Petes Comeback Falls Just Short in Loss to Bulldogs
On Thursday, February 20, the Peterborough Petes hosted the Brantford Bulldogs at the PMC for the final time this season. The Petes were coming off of back-to-back wins against two very strong teams in the Kingston Frontenacs and Kitchener Rangers, sitting seven points back of the North Bay Battalion for the final playoff spot in the East. The Bulldogs came into the game as one of the hottest teams in the OHL, having won 16 of their last 18.
Late in the second period, the Petes found themselves in some trouble, with Brantford leading by a score of 4-1. The Bulldogs four goals included a hat trick by former Pete and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis, who scored his 58th, 59th, and 60th goals in the game. After a huge save by Zach Bowen kept Lardis from getting his 61st in the dying minutes of the period, Peterborough would gain some momentum heading into the final frame.
The third period was all Petes from the drop of the puck. Peterborough pushed hard, desperate to get back into the game. Halfway through the frame, Body Partridge got a piece of a Genc Ula shot, tipping it past Bulldogs goaltender Ryerson Leenders to get within two. Under a minute later, Braydon McCallum stripped the puck from a Brantford defender, spinning and scoring on a quick release to make it 4-3. The Petes kept pushing, outshooting Brantford 23-7 in the period, but just could not get a bounce late, as the Bulldogs held on to their lead, winning 4-3.
Adam Levac, Brody Partridge, and Braydon McCallum scored for the Petes, while Francis Parish, Carson Cameron, Genc Ula, and Caden Taylor all picked up an assist. Zach Bowen stopped 27/31 in the loss.
Game Recap:
First Period:
- Brantford Goal (4:11) – Nick Lardis (58), Assist – Patrick Thomas (66)
Second Period:
- Peterborough Goal (6:38) – Adam Levac (5), Assists – Francis Parish (8), Carson Cameron (16)
- Brantford Goal (9:16) – Marek Vanacker (18), Assists – Jake O’Brien (52), Thomas Budnick (13)
- Brantford Goal (13:24) – Nick Lardis (59), Assist – Patrick Thomas (67)
- Brantford Goal (16:59) – Nick Lardis (60), Assists – Jake O’Brien (53), Tomáš Hamara (40)
Third Period:
- Peterborough Goal (11:06) – Brody Partridge (4), Assists – Genc Ula (5), Caden Taylor (13)
- Peterborough Goal (12:02) – Braydon McCallum (8), Unassisted
The Petes are back in action on Saturday, February 22, when they travel to Barrie to face the Barrie Colts. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Sadlon Arena. Fans can catch the game on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.
