Petes Score Five Unanswered to Beat Rangers 5-3
On Monday, February 17, the Peterborough Petes hosted the Kitchener Rangers in front of their 16th sold-out crowd of the season for their annual Next Gen game presented by Tim Hortons, in support of Five Counties Children’s Centre. The Petes were looking to follow up a hard fought shootout victory against the Kingston Frontenacs at the PMC on Saturday night, while Kitchener came into the game having won six of their last 10, including a 5-1 win in Ottawa yesterday. Braydon McCallum returned to the Petes lineup after being suspended for the last two games. Zach Bowen was back in net for Peterborough, following his 37 save performance against Kingston.
At a press conference before the game, in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre, the Petes announced the signing of the following Next Gen Staff to one-day contracts:
- Myles Nugent-Horton- Head Coach
- Abbott Nugent-Horton- General Manager
- Gryffin Tucker- Scout
- Saphira Tucker- Assistant Coach
- Damien Beaulieu- In-Game Host
- Alexis Beaulieu- Radio Broadcaster
- Bryor Grimes- PA Announcer
The kids had an opportunity to experience the game up close and personal as a part of the Petes staff.
It was a tough start for Peterborough on the ice, after Kitchener jumped out to a 3-0 lead 11:35 into the opening frame. Down, but not out, Peterborough fought back. With just over two minutes left in the period, Braydon McCallum tipped home a Blake Gowan shot to get the Petes on the board.
With the Rangers leading 3-1 in the second period, Peterborough would find themselves with a two man advantage in the opening two minutes. It didn’t take long for the Petes to capitalize, with Brady Stonehouse scoring his 11th of the season to make it a one goal game. Late in the period, Stonehouse sent a pass to Martin Matejicek, who scored on the backhand to tie the game up heading into the final frame.
Halfway through a back and forth third, Peterborough capitalized off of an offensive zone faceoff. After Brody Partridge won the draw back to Rio Kaiser, the German defenceman sent a pass to Matejicek, who blasted home his second of the game to give Peterborough a 4-3 lead. With the Petes scoring four straight goals, the Rangers were desperate to get one back late. In the final minute of the game, Kitchener pulled their goaltender while on the powerplay to give themselves a two man advantage. After a scramble in front, the puck fell to Jonathan Melee, who hit the empty net from the Petes end to secure the 5-3 victory for Peterborough.
Martin Matejicek led the way for the Petes with two goals, while Brady Stonehouse and Jonathan Melee both scored and had an assist. Braydon McCallum scored, as Blake Gowan, Aiden Young, Liam Ladds, Rio Kaiser, Brody Partridge, and Carson Cameron all picked up an assist. Zach Bowen stopped 31/34, picking up his seventh win of the season.
Game Recap:
First Period:
- Kitchener Goal (:50) – Carson Campbell (3), Assist – Luca Romano (21)
- Kitchener Goal (4:41) – Jack Pridham (19), Assist – Adrian Misaljevic (29)
- Kitchener Goal (11:35) – Andrew Vermeulen (12), Assists – Jakub Chromiak (23), Tanner Lam (34)
- Peterborough Goal (17:22) – Braydon McCallum (7), Assist – Blake Gowan (8)
Second Period:
- Peterborough Goal (2:03) – Brady Stonehouse (11), Assists – Aiden Young (16), Jonathan Melee (11)
- Peterborough Goal (17:47) – Martin Matejicek (9), Assists – Brady Stonehouse (8), Liam Ladds (12)
Third Period:
- Peterborough Goal (13:08) – Martin Matejicek (10), Assists – Rio Kaiser (5), Brody Partridge (4)
- Peterborough Empty Net Goal (19:04) – Jonathan Melee (19), Assist – Carson Cameron (15)
The Petes are back in action on Thursday, February 20, when they host the Brantford Bulldogs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the PMC. Tickets for the game are still available by clicking here, calling (705) 743-3561, or by visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office during office hours. Fans can also catch the game on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.
