Strome’s record setting performance lifts Erie over Saint John at Memorial Cup

Dylan Strome had a tournament record four goals and three assists and Taylor Raddysh added two goals and four helpers as the Erie Otters routed the Saint John Sea Dogs 12-5 on Monday at the Memorial Cup.

Strome’s seven-point outing broke the tournament singlegame record of six, which had been reached four times. The last time was Mike Mathers in 1992. Erie’s 12 goals also set a new record.

Darren Raddysh struck twice and had two assists, Anthony Cirelli and Alex DeBrincat each scored once and set up three more, while Kyle Maksimovich and Ivan Lodnia added the others for the Ontario Hockey League champion Otters (2-0). Troy Timpano made 18 saves.

Cedric Pare scored twice while Mathieu Joseph, Spencer Smallman and Julien Gauthier had the others for the Sea Dogs (0-2), the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champs. Callum Booth gave up five goals on 14 shots before being pulled in favour of Alex D’Orio, who made 18 saves in relief.

The Otters next play host Windsor (2-0), with the winner going straight to the championship game while the loser will play in the semifinal. Saint John concludes the round robin against Western Hockey League champion Seattle (0-2). The victor will grab a spot in the semis, with the loser calling it a season.

Erie beat Booth with four of its first eight shots to take an early three-goal lead. Timpano didn’t fare much better early, allowing two goals on the first three shots his way.

Taylor Raddysh opened the scoring, a wrister high glove on Booth just 1:06 in.

Pare tied it for Saint John at 5:43. But it didn’t stay even long as Darren Raddysh put a point shot that deflected off Sea Dogs defenceman Thomas Chabot in front only 57 seconds later.

Maksimovich toe-dragged the puck into the slot and snapped it past Booth at 8:33 to make it 3-1.

Strome one-timed it past a sprawling Booth for a three-goal lead with 9:49 to go in the period. The play was reviewed for offside, but the call stood after video footage was inconclusive.

Joseph one-timed a pass from Chabot from the right face-off circle to cut Saint John’s deficit to two at 13:32.

Cirelli scored on a wraparound with less than four to play in the first, ending Booth’s night.