RECAP: Walton Scores Twice in Overtime Win over Attack

By: Gabriel Rowland Renaud

On Thursday, February 5, the Peterborough Petes hosted the Owen Sound Attack in front of their 15th sell-out of the season for Country Night presented by KX 105. With a win, the Petes would sweep the season series with the Attack after a 5-3 win in Owen Sound on January 3.

After a back-and-forth start to the game, the Attack struck first, converting off of a tic-tac-toe play. Starting at the blueline, Blake Munnings sauced the puck up the left wall. Jake Crawford collected the pass and used a shooting motion to draw Easton Rye to the left. However, on release, Crawford opted to aim for the front right corner of the crease, coordinating with Cole Zurawski to create a Grade-A scoring chance on the doorstep. With the right side of the net open, a simple tap-in was all that was needed to put the visitors up 0-1 (1st, 10:38).

However, the Petes refused to be rattled by Zurawski’s opening tally. In the subsequent minutes, they drew multiple penalties, and capitalized on their time with the man advantage to take the lead 2-1. On their first goal, Adam Novotný and Kieron Walton worked in tandem to transport the puck through the neutral zone. Novotný even took a hit to ensure the puck was moving the right direction. Meanwhile, Walton blew past his man and cut through the slot diagonally. Attack netminder Matthew Koprowski stayed square, but wasn’t able to get a piece when the towering Peterborough winger opted for a left-sweeping shot from the top of the crease (1st, 14:31); 1-1.

On the following marker, Yanis Lutz took a page out of Crawford’s book. First, he wound up for a slapshot to pull Koprowski out of position. Then, he passed cross-slot to Leon Kolarik who made no mistake, ripping from the right faceoff dot to find twine (1st, 19:34); 2-1. After this late tally, it didn’t take long for the buzzer to sound, concluding the opening frame.

The second period was largely uneventful; it wasn’t until the tail end of the third when things would heat up. Late in the period, the Petes were assessed a match penalty, giving the Attack five minutes of power play time. The Petes were able to hold down the fort initially, but crumbled at around the four-minute mark on the penalty kill. The highly-touted Pierce Mbuyi found a lane and blasted a one-timer from the right faceoff dot, levelling the score at two (3rd, 14:41); 2-2. With time ticking down, it became clear that this game would not be won in sixty minutes. Eventually the buzzer sounded, ending regulation.

With the game now shifting to three-on-three, Petes forwards Walton and Novotný would be all the deadlier. Both possess the straight-line speed to blitz past their man, so a layer less of defensive coverage would afford Walton and Novotný even more scoring opportunities off the rush. Novotný was able to find separation early into overtime, dusting his man and cutting through the crease. Once in prime position, Novotný fired, opting for his tried-and-true backhand. Unfortunately for him, the puck would strike iron and carom off the left post. Walton would try next, entering the zone with speed. Once established in the zone, he circled back searching for an opening. Spotting one, he used his reach to unload a wicked left-sweeping wrister around the Attack player. With no man in this lane, it was one-on-one between Walton and Koprowski. Walton would not be denied. He picked his corner, and ripped the puck cleanly over Koprowski’s shoulder to score, winning the game in overtime.

Kieron Walton led the way for the Petes, scoring twice, while Matthew Perreault had a career high three assists. Leon Kolarik also picked up two points, scoring and adding an assist. Adam Novotný and Yanis Lutz each had an assist in the game. Easton Rye stopped 36, once again tying the league lead with his 27th win of the season.

Game Recap:

First Period:

• Owen Sound Goal (10:38) – Cole Zurawski (19), Assists – Jake Crawford (19), Blake Munnings (2)
• Peterborough Goal (14:31) PP – Kieron Walton (31), Assists – Adam Novotny (23), Matthew Perreult (15)
• Peterborough Goal (19:34) – Leon Kolarik (14), Assists – Yanis Lutz (17), Matthew Perreault (16)

Second Period:

• No Score

Third Period:

• Owen Sound Goal (14:41) – Pierce Mbuyi (26), Assists – John Banks (30), Caden Taylor (16)

Overtime Period:

• Peterborough Goal (4:24) – Kieron Walton (32), Assists – Leon Kolarik (17), Matthew Perreault (17)

The Petes are back in action on Saturday, February 7, when they host the Sudbury Wolves for their Pink in the Rink game. The game is presented by Paris Marine, in support of Survivors Abreast. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. A very limited number of tickets are still available at the Petes Store, or by clicking here. The game will also be broadcast live on YourTV Peterborough, Freq 90.5., and Flo Hockey.