Generals trounce Petes in front half of home-and-home
The Generals won their second straight game over the Petes in Oshawa on Friday night in the first half of a home-and home, sending the Maroon and White back to Peterborough with a 7-2 loss.
It was an all too familiar start for the Maroon and White as the opposition’s first goal came early, just 29 seconds into the game. Oliver Suni backhanded a pass along the boards to Swiss World Junior player Nico Gross who beat Tye Austin with a shot from the point.
The Petes got an early chance to even the score with their first man advantage of the game, but instead Lleyton Moore moved the puck out of Oshawa’s zone to Brett Neumann who took off down the ice before sending a clapper past Austin at 2:54.
The rivals exchanged infractions ahead of the home team’s second power play, which they were eager to convert on. Suni and Brett Harrison connected to find Kyle MacLean who was in prime position to increase Oshawa’s lead to 3-0.
The Generals added a second shorthanded tally and fourth goal of the frame after a neutral zone turnover resulted in a Ryan Stepien breakaway that the Petes’ defenders couldn’t catch up to.
In the final minute of the opening stanza, it was Nick Robertson who again hit the scoreboard first for the Maroon and White. Declan Chisholm’s point shot bounced out to Robertson in the slot who rifled the puck past Jordan Kooy with 48 seconds left on the clock. The marker extended Robertson’s goal streak and Akil Thomas’ assist streak to ten games, respectively.
This goal now reads @nickrob2001 from @chis_decs and @AkilThomas2, which means Thomas’ assist streak is now ten games!#GoPetesGo https://t.co/y5XRaEvHhm
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 1, 2020
The Petes stayed consistent in dominating in the face off circle, but still found themselves down by three goals after 20 minutes.
The good: we scored!
The bad: so did they. Four times.We’ve got some work to do!#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/Av8mY9Nocp
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 1, 2020
Coach Rob Wilson elected to swap netminders as Hunter Jones took to the crease to start the second period.
It took 6:13 for the Generals to solve the Minnesota Wild prospect. A shot from the slot from Suni bounced around the blue paint until MacLean got a stick on the puck and deposited it behind Jones.
Phil Tomasino followed up with his first of the evening 1:56 later, walking the puck out of the corner and into the slot, with Giovanni Vallati earning an assist.
If there was a bright light in this game, it game 11:03 into the middle frame when Curtis Trolley scored his first OHL goal. Called up from the Lindsay Muskies, the Electric City native took a nifty no look pass from John Parker-Jones, with Thomas earning the secondary helper, to put the puck behind Kooy.
????CURTIS TROLLEY – FIRST #OHL GOAL???? The #ptbo native and @LindsayMuskies call-up beats Kooy for his first @OHLHockey tally! Assists: @ParkerJones777 and @chis_decs. 6-2 Generals.#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/qfl2C80ZQf
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 1, 2020
The Maroon and White were awarded with three straight power plays but couldn’t capitalize, leaving Oshawa with a 6-2 lead through 40 minutes of hockey.
Tomasino sealed the deal for the Generals mid-way through the final period, earning Oshawa their second win over the Petes this season.
Final shots were 37-30 in favour of Oshawa.
The Petes wrap up the weekend at the PMC on Saturday, February 1 at 7:05pm with the 11th annual Pink in the Rink game.
Petes alumni and Pink in the Rink honourary co-chairs Mike Martone and Ian Armstrong will take part in a pre-game ceremonial puck drop alongside cancer warrior Neave Alderson, Petes President Dave Pogue, and Canadian Cancer Society Senior Manager Alison Payne.
There will be numerous opportunities to help Pink in the Rink reach their $72,000 goal at the game, including a silent auction, special Pink in the Rink t-shirts, bucket pass, second intermission chuck-a-ball, and post-game live game worn jersey auction.
Tickets for all regular season home games are available through the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person and over the phone at (705) 743-3561 Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm, and 24 hours a day online.
