Connor Lockhart's Hat Trick Propels Peterborough Petes In 5-4 Win, Regular-Season Champion Ottawa 67's Eliminated

The Peterborough Petes have knocked off the regular-season champion Ottawa 67’s in a nail-biting game six with a 5-4 win and won the series 4-2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday night.

The Petes have yet to lose two consecutive playoff games and lose at home this postseason. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes got rolling in the first as Owen Beck knocked down a puck in the offensive zone, passed to Chase Stillman who made a spinning backhand pass to Connor Lockhart for a one-timer goal to make it 1-0. Peterborough continued their offense as two minutes later, Brennan Othmann fed Avery Hayes another one-timer to make it 2-0. Ottawa was able to get one before the period’s end as Gavin Ewles ripped one from the high slot through traffic for a 2-1 game.

It was all Peterborough in the second period as Beck found Lockhart on a saucer pass from an odd-man rush and the latter was able to chip it backhanded, beating Ottawa goaltender Max Donoso to make it 3-1 Petes. Peterborough went right back on the attack as 30 seconds later, Jonathan Melee and the Petes with an outnumbered attack ripped it past Donoso to extend Peterborough’s lead to 4-1.

Lockhart continued where he left off as he completed the hat trick in the first minute of the third. Lockhart tried to feed Stillman for a one-timer but a spectacular save was made by backup goalie Collin MacKenzie but the rebound went back to Lockhart for his third of the game. Ottawa would not go quietly however much like game five, scoring four goals in the third period and erasing a three-goal deficit. In just under five minutes, Derek Smyth, Vinzenz Rohrer and Luca Pinelli scored to make it 5-4. The Petes were able to hang on this time and defeat Ottawa, eliminating the regular-season champions in six games. This is the Petes’s first Conference Championship since 2016-17.

Lockhart, Stillman and Beck were awarded three starts of the game.

Tickets for the Conference Championship go on sale Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. through the Grant Thornton Box Office. Peterborough will play the winner between the North Bay Battalion and the Barrie Colts who play game seven on Tuesday night.

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U16 AAA Petes Have 13 Players Drafted to OHL

The Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes are having 13 players go to the next level as they were drafted in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection on Friday and Saturday.

The U16 Petes participated in the OHL Cup and won the OMHA Cup. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U16 PETERBOROUGH PETES.

The team had a memorable year as they were the finalists in the Steve Richey tournament in late January, won the OMHA Championship in late March and made the semifinals of the OHL Cup in early April.

“Such an amazing journey that I was so proud to be a part of,” Michael Farrugia, U16 AAA Petes head coach. “These players and their teammates worked so hard and achieved great things.”

The following are the players drafted to the OHL:

• Second round, 31st overall: Wil McFadden, C, Guelph Storm

• Third round, 54th overall: Joshua Avery, C, Brantford Bulldogs

• Third round, 58th overall, Ben Radley, LD, Brantford Bulldogs

• Fourth round, 70th overall, Andrew MacNiel, RD, Kitchener Rangers

• Fourth round, 78th overall, Lukas Moore, RD, Kingston Frontenacs

• Sixth round, 112th overall: Masen Johnston, G, Peterborough Petes

• Seventh round, 136th overall, Graydon Jones, LD, Saginaw Spirit

• Seventh round, 138th overall, Cohen Bidgood, RW, London Knights

• Eighth round, 159th overall, Kaiden Harmon, C, Barrie Colts

• Ninth round, 181th overall, Kayden Buller, LW, North Bay Battalion

• 10th round, 190th overall, Nathan McHattie, LD, Guelph Storm

• 13th round, 249th overall, Owen Fitzgerald, LW, Brantford Bulldogs

• 14th round, 282nd overall, John Lumsden, LD, Ottawa 67’s

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Peterborough Petes Add Hometown Talent As Part of 13 Players Taken In 2023 OHL Priority Selection

The Peterborough Petes added some hometown talent selecting three players from the City and County as part of 13 players selected in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection on Friday and Saturday.

(From left to right) Michael Oke, Petes general manager; Joseph Cadorin, forward; Carson Cameron, defenseman and Masen Johnston, goaltender. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Three of their draft picks were showcased at a press conference including two hometown players in first-round pick and defenseman Carson Cameron (Bobcaygeon) and sixth-round pick goaltender Masen Johnston (Peterborough).

Also present was forward Joseph Cadorin (Kleinburg) who was drafted in the fourth round as Peterborough’s second pick in the draft. Defenseman Kaiden Thatcher (Bethany) rounds out the local talent as Peterborough’s final pick in the 15th round but was not present at the conference since he was not drafted during the time the event was being held.

“We are really excited about this group of players that we were able to add yesterday and today,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “We feel these players put us in a great position moving forward and we can’t wait for development camp.”

On Friday night, the Petes drafted Cameron with the 13th overall pick. The 15-year-old registered eight goals and 30 assists with the U16 AAA Central Ontario Wolves and won the Steve Richey Tournament with them on Jan. 22.

“It's surreal, I never thought I'd get picked by the Petes in the first place,” he explained. “I grew up coming to watch the games, I used to come to the CanSkates and it's pretty unreal to walk through the door, this time with a Petes jersey on.”

Photo by David Tuan bui.

Cadorin was drafted 76th overall from the U16 AAA Ajax-Pickering Raiders with one goal and 10 assists through 34 games. The pick originally belonged to the Saginaw Spirit and was the teams’ second pick of the draft.

“I was very happy to be drafted by such a great organization with a great team,” he said. “Leading up to the draft, I was pretty nervous. I didn't know where I was going to go or who will take me but I'm just happy Peterborough took me.”

Photo by David Tuan bui.

Johnston was taken 112th overall as Peterborough’s fourth pick from the U16 Minor AAA Peterborough Petes. He was the winning goalie for the Petes when they won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championship on March 19 in triple overtime.

“They (Peterborough Petes) develop goalies really well and I worked with Andrew Verner so I'm really excited to continue working with him and it's going to be an awesome journey,” he explained. “They really care about their goaltending and they put an emphasis on developing goalies and they really care to make great goaltending.”

“Masen’s a true Peterborough kid,” said Michael Farrugia, U16 AAA Petes head coach. “He’s been an AAA Pete since Novice so it’s fitting he starts this new chapter in his backyard.”

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The Petes added 13 players including eight forwards, four defencemen and a goaltender. The following is the Petes draft results:

• First round, 13th overall: Carson Cameron, D, Central Ontario Wolves

• Fourth round, 76th overall: Joseph Cadorin, F, Toronto Marlboros

• Fifth round, 88th overall: Liam Ladds, D, Elgin-Middlesex Canucks

• Sixth round, 112th overall: Masen Johnston, G, Peterborough Petes

• Seventh round, 133rd overall: Chase Del Colombo, F, Toronto Nationals

• Eighth round, 153rd overall: Gavin Lock, F, Detroit Little Caesars

• Ninth round, 173rd overall: Easton Lynds, F, Mississauga Senators

• 10th round, 193rd overall: Calum Hartnell, D, Ottawa Jr. Senators

• 10th round, 196th overall: Thanasi Marentette, D, Toronto Nationals

• 11th round, 213th overall: Francis Parish, F, Central Ontario Wolves

• 12th round, 234th overall: Aiden Lee, F, Markham Majors

• 13th round, 253rd overall: Brody Leet, F, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs

• 14th round, 273rd overall: Joshua Kaufman, F, Kitchener Jr. Rangers

• 15th round, 293rd overall: Kaiden Thatcher, D, Ajax-Pickering Raiders

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Peterborough Petes Topple Ottawa 67's in 3-1 Victory; One Win Away From Eliminating Regular-Season Champions

The Peterborough Petes are one game away from knocking off the regular-season champion Ottawa 67’s after a 3-1 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night with the series as the same score.

The Petes have won three consecutive games against Ottawa, one more victory than during their regular season series. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes gave Ottawa no room in the first period, limiting them to four shots in the period while putting Ottawa’s goalie Max Donoso under siege with 11 shots of their own. He and Petes goaltender Michael Simpson were able to stop them all however as it remained scoreless after one.

Brennan Othmann continued where he left off after scoring the game-winner on Tuesday night with a tipped shot from captain Shawn Spearing to put the Petes up 1-0. Just over six minutes later, Chase Stillman joined the score sheet by pounding on a rebound to extend Peterborough’s lead to 2-0. Spearing had the secondary assists, putting him at two for the night. Ottawa was able to get on the board with just over a minute left as Luca Pinelli on the powerplay capitalized on a rebound and scored after excellent puck movement from Ottawa to make it 2-1.

The Petes continued pushing the pace as they controlled majority of the third period and limiting puck possession for Ottawa. Owen Beck gave Peterborough some insurance with an empty netter for a 3-1 victory and a 3-1 series lead. Spearing assisted on that play for this third helper.

Spearing, Stillman and Donoso were named the three starts of the game respectively.

The Petes will try to close out the series this Saturday as they head back to the nation’s capital for game five with puck drop at 4 p.m.

A record 50/50 jackpot of $9,668 was won in honour of longtime Petes volunteer and Booster Club founding member, Betty Nelson who passed away on March 31. A portion of the proceeds will be donated in Nelson’s name, courtesy of the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council.

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Petes Tickets Sold Out Online For Game Four's 'Whiteout'

Online tickets for Peterborough Petes’ game four have sold out as the organization is asking fans to wear white for the ‘whiteout’ against the Ottawa 67’s on Thursday night.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNETH ANDERSEN AND THE PETERBOROUGH PETES.

A select amount are still available through the Peterborough Memorial Centre Grant Thornton Box Office by calling (705) 743-3561 or by visiting the Box Office in person.

The Petes Store also restocked white shirts for the whiteout which are available for purchase on game day in person or online.

A record $5,000 minimum 50/50 jackpot is being held in honour of Betty Nelson. Tickets can be purchased online or at the game. The draw will take place in the third period.

The following is the remaining schedule for the second round against the Ottawa 67s:

• Game 4: Thursday, April 20 @ 7:05 p.m. – Ottawa @ Peterborough

• Game 5: Saturday, April 22 @ 4:00 p.m. – Peterborough @ Ottawa

• Game 6: Monday, April 24 @ 7:05 p.m. – Ottawa @ Peterborough*

• Game 7: Tuesday, April 25 @ 7:00 p.m. – Peterborough @ Ottawa*

*if necessary

The Petes are back in action for game four on Thursday to try and take a commanding 3-1 series over the Ottawa 67’s. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Score Late For 3-2 Win; Hold 2-1 Series Lead Over Ottawa 67's

The Peterborough Petes crowd was excited and loud with a ‘white out’ as the team had a 3-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s thanks to a late third-period goal to lead the series 2-1 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday night.

The Petes had their first lead of game three with 1:15 left in teh third period. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Both teams had to feel each other out exchanging chances but Ottawa drew first blood with 1:49 left in the period. Brad Gardiner snared the puck out of the air and deked around Petes goaltender Michael Simpson. The former was able to make a cross-crease pass behind Simpson’s pads and Cameron Tolnai cleaned up on a wide-open net for a 1-0 lead after the first period.

Peterborough started to put their offensive prowess on display, getting 19 shots on goal for the period. The Petes tied it up when Avery Hayes saw a puck trickle out from a board battle behind the net. He slapped a one-timer past 67’s goaltender Max Donoso to tie the game at 1-1. The tie was short-lived as Luca Pinella forced an errant pass from Brian Zanetti to allow Cooper Foster score in the slot, uncontested just 10 seconds after the prior goal. Peterborough quickly retaliated 24 seconds later as J.R. Avon ripped a shot just after an offensive-zone faceoff and Jax Dubois pounced on the rebound to make it 2-2 going into the thrid.

The third period saw an impressive sequence for the Petes just under two minutes left in the game. Tolnai had a breakaway chance to possibly get a late lead but Konnor Smith made a diving play to poke the puck into the corner and prevent the scoring chance. Ottawa was forced to bring the pack back into the neutral zone but a mishandled pass by Ottawa allowed Brennan Othmann get a breakaway of his own. He tucked a backhand through Donoso’s five-hole to give the Petes a 3-2 lead with a minute remaining and the Petes held on for a 3-2 win.

Othmann, Dubois and Hayes were named the three stars of the game and hold a 2-1 series lead over the OHL regular-season champions.

The Petes are back in action for game four on Thursday to try and take a commanding 3-1 series over the Ottawa 67’s. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Paying Tribute To Booster Club Founding Member Who Passed Away On March 31

The spirit and memory of Peterborough Petes Booster Club founding member Betty Nelson is being honoured by the team and the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council (PMHC) during game four of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Nelson passed away on March 31, the same day the Petes took a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Sudbury Wolves. 

She was a founding member of the Petes Booster Club and volunteered to sell 50/50 tickets at almost every home game at the Memorial Centre from 1967 until retiring in 2019. She was revered, especially at the Gibson’s Finest Club Section, forming bonds with several fans over the years.

The PMHC, who operates the 50/50 draws, is donating a portion of the proceeds to a fund in Nelson’s name, which will be used to support members of the Petes community. Tickets can be purchased beginning on Wednesday until the end of the second intermission on Thursday night. The largest ever guaranteed 50/50 jackpot has a minimum of $5,000 to be won.

The Petes are paying tribute to the Bosoter Club founding member in a special presentation during the first-period TV timeout on Thursday. Fans are encouraged to show their support and appreciation of Nelson at that time. 

“Having the opportunity to pay tribute to Betty during a playoff game is very special, as she was one of our most passionate supporters throughout all of Petes history and would have been so excited to take part in this playoff run,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “You could always count on Betty, game-in and game-out and her persistence and commitment serves as a model for so many volunteers that help our team thrive. She will forever hold a prominent place in the hearts of Petes players, staff and fans.” 

The Petes are back in action for game four on Thursday to try and take a commanding 3-1 series over the Ottawa 67’s. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

Click here to purchase 50/50 tickets.

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Former Fleming College Athlete Inducted Into Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame

Former Fleming College Knight Darl Sutherland has been inducted in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Hall of Fame.

photo courtesy of fleming college.

The CCAA announced his induction April 6 along with 10 other athletes and coaches.  

Sutherland ran cross country for the Fleming Knights from 2000-2006. An Educational Support program student, Sutherland was a mainstay on the Knights’ successful cross country program in the early 2000s. The team, as well as Sutherland, racked up many accolades over five years on both the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) and the CCAA levels.  

Sutherland excelled at the CCAA level, placing third at the 2002 and 2004 CCAA championships, the same years he was recognized as an All-Canadian Athlete. In 2002 his team earned a men's silver medal along with the OCAA conference. In 2004 Sutherland earned the same accolade again when he earned silver medals for the Knights Team and OCAA conference. The following year, his last, he won a team bronze at Nationals. 

The 2023 CCAA Hall of Fame Banquet takes place June 13 in Niagara Falls.

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Limited Tickets Released For Game Three of Peterborough Petes Home Playoff Matchup

A very limited number of Peterborough Petes tickets have been released for Tuesday’s game three of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final against the Ottawa 67s at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) announced Tuesday morning.

The Petes split a 1-1 road series against Ottawa, losing the first game 4-2 and winning the econd, 2-1. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Tickets can be purchased for Tuesday and Thursday’s games by clicking going online or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561. Box office hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and on game day until the second period. 

Fans attending Tuesday’s game are encouraged to wear white for the game for a ‘white out’ with exclusive playoff rally towels provided. The move is to show encouragement for the home team during the playoffs. The tradition began in 1987 by the Winnipeg Jets as a form of intimidation while displaying home team support.

Limited Edition Playoff Rally Towels are being given out at Tuesday night’s Game to all fans in attendance.

The following is the remaining schedule for the second round against the Ottawa 67s:

• Game 3: Tuesday, April 18 @ 7:05 p.m. – Ottawa @ Peterborough

• Game 4: Thursday, April 20 @ 7:05 p.m. – Ottawa @ Peterborough

• Game 5: Saturday, April 22 @ 4:00 p.m. – Peterborough @ Ottawa

• Game 6: Monday, April 24 @ 7:05 p.m. – Ottawa @ Peterborough*

• Game 7: Tuesday, April 25 @ 7:00 p.m. – Peterborough @ Ottawa*

*if necessary

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Peterborough's Porter Martone Selected for Team Canada's 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship Roster

Peterborough’s Porter Martone has been selected to Team Canada's 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship Roster, competing in Basel and Ajoie, Switzerland, announced on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Natalie Shaver of OHL Images.

He is joined by former Peterborough Pete Nick Lardis, who was shipped to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Jan. 7, a few days prior to the trade deadline.

Martone had six goals and seven assists in 29 games with the Sarnia Sting before being traded to the Mississauga Steelheads, also on Jan. 7. The Peterborough-born forward saw an increase in numbers after the move, with 13 goals and nine assists in 32 games.

He was a member of the Peterborough Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

Team Canada’s rosted announced on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

The following is Team Canada’s schedule:

• Canada vs. Sweden - April 20

• Canada vs. Germany - April 21

• Slovakia vs. Canada - April 23

• Czech Republic vs. Canada - April 25

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