Petes Scatter Generals With Offensive Attack
The Peterborough Petes defeated the historic rival Oshawa Generals by a score of 5-2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre due to an offensive barrage that lasted throughout 60 minutes. Seven Petes recorded a point, including goal scorers Tucker Robertson, Kaspars Ziemens, J.R. Avon, and Jonathan Melee
After withholding the Generals’ early charge, the mighty maroon and white drove possession into the Oshawa zone and generated five unanswered shots. They forced Oshawa goaltender Patrick Leaver to take face offs that inhibited Oshawa’s ability to regain their fast-paced attack. Yet, Oshawa appeared to seize momentum when Avon was sent to the penalty box for two minutes on a hooking call.
The Petes penalty kill moved as a unified unit, blocking shots for Peterborough net minder Michael Simpson. After the puck bounced into the neutral zone, Emmett Sproule picked it up with Tucker Robertson speeding down center ice with one General back. Sproule passed the puck under the Oshawa stick to Robertson, who deked Leaver out of position to slide the puck into the net for Peterborough’s first goal of the night. It was Robertson’s third short handed goal of the season.
Robertson UNDRESSES Leaver to give us a 1-0 lead 🤯#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/bPViP3wTyN
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 30, 2022
The Petes were not done scoring. Ziemens was fed another pass from Sproule while skating in the slot. Ziemens wristed the rubber above Leaver’s shoulders to extend Peterborough’s lead by two goals. It was the sniper’s fifth goal of the season as well as Sproule’s second assist of the evening and sixth point against Oshawa through six games this year.
The Lift Lock City lads started the second period on a power play that produced chances but was unable to capitalize. Back to even strength, the Generals looked to counter, but Peterborough was one step ahead on every shift. A majority of possession was controlled by the Petes and, once again, forced Leaver to cover often. The middle frame saw a rare two minutes of 4-on-4 hockey play out with neither team able to add a tally.
Sproule almost scored a spectacular goal when he sidestepped the Generals’ defence along the near boards and attempted to go backhand-to-forehand across Leaver’s crease, but the goaltender’s poke check tripped the blazing Peterborough forward.
Just two minutes later, Avon punched in a one-time feed on one knee to record his 16th goal of the season and make the score 3-0 in favor of the maroon and white. Nick Lardis stole the puck from the Generals in their zone and passed to the wide open Avon cutting in weak side to score on a half-empty net.
All effort from @NickLardis91 😤#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/C8MfTMaZlJ
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 30, 2022
Oshawa’s power play converted near the end of the period. A cross-ice pass from Gens captain Ty Tullio landed on Brett Harrison’s stick, who then wristed the puck toward the net where Calum Ritchie, standing in front, tipped it behind Simpson to trim Peterborough’s lead.
The final period opened to both teams limiting shots to the outside. The Generals trailed by one after Stuart Rolofs scored his eighth of the season at 8:57 of the period. He was assisted by winger David Jesus.
The mighty maroon and white responded quickly. Ziemens put the Petes ahead by two for the second time less than 90 seconds later. He was assisted by Sproule, who finished the game with three assists.
Melee registered an empty net goal in the game’s final minute. He was assisted by Chase Stillman and Avon.
Leaver made 32 shots on 36 shots faced. Simpson turned aside 29 shots on 31 shots faced.
