The Erie Otters' regular season resumed Friday, as did Stan Butler's uncertain status as their coach.
Butler has been away from Erie's players and his assistants since Jan. 16. The Otters announced in a news release their indefinite suspension of the veteran Ontario Hockey League coach "due to an ongoing internal review of team policy."
Butler, 68, remained in Erie last weekend while the Otters traveled to eastern Ontario for three games. He also wasn't behind their bench for Friday's dramatic 3-2 shootout victory vs. the Niagara IceDogs at Erie Insurance Arena.
"We're still working through things," Erie general manager Dave Brown said, "but he's not (currently) on the bench and he's not with the team."
Brown declined to answer the reason behind the absence of Butler, who couldn't be reached for comment. His last in-game appearance for Erie was its 5-3 home loss to Sarnia on Jan. 11.
Butler has won more than 800 games as a Canadian Hockey League coach. Erie hired him in February 2023, when he officially replaced the fired B.J. Adams.
Although Brown understood the rising frustration some Otters' fans have expressed over Butler's situation, he still asked for their continued patience.
"Things like this don't change what's happening on the ice," he said.
More: Status of Erie Otters coach Stan Butler remains a mystery after Tuesday press conference
Erie (22-15-3-1) defeated Niagara in a game that lasted four rounds of the OHL's shootout format before a winner was determined.
The Otters also won a game that saw their goaltender, Noah Erliden, and his IceDogs' counterpart, Owen Flores, combine to face 86 shots on net.
That total didn't include the seven saves they made through the first 3 1/2 rounds of the shootout.
Martin Misiak finally ended matters. The center wristed a low shot past Flores' glove side for the game-winner.
"We did a couple shootouts during the morning skate," Misiak said, "and that (shot choice) was working for me. The (earlier rounds) of the shootout also helped me a lot because I saw the angle that (Flores) was cheating to and thought, 'Why not?'"
Erie accomplished a hockey rarity before the shootout.
The Otters' Lucas Ambrosio was whistled for a delay of game when he flicked a puck into the crowd with 14 seconds left in regulation. Erie, though, denied Niagara a goal over that span and the initial 1:46 of the five-minute overtime period.
Sam Alfano and Dylan Edwards scored the Otters' regulation goals early in the second period. Ethan Czata and Ryan Roobroeck comprised the offense for Niagara (26-15-2-2), which will host the Otters on Sunday.
Erie, ahead of that rematch, welcomes the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Contact Mike Copper at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.