Tuesday, April 8, 2014

One Game One Goal One Win

Troy Donnay (OHL Images)
There was just one game involving a New York Ranger and New York Islander prospect on Monday evening as the Erie Otters were back home for game 3 of their OHL Western Conference Semifinal series against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Otters were looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead and try to avoid having to make a 2nd 1200 mile bus ride.

The thing about the playoffs is sometimes you get goals from the most unlikely of people and as the fantasy script is written, those goals always tend to be big goals. Say hello to Troy Donnay (NYR 2013 UFA) who after 4 seasons in the OHL is finally getting a chance to play in the OHL Playoffs.

Donnay is a "stay at home" defenseman who rarely looks to score so imagine his surprise when he finds the puck on his stick (courtesy of the ErieHighlightReel)



The goal at 6:13 of the 2nd period broke a scoreless tie and eventually would wind up as the game winning goal as the Otters shutout the Greyhounds 2-0 for a commanding 3-0 series lead. It was Donnay's first career playoff goal and he made it count. It was part of a good night for Donnay who earned the game's 2nd star for his efforts

Friend of the blog, Victor Fernandes who covers the Otters for the Erie Times-News caught up with Donnay in the postgame for these comments.



Teammate Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 3rd) was scoreless with a minor for hooking. The Otters will try for the sweep on Tuesday evening.

Gordie Please Draft Him

OK I have been a fan of Devin Williams ever since the skinny 16 yr old make his debut for the then very bad Otters. No matter what the score or circumstance, Williams worked hard. At mid-season, CSB had him at 14th among North American goalies but that was before the Otters made him their playoff goalie.

Since then Williams is 6-0 in his starts with only an overtime relief appearance as his only loss. Williams is 3rd among OHL goalies in the playoffs with his 1.90 goals against, a 0.934 save percentage and 2 shutouts. In looking at the mid-season goalie rankings, there are only 3 other goalies who I would take before Williams but I would grab him in the 2nd round if he lasts that long.

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