Petes Topple Sarnia 7-4, Pick Up Third Straight Win
The Sarnia Sting came to Peterborough on Saturday night for the first match-up between the Petes and Sting this season. Heading into the game, the Sting sat just one point ahead of the Kitchener Rangers for last place in the Western Conference, giving Peterborough a prime opportunity to continue their climb up the standings. Despite a scrappy, no-quit effort from Sarnia, the Petes prevailed, picking up two points in a 7-4 home win.
The Petes dominated the first ten minutes of the game, piling shots and high quality chances on Sting netminder Brodie Barrick. Sarnia held firm, though, and tested Andrew D’Agostini with consistent pressure of their own. It was a goalie show in the first fifteen minutes, but each team found their way onto the score sheet as the period progressed.
Peterborough got things started as Greg Betzold knocked in his sixth of the campaign with a goal at 16:19 of the first assisted by Josh MacDonald. The Petes looked to build on this momentum, but Nickolas Latta silenced the crowd just 27 seconds later with a nifty goal assisted by Nikita Korostelev and Connor Schlichting. Sarnia added to their first period output a few minutes later, taking a 2-1 lead into the locker room despite being outshot 15-10 as Nikolay Goldobin forced a turnover and beat D’Agostini high, continuing his stellar rookie season.
The pace remained quick in the start of the second period as both teams looked to put momentum in their favour. The Sting seemed poised to extend their lead, drawing a powerplay five minutes in, but Nelson Armstrong skated his way to a shorthanded 2-on-1 and found Anthony Stefano for the game-tying goal. Michael Clarke also picked up an assist on the goal at 6:26 of the second period.
Peterborough kept their mojo going as the top line continued their hot streak, with Eric Cornel finishing a play from Hunter Garlent and Nick Ritchie at the 9:32 mark. Once again, though, Sarnia answered less than 30 seconds later as Matteo Ciccarelli picked up his first of the season with 10:00 to play in the second.
With the score tied at three goals apiece, the rivals looked to break things open late in the second stanza. Peterborough continued their solid special teams play as Michael Clarke buried a powerplay marker with 17:13 to play in the second, drawing assists from Nick Ritchie and Nelson Armstrong. This proved to be the last goal of the period, with the mighty maroon and white taking a 4-3 lead into the final frame, leading 27-18 in shots as well.
The Petes got on the board again quickly in the third. After forcing a turnover, Jonatan Tanus wired a wrist-shot short side on Barrick to give the Petes a 5-3 lead assisted by Clarke and Armstrong. Peterborough looked to quicken the pace and keep the pressure on Sarnia, which caused a mix-up leading to Nathan Mater’s first goal of the season, assisted by Ciccarelli and DeAngelo as the Sting again moved within one.
Through the mid-way point of the third, the teams traded chances and both D’Agostini and Barrick were in top form. The Petes showed a heightened level of maturity as the clock ticked down, moving the puck well and picking up two goals within 25 seconds as Garlent scored from Cornel, and Stefano notched his second of the game from Tanus at 15:48.
These would be the last goals of the game as Peterborough picked up its third straight win, toppling the Sting 7-4. Anthony Stefano, Michael Clarke, and Nelson Armstrong were the first three stars, and Hunter Garlent earned the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Hardest Working Player of the Game award. The Petes’ next game is on Sunday afternoon in Ottawa, before returning home to play the Sudbury Wolves on Thursday, January 23rd at 7:05pm. Tickets are still available here, and don’t forget to follow the Petes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates!
