Zack Torquato and Mike Cazzola Each Net Pair For Erie Otters In 5-2 Win Over Guelph Storm

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -Zack Torquato and Mike Cazzola each had two goals for the Erie Otters (5-7-2-1) as they completed a winning homestand with a 5-2 victory in front of 4,222 people Wednesday night at Tullio Arena.

Cazzola picked up the first goal for the Otters at 6:42 to tie the game at home. Tyler Hostetter kept the puck in the Guelph zone with a good effort and swept it to Greg McKegg, who flicked it in the slot to Cazzola. He then fired it past the glove of Storm goaltender Matt Hoyle for his fourth goal of the season.

A late first-period goal by Tyler Carroll gave the Storm a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, but the Otters wound up controlling the rest of the game with four unanswered tallies. Andrew Yogan tied up the game 3:44 into the second period with a highlight reel move, carrying the puck on the string behind the net, bringing it to the backhand in the front and sliding it between the legs of Hoyle for his first goal since the Otters’ home opener October 3.

Later in the frame, a costly delay of game penalty by Tim Campbell led to Torquato’s power play tally, the eventual game-winner. Hostetter’s shot from the point was initially blocked, but it went right to Torquato at the side of the net. The Otters captain shot the puck from behind the goal line off the back of Hoyle for his fifth goal of the season at 16:22.

Otters goaltender Shane Owen made several spectacular saves to preserve the Otters lead in the third period, which led to an insurance goal by Torquato at 15:42 thanks to another dazzling display. Yogan split the defenders skating into the Storm zone, deked around Corey Syvret and backhanded a pass to the stick of Torquato, who deflected the puck in for his second of the night.

Cazzola added an empty netter in the final minute to seal the Otters victory. Owen made 30 saves in his first win since September 26 against Saginaw. Yogan (1g, 1a), Torquato (2g), Cazzola (2g) and Hostetter (2a) all had two-point nights.

The Otters return to play Friday night in Kitchener against the Rangers, with the puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The action starts with the Otters Pre-game Show on Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 The Fan at 7:15 p.m. Fans can also listen anywhere online through ottershockey.com.

Commissioner Bud Selig shaved drug suspensions of players and broke the rules of MLB. Will Manny Ramirez and three others do a year? What will happen to dozens of minor league players whose records, teams, and leagues are affected? Read the whole story at SZ ( www.mlnsports.com).