Sztuska Stops 39 as Petes Fall at Home to Firebirds
The Peterborough Petes were back in action on Thursday, November 27, as they hosted the Flint Firebirds at the PMC for Country Night sponsored by Pure Country 105. After a big win at the PMC on Monday over the Sudbury Wolves, Peterborough would be looking to enter another three game weekend on a high note with a win against their Michigan opponents. Liam Sztuska got the start in net for the Petes, looking for his 8th win of the season.
With the puck dropped and the game underway, the Petes were pressing early. Even with the early pressure, the early period struggles would continue as the Firebirds would be the first to get on the board on a Coulson Pitre rebound. Despite the early setback, Peterborough pushed back and settled the game. As the back-and-forth period marched on, the Petes were not without their chances. A quick shot and two rebound chances for Quinton Page would be the best opportunity for the Petes to tie the game, but it would remain 1-0 as the period ended.
As the second period began, Flint would again find the back of the net early to take a 2-0 lead. Halfway through the first, the Firebirds would strike for the third time in the game on another rebound goal. Down but not out, the Petes pushed hard to find a spark to get them back in it. On a breakout, Owen Beck quickly picked up the puck at the redline. As he entered the zone, he deked past the Flint defender and snapped a shot past the Firebird netminder, Nathan Day, to cut the lead to two. Neither team would find another as they headed to the final frame with Flint ahead 3-1.
Coming out of the dressing room the Petes looked to gain momentum early in the third. Liam Sztuska would give them the spark early, coming up with a big save on a Nolan Dann penalty shot. Peterborough would continue to push, desperate to tie the game, but Flint would score an empty netter to put it out of reach and win the game 4-1.
Owen Beck would get the lone goal on the night, while Chase Lefebvre and Carson Cameron picked up an assist each. Liam Sztuska stopped 39/42 in the loss.
The Petes are back in action Saturday, December 2, when they host the North Bay Battalion. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m at the PMC. Limited tickets are still available by clicking here. The game will also be broadcasted on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.
