Petes Outrun By Wolf Pack
Peterborough native and New Jersey Devils prospect Chase Stillman scored Peterborough’s only goal in a 7-1 loss against the Sudbury Wolves in the Big Nickel. Stillman’s 15th goal of the season was against his former team and extended his point streak to six games.
From the opening faceoff, the Petes came out generating a ton of chances but Wolves’ starter Mitchell Weeks turned aside all shots. After tremendous pressure in Sudbury’s zone, the Wolves turned around and gave it right back to Peterborough. As they entered Peterborough’s zone, Sudbury native Josh Kavanagh was whistled for a questionable slashing infraction, putting the Petes’ PK unit out on the ice.
The Wolves passed the puck around for a few moments putting Peterborough out of sync before Evan Konyen sent a cross-ice pass to Dallas Stars prospect Jacob Holmes, who blasted the puck from the point. The puck went through traffic and beat Tye Austin to open the scoring.
Just before the period expired, first overall pick in the 2021 Priority Selection Quentin Musty entered the Petes zone at a high speed and went around a defenceman and beat Austin five-hole to double up their lead over the Petes. Sudbury headed into the locker room with a 2-0 lead and led with 10 shots while the Petes fired nine.
The Wolves scored just before the period expired ????#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/bIhabh0U1P
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 18, 2022
The second period started with four-on-four hockey as Chase Stillman and his former teammate Kocha Delic participated in extracurricular activities after the first period. With all the extra ice, Tucker Robertson nearly completed a wrap-around to cut the Wolves lead in half, but Weeks continued to play well.
That was as close as Peterborough got a chance in the middle period as the Wolves scored three goals including two in 1:07 seconds. The first goal was from former Pete Alex Pharand after he fired a shot past Austin to make it 3-0. Later in the period, Holmes fired a point shot for his second of the game and just over a minute later, Nolan Collins scored his first career OHL goal to give the Wolves a 5-0 lead.
Just before the period expired, Jonathan Melee skated into the offensive zone and fired a shot just over Weekes’ shoulder, but rang it off the crossbar. Both Peterborough and Sudbury fired 10 shots in the middle period.
Lookin’ to score ???????? pic.twitter.com/2Irb6msFhv
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 18, 2022
Michael Simpson lead out the Petes to start the third period after Coach Wilson made a switch in the crease. There were many back-and-and fourth chances for both clubs but ultimately it was Liam Ross who took the Petes momentum away after he made it 6-1 for the Wolves.
The Petes didn’t let that drag them down and was eager to prevent Weekes from getting his first career OHL shutout. After a down low cycle, Philadelphia Flyers prospect sent a beautiful pass to Stillman, who was all alone in the slot and he fired the puck past Weekes.
STILLER FROM THE SLOT ????#NJDevils prospect @chasestillman61 fires in his 15th of the season against his former team after @Avonjr_1010 finds him out front!#GoPetesGopic.twitter.com/92hkQ6DAwC
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 18, 2022
The Wolves scored one more before the final buzzer sounded in the Big Nickel. The final shots were 32-27 for Sudbury.
The Petes will be forced to forget this loss as they’re back in action tomorrow night against the North Bay Battalion.
