The IceDogs will look to split "Rivalry Weekend" after dropping a 3-1 decision in Erie Friday night.
In a game where shots were at a premium and goals were scarce, the visitors from St Catharines were down 1-0 after one.
An early second period marker doubled the Erie advantage before Braidy Wassilyn notched his first of the season at 8:17 of the middle twenty. Liam Spencer and Ivan Galiyanov provided the assists.
Outshot 16-12 after 40 minutes, Krys Barch's team had their best offensive period in the third with a 13-4 shots edge but the tying goal just didn't happen. A final Otters goal closed out the scoring.
The rematch happens Saturday night at the Meridian Centre, as Rudy Pilous and Pierre Pilote will be honored with their banners being raised to the rafters. The IceDogs will be wearing special commemorative jerseys honoring 80 years of Major Junior hockey in St Catharines. New Country 89.1 will have call of the Dogs and the Otters, beginning with the pre-game at 6:45.