Brown scores twice as Otters lose, 6-3

Guelph, Ont. - The Erie Otters came into the third period tied against the Guelph Storm, but three goals in the final 20 minutes gave the Storm a 6-3 win over the Otters Friday night.

The Storm started the game strong as they scored a pair of goals in a span of 62 seconds to take a 2-0 lead 2:22 into the game.

Otters captain Connor Brown helped erase the early deficit with his fifth goal of the season at 13:24. Brown fired a shot from the slot that bounced off the right pad of Garret Sparks and into the net to put the Otters on the board.

Brown tied the game 24 seconds into the second with a power play goal, after a nice play by Connor McDavid. Brown fired a shot through the blocker of Sparks after McDavid forced his way towards the top of the crease from behind the net, allowing the Otters to tie the game at two.

Scott Kosmachuk scored just over four minutes later to put the Storm back in front, but the Otters were able to tie the game for a second time thanks to Spencer Abraham’s first goal with the Otters.

Abraham unleashed a shot from the left half-boards that was stopped by the blocker of Sparks, but the puck went in the air and rolled off his back, giving Abraham his second goal of the season at 13:53.

Tyler Bertuzzi scored the game-winning goal 1:46 into the third to put the Storm in front for good. Despite the Otters’ best efforts in the third, Sparks stopped all 12 shots he faced in the third to prevent the Otters from tying the game for a third time.

Guelph added two goals late in a span of 17 seconds to come through with a 6-3 win.

In addition to Brown’s two goals, J.P. Labardo collected two assists. McDavid extended his point-scoring streak to seven games with the assist on Brown’s second goal of the night.

The Otters return to action Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. against the Mississauga Steelheads at Erie Insurance Arena. For tickets, call 814-452-4857 or go to OttersHockey.com.