Pagé Scores Third in Three Games as Petes Fall to Generals
On Saturday, January 13, the Peterborough Petes hosted the Oshawa Generals at the PMC, kicking off the biggest rivalry in Junior hockey for the first time in 2024. Former Pete Connor Lockhart (a 2023 OHL Champion with Peterborough) made his return to Peterborough for the first time since being traded earlier in the season. The Petes would be looking to snap the Generals three game win streak with a win against their bitter rivals.
With the puck down, the rivalry commenced. A physical first period would see a total of 17 penalty minutes handed out between the two teams. With Oshawa on a five minute power play late in the period, Liam Sztuska stood on his head, stopping multiple chances. In the dying minutes of the power play, a scramble in front of the net saw a loose puck fall right to Dylan Roobroeck who scored to put Oshawa in the lead. Sztuska continued his hot play after the goal, stopping 20/21 first period shots. As the buzzer sounded for the first 20, the Generals led 1-0.
The Petes would take advantage of a power play early in the second to even the score. Just over a minute into the period, Braydon McCallum sent a beautiful cross-ice pass to Caden Taylor. Taylor one-timed the puck past Generals goalie Noah Bender to tie the game up at 1-1. The goal was Taylor’s second in as many games since joining the Petes earlier this week. Oshawa would battle back and score two times in the period, taking a 3-1 lead into the final frame.
Just as they did in the second, the Petes came out strong to start the third. Just over a minute in, Liam Ladds threw a bank pass off the boards that landed right on the stick of Tommy Purdeller. Purdeller made no mistake, beating Bender to get the Petes back within one. With a primary assist on the goal, Ladds picked up his first career OHL point. The Generals would once again battle back with two goals of their own to make it a 5-2 game. With five minutes remaining, Quinton Pagé scored his third goal in three games to keep the Petes hopes alive. Unfortunately, with two minutes left Calum Ritchie hit the empty net to secure the 6-3 win for Oshawa.
Tommy Purdeller led the way for the Petes with a goal and an assist, while Liam Ladds picked up his first OHL point with an assist. Quinton Pagé scored his third goal in three games, with Caden Taylor also scoring on the night. Ryder McIntyre, Jonathan Melee, Brennan Faulkner, and Braydon McCallum all had an assist in the game. Liam Sztuska stopped 48/53 in the loss.
The Petes are back in action on Thursday, January 18 when they host former Petes Konnor Smith, Sam McCue and the Owen Sound Attack. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the PMC. Fans can get tickets by clicking here or by visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office. The game will also be broadcasted on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.
