Faulkner Scores First OHL Goal as First Place IceDogs Beat Petes in Shootout
It was Halloween at the PMC for a rare Tuesday night matchup, as the Peterborough Petes hosted the Eastern Conference leading Niagara IceDogs. The Petes wore their alternate black uniforms for the first time this season, hoping it would give them some luck as they were still on the hunt for their first win of the campaign. Peterborough was without Colin Fitzgerald and Blake Gowan, while Niagara was missing Braidy Wassilyn as all three players headed to Sarnia to represent Canada at the 2024 U17 World Challenge. Zach Bowen was between the Pipes for the Petes, making his sixth straight start.
A back-and-forth first 20 would see some good hockey played by both sides. Both teams had their opportunities to score with Bowen and Niagara goaltender Owen Flores both standing tall in net. An unfortunate bounce in the final minute of the period would give Niagara a 1-0 lead, following a lengthy review that determined that the puck did in fact cross the line. That would be it for the first, as the IceDogs took their lead into the break.
Peterborough came out firing in the second, working hard for an equalizer. Halfway through the frame, Adam Levac forced a turnover and sprung Nico Addy and Brennan Faulkner on a two on one. Addy fed Faulkner with a perfect pass, who then proceeded to beat Flores and score his first OHL goal which tied the game at 1-1.
Both goaltenders took over from there, keeping the game scoreless into overtime. A late Petes power play in the extra period would see Peterborough get a few chances, but they would be unable to finish the game, leading to the Petes second shootout in their last three games. After not seeing a goal for the first five shooters, the game came down to Ryan Roobroeck who beat Bowen on the forehand to give Niagara a 2-1 win.
Zach Bowen led the way for the Petes, stopping 45/46 in the loss, while also stopping 2/3 shootout shots and being named first star of the game. Brennan Faulkner had the lone goal for the Petes, scoring his first in the OHL.
Game Recap:
First Period:
- Niagara Goal – Ethan Czata (3), Assists – Ryan Roobroeck (6), Blair Scott (2)
Second Period:
- Peterborough Goal – Brennan Faulkner (1), Assists – Nico Addy (4), Adam Levac (2)
Third Period:
- No Score
Overtime Period:
- No Score
Shootout:
- PBO – Caden Taylor (No Goal)
- NIAG – Kevin He (No Goal)
- PBO – Nico Addy (No Goal)
- NIAG – Andrei Loshko (No Goal)
- PBO – Jonathan Melee (No Goal)
- NIAG – Ryan Roobroeck (Goal)
The Petes are back in action on Friday, November 1, when they travel to Kingston to take on the Kingston Frontenacs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Slush Puppie Place. The game will be broadcasted on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.