Melee Scores Twice in Home Loss to Steelheads
The Petes took on a team from Brampton for the first time since 2013 on Thursday as they welcomed 2023 OHL Champion Konnor Smith and the Brampton Steelheads to the PMC. It was the first of three games in three days for Peterborough, which includes a home and home series with the Steelheads that concludes Friday night in Brampton.
The Petes got off to a hot start in the game after Jonathan Melee banked a puck off of a Steelheads defender and into the net. The goal was Melee’s 17th of the season and gave Peterborough a 1-0 lead only 44 seconds into the game. A minute later, Blake Gowan sent a cross-ice pass to Brennan Faulkner, who sprung Colin Fitzgerald on a breakaway. Fitzgerald made no mistake, beating Steelheads goaltender Brayden Gillespie on the backhand to double the Petes lead. Brampton would add a goal late in the period, making it 2-1 heading into the second.
After Brampton tied the game in the middle frame, the Petes would find themselves on a five on three power play early in the third period. On the two man advantage, Jonathan Melee picked up a rebound, beating Gillespie top-shelf to give Peterborough their lead back. Brampton fought back and scored twice in the period, picking up their first lead of the game with under five minutes remaining. After two Brampton penalties, including a cross-checking major, the Petes once again had a two man advantage. Despite the advantage, the bounces just wouldn’t go Peterborough’s way, with Brampton skating to a 4-3 victory.
Jonathan Melee led the way for the Petes with two goals, giving him a team leading 18 on the season. Colin Fitzgerald also scored, while Quinton Pagé, Gavin Bryant, Brennan Faulkner, Blake Gowan, Caden Taylor, and Braydon McCallum all had an assist. Zach Bowen stopped 35/39 in the loss.
Game Recap:
First Period:
- Peterborough Goal (:44) – Jonathan Melee (17), Assists – Quinton Pagé (8), Gavin Bryant (11)
- Peterborough Goal (2:00) – Colin Fitzgerald (10), Assists – Brennan Faulkner (11), Blake Gowan (5)
- Brampton Goal (14:09) – MacGregor Richmond (4), Assist – Kieran Witkowski (9)
Second Period:
- Brampton Goal (16:20) – Jakub Fibigr (4), Assists – Porter Martone (42), Spencer Sova (21)
Third Period:
- Peterborough Goal (1:26) – Jonathan Melee (18), Assists – Caden Taylor (11), Braydon McCallum (14)
- Brampton Goal (7:48) – Porter Martone (23), Assist – Carson Rehkopf (31)
- Brampton Goal (14:45) – Lucas Karmiris (7), Assists – Mason Zebeski (12), Parker Von Richter (12)
The Petes are back in action on Friday, January 31, when they travel to Brampton to complete a home and home with the Brampton Steelheads. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the CAA Centre. Fans can catch the game on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.