Peterborough Petes Fall to Barrie Colts, 4-3 In Shootout

The Peterborough Petes lost by the slimmest of margins to the Barrie Colts in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes blanked the Colts 5-0 in their last meeting on Oct. 8. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Barrie had a strong start, scoring the game’s first two goals at 3:07 and 6:37 from Beau Akey and Tai York (powerplay). Peterborough responded with one of their own as Connor Luckhart ripped a point shot past Colts goaltender Ben West to cut the lead in half going into the second.

Peterborough evened things up as Nick Lardis was able to bury his one-timer goal off an odd-man rush with Nick Robertson for his seventh goal of the season. The scored remained tied 2-2 into the third.

After just over five minutes into the period, Barrie’s Chris Grisolia snuck a wrap-around by Petes goaltender Michael Simpson to give Barrie the 3-2 lead. Lockhart tied the game, scoring his second of the game and sixth of the season on the powerplay to tie the game at 3-3 and send it to OT.

Overtime became a stalemate and the game would head to a shootout.

Shootout results:

Petes

• Tucker Robertson – No goal

• Nick Lardis – No goal

• Connor Lockhart – No goal

Colts

• Jacob Frasca – Goal

• Evan Vierling – No goal

Frasca scored the only goal in the shootout for Barrie and escaped Peterborough with a 4-3 win.

The Petes are beginning another chapter in their rivalry with the Oshawa Generals as they head to the Durham area on Friday for the teams’ first meeting.

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Peterborough Petes Finalize Leadership Group For 2022-23 Season

The Peterborough Petes have announced their team captains for 2022-23 season with defenceman Shawn Spearing wearing the “C” for a second straight season.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

Spearing is the franchise’s 61st Captain in Petes history. He is the ninth captain to wear the “C” for multiple seasons.

“It’s a great honour,” said Spearing. “We have a locker room with a lot of leaders in it so it makes my job a lot easier but obviously I’m still really excited.”

Alternate captains include Seattle Kraken prospect Tucker Robertson, Philadelphia Flyers prospect, J.R. Avon and New Jersey Devils first-round pick, Chase Stillman. Vancouver Canucks prospect Connor Lockhart will wear an “A” if one captain cannot play.

“We’re really excited about our leadership group this year,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach. “Shawn, Tucker and J.R. have been with us for a few years now, we brought in Chase last year and he’s a good voice in the room and can lead by example. The same goes for Connor Lockhart: Connor has come in and is very determined and very demanding of himself and has shown a lot of leadership qualities early on.”

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Peterborough Petes To Host Diabetes Awareness Night For Nov. 24 Game

The Peterborough Petes are hosting a Diabetes Night to raise funds and awareness of the disease for their Nov. 24 game against the Sudbury Wolves announced at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Peterborough Petes goaltender Michael Simpson (left); Travis Vaughan, Tandem Diabetes Care territory manager and Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator, marketing and community engagement (right). Simpson was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes since h was three years old. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The game is in partnership with Tandem Diabetes Care that will aid affected children and send them to D-camp, a two-week overnight camp for children with diabetes. The initiate was introduced by Petes goalie, Michael Simpson, who was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes since he was three years old.

When Simpson was growing up, he looked up to NHL player Max Domi during his stint with the London Knights and also was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. The Petes goaltender wants to be a role model for local communities with his story.

“Seeing him thrive, get drafted to the NHL, now he's playing in the NHL, see how he had diabetes and that it didn't stop him, seeing it motivated and that's something I want to bring to the Peterborough area,” said Simpson. “They might not want be a goalie in hockey, they may want to be a soccer player or something that they're dreaming of being. I want them to be able to look at my story say, 'I can do this.’”

Anyone can donate in-person at the game or online. The game will feature a silent auction for a game-worn Simpson jersey and a chuck-a-puck, with all proceeds going towards D-Camp registration fees.

“We’re very excited for Michael,” said Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator, marketing and community engagement. “When he approached me to help him with this initiative, I knew we had to make his vision a reality.”

“Michael has led the way on this the whole way through,” Travis Vaughan, Tandem Diabetes Care territory manager. “It’s for a great cause in Diabetes Canada and D-camp and we’re really happy to support that. We’re really excited about the game.”

Fans are encouraged to wear blue on game night — as it’s the official colour of Diabetes Month — where the arena will be lit in the same colour in honour of the cause.

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Peterborough Petes Mourn the Loss of Alumnus Brent Pope

The Peterborough Petes are mourning the loss of alumnus Brent Pope, who after battling with cancer, has passed away at 49 on Tuesday.

Pope debuted with the Petes that had NHLer Mike Ricci and Petes assistant coach Andrew Verner on hte same roster. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Pope spent parts of two seasons with the Petes from 1989-'91. He has been with the Hamilton Dukes, Guelph Storm and Ottawa 67’s over a four year Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career. In UK Ice Hockey from 1996-2017, he sever as a as a player, coach, managing director and broadcaster in the United Kingdom.

Pope was drafted by the Petes in the third round of the 1989 OHL Priority Selection from the Grimsby Peach Kings Jr. C Hockey Club. He debuted with the Petes during the 1989-90 season for 31 games.

The defenceman had seven assists in his rookie season in the OHL. He had three goals and 11 assists in just 29 games the following year before moving on to his hometown Hamilton Dukes. Pope played in 213 games, scoring 29 goals and 84 assists for 113 points in his OHL career.

Pope spent time in the AHL and ECHL before moving to England after his OHL career. Most of his English career was spent with the Cardiff Devils, where he played and served as head coach and managing director. 

He turned to broadcasting afterwards, serving as one for BBC Sport at the 2006 Turin, 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games, covering hockey. He also worked for the Olympic Broadcast Service, covering multiple sports at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Following that, he served as Head of English Commentary for the Champions Hockey League from 2014-17.

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Peterborough to Host Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo

The City of Peterborough is hosting the Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo, promoting inclusion and participation in sports and recreation in the community at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Nov. 19.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

In partnership with the Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the free event will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The CPD strives to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in Peterborough by promoting equality, opportunity and inclusion and advocating to increase community capacity.

The expo is set to bring together the community of sport and recreation organizations and highlight/promote inclusiveness and participation for people of all abilities.

Families will have the opportunity to learn more about inclusivity in sport and recreation through demonstrations and peer engagement with local recreation groups. The event will include prizes, activities and a free swim.

The Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo will feature approximately two dozen organizations including:

• Peterborough Pickleball

• Peterborough Cricket Association

• YMCA East Ontario

• Electric City Special Needs Sports

• Peterborough Curling Club

• Abilities Centre

• Autism Ontario Central East Region

• Peterborough Patriots Sports Club

• Peterborough Special Olympics

• Peterborough Challengers Baseball Association

• Peterborough Athletics Concussion Awareness

• Peterborough Petes

• Junior Achievement Northeast Ontario

• CapableCon-Council for Persons with Disabilities

• City of Peterborough Recreation Services Division

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Peterborough Petes's Michael Simpson Named OHL Goaltender of the Month

Peterborough Petes goalie Michael Simpson has been named the Ontario Hockey League goalie of the month for October announced on Tuesday.

Simpson was selected by the Petes in the tenth round, 193rd overall from the London Jr. Knights in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

It’s his second consecutive award after winning it in April of last season.

During October, Simpson posted a record of six wins and two losses with one shutout, a goals-against average of 2.22 and a .923 save percentage. In ten games this season, Simpson is first in the OHL in goals against average (2.38), wins (7) and second in save percentage (.919).

“Michael has done the work., said Andrew Verner, Petes associate coach. “He committed to coming to Peterborough as a third goalie to play U18 and has gotten better every day since.” 

“It feels amazing,” exclaimed Simpson. “To be recognized two months in a row is pretty special. It’s a nice achievement for myself but overall it’s a team award as we’ve played really good hockey this month. I’m excited to build off this and keep it going as we have a really busy schedule this month.”

Simpson will be honoured before the next home game this Thursday against the Barrie Colts.

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Trent University Set to Host Baggataway Cup This Friday in Three-Day Tournament; First Trent Men's Game Saturday

The Trent Excalibur Men’s lacrosse team is hosting the 2022 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup Championship at Justin Chiu Stadium in a three-day tournament beginning Friday.

Peterborough has significant lacrosse milestones and notable events during 2022. This year is the 150 anniversary of lacrosse in Peterborough and the Lakers have won a fourth-straight Mann Cup championship. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“It is my pleasure to welcome athletes, fans and visitors to Trent University for the 2022 Baggataway Cup,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor.

Trent men’s team finished 2022-23 regular season as the number one seed in the East division that earned a bye to the semi-finals in the Baggataway Cup. Trent is hosting the event for a second time since the team’s inception into CUFLA in 2007. The championship was first hosted at Trent in 2012.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this signature CUFLA championship event again at Trent and are honoured to welcome competitors and fans to Justin Chiu Stadium,” said Leslie Spooner, Trent interim director of Athletics and Recreation. “Our Excalibur men’s lacrosse team has had an incredible season and we can’t wait to cheer on our green and white at home during the Baggataway Cup Championship weekend.”

The first quarterfinal game is on Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the second at 7:30 p.m.

Semi-finals begins on Saturday with Trent’s first game against the winner of quarter-final #1 between McGill and Western at 1:30 p.m. The second semi-final game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The Baggataway Cup final is on Sunday at 2 p.m. immediately followed by an awards presentation.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to compete at Justin Chiu Stadium, in front of the hometown fans,” said Mark Farthing, head coach of the Excalibur men’s lacrosse team. “The city is well-known for lacrosse, not only at Trent but also in the Peterborough region as well. It will be a great opportunity to have the whole community come watch and support us during the championship weekend.”  

A local high school all-star game takes place at 11:00 a.m. prior to the championship game on Sunday.

Day and weekend passes are available for purchase at the gate and in-person at the Trent Athletics Centre. Trent students and children under 12 can attend for free.

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Buckhorn's Kal Sager Selected for Canadian Men’s Sevens Rugby Team

Kal Sager has been selected for the Canada Men's Sevens Team for the start of the 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong, announced Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Rugby Club.

Originally from Buckhorn, Sager started playing rugby at Thomas A. Stewart High School where he was part of the winning team for the AAA boys OFSAA in 2019. He went on to join the Peterborough Rugby Club where he played on U16, U18 and senior men’s teams before moving on to play at Trent University.

Sager joins the team from Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride program, having competed with the B.C. Men’s 7s team at the Rugby Town 7s competition in Denver last August.

This tournament welcomes the 16 best men’s sevens teams in the world and Sager is the only new player to be selected for the team.

Canada is scheduled to face Argentina, Ireland and Kenya in this tournament from Nov. 4 to 6. Canada's first game against Argentina kicks off at 4:04 a.m. EST on Friday.

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Peterborough Petes Earn 6-2 Victory and Series Sweep Over the Soo Greyhounds, Begins Two-Game Winning Streak

The Peterborough Petes get the series sweep with a 6-2 win over the Soo Greyhounds at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes beat the Greyhounds on the road, 3-2 in the teams’ first matchup on Oct. 14. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes started hot by scoring three straight goals from Konnor Smith, Tucker Robertson (power play) and Nick Lardis, 10:45 into the period. They peppered the Greyhounds’s goalie Charlie Schenkel with 16 shots on net in the first. Soo would counter one minute after Lardis’s goal as Peterborough’s Kalvyn Watson scored on his hometown team to cut the lead, 3-1 going into the second.

The Petes continued their offensive flurry with 14 more shots on net. Brian Zanetti eventually was able to snipe one past Schenkel at the 14:06 mark to make it 4-1. That was the only goal scored heading into the third period.

Chase Stillman kept Peterborough’s momentum going as he scored his second goal of the season to make it 5-1. Soo responded quickly as Justin Cloutier beat Michael Simpson to make it 5-2 and pull within three goals. Desperate to make the game closer, Soo pulled their goalie but Connor Lockhart crushed any chance of a comeback with an empty-netter goal for a 6-2 final.

Lardis had a three-point night with one goal and two assists earnign first-star honours. Chase Stillman and Connor Lockhart both had a goal and an assist with the former earing the second star. Soo’s Watson and Peterborough’s own earned the third star with a goal.

The Petes travel to our nation’s capital to take on the undefeated Ottawa 67s on Friday night.

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Hometown PTBO: Former OHL Defenseman Dan Growden Raising Money For His Daughter Diagnosed With Angelman Syndrome

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to former OHL defenseman Dan Growden about his OHL career, transitioning into speed skating and raising money for his daughter Sawyer. She has been diagnosed with the rare Angelman Syndrome.

To help donate, click here.

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