie Otters, 09/22/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Spence is a strong-skating, two-way forward who excels at both ends of the ice. He’s committed defensively, back-checking hard into his own end, stopping on pucks, and supporting his teammates. His strength on his skates and with his stick makes him tough to knock off the puck, and he’s not afraid to battle in the tough areas. Offensively, Spence takes the puck to the net with purpose, using his skill to make plays off the rush. With a solid blend of physicality and offensive upside, he has a natural ability to make his teammates better while contributing at both ends of the ice.
Sam Alfano (RW, R, 6’4″, 210, Erie Otters, 01/18/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Alfano is a powerful forward who excels at creating space for his linemates through his physical play. He forechecks aggressively, using his size to win puck battles along the boards and often coming up with the puck. Once he gains possession, he drives to the net, using his strength to lean on defenders and create room for himself and his teammates. While not the fastest skater, Alfano plays a smart, effective game, using his vision and skill to make plays. He’s capable of making accurate chip passes and understands where his teammates are on the ice, which helps him in line rush scenarios.
Wesley Royston (RW, R, 6’3″, 174, Erie Otters, 11/22/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Royston displays raw talent, particularly in his forechecking and net-front presence. He keeps his feet moving, using his size and long reach to smother opponents and force turnovers. His physicality on the forecheck allows him to disrupt plays and regain possession. Royston also establishes a strong presence in front of the net, using his size to battle for position and create chaos for opposing goalies. While still refining his overall game, his tenacity and physical style make him a promising player.
Pano Fimis (C, R, 5’11”, 185, Erie Otters, 06/17/2004, Notre Dame)
Grade: A-
Comments: Pano Fimis is a versatile, hardworking player who excels in all areas of the game. He plays in all situations, including penalty kill, power play, and heavy 5-on-5 minutes, making him a key contributor in crucial moments. With a ‘water-bug’ mentality, he uses his speed and tenacity to forecheck aggressively, creating turnovers and quickly transitioning the puck. Fimis has a relentless hunger for the puck, often coming out on top in battles. He’s not afraid to go to the hard areas, including the net, where he’s willing to take a hit to make a play. A skilled playmaker and shooter, Fimis makes those around him better with his vision and ability to create offense. He’s the type of player you want on your team to either win the game for you, or prevent the other team from winning in the last minutes of the game.
Collin MacKenzie (G, L, 6’0″, 175, Ottawa 67s, 11/30/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Mackenzie is a technically sound goaltender who relies on his strong skating and positioning to succeed. Despite being slightly undersized, he excels at staying square to shooters and uses his mobility to track pucks and challenge effectively. He gets out on top of his crease to cut down shooting angles, often swallowing up the first shot and eliminating rebound opportunities. Mackenzie is also adept at fighting through traffic, maintaining tight hand positioning to minimize holes and keep pucks under control. His attention to detail and efficient movement make him a reliable presence in the crease.
Frankie Marrelli (D, L, 5’11”, 190, Ottawa 67s, 02/16/2006)
Grade: B-
Comments: Marrelli is a precise and decisive playmaker with a strong passing game. He snaps crisp, tape-to-tape passes in all three zones, keeping his head up and surveying the ice for the best options. His puck handling and decision-making are sharp, as he doesn’t second-guess himself, which helps him maintain a quick pace. Offensively, he consistently gets shots to the net, finding shooting lanes and creating opportunities.
Jack Dever (RW, L, 5’10”, 180, Ottawa 67s, 01/01/2005)
Grade: C+
Comments: Dever is a hard-working, physical player who isn’t afraid to finish his checks and bring an edge to the game. He plays with a competitive spirit, often trying to create a spark for his team through his physicality. While not a flashy player, Dever is effective in his approach, making simple but impactful plays and getting pucks to the net with determination.
Kohyn Eshkawkogan (D, R, 5’9″, 165, Ottawa 67s, 11/19/2008)
Grade: B+
Comments: Eshkawkogan is a confident, skilled player who shines on the power play. He handles the puck with poise, minimizing turnovers, and positions himself effectively in shooting lanes to generate scoring chances. His one-timer is a key asset, as he gets his body/hands low to the ice and shoots with his head up. Defensively, he has room for improvement, but he’s effective in moving the puck out of his zone and transitioning up ice. His strong skating allows him to join the rush and support offensive plays when needed. Overall, Eshkawkogan’s offensive skill set and ability to contribute on special teams make him an intriguing prospect.
Luca Pinelli (C, L, 5’9″, 165, Ottawa 67s U16, 04/05/2005)
Grade: A
Comments: Pinelli was a threat every time he touched the puck. He is a gifted forward who has the ability to do everything at full speed. He is a threat off the rush because he can beat you with his speed. He is a threat in zone and on the PP, because his ability to get to open ice and utilize his quick release. He scored the 67’s only goal on the PP by catching a puck, cutting to the inside ice, attacking the flank and ripping a quick released shot that beat the goaltender top shelf. Although his speed, hockey sense and talent stood out, his shot was his most powerful asset having the ability to beat a goaltender cleanly, or create second chance opportunities.
Matthew Mayich (D, L, 6’2″, 200, Ottawa 67s, 12/21/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Mayich is a rangy defenseman with excellent poise and vision. In his own end, he doesn’t rely on the easy glass-and-out plays, instead showing patience by waiting for the right option and making precise tape-to-tape passes. He plays with his head up, always aware of the play developing around him. With a strong hockey IQ, Mayich reads the game well both with and without the puck, making smart decisions that help drive the play forward.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images