Rye Stops 46 For First Career Win as Petes End Knight’s 14-Game Win Streak
Photo courtesy of the London Knights
Just 24 hours after a hard fought loss against the rival Ottawa 67’s at home, the Peterborough Petes were in London to take on Michael Simpson and the London Knights. The game was the Petes first time back in London since the 2023 OHL Championship Series, which Peterborough won in six games to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup. In the only other meeting between the two teams this season, the Knights scored an equalizer with 17 seconds remaining, before silencing the PMC crowd by winning the game in overtime. The Maroon and White would be looking to break their losing skid, while also playing spoilers on London’s 14 game winning streak.
Peterborough native Easton Rye picked up his third career start, while London countered with former Pete and 2023 OHL Champion Michael Simpson. London natives Brennan Faulkner and Aiden Young, and Ilderton native Liam Ladds all got the start against their hometown team.
As the puck dropped, London was quick to take over possession and hold it in the Petes zone. Rye came up big multiple times to keep the Knights off the board early. Just when it looked like it might be a long night for the Petes, the Maroon and White broke through and got on the board. Just under five minutes in, Quinn Binnie fired a puck through traffic that Brody Partridge tipped home to give the Petes an early lead on the road.
BP THE TIP KING 👑 pic.twitter.com/z4NUHZOndN
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 27, 2024
After the goal, the Knights came back strong, but Rye refused to be beaten. With just under eight minutes left in the first, Easton Cowan picked up a loose puck and scored on a breakaway to tie the game up. Rye continued his hot play after the goal, stopping 16/17 through the first 20 to keep it tied heading into the break.
The second period was a different story as it was the Petes who would control the play early. Even with Peterborough on the hunt for a goal, London would break through to take the lead. At the 7:26 mark, after a scramble in front, Ruslan Gazizov scored to put the Knights ahead 2-1. Not backing down with a crowd of 9,000 cheering on London, the Petes battled back. Four minutes later, Braydon McCallum wired a shot past Michael Simpson to tie the game once again. That would be the only offence in the middle frame, and the third began tied at 2-2.
Braydon McCallum roofs it and shushes the crowd 🤫
The @PetesOHLhockey rookie ties the game at two apiece! pic.twitter.com/b6FiW8qBja
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 27, 2024
The third period was all Easton Rye. London threw a barrage of shots all period at the rookie goaltender, but Rye was up to the challenge. Rye made multiple highlight reel saves in the third, stopping all 18 London shots and sending the game to overtime.
EASTON RYE https://t.co/SLF1yLNZHL pic.twitter.com/grIRWSuarL
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 27, 2024
After a scoreless five minutes, and five shootout shots without a goal, the game would fall on Braydon McCallum’s stick. McCallum made no mistake, beating Simpson to snap the Petes losing streak and break London’s 14-game win streak.
NO WAY HE HIT THE HEART BREAKER 💔 pic.twitter.com/1ll2anqQAL
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 27, 2024
It was a game of milestones as Peterborough native Easton Rye picked up his first OHL win in his third career start. Petes Head Coach Rob Wilson also hit a milestone on the night, getting his 150th OHL win.
Easton Rye led the way for the Petes in London, stopping 46/48 and all three shootout attempts for his first career win. Braydon McCallum scored and added the shootout winner, while Brody Partridge also had a goal. Quinn Binnie, Carson Cameron, Caden Taylor, and Chase Lefebvre all had an assist in the win.
The Petes are back in action on Saturday, January 27, when they travel to Windsor to take on the Windsor Spitfires. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at WFCU Centre. Fans can catch the game at the Official Road Game Watch Party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough. The game will also be broadcasted on YourTV Peterborough and Freq 90.5.