Wolves Attack Petes in the Big Nickel
Goals from J.R. Avon, Emmett Sproule and Samuel Mayer weren’t enough to keep the Wolves from attacking the Petes in the Big Nickel on Friday night. Michael Simpson, the Petes 193rd selection in the 10th round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection stopped 31 shots in his OHL debut.
While looking to shake off last night’s loss, the Petes were off to a rocky start in enemy territory when Liam Ross and Ethan Larmand scored two minutes apart, in the first few minutes of the game. Ross’ shot from the point went through bodies leaving no chance for Petes starter Simmer’.
As the Wolves were breaking out of their own zone moments later, Samuel Mayer laid a devastating hit on a Wolf and was whistled for a blindside hit. Upon the completion of his two-minute infraction, Mayer jumped out of the penalty box, used to speed for a breakaway and fired the puck past Weeks for his first OHL goal.
WHAT A SNIPE BY @Samuel6Mayer ????
Mayer jumps on the loose puck right out of the penalty box and fires a wrister past Mitchell Weeks for his first @OHLHockey goal!#GoPetesGo | #GameON pic.twitter.com/PV6rEZZvKF
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2021
Just as momentum was swinging in Peterborough’s favour, Ethan Larmand suddenly forced a turnover and blasted the puck past Simpson to give the Wolves a 3-1 cushion lead before the first period expired.
First 20 in the ????#GoPetesGo | #GameON pic.twitter.com/fefNOyDf0W
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 8, 2021
Unfortunately for the Petes, the Sudbury picked up where they left off and Giordano Biondi deflected a shot, leaving no chance for Simmer 33 seconds into the second period. Head Coach Rob Wilson was heard yelling, ‘settle it down’, and the Petes did just that.
Tucker Robertson jumped picked up the loose puck in the neutral zone, and sent a beautiful feed to Sproule on a two on one, cutting the Wolves lead by two. Sproule picked up his second goal in as many games with the Petes since being acquired earlier this week.
.@Emmett9393 banks in Tucker Robertson’s beautiful pass on a two-on-one to cut the Wolves lead by two!#GoPetesGo | #GameON pic.twitter.com/UnZJVG4Osn
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 9, 2021
Just over four minutes later, Avon skated down the far side and wristed the puck high, glove side past Weeks for his second goal of the season. The Petes third goal of the night was unassisted.
.@Avonjr_1010 goes top ????@NHLFlyers prospect eyes his target and fires the biscuit past Weeks for his second goal of the season!#GoPetesGo | #GameON pic.twitter.com/UqlbH7CwgY
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 9, 2021
Throughout the remainder of the second, fans saw lots of back and forth opportunities. Petes wired a few pucks off the post, as did the Wolves. Both Simmer and Weeks’ played a strong period to keep the game close after 40 minutes.
Just like in the first two periods, the Wolves scored early in the third period. Sudbury’s captain Jack Thompson converted on the powerplay to give the home team a 5-3 lead. The Petes continued to get into the penalty trouble, which led to Chase Stillman, son of Petes Alumnus Cory Stillman, extended Sudbury’s lead 6-3.
Despite numerous opportunities, Weeks stood tall in the third, shutting the door on all Petes shots, handing the team their second straight loss. Finals shots were 37-33 in favour of Sudbury. Thompson, Ross, and Weeks were named the game’s first, second, and third stars.
TONIGHT’S MILESTONES:
- Michael Simpson played in his first OHL game
- Samuel Mayer recorded his first OHL goal
- Jaden Reyers played in his first OHL game
- James Guo played in his first OHL game
The maroon and white will seek revenge against the Wolves during the home opener on Thursday, October 14 at 7:05 pm underneath the NEW, state-of-the-art videoboard.
Flex packs, ticket vouchers and single game tickets are now on sale at the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person and over the phone at (705) 743-3561 Wednesday – Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and 24 hours a day online.
