Electric City Football Club Re-Sign Angelika Mihalopulos and Daniel Oshana For the 2023 Rosters

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) have brought back midfielders Angelika Mihalopulos and Daniel Oshana to their 2023 roster announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of ECFC.

Mihalopulos played in 18 matches, playing 1,400 minutes during her first season with ECFC. Prior to Electric City, Mihalopulos played professionally in Greece in the Women’s Alpha division for AEL FC. She started 16 games and helped lead the team to a fourth-place finish in the Greek First Division.

“I’m excited to be back for my second season with the club,” said Mihalopulos. “The passion and backing from the community last year was unbelievable and I’m proud to be back representing all of you. I look forward to meeting all the new staff and players and reuniting with some familiar faces.”

“Having Angelika return to ECFC was a no-brainer,” said Randy Ribiero, ECFC men’s and women’s head coach. “We are delighted to have her sign for the 2023 season, and she will again be an important piece in midfield for us.”

Oshana joined ECFC last year playing for FC London in 2021. Oshana's big moment came after scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes to Scrosoppi FC to help his side overturn a 3-1 deficit. Oshana represented Team Ontario in the 2017 Canada Games, winning a gold medal.

“It’s a pleasure being able to return to Electric City FC this season,” said Oshana. “I’m looking forward to meeting and working with my teammates, staff, and the community. It’s a big year and I’m going to give it my all for the club and the greatest fans in the league.”

Oshana played in 20 matches and logged the most minutes of any ECFC player with 1,727 minutes.

“Daniel was a standout player for ECFC last season and we are thrilled to have him re-sign for 2023,” said Ribiero. “Daniel is one of the best central midfielders in League 1 and I think it is a matter of time before we see him make the move to a higher level.”

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Electric City Football Club Re-Sign Kayla McQueen and Bradley Heath For the 2023 Season

After Electric City Football Club’s (ECFC) inaugural year, the team has re-signed striker Kayla McQueen and defender Bradley Heath for their 2023 women’s and men’s 2023 rosters respectively announced on Monday night.

Kayla McQueen (left) scored 13 goals during the regular season ranking fourth best in the league while Bradley Heath (right) played 20 games for ECFC. File Photo.

“Bradley was a constant in our backline last season and is part of a core group of players returning for 2023,” said Randy Ribiero, ECFC men’s and women’s head coach. “His desire to win, willingness to compete and the character he has, exemplifies what it means to play for this organization and represent the City of Peterborough.” 

Heath played over 1700 minutes and helped the team earn eight shutouts in his 20 games started. He was named a Western Conference All-Star while playing with FC London during the prior two seasons and named OCAA West Defender of the Year in 2018 and 2021 during his four years with the Fanshawe Falcons. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Peterborough this summer with Electric City,“ he said. “We’ve got a young and talented group coming in, along with great coaches to work with.”

McQueen led OCAA Women’s Soccer prior to joining ECFC last year with 17 goals in five games for Fanshawe College. She was named team captain and OCAA Women’s soccer West Division Player of the Year. McQueen also received CCAA All-Canadian honours for the 2021-22 season.

“Returning to ECFC means being surrounded by the best community and fans the league has seen,” said McQueen. “I am looking forward to working with familiar faces and meeting new players and staff.”

McQueen played in all 19 women’s matches last season, scoring 13 goals and finishing fourth in League 1 Ontario for scoring.

“I am thrilled to have Kayla returning for 2023,” said Ribeiro, “Kayla proved last season that she is one of the top strikers in this league. She is a player that the fans and community really got behind and is a joy to watch play. Kayla led our team in scoring last season, and we will look for her to continue that form this year.”

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Peterborough Petes' Michael Simpson Named OHL Goaltender of the Week; 3-0 Record Including a Shutout

Peterborough Petes’ Goaltender Michael Simpson has been named the Ontario Hockey League Goaltender of the Week after posting a 3-0 record last week with a shutout announced on Monday.

Simpson has been named Goaltender of the Month on back-to-back occasions on April and October last year. File Photo.

Winning the award for the third time this season, Simpson went 3-0 with a shutout, a 1.33 goals-against average and a .963 save percentage.

His week began with a 4-0 Family Day win over the Sudbury Wolves stopping all 45 shots he faced on his second of back-to-back shutouts and earning first-star recognition for his fifth scoreless effort of the season.

Last Thursday saw Simpson stop 41 of 43 shots for a 6-2 win over the West Division-leading Windsor Spitfires.

He helped earn Peterborough a 5-2 road win over the rival Oshawa Generals with 19 saves. Simpson closed out the weekend with a total of 105 saves on 109 shots over three games played.

Simpson holds a 23-16-1-2 record, leads the OHL in saves (1,211), save percentage (.917) and shutouts (5) along with a 2.62 goals-against average through 43 games.

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City of Peterborough To Host the Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo March 4

The City of Peterborough will be hosting the second Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo in partnership with the Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) on March 4 at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre (775 Brealey Dr.)

file photo.

From noon to 3 p.m., the Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo will bring together community sport and recreation organizations to highlight and promote inclusiveness and encourage participation for people of all abilities. Local groups will showcase their inclusive programs to potential participants.

This free event is set to provide children and families an opportunity to learn more about the resources available and inclusivity in sport and recreation through demonstrations, peer engagement and information sessions.

The Council for Persons with Disabilities works to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by promoting equality, opportunity and inclusion in the Peterborough area. CPD strives to increase community capacity and create positive change while advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities for improved services that will allow persons with disabilities to live a full, productive life. 

Those with any questions about attending the Inclusive Sport & Recreation as an attendee or as a vendor can email rec@peterborough.ca. 

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Photos: Peterborough Lakers Receive 2022 Mann Cup Championship Rings

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have unveiled and received their 2022 Mann Cup championship rings at Champs Sports Bar on Sunday afternoon. The won the championship after a game seven 13-9 win over the Langley Thunder on Sep. 17 last year. The rings feature the four consecutive Mann Cups the Lakers won starting in 2017, the 150th anniversary of the lacrosse logo on one side and the recipient’s name on the other.

During the celebrations, the Lakers presented Parkinson’s Society and Kawartha Food Share $2,100 apiece from the proceeds of their Mann Cap jersey auction that began on Feb. 4.

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Peterborough Petes Gun Down West-Leading Windsor Spitfires With Five Unanswered Goals For a 6-2 Win

The Peterborough Petes flew higher than the West division-leading Windsor Spitfires with five unanswered goals en route to a 6-2 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes are in second place in the East division with 61 points behind the Ottawa 67s. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had a tall order to fill as the Spitfires have been on a tear since acquiring the most recent fourth-overall pick and Seattle Kraken’s Shane Wright from the Kingston Frontenacs at the trade deadline. Winsdosr has been 9-0-1-0 in their last 10 leading the West with a playoff spot clinched.

The game started on the wrong foot for Peterborough as they allowed a shorthanded goal. Oliver Peer’s shot created a rebound chance for Nicholas DeAngelis to capitalize for a 1-0 lead for Windsor after the first.

Peterborough got redemption on their prior special teams blunder having a two-man advantage. Chase Stillman tipped a Gavin White point shot with a second before the first penalty expired for his eighth of the season and 50th of his OHL career. Windsor and league-leading scorer Matt Maggio got a feed from Wright for a breakaway chance and beat Petes goaltender Michael Simpson on the backhand for a 2-1 lead. In the last minute of the period, Peterborough in the dying seconds of the power play (yet again) saw Brennan Othmann feed J.R. Avon alone in front of the net, who deked around Windsor goalie Joey Costanzo and slipped it through for a 2-2 tie into the third period. 

Peterborough took over in the final frame as Gavin White slapped a point shot that left a juicy rebound for Connor Lockhart to make it 3-2 for the Petes just under nine minutes in. putting away a rebound eight minutes in to give the Petes the lead. Donovan McCoy gave an insurance marker late in the game for Peterborough by going end-to-end and sniped in past Costanzo for the 4-2 lead. Avon added an empty netter for his second of the game and Konnor Smith added a point-shot goal for a 6-2 win and to hand Windsor their first regulation loss in February.

The Petes wrap up the season series with their rival, the Oshawa Generals on Friday on the road.

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Canadian Mental Health Association Teams Up With Peterborough Petes for Talk Today Game Night

The Peterborough Petes and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) are teaming up to host Talk Today Night during the Petes home game against the Windsor Spitfires Thursday night.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

The game, presented by Syngenta and Grain Farmers of Ontario, will take place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Feb. 23 at 7:05 p.m. and will feature:

• CMHA and Grain Farmers of Ontario tables in the concourse handing out information about Talk Today

• Player content relating to Talk Today to be played and shared at the PMC on gameday

• PA and video board announcements

• A pre-game ceremony and a puck drop featuring representatives from CMHA and Grain Farmers of Ontario

Launched by CMHA Ontario in 2014 in partnership with the OHL, the Talk Today program has grown to become one of the most comprehensive sport mental health programs in Canada. Through Talk Today, CMHA branches across Ontario have been teaming up with their local OHL teams to educate and support their players on mental health and suicide prevention.

“The Talk Today program is an essential piece to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging players to access mental health support when needed. I’m proud to know the Talk Today program started here in Peterborough and to have been a part of it since it’s inception,” says Jack Veitch, manager of community engagement and education.

“Now, more than ever, it is important to talk about mental health; especially in sport. Game night’s like Talk Today provide a platform to speak about mental health and we’re proud to partner with CMHA, Syngenta, and Grain Farmers of Ontario to spread this important messaging and keep the conversation moving forward,” says Adam King, director of marketing with the Petes.

Tickets for the game are available by clicking here, or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561.

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Kawartha Downs Announces New General Manager and Future Event Details

The ownership and management of Kawartha Downs has introduced the new full-time general manager of Kawartha Downs Daniel D’Ercole at a press conference on Tuesday.

new general manager Daniel D’Ercole. Photo by Felicia Massey.

A Southern Ontario native, D’Ercole brings a strong education in Human Resources, Sports, Entertainment and Marketing that is bolstered by an MBA from Schulich School of Business. Over the last six years, D’Ercole has honed his skills in finance consulting, brand development, customer satisfaction and marketing strategy in a variety of roles.

He has a particular love of sports, notably hockey, and had an impressive career in the Ontario Junior Hockey League before shifting his focus to the business of entertainment.

This summer, Kawartha Downs Events plans to surpass expectations set by last year’s groundbreaking season as a premier event and entertainment centre. On May 20, Kawartha Downs will host its annual opening day celebration. The Lions Club classic car show will begin in the morning of opening day, kids activities in the afternoon and multiple bands will perform before harness racing post time of 7 p.m. The monster truck show June 3-4 will be the largest in the area.

“2022 was a record-breaker for Kawartha Downs and the surrounding community, and we are very proud of our last summer’s events,” said Richard Weldon, president of Kawartha Downs. “We got straight to work planning an evening bigger, more exciting season in 2023.”

The Country Music Festival on Canada Day Weekend has been highly anticipated by locals, and the entire artist lineup will be announced in the near future.

Recently details for the first ever Kawartha County Fair have been solidified. The fair will be a multiple day event consisting of your classic midway experience, a huge tractor pull, demolition derby and a concert featuring at least four local bands and a headliner. Kawartha Downs’ signature fireworks show will be put on every night of the fair.

“It is evident how tight-knit the surrounding community is with Kawartha Downs, and I plan on strengthening that relationship,” says D’Ercole. “As general manger, my priority is to implement strategic initiatives that will create a connection with people and businesses, and a connection to this community.”

“I know this venue has the potential to host some of Ontario’s largest events, and it is my goal to make Kawartha Downs one of the most successful destinations for entertainment in Ontario,” he continued.

For more information visit the website.

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Peterborough Petes Earn Second Consecutive Shutout In 4-0 Win Over the Sudbury Wolves On Family Day Next Gen Game

The Peterborough Petes posted a second consecutive shutout, defeating the Sudbury Wolves 4-0 on a Monday matinee game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on the Family Day Next Gen Game.

The Peterborough Petes followed Friday’s 3-0 shutout win with a 4-0 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Monday. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had some discipline problems incurring three straight penalties halfway through the first period. The penalty kill bailed them out and the game remained scoreless until the final few minutes of the period. Peterborough in the dying seconds of their powerplay saw Avery Hayes finding Gavin White at the point and rifled it home for a 1-0 lead going into the second.

The second period had Jonathan Melee make a cross-crease pass to Brian Zanetti who buried the one-timer for a 2-0 lead. Peterborough had another late-period goal with 13 seconds left in the frame as Jax Dubois won a faceoff that got to Chase Stillman. He ripped it at the net and got past Wolves goalie Nate Krawchuk for a 3-0 lead into the third period.

The third stanza saw Michael Simpson stop a 16-shot barrage, the highest shot total in a period from the Wolves this game to keep the game scoreless for Sudbury. J.R. Avon tacked on an empty-net goal to seal the 4-0 win for Peterborough.

The Petes remain on home ice for Talk Today night this Thursday for their next game against the Windsor Spitfires.

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Peterborough Petes Cough Up Late Goal To League Leader Ottawa 67s In 3-2 Loss

The Peterborough Petes went toe to toe with the league-leading Ottawa 67s but came up short, coughing up a late-period goal for a 3-2 loss at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes have lost three in a row and are 3-7-0-0 in their last ten games. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

J.R. Avon opened the scoring 4:40 into the game, taking a stretch pass from Tucker Robertson used his speed to get behind Ottawa’s defence and got it past 67s goalie Collin Mackenzie for 1-0. Petes goaltender held his own, stopping all 14 shots that came his way going into the second period.

Ottawa quickly tied the game 1:54 into the period as Logan Morrison capitalized on a loose puck to make it 1-1 as the period’s only goal.

The first half of the third period saw no scoring but Sam Mayer rifled a point shot at 13:28 to give the Petes a 2-1 lead. It was short-lived as five minutes later, Ottawa applied heavy pressure at Peterborough’s net and Morrison dug out the puck from a scrum and got it in at an open net to tie the game. With just over a minute left, Cooper Foster was able to seal the win for Ottawa by batting a mid-air puck for the late lead and the 3-2 win.

The Petes travel to Kingston to take on the Frontenacs on Friday night. Peterborough remains in second place in the division, trailing 23 points to Ottawa. They stay ahead of Hamilton with three points but have one less game in hand.

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