Beck Has Four Assists as Petes Get Back in the Win Column Against Brantford
The Peterborough Petes were back in action on Sunday afternoon as they hosted the Brantford Bulldogs at the PMC in front of a sellout crowd for Faith and Family Day. As part of the Faith and Family day game, former Petes Captain and ex NHLer Slater Koekkoek returned to the PMC to speak to fans post game. The game marked the third meeting between the division rivals this year, with the Petes looking to take a 3-0 lead in the season series. Peterborough would receive extra help as Carson Cameron returned to the lineup, fresh off winning a gold medal with Canada White at the World U17 Hockey Challenge last night.
Despite a quick start for the Petes, the Bulldogs were the first to find the back of the net. Just two minutes in, Florian Xhekaj put home a loose puck to give the Bulldogs the early 1-0 advantage. Unfazed by the early goal, the Petes continued to battle back.
Peterborough’s first opportunity would come on a Bulldogs penalty halfway through the period. As Owen Beck brought the puck back to the point, he made a quick no-look pass to Tommy Purdeller on the wall. Purdeller spotted Sam McCue in the slot, who redirected the puck past Bulldogs goaltender Matteo Drobac for his fifth of the season. As the period expired, neither team would find another goal as the first 20 ended 1-1.
Once again, in the second period, Brantford would find their stride early. Just seconds into the middle frame, Nick Lardis would find the back of the net not once, but twice in ten seconds to stun the Petes and give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead. The Petes didn’t let that get them down, and battled to retake control of the game.
Just minutes after the back-to-back goals, Konnor Smith would get Peterborough back in it. Smith’s blistering point shot was in and out so fast that the play continued for another two minutes before finally being called back. After Smith cut the lead to 3-2, Owen Beck won a draw cleanly back to Sam Mayer, who one-timed a shot top shelf to tie it at 3-3.
As the Petes continued to control the game, Chase Lefebvre would get the final goal of the frame. Crashing the net, he potted an Owen Beck rebound and gave the Petes the lead for the first time. The Petes held onto the 4-3 lead as time expired in the second period.
As the third period began the Petes were quick to take control from the drop of the puck. Unfortunately for the Maroon and White, the Bulldogs would get a chance to equalize the game on the power play midway through the period. Patrick Thomas would find Marek Vanaker for the tying goal, sending the game to overtime.
Late in the overtime period, the Petes continued pressure forced a Bulldogs penalty. Peterborough capitalized on the man advantage as Sam Mayer put home his second of the game to give the Petes the 5-4 win in extra time.
Owen Beck led the way for the Petes with four assists, while Sam Mayer scored twice, including the OT winner. Sam McCue, Konnor Smith, and Chase Lefebvre rounded out the scoring with a goal each. Tommy Purdeller and Donovan McCoy both picked up two assists on the night. Liam Sztuska stopped 30/34 in the overtime win.
The Petes are back in action on Thursday, November 16, when they travel to North Bay to face the North Bay Battalion. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m at North Bay Memorial Gardens. Fans can catch the game at the Official Road Game Watch Party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough. The game will also be broadcasted on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.
