Petes Fail to Take Flight in Loss to Spitfires
The Petes failed to rebound from their 7-2 loss against the Eastern Conference-leading Hamilton Bulldogs Thursday evening, falling one goal short to the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires, in a 2-1 loss.
The first period was a solid effort from the Petes as they displayed strong offensive zone entries and outshot the Spitfires. Only one penalty was taken between both teams within the first twenty minutes of puck drop, by Windsor’s Cole Purboo, who visited the the sin bin for two minutes (hooking).
Although solid puck movement between Jonathan Ang and Pavel Gogolev kept fans on the edge of their seats, swift lateral movement and a lighting fast trapper by Michael DiPietro prevented the Petes from making the scoreboard.
Windsor capitalized on DiPietro’s strength as Curtis Douglas picked the puck off a Petes d-man beside Dylan Wells’ post, turning it over in the Spitfires’ favour and sneaking it across to the goal line with eight minutes left in the period.
Nikita Korostelev maintained the puck on his stick for an entire shift, dangling around all five Spitfires, however his speed nor perfect puck handling could fool DiPietro.
The first period ended: 1-0 for Windsor.
The Electric City Kids struggled early on in the second period with some notable breakdowns in the defensive end. The Spits’ continuous puck possession was rewarded with an extra man advantage, when Chris Paquette was sent to the sin bin for slashing.
Chad Denault’s strong stick broke up the Spitfires power play however the rookie was quickly sent off the ice for two minute for the interference and fans were shown some five on three hockey.
A big block by Logan DeNoble at 16:20 and incredible puck tracking by Wells prevented Windsor from capitalizing with the two man advantage.
The momentum quickly swung in the Electric City Kids’ direction when Conor Corcoran was sent off the ice for holding Koro while he was on his way to the net with the puck. Austen McEneny joined his teammate in the sin bin momentarily after for crosschecking a Pete while being involved in a scrum in front of the their net.
Although the Petes were caught stagnant in the defensive end with nine minutes left in the period, once they escaped their own end a clean face off from Ang back to Adrien Beraldo lead to a clapper from Cole Fraser, tying the game for the hometown boys.
FRAZ!! We’re tied at one as @colefraser2 blasts one from the point off the draw!#RISE #GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/YdhAGhcInP
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 5, 2018
Unfortunately the charge was returned to Windsor when Jake Smith beat Osmanski and Wells with a top shelf wrist shot just below the blue line, the period ended with a one goal lead for the Spits.
Again the Petes initiated the third period with weak coverage in the defensive end. However some shining moments between the first year line of Nick Robertson, John Parker-Jones and Denault showed possible opportunities to tie the game.
The Petes were granted an extra skater in the final minute of play, when Purboo took his second penalty of the game for slashing. Nonetheless, even with a pulled goalie the maroon and white came up one goal, finishing the game with a 2-1 loss.
Third Star: Curtis Douglas (64)
Second Star: Cole Fraser (2)
First Star: Michael DiPietro (1)
Hardest Working: Chad Denault
The Petes hit the road Saturday afternoon to take on the Ottawa 67’s before earning a well deserved six days off before returning to the Memorial Centre for a rematch against the Guelph Storm.
???? Tonight’s Petes Education Fund 5050 prize was not claimed!
The winning number is A-249946. If you have the winning ticket bring it into the Petes Office (you have one year to do so).
RAFFLE RESULTS>> https://t.co/I9hnIoUCi9 #ptbo
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 5, 2018
Game tickets are available starting at $8 through the Collins Barrow PMC Box Office, online, or by phone at (705) 743-3561.
Petes Holiday Flex Packs are available while supplies last. Receive four regular bowl flex vouchers to be used between December 30 and January 20, as well as two Petes rocks glasses for just $59.99, a savings of over 40%. Don’t forget to download the free Petes Mobile App, available for iPhone or Android devices.
