Public Invited to Attend Peterborough Petes Championship Celebration Event At Quaker Food Park Square Monday Afternoon

A Peterborough Petes Championship Celebration Event to commemorate the team’s 10th J. Ross Robertson Cup and OHL Championship is occurring from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Quaker Food Park Square on Monday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The event features highlight videos, and remarks from dignitaries, players, staff and executives.

Activities, face painting, food and refreshments from local vendors are available during the free event. An official championship team photo will be taken of the team during the festivities.

The celebration’s announcement was made shortly after the Petes won the title in a 2-1 victory over the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

The championship qualifies the Petes for the Memorial Cup from May 26 to Jun 4 to determine the Canadian Hockey League champion in Kamloops, B.C. They are joined by the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

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Peterborough Petes Win OHL Championship With a 2-1 Game Six Win Over the London Knights

A record-breaking 4,101 fans saw the Peterborough Petes’ 17-year drought end as the team claimed the J. Ross Robertson Cup and the OHL Championship, defeating the London Knights in six games with a 2-1 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

The Petes went 10-1 at home during the playoffs en route to their OHL Championship. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

Owen Beck was out of Peterborough’s lineup on a two-game suspension after slew-footing on Friday night in Game Five. The Petes dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the game.

Both teams were cautious to start the first period, waiting for each other to make a mistake. The Petes drew a penalty after a whistle to go on the power play just under eight minutes into the game. J.R. Avon had a chance to make a one-time shot in front of London goalie Owen Willmore but could not get his stick on the puck to keep the game scoreless. London had their own chance on a one-timed shot on the power play but the puck went too high. The score remained 0-0 after the first period. Shots were in favour of Peterborough, 20-10.

London tried to score one early in the second, getting the first five shots on net. On their first power play of the period, the Knights almost scored again with a wide-open net but a Petes defender was able to block the shot.

Peterborough had excellent forechecking 13 minutes in as they turned over the puck in the offensive zone. A pass went to Avery Hayes and with patience, he backhanded it past Willmore for a 1-0 lead to break the deadlock.

Peterborough threatened again on the power play as Brennan Othmann seemingly had a breakaway from a long stretch pass. He wired it past Willmore but the goal did not count as the play was deemed offside. The score remained 1-0 going into the second. Donovon McCoy was hit with a roughing penalty so the Petes had to start the third period shorthanded. London had 13 shots to Peterborough’s 11.  

The Knights started with a power play but were unable to capitalize. Both teams struggled with an extra man during the game. Peterborough was 0/3 while London was 0/4.

London on a dump-in was able to generate numbers. A few bounces got the puck to Max McCue’s stick and he buried it past Petes’ goaltender Michael Simpson for a 1-1 tie, eight minutes into the period. Peterborough responded just over three minutes later as Donovan McCoy fired a point shot and found Tucker Robertson’s stick on a deflection for a much-needed Peterborough goal and a 2-1 lead (the goal was originally Robertson’s, changed to McCoy’s then back to Robertson’s after further review).

“We never had a doubt in our mind that we were going to win,” said Robertson.

London had to push to tie the game with a few minutes left. They sustained pressure in the offensive zone but Simpson and the Petes stood tall and hung on for the 2-1 win and the OHL Championship.

“I tried to keep that one-goal lead but credit to our team, there were some huge blocks to keep that lead,” said Simpson.

Robertson, Simpson and Willmore were awarded the three stars of the game. Simpson won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award for Most Valuable Player in the playoffs.

“He just played so well for us,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach. “He's such a good kid too. He's so well-liked by his teammates. I think the players probably would have all voted for him., I think the plays all wanted him to win.”

“I'm super thankful to get it but I think it could have went to four or five guys,” said Simpson. “I think anyone on this team could have deserved it.”

The Petes win the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the 10th time in franchise history. They will participate in the Memorial Cup from May 26 to Jun 4 to determine the Canadian Hockey League champion. They are joined by the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

A Championship Celebration Event is occurring from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Quaker Food Park Square on Monday.

It features highlight videos, and remarks from dignitaries, players, staff and executives.

Activities, face painting, food and refreshments from local vendors are available during the event. An official championship team photo will be taken of the team at the free event.

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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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U16 AAA Peterborough Petes Wil McFadden Signs With Guelph Storm

Former Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes Wil McFadden has committed to Standard Player Agreement with the Guelph Storm.

Photo courtesy of the Guelph Storm.

McFadden was taken 31st overall in the U16 Priority Selection and was the first Pete to be drafted among 13.

He led the team with 41 goals and 41 assists for 82 points in 36 games. McFadden added 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in eight playoff games for the U16 Peterborough Petes. He won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship with the Petes. He also netted four goals and five assists at the OHL Cup.

“I would also like to thank all the people who have helped me get to this point,” said McFadden. “I have a lot of hard work and training ahead of me as I look to fulfill my dream of playing in the OHL with the Guelph Storm. I look forward to contributing to my team and community.”

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Peterborough Petes Have a 3-1 Series Stranglehold With 5-3 Win Over the London Knights In Game Four

Another record-setting 4,046 fans went home happy as the Peterborough Petes have a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 5-3 win over the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Wednesday night.

The Petes are 9-1 at home this this postseason. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes ran into early troubles as 1:19 into the game, Gavin White turned over the puck from behind his net that resulted in an unassisted goal from London’s Easton Cowan for a Knights 1-0 lead. The Petes failed to score in the first period however settled things down by evening the shot count, a stat that went against Peterborough during this series. The shots were 16-14 in favour of London after the stanza.

The second period was all Peterborough Petes. They got on the board 1:19 into the middle frame, as Connor Lockhart fed J.R. Avon for a breakaway. The hometown forward went to the backhand to beat Zach Bowen for the 1-1 tie. Peterborough continued their assault as Brennan Othmann opted to instead of shooting from the slot, dished it to Owen Beck for a one-timer for a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, J.R. Avon on a turnaround shot from inside the point, wired it through traffic and find the back of the net for his second of the game and a 3-1 Peterborough lead going into the third.

The Petes continued where they left off as Donovan McCoy got on the score sheet and went bar-down for his second of the playoffs. The Knights put their resilience on display in the final six minutes of the game. London got a powerplay and pulled their goalie for a six-on-four situation. Sam Dickenson blasted a one-timer shot that beat Petes goaltender Michael Simpson to cut the deficit to two. Just under three minutes later, London got another powerplay and created another six-on-four situation. Denver Barkey initially could not handle the one-timed pass but was able to chip in a floater that sailed over a split-legged Simpson to make it 4-3 with 3:09 remaining. Avery Hayes put a dagger in the Knights’ hopes as he won a puck battle against Dickenson who could not corral the pass. The former Hamilton Bulldog sealed it with an empty-net goal for a 5-3 Petes win and a 3-1 series lead and are one win away from the OHL Championship.

Wilson (left) and Avon (right) during the post-game press conference. Avon has registered nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 10 games this postseason. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

“One game away doesn’t mean anything,” said Avon. “They can come back and get to do something crazy so we haven’t won anything yet, we have to keep going.”

Avon, Simpson and Beck earned three stars of the game.

“You to be able to sacrifice and when you sacrifice, good things happen,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach. “You do the right things and then the next minute, the puck’s back on your stick.”

@ptbo_canada 🏒 After a 5-3 win, the @Peterborough Petes are one win away from an @Ontario Hockey League Championship! Let’s bring it home, boys! #GoPetesGo #ohlhockey #ohl #peterboroughontario #playoffhockey ♬ Let's Go - M.Hustler

The Petes look to capture the OHL Championship in London as they take the Knights on Friday for Game Five with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. An official watch party is being held at Quaker Foods City Square running from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., rain or shine.

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Quaker Foods City Square To Host Petes Community Watch Party For Game Five of OHL Championship

Peterborough Petes fans can cheer loud at a free outdoor Community Watch Party at the Quaker Foods City Square for Game Five of the OHL Championship on Friday.

The City of Peterborough is providing financial support to the DBIA to host the community watch party. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The event runs rain or shine from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. to support the Petes as they take on the London Knights on the road. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and is being nationally televised.

The Charlotte Street square will have a 16-foot mega screen that is live streaming the game. Face painting and a small vendors market with grab-and-go snacks such as popcorn, candy, mini pies and tacos) are amenities that are provided during the watch party.

“As the DBIA (Downtown Business Improvement Area) looks for fun and unique ways to animate the new Quaker Foods City Square in the downtown, we are excited to explore what public screening events can look like,” said Terry Guiel, Peterborough DBIA executive director. "Thanks to our wonderful partnership with the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Petes, we are able to bring our community together as we collectively celebrate this special moment in Peterborough sports history.”

Fans are asked to bring their own chairs and dress for the weather. All attendees are encouraged to wear their Petes apparel while cheering for the team.

“Peterborough and the Kawarthas have been showing their maroon and white pride as the Petes make another historic playoff run and our organization is very excited that Quaker Foods City Square will be a home for the many passionate community members that want to gather to cheer on their Petes," said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations.

Quaker Foods City Square is planning to host another community watch party on Monday for Game Seven if necessary. It will run from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. with puck drops at 7 p.m.

“Let’s cheer on our hometown Peterborough Petes in the OHL Championship series,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell “They’ve already given their fans and our community an incredible run in the playoffs and there’s more edge-of-your-seat excitement to come in these finals.”

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Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch Season In Full Swing

The 22nd season of the Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch League is underway as 104 women over the age of 50 were swinging for the fences at the George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl.

Beth Zwir of Trentview (left) falls short of a step of beating out the throw as Trish Crossman of Crossman Excavating (right) is able to make the play for the out. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The women play every Wednesday and occasionally on Fridays if necessary on a 16-game schedule. The regular season runs from until Aug. 23 with a rainout date of Aug. 30. Playoffs run for three weeks starting on Sept. 6.

This is the second-straight year that the league has been able to operate with no COVID-19 restrictions. This led to not having temporary rules such as no tagging the runners and also saw more women sign up for the league due to the virus’s heightened impact on seniors.

“It's back to the way it was before Covid,” said Darlene Charlton, league president.“Covid affected everything so it's nice to see everything back to normal.”

The league also engages in several social events during and after the season. Events include a Euchre tournament, BBQ lunch, Toronto Blue Jays game, scramble golf tournament and a league banquet.

The following are the eight teams in this year’s league:

• Crossman Excavating

• The Wellness Chef

• Crook & Coffer

• Trentview

• Archies

• Southcrest Farms

• Sparkies Electric

• Kristine Laufer Century 21

“Everybody's just so happy to get out,” said Charlton. “Everybody just has so much fun. They're smiling, they're laughing so that's the kind of league it is.”

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Petes Come Out On Top In Overtime 6-5; Peterborough Leads Series Over London Knights, 2-1

The record-setting 4,000 fans at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) were roaring after the Petes scored a walk-off overtime goal to win 6-5 and take a 2-1 series lead in the OHL Championship over the London Knights on Monday night.

The Petes have only lost one playoff home game this postseason. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

London got the start that they wanted with a goal 31 seconds into the game from captain Sean McGurn, tipping in an Isaiah George point shot to make it 1-0. The Knights quickly extended their lead in the final 20 seconds of their powerplay as Ryan Winterton capitalized on a rebound in the slot to make it 2-0. The Petes finally got on the scoreboard as Owen Beck scored on a sharp-angle shot, sneaking by Knights goaltender Zach Bowen with 1:14 left in the period to make it 2-1 into the second.

It was a fireworks show for both teams in the middle frame as shortly after a penalty kill, Peterborough immediately went on the attack. Owen Beck scooped up a loose puck and fed it to J.R. Avon for a breakaway. Avon made no mistake and made a beautiful deke to beat Bowen for the 2-2 tie early in the second. London quickly countered as Gavin White turned it over in his own zone and McGurn capitalized and restored London’s lead, 3-2. Five minutes later, Chase Stillman sniped the top corner from the point for a 3-3 tie. Brennan Othmann continued his playoff dominance with the eighth goal of the playoffs (and 23rd point) for Peterborough’s first lead of the night 4-3. It was short-lived as London’s Brody Crane cashed in a rebound for a 4-4 tie. Just 1:21 later, Jackson Edward scored his first of the season, beating Petes goalie Michael Simpson through the five-hole for a one-goal lead heading into the third.

The final frame saw Stillman rip home a goal from the high slot early in the period to tie things up at 5-5, his second of the game. It was the only goal in the period as the game went into overtime.

Tucker Robertson (left) with head coach Rob Wilson (right) during the post-game press conference. Robertson scored his second consecutive game-winning goal in the series in both of Peterborough’s wins. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The game was settled quickly as Avery Hayes threw a shot on net that hit Tucker Robertson and was able to slide it through for the game-winning walk-off goal.

“I’m playing with two really good players so they make it easy out there for me out there,” said Robertson. “I get a lot of chances and I’ve been able to bury them lately but I’d say nothing’s changed too much.”

“Big players in big moments always end up in coming up with big goals,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach.

@ptbo_canada @Peterborough Petes take home Game Three at the PMC! What a nail biter and we’re one win closer to that @Ontario Hockey League Championship! #GoPetesGo #peterboroughontario #ohl #ohlhockey #playoffhockey ♬ Get Ready - Steve Aoki Vocal Radio Edit - 2 Unlimited

Robertson, Stillman and Winterton earned three stars of the game.

The Petes return to the PMC for Game Four of the OHL Championship on Wednesday night as they look to take a stranglehold on the series.

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Peterborough Petes' Tucker Robertson and Michael Simpson Named OHL Top Performers of the Week

Peterborough Petes’ Michael Simpson and Tucker Robertson have been named the Top Performers of the Week, announced by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) on Monday afternoon.

Photos courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Robertson was named OHL Cogeco Player of the Week while Simpson earned OHL Goaltender of the Week honours.

Robertson had two goals and three assists for five points in three games as Simpson went 2-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .936 SV%.

Robertson had an assist in Peterborough's 3-2 win over the North Bay Battalion last Monday to help the Petes advance to the OHL Championship Series. He tallied a pair of goals and assists, including the game-winner as the Petes defeated the Knights 5-3 on Saturday night to tie the series at 1-1.

Simpson helped clinch an OHL Championship appearance with his Game Seven performance against the Battalion, stopping 22 of the 24 shots last Monday. He returned to his hometown of London on Thursday, making 29 saves in a 3-0 loss to the Knights. He rebounded with a 51-save performance on Saturday in Game Two, to help Peterborough nab a 5-3 victory to tie the OHL Championship Series at one win apiece.

The Peterborough Petes start their two-game playoff homestand against the Knights for Game Three of the OHL Championship at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday night. The Petes are looking to get a 2-1 series lead with a win.

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Free Fishing In Ontario During Mother's Day Weekend

To kick off the spring fishing season, anglers in Ontario can celebrate Mother’s Day with free fishing this weekend.

Additional annual free fishing events include Father’s Day weekend (June 17-18) and Family Fishing Week to celebrate Canada Day (July 1-9). Photo by David Tuan bui.

“Whether you’re new to fishing or an experienced angler, it’s a great way to bond with family this Mother’s Day weekend,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “This is a fantastic way for families to get out and enjoy one of Ontario’s greatest natural resources – our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams.”

To anyone fishing for free on Mother’s Day weekend, all conservation licence catch limits, size limits, sanctuaries and all other fishing regulations and rules still apply according to the Ontario Government.

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