London Knights Pull Away In Second Period to Defeat Peterborough 4-1, Petes Lead Series 3-2 With Game Six On Sunday At Home

The Peterborough Petes will have to wait another day for the OHL Championship as they fell to the London Knights 4-1 at the Budweiser Gardens on Friday night.

The Petes were one for six on the Power Play in Game Five. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes almost let up a goal early in the period as Easton Cowan had a breakaway but Petes goaltender flashed the leather and kept London off the board. The Petes struck first on the powerplay as J.R. Avon had a shot blocked but ricocheted to Connor Lockhart who scored on the wide-open net, 1-0. With under two minutes left in the period, Cowan got redemption as he and the Knights entered the attacking zone with an outnumbered attack and beat Simpson glove-side for a 1-1 tie after the first period.

London applied heavy pressure on the forecheck less than five into the period that rewarded them with possession in the offensive zone. London’s Ryan Humphrey turned around and fried a seemingly harmless shot but a screened Simpson was too late to find the puck and it went in for a 2-1 Knights lead. London kept their foot on the gas as they cycled the puck through the zone as Logan Mailloux took a point shot. It was blocked but Denver Barkey corralled it and backhanded the puck over a sprawling Simpson for a 3-1 lead into the final frame.

The Petes tried to push hard in the third period, registering 13 shots but London’s defence and goaltender was able to keep Peterborough at bay. The visiting team had three third-period power plays but could not find the back of the net even while pulling their goalie. London found the back of the empty net with 2:13 left in the game to ice it. Owen Beck was penalized for slew-footing with 39.9 seconds left in the game, incurred a five-minute major and a match penalty. London survives and pushes the series for Game Six at 3-2 for Peterborough.

The Petes return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) to try and capture the OHL Championship at home this Sunday against the London Knights with puck drop at 7 p.m.

Tickets for Game Six go on sale at 1 p.m. on Sunday through the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person, over the phone and online.

Season Ticket Members who already have pre-authorized their playoff tickets or purchased a playoff round bundle have been sent their tickets as part of a bundle.

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