As seen on AlongtheBoards.com
The endless string of accomplishments continued for Connor McDavid Sunday night.
The native of Richmond Hill, Ontario scored his 100th OHL goal in what was his 178th game in the league between the regular season and playoffs. The top prospect in this year’s NHL Entry Draft reached that feat when he tallied in the Erie Otters’ 5-1 win over the Kitchener Rangers in Erie, Pa.
The captain of the loaded Otters squad has been on a tear since coming back from a broken hand suffered in a fight before the World Junior Championships this season.
With just three regular season games remaining, McDavid is having no trouble getting on the score sheet. “Dave-o”, as he is known by his teammates and the Otters’ staff, has scored an astounding 43 goals, 72 assists and 115 points in just 45 games in 2014-15.
The Otters are so stacked, that McDavid is second on the team in points. He is right behind Dylan Strome, who is likely to go in the top 10 in this year’s draft as well. Strome — the younger brother of New York Islanders forward Ryan — has 39 goals, 78 assists and 117 points for Erie. Strome has appeared in 20 more games than McDavid this season.
Thanks to their high-powered offense and improved play in the net, the Otters are poised to make a long playoff run. Erie’s only question mark this season has been goaltending. Devin Williams, a 19-year-old native of Saginaw, Mich., has put to rest any questions about his play.
“We always believed in him. We always knew he was much better than what he was showing [earlier in the season],” McDavid said about their No. 1 goaltender. “Devin has always played well for this organization. For whatever reason, he was going on a slide. But it’s nice to see him put together his game.
“We have a certain swagger. Knowing he’s back there that if we miss a play or miss a check, we have a pretty good idea of what he’s going to do and that he’s going to stop it. That’s huge for this team, and it’s a big help.”
McDavid sees the Otters as a team hitting their stride at the right time.
“We’ve had our growing pains, but it’s good to see our chemistry come together,” he said. “Remi [Elie] and Alex [DeBrincat] have been playing some great hockey, especially Rem. He’s been playing great hockey all weekend. They’re definitely some fun guys to play with.”
When asked if the Otters are playoff ready, McDavid seemed confident, but knew they still had to refine a few things.
“We have some stuff to work on,” he said. “It’s certainly better than it was a few weeks ago. We’re feeling pretty good and confident.”
Injuries have also hampered the Otters of late.
“We’re going to miss [Kyle Pettit],” McDavid said. “He’s our best faceoff guy, blocks a lot of shots and chips in offensively as well. He’s the total package; he’s the glue that keeps this team together. We’re going to need some guys to step up.”
Pettit, the sixth-round draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2014, suffered a broken knuckle blocking a shot last week against Windsor. His hand does not need surgery, but according to the team, he will be out for the foreseeable future. In his third year in the OHL, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound center has totaled 16 goals and 27 points in 60 games for the Otters this year.
The Otters will finish the regular season on the road in stops in Windsor, Plymouth and in St. Catherine’s against the Niagara IceDogs. Dates for the first round of the OHL playoffs have yet to be released, but it seems Erie will open up playing the Sarnia Sting Thursday and Friday next week at home. Erie took the season series, 3-1, outscoring the Sting 22-10. The Otters’ explosive offense, paired with strong goaltending should help them advance to the second round without much difficulty.
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