Peterborough Petes Fundraising "Big Game For Kids" For Peterborough Bigs For Mentoring Services

/

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough and Peterborough Petes are launching the ‘Big Game for Kids’ initiative to raise funds to support local children in need of mentoring services on Thursday’s game.

Riyen (left) and Kohl (right) enjoy a Petes game in January. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Bigs.

The Petes are playing at the Peterborough Memorial Centre against the East-leading Ottawa 67s and is the final home game of the season. Discounted tickets are $15 with all proceeds towards Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Peterborough Petes for this exciting event," said Brent Shepherd, Peterborough Bigs executive director. "The funds raised through this initiative will go a long way in helping us find a mentor for a child, support current mentoring matches and provide much-needed programs for children on our waitlist."

Shepard says roughly 20 tickets of the original 200 are left for purchase and can be bought online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Backup Goaltender Liam Sztuska Earns OHL Goaltender of the Week Honours

/

Peterborough Petes’s Liam Sztuska has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a 2-0 record with a 1.86 goals-against average and .947 save percentage announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Sztuska stopped 72 of 76 shots that netted him a pair of victories last week. He turned aside 43 of the 45 shots against visiting Mississauga Steelheads in a 5-2 win. He relieved Michael Simpson in the third period of a 3-2 loss in Sudbury on Friday, stopping all three shots he faced. Sztuska made 26 saves in a 5-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs on the road on Sunday to cap off his week.

The 18-year-old Mississauga native has a 10-7-0-0 record with a 2.98 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 18 games this season. Sztuska was Peterborough’s fifth-round (94th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Titans U16 program.

The Petes play their last home game of the regular season against the East-leading Ottawa 67s with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes End Road Trip With 5-2 Win Over Niagara IceDogs

/

The Peterborough Petes after losing two road games end on a good note, beating the Niagara IceDogs 5-2 at the Meridian Centre in St. Catherines on Sunday afternoon.

THe Petes remain one game ahead of the Bulldogs for second place in the East Division with a game in hand. Peterborough has already clinched a postseasons berth. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

The Petes got off on the wrong for as Daniel Michaud got Niagara on the board with a tip-in shot just 1:38 in. Peterborough started to rally with five straight goals started by Chase Stillman, tipping in a Sam Mayer shot of his own for a 1-1 tie. Peterborough scored two more goals in 92 seconds to take a 3-1 lead into the break thanks to Tommy Purdeller and Avery Hayes.

Gavin White opened the second-period scoring, 47 seconds in. Two minutes after that, Connor Lockhart scored on the powerplay to make it 5-1 Petes.

The third period had Niagara get one back early with a goal by Alex Assadourian, but the comeback bid fell short as the Petes earned the 5-2 road win.

The Petes play their last home game of the regular season against the East-leading Ottawa 67s with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough U16 AAA Petes Overcome Triple Overtime to Win OMHA Championship

/

It took six periods for a goal but it was the biggest one for the Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes of the season.

The team won 1-0 against the Southern Tier Admirals in triple overtime in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship at the Joshua Creek Arena in Oakville on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of the U16 Peterborough Petes.

Kaiden Harmon of the Petes scored the walk-off championship goal on the powerplay with assists from Josh Avery and Ben Radley with seven minutes left of the third overtime period.

Both teams showed extremely high discipline throughout the game as Peterborough only had one minor penalty to The Admirals’s two.

The Petes found themselves in familiar territory back on Jan. 22. They lost 1-0 in the finals of the Steve Richey tournament coughing up a late third-period goal to the AAA U16 Central Ontario Wolves. It was their only loss in the tournament but found themselves on the winning side for the OHMA championship.

Peterborough was undefeated again entering the finals of the weekend three-day tournament. They had a 2-0-1 record in the round-robin before winning two straight playoff games for the title

They did not let history repeat itself as their first game saw them get revenge against the Wolves, coasting to a 4-1 win on Friday morning.

Later that evening, they played the Admirals to a 1-1 draw with the Petes allowing a third-period goal 23 seconds in from Tyler Bolton.

Peterborough’s only Saturday game resulted in a 3-2 comeback win over the U16 Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs. Bolton scored in the first for a 1-0 but the Petes found themselves trailing into the third 2-1. Wil McFadden took over for Peterborough, scoring on the power play and then again with last-second heroics with 10 ticks to go for the 3-2 win.

The Petes’ first playoff game was a 4-0 rout of the York Simcoe Express as Harmon had two goals in the game while Cohen Bidgood and Kayden Bueller each found the back of the net.

It was their only game of the day but the win propelled the team to the finals.

The Petes have their sights set on the 2023 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament that features the top 20 U16 AAA teams from Ontario and the United States. Peterborough qualified after winning the OMHA playoff semifinal game.

The event runs from March 28 to April 3, with all games being played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto. The Championship Final is being played at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on the final day in Toronto.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Two 10-Year Old Girls Surprised With Bowling Provincial Title; Advance to National Championships In Regina

/

Two 10-year-old girls Tatum Hutchinson and Taylar McCallum were given a pleasant surprise when they heard their names be called champions of the Ontario Youth Bowling Championship in St. Mary’s on Sunday.

Hutchinson, 10, a Grade 5 student at Queen Elizabeth Public School (left) and McCallum, 10, a Grade 5 student at Keith Wightman Public School (right) are practicing every Wednesday in preparation for the national championships with occasional weekends. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The duo is believed to be the youngest Peterborough bowlers to win a provincial title and qualify for the national championships in Regina, Sask from May 6 - 9.

The news of them winning the tournament came as a shock.

“It was exciting,” said Hutchinson. “We didn't know until it got announced. We didn't even know where we were on the board.

“It really surprised me when they called us up for first place,” explained McCallum. “I was really speechless for a while and I still am about it. I'm really excited and all my friends congratulated me when I came back to school.”

McCallum got into bowling from her father who also participated in the Youth Bowling Championships and was a former provincial champion. She started when she was four or five years old.

“It's a family thing,” explained McCallum. “My dad got me into it after he stopped doing it. I used to go to tournaments to watch him bowl.”

Hutchinson started bowling around the same as her teammate and met through bowling. That partnership helped them perform as a team when they won provincials.

“We're really close so it's easy for us to compete together,” explained Hutchinson.

This is the first time that the girls are travelling outside the province to compete in any sporting event.

“I'm nervous about going there since I've only been on a plane since I was a baby and I'm also really excited because I get to go somewhere new that I haven't been before,” explained McCallum.

“I’m nervous and excited at the same time,” said Hutchinson.“It’s going to be fun.”

The girls are practicing every Wednesday at Lakeview Bowl and occasionally throughout the week to prepare for the national championships.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Playoff Tickets On Sale After Clinching Postseason Birth

/

The Peterborough Petes have put this year’s playoff tickets on sale having clinched a spot from Friday’s win over the Kingston Frontenacs with first-round games played between March 30 and April 11.

Petes Season Ticket Members can purchase playoff tickets by using the playoff pre-authorization form. Full ticket details will be released once the first-round schedule is finalized.

Non-Season Ticket Members can put down a deposit on 2023-24 season tickets or by purchasing a Playoff 6-Pack.

This is the team’s seventh trip to the OHL Playoffs in the last 10 seasons. The Petes clinched a spot in the 2019-20 playoffs but the postseason was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Petes have missed the postseason only eight times in their 67-year history. They are searching for their 10th OHL Championship when the playoffs begin on March 30.

The Petes currently hold fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 33-25-2-2. A fourth-place finish will result in the Petes holding a home-ice advantage for games one and two of round one.

The Petes head to North Bay to wrap up their series with the Battalion on Thursday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Let Up in the Third Period, Fall to North Bay Battalion 5-3

/

The Peterborough Petes kept pace with the North Bay Battalion until the third period, losing a tight game, 5-3 on the road on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Seven minutes into the game, North Bay drew first blood as Kyle Jackson put North Bay up. Peterborough retaliated late in the period as Owen Beck finished a give-and-go from Avery Hayes to tie the game at 1-1. A minute and a half later, Tucker Robertson pouned on a rebound on the powerplay to give Peterborough a 2-1 lead into the second.

North Bay struck first again as Liam Arnsby scored to tie the game at 2-2. Three minutes later, Kyle McDonald gave the Battalion the a 3-2 lead. Konnor Smith evened things up with a point shot to tie the game at 3-3 into then third.

North Bay struck first again just 12 and a half minutes in as McDonald struck again with a one-timed shot beating Michael Simpson for a 4-3 lead. The Battalion added an empty netter with 10 seconds left to seal the 5-3 win. 

Peterborough continues their road trip against the Sudbury Wolves on Friday with puck drop at 7:05 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Seventh Annual Tebey Golf Classic Held at Wildfire Golf Club To Support Peterborough Youth

/

The seventh annual Tebey Golf Classic has been announced for June 1 at Wildfire Golf Club in support of Peterborough Youth Services and the YES Shelter announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Tebey.

“I’m really looking forward to getting home for our annual golf fundraiser with GPSHF, Your Family Health Team Foundation,” said Tebey. "As someone who has expressed my own challenges with mental health well-being over the years, it's really important to me to support initiatives in this area of health services."

Foursomes are $1000 and include a shotgun tee-off, meet and greet with Tebey, access to private in-person VIP acoustic performance with Tebey and special guests (TBA), activities and contests throughout the course, meals, prizes, professional photos of your group, and a chance to play one of Ontario’s top private courses that has hosted PGA tour events. 

A $200 tax receipt will be provided to all foursomes, with funds raised going to support Youth Mental Health programming through Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

"The Tebey Golf Classic is one of the highlights of our year at YES,” said Aimeé Le Lagadec, Yes Shelter executive director. “This incredible event has become crucial to the support provided to young people and families struggling severely with their mental health while experiencing homelessness in Peterborough."

“These funds help us to reduce wait times and to provide specialized services for children, youth and families,” said Gord Langill, Peterborough Youth Services Executive Director. “Mental health issues are affecting more people in more complex ways, and resources are limited, so every fund-raised dollar makes a difference.”

 A shotgun tee-off will be scheduled at 12:30 p.m., with an outdoor acoustic performance taking place at 7 p.m.

The annual Tebey Golf Classic raises funds in partnership with GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, to support youth mental health programming across the Peterborough region. More than $175,000 has been raised over the past six years creating programming that previously did not exist in our community. This includes: 

  • Reducing wait times and to provide specialized services for children, youth and families

  • Covid-19 Response Drop In Centre - YES Youth Emergency Shelter for Youth and Families

  • YES Homelessness Prevention Program partnership with Peterborough Youth Services and YES Year one and Year two Funding

  • 211 Awareness Campaign – Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter

  • Ongoing education for Mental Health Clinicians of the Peterborough Family Health Team to support free patient mindfulness programming

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Former Peterborough Pete Cameron Butler a Three-Year Entry-Level Contract

/

Former Peterborough Petes forward Cameron Butler has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL announced on Thursday.

Butler played with the Petes from 2018-20 with 30 goals and 15 assists during that span. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The 20-year-old has spent the past five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and is currently with the Oshawa Generals. He registered 71 goals and 77 assists for 148 points with 289 penalty minutes, 22 power play goals and 529 shots in 253 games with the Oshawa Generals, Niagara IceDogs and Peterborough Petes.

He has set career highs in goals, points and penalty minutes with 24-25-49 in 59 games with the Generals. He also tallied 111 PIM, 132 shots and three game-winning goals. He leads the club and ranks second in the OHL in penalty minutes, is tied for third with Oshawa in goals and power play goals (six) and is tied for fourth in points in 2022-23.

"Cameron is a physical forward with size, strength, toughness and tremendous character and leadership," said Jarmo Kekalainen, Blue Jackets general manager. "He is a hard-working, competitive player and we are excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family."

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough's Nolan Burke One Goal Away From 50 For OHL Season

/

A two-goal night for Peterborough’s Nolan Burke of the Sarnia Sting against the Hamilton Bulldogs puts him at 49 goals on the season, one short of breaking the 50 mark from Wednesday’s game.

Photo courtesy of Tim Burke.

Both goals came from rebounds on point shots. Burke scooped up the puck and got it past Bulldog goaltenders Matteo Drobac in the first period and Tristain Malboeuf in the third.

Burke is currently second in the league with goals behind Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires. He ranks first in the league with powerplay goals with 22, ahead of Peterborough Petes’s Avery Hayes with 19.

Only four other Sarnia Sting players have broken the 50-mark in OHL history during the regular season. Reid Boucher in 2012-13 (62), Steven Stamkos in 2007-08 (58), Ivan Novoseltsev in 1998-99 (57) and Jon Sim in back-to-back seasons from 1995-97 (56).

The 20-year-old forward can break the 50-mark on St. Patrick’s Day this Friday on the road against the Guelph Storm. His father Tim Burke organized the 20th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Peterborough that took place last Sunday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.