Sunday Showdown Ends with Big Petes Win
For the seventh time this season, the Petes and Frontenacs would it up for an East Division showdown. Sunday night’s matchup took place at the PMC, and it was clear from the get-go that these clubs have no love for each other. The hatred translated into a gritty game, with many chances but few goals as the teams battled to a nine-round shootout before the Petes prevailed 3-2.
Off the opening draw, Peterborough’s speed was on display, highlighted by several great rushes by Eric Cornel and his linemates, Hunter Garlent and Adam Timleck.
Despite the maroon and white intensity, Kingston had the majority of early chances. Matt Mancina was calm, cool, and collected in the Petes net, though, as was Jeremy Helvig for Kingston, when needed.
Fans enjoyed big hits, gritty board work, and an all-around spirited first period, but there were no goals to speak of as Mancina turned aside 17 shots and Helvig shut the door 7 times.
Each team got a taste of the powerplay early in the second stanza, but it wasn’t until seven minutes into the frame that Eric Cornel found the back of the net. Adam Timleck had an assist on the captain’s goal.
Just over a minute later, though, Michael Dal Colle evened the score at 1-1 with a deflected shot from fellow ex-General Stephen Desrocher and Lawsone Crouse with 11:59 to play in the period.
The chances continued to pile up at both ends, but goals were exceedingly rare throughout the second, and after forty minutes the game was still tied 1-1. Kingston had a 31-22 shot advantage heading into the break.
The narrative did not change early in the third period with the teams doing everything but scoring, and the Petes in particular generating great chances on goal. An off-setting minors call, Gallant for tripping and Desrocher for diving, gave the Fronts a chance to show-off their deep roster as Spencer Watson scored a Bobby Orr-style goal assisted by Dal Colle with 11:11 to play.
Veteran forward Josh Maguire got one back for the Petes with eight minutes left in regulation, finishing a great set-up from Daniel Nikandrov and Dominik Masin for the game-tying goal. No-one could break the draw in the final minutes, and for the third time this season, the rivals had to settle for overtime.
Peterborough did everything but score in the extra session, which set up a shootout after a thrilling 3-on-3. The breakaway contest took a grand total of nine rounds (including Connor McGlynn getting two shots after a net infraction), but the Petes prevailed on a great deke by Kyle Jenkins. Betzold and Timleck also scored in the session.
Mancina stopped 43 pucks while Helvig made 34 saves. Mancina, Michael Dal Colle and Helvig were the first, second, and third stars of the game, while Josh Maguire earned Mark’s Hardest Working Player honours as voted by fans on the Petes App.
The Petes have two home games coming up this week, including the annual #TalkToday CMHA game night on Thursday against Hamilton before hosting the Ottawa 67’s on the annual Pink in the Rink game night on Saturday, February 6. Get your tickets now for both games, and download the new Petes Mobile App for iPhone or Android today.
