Bowen Stops 42 as Petes Fall to Spitfires at Home

The Peterborough Petes were back in action on Thursday as they hosted the Windsor Spitfires at the PMC. The game was in support of Special Olympics Ontario and Law Enforcement Torch Run. Riding a four-game winning streak, the Petes looked to add to their lead atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Petes cracked the CHL Top 10 for the first time this week, taking the eighth spot, while also moving to second in the OHL Power Rankings. The game would also give the home fans their first look at Zach Bowen between the pipes, making his home debut with the Petes.

Before the game, the Petes honoured superfan and longtime Season Ticket Member Lorraine Wagar with a special ring commemorating the Petes 2023 OHL Championship. A season ticket holder for over 65 years, Lorraine was presented with ring #1 of 2500 as a special thank you for her many years of unwavering support.

It wouldn’t take Zach Bowen long to get the crowd behind him. Early in the period, he made a spectacular sliding save to deny the Spitfires a chance to take the lead early. Windsor would eventually find their mark as Jacob Maillet would find the back of the net minutes later. Undeterred by the early goal, Bowen would continue his strong play in the net. He continued to put on a show for the crowd, making save after save, including his second highlight reel sliding save of the period. Despite this strong play by Bowen, Maillet would find his second of the period to give the Spitfires the 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The Petes came out flying as the second period began. With continued pressure, Peterborough looked to get back into the game early. Reigning OHL Cogeco OHL Player of the Week Donovan McCoy would get the Petes on the board five minutes into the period. The captain cut the lead to 2-1 as he buried a cross-ice feed from Owen Beck. 

Minutes later, Beck put his stick skills on display for the crowd, stealing the puck off a Spitfire defender’s stick. Tommy Purdeller picked up the loose puck and returned it to Beck, who tied the game with a one-timer in front of the net. As the Petes looked to have total control of the game, the Spitfires scored a shorthanded goal to make it 3-2. Neither team could find another as the period ended with the Spitfires still leading.

A back-and-forth start to the third saw both teams trading chances early. With both goalies standing tall, neither team could gain an edge. With six minutes left, the Spitfires scored their fourth of the game. Windsor would add an empty netter and take the game 5-2.

Owen Beck led the way for the Petes with a goal and an assist, while Tommy Purdeller added two assists. Reigning Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, Donovan McCoy also had a goal. Zach Bowen stopped 42/46 in the loss.

The Petes are back in action on Friday, November 24, when they travel to Mississauga to face the Steelheads. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. 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.