PRE-GAME WARM-UP: Petes @ Bulldogs – Jan. 3 @ 7pm
Since returning from the Christmas break, the Peterborough Petes are 1-0-1-0, putting in a pair of strong performances to kick off the second half of the OHL schedule. Although falling in overtime against the Midwest Division-leading Kitchener Rangers on Monday afternoon, the mighty maroon and white showed signs of good things to come on New Year’s Day.
Hopefully those signs send the squad in the right direction on Wednesday night, as #ptbo takes on the strong and red-hot Hamilton Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs lead the East Division (handily) with 52 points, and have the second best record in the OHL. Hamilton, who had won seven straight games before falling to Niagara earlier this week, have further bolstered their lineup this week by acquiring defenceman Riley Stillman from the Oshawa Generals. Stillman has suited up in 20 career games against the Petes, punctuated by a hat trick (a rarity for defencemen) in the final game of the 2016-17 season.
Hamilton may get yet another boost to their lineup on Wednesday, with the potential return of Slovakian Marian Studenic. Studenic leads the Bulldogs and is second in the OHL with five game-winning goals. The speedy winger was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Junior Championship earlier this week, but before he had an impact on Team Canada…
Ugly sequence here…Jake Bean gets shaken up going into the boards, Marian Studenic takes Bean’s skate in the face pic.twitter.com/vaqmPJDLd8
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 28, 2017
For the Petes, Wednesday’s game will be an important step if the team is to climb back into contention for the conference and division. With half of the season remaining, there is still plenty of time to overtake the Bulldogs, and meeting that goal will start with Dylan Wells between the pipes.
The Edmonton Oilers prospect celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, and is the likely starter against the ‘Dogs. Wellsy previously played on his birthday in 2017, defeating the Kingston Frontenacs a year ago with a 37-save performance.
“It’s a great day to have a great day.” – @dylanwells30
That’s for sure. Happy Birthday, Wellsy! pic.twitter.com/BImQ1VxIU8
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 3, 2018
January 3 also marks the one year anniversary of Nikita Korostelev and Alex Black joining the team. The overagers, who were acquired in a trade before the 2017 deadline, will be looking to play increasingly vital roles for the team in what will be their final OHL playoff stretch runs. Korostelev has scored two goals and five assists in four games against Hamilton so far this year.
Nikita looks great as a Pete! #GoPetesGo @NKoro35 pic.twitter.com/YjeN3izF2Z
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 2, 2017
Jonathan Ang will also be looked upon to be a leader in a Petes resurgence. The speedy Florida Panthers prospect is an impact player in all situations, sitting second the OHL in short-handed goals. His impact on special teams is deterred only by his league-leading 69 penalty minutes.
There will be a short turnaround for the electric city kids, who host the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires on Thursday night at the PMC. Will the Petes get back into top form for the stretch run? Be there to find out! 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.
