Faulkner Scores, Adds Two Assists as Petes Sweep Season Series Against Spirit
On Thursday, January 23, the Peterborough Petes hosted the Saginaw Spirit at the PMC in front of their 13th sell-out of the season for Hawaiian Beach Night presented by Trent University. Peterborough would be looking too sweep the season series against the Spirit, after picking up a 2-1 win in Saginaw in November.
After the Spirit went up 3-0 in the first 10 minutes, the game looked like it would be a repeat of last week. Down but not out, Peterborough would fight back with two goals before the end of the period, including an Aiden Young shorthanded effort that would end up being the OHL Play of the Night.
After cutting the deficit to one, Caden Taylor connected with Braydon McCallum who tied the game just under seven minutes into the second period. After Saginaw took the lead again, Martin Matejicek scored his first of two goals on the night to tie it right back up. Just when it looked like the game would stay tied heading into the final frame, Genc Ula fired home his second goal of the year with 40 seconds remaining in the period, giving the Petes their first lead heading into the third.
Peterborough would start the third by scoring twice in the first six minutes, extending their to 7-4 with 14 minutes remaining. Not giving up, Saginaw added two goals late, but a Braydon McCallum empty netter would seal the deal for the Petes, as they won the game by a score of 8-6. Fans can catch the highlights of tonight’s game by clicking here.
Braydon McCallum led the way for the Petes with two goals and an assist, while Brennan Faulkner had a goal and two assists. Martin Matejicek (2G), Aiden Young (1G, 1A), and Jonathan Melee (1G, 1A) all had two-point nights, as Genc Ula rounded out the scoring with his second of the year. Rio Kaiser (first OHL point), Caden Taylor, and Colin Fitzgerald all had an assist in the game. Zach Bowen earned his fourth win of the year, making 24 saves in the process.
Game Recap:
First Period:
- Saginaw Goal (17:48) – Kristian Epperson (18), Assists – Michael Misa (39), Ethan Weir (2)
- Saginaw Goal (3:13) – Michael Misa (38), Assist – Kristian Epperson (35)
- Saginaw Goal (9:40) – Brody Najim (2), Assists – Michael Misa (40), Xander Velliaris (4)
- Peterborough Goal (16:22) – Aiden Young (11), Assist – Brennan Faulkner (8)
- Peterborough Goal (19:34) – Jonathan Melee (16), Assist – Brennan Faulkner (9)
Second Period:
- Peterborough Goal (6:40) – Braydon McCallum (4), Assist – Caden Taylor (11)
- Saginaw Goal (12:24) – Hayden Barch (1), Assists – Carson Harmer (14), Dimian Zhilkin (12)
- Peterborough Goal (14:04) – Martin Matejicek (6), Assists – Braydon McCallum (13), Zach Bowen (1)
- Peterborough Goal (19:20) – Genc Ula (2), Unassisted
Third Period:
- Peterborough Goal (3:03) – Brennan Faulkner (3), Assist – Rio Kaiser (1)
- Peterborough Goal (5:58) – Martin Matejicek (7), Assists – Aiden Young (12), Colin Fitzgerald (14)
- Saginaw Goal (15:48) – Jacob Cloutier (13), Assists – Zayne Parekh (36), Michael Misa (41)
- Saginaw Goal (16:24) – Dimian Zhilkin (7), Assists – Kristian Epperson (36), Jacob Cloutier (19)
- Peterborough Empty Net Goal (17:33) – Braydon McCallum (5), Assist – Jonathan Melee (7)
The Petes are back in action on Friday, January 24, when they travel to Oshawa to take on the rival Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Tribute Communities Centre. Fans can catch the game on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.