OHL
Barry Sanderson’s big night sent the hapless Erie Otters to their 19th loss in their last 20 games.
Sanderson scored twice and added an assist as the Niagara IceDogs beat the Otters 6-3 Thursday night in the Ontario Hockey League.
Sanderson, who had just four goals in 61 games last season, opened the scoring 1:21 into the first period. His second of the game - and seventh of the season - on a power-play midway through the second period gave Niagara the lead for good as the IceDogs (14-12-0-1) won their second straight.
Niagara moved into a tie for second place in the Central Division with Brampton.
Elsewhere in the OHL it was: Belleville 6 Peterborough 4 and Windsor 8 Kingston 3.
At St. Catharines, Ont., Matt Corrente, Luca Caputi, Andrew Merrett and Chris DeSousa also scored for Niagara, which scored four times in the second period to put the game away. Alex Pietrangelo and Michael Swift added three assists apiece, while Adrian Volpe stopped 32 shots in the win.
Justin Hodgman, Nick Palmeri and Shayne Taylor countered for the Otters (4-19-2-1), who lost their third in a row. Erie ranks last in the OHL in goals scored (69) and surrendered (136) and has just one win in its past 20 games.
Otters netminder Jaroslav Janus made 41 saves in defeat.
Bulls 6 Petes 4
At Peterborough, Ont., Shawn Matthias’s short-handed goal with 1:37 left in regulation gave Belleville a win over the Petes.
Spitfires 8 Frontenacs 3
At Windsor, Ont., Eric Wellwood scored twice to lead the Spitfires to a rout of Kingston.
Source: OHL: Otters take 19th loss in 20 games
