Petes Pick Up Two Points Following Carroll’s Buzzer-Beater
Sam Alfano recorded his first career multi-goal game and Joe Carroll scored with 53.3 seconds left in regulation to help the Petes edge Kingston 6-5 in Limestone City. Friday night’s victory marks the first time the Petes defeated the Frontenacs this season and is a step in the right direction for 2022.
After an extended 20-day holiday layoff, the well-rested Petes came out of the gate scoring two goals in just over two minutes apart. Alfano picked up his 5th goal of the season and first one tally of the night (and Peterborough’s first goal in 2022) after he deflected Donovan McCoy’s shot in front of Kingston’s netminder Leevi Meriläinen. Keegan McMullen picked up the secondary assist on the play.
Alfano displays beautiful hand-eye coordination to open the scoring ????#GoPetesGo | @SUBWAY pic.twitter.com/MNtxsVb9L4
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 8, 2022
A few moments later, Emmett Sproule forced a turnover in Kingston’s end and fired a cross-ice pass to Samuel Mayer. The defender fired the puck on the net and the Petes 6th overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Nick Lardis picked up the loose puck, displayed amazing patience and completed a wrap-around for his 10th goal of the season.
The recipe for the perfect wrap is smooth hands, speed, and @NickLardis91 ????#GoPetesGo | @OHLHockey pic.twitter.com/FEtXTwocsf
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 8, 2022
After the second goal, Kingston, who hadn’t played in 26 days, finally got their legs moving and found their grove. Like the Petes, the hometown team scored two goals just over two minutes apart to tie up the game. However, just before the period expired, Kingston’s Martin Chromiak scored his 14th goal of the season to give the bad guys a 3-2 lead.
The first half of the middle period was a lot of back and forth hockey, where both teams generated lots of chances to convert. The goals didn’t start until Jax Dubois used his speed out of the Petes zone and unleashed a missile for his second goal of the season.
The speed ????
The snipe ????????
What’s not to like about Dubois’ shorthanded rocket?????#GoPetesGo | @SUBWAY pic.twitter.com/P5gH58y0Gw— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 8, 2022
Later in the period, Lardis sent a pass to Anaheim Ducks prospect Mason McTavish who made no mistake and backhanded the biscuit past Meriläinen for a 4-3 lead! McTavish picked up his 6th goal of the season in just five games since his return.
???? + ???? = ????@AnaheimDucks prospect Mason McTavish nets his 6th of the season with this effortless backhand!#GoPetesGo | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/4RJJGTmzw0
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 8, 2022
As the second winded down, Frasca and Budnick returned fire and potted two quick goals seconds apart to give Kingston a 5-4 lead heading into the final frame.
Early in the third, the Frontenacs were whistled for a hooking infraction and the power play, Alfano one-timed the puck for his second goal of the game and his 6th of the season. Assists went to Justin DeZoete and Samuel Mayer.
DeZoete with the feed, Alfan-GOAL with the finish ????#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/EMQOhjTKcq
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 8, 2022
Despite numerous power play chances for both hockey clubs, neither team could convert. As frustrations started to boil, Kingston was caught by officials with too many men, putting the Petes power play unit on the ice for the eighth time tonight.
Except this time on the powerplay, a puck that was unleashed from Mayer’s stick hit a body out front and Caroll patiently tapped in the puck for a buzzer-beater! Carroll’s 9th goal of the season was assisted by McTavish and Sproule.
CARROLL ON THE DOORSTEP WITH 53.3 SECONDS LEFT ‼#GoPetesGo | @joe_carroll19 pic.twitter.com/SLYSqtubok
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 8, 2022
The Petes would hold on to win 6-5 in Kingston. Final shots were 30-28 in favour of Peterborough. Martin Chromiak, Alfano, and Paul Ludwinski were named the game’s first, second, and third stars.
The Petes are back in action tomorrow night at 7:05 pm against the Frontenacs. We’re asking fans to submit photos and videos of encouraging and supporting messages to our players following the latest restrictions that prevent fans from attending. To find out how you can cheer us on, click here.
