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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Peterborough Petes Struggle To Find the Back of the Net, Shutout In Game One of OHL Championship 3-0

The 2006 OHL Championship rematch started on the wrong foot for the Peterborough Petes as they were shutout by the London Knights in Game One, 3-0 at the Budweiser Gardens in London on Thursday night.

Peterborough won the series 4-0 during the 2006 OHL Championship against the London Knights. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes found themselves in an unfamiliar position as they were trailing in shots on goal, a stat they typically lead in. They were up 3-1 in shots then let nine consecutive shots from London after that. Petes goalie Michael Simpson stood tall and stopped all 12 in the period to keep the Knights off the board. Peterborough only registered seven shots and Zach Bowen was able to shut them all down for London for a 0-0 tie into the second.

The shots were exactly the same with London restricting Peterborough’s chances once again. Gavin White had a close one, ringing it past Bowen from the point but off the post during a powerplay to keep the game scoreless. Owen Beck received a pass to the high slot but Bowen robbed him with an incredible glove save that kept the former in disbelief. London eventually broke the deadlock as Denver Barkey gained the zone and skated to the side of the net. He dished it to Easton Cowan who had a wide-open chance and sent it home for a 1-0 lead going into the third.

Peterborough was able to register more shots in this period than the Knights, 10-8 but struggled to get one past Bowen. Jacob Julien doubled the lead as he had shot sent wide however on a fortunate rebound, it got back to his stick and took advantage of an aggressive Simpson for a 2-0 lead with under 6:30 left in the game. London added an empty netter to seal it and took Game One.

Bowen, Easton Cohen and Isaiah George, all form London were awarded the three stars of the game.

The Petes seek a series split as Game Two is on Saturday in London.

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Peterborough Petes Game Three and Four OHL Championship Tickets On Sale

Tickets for Peterborough Petes’ Game Three and Game Four for the OHL Championship at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) have gone on sale to the public.

The Petes defeat3d the London Knights for the OHL Championship in 2006. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PETERBOROUGH PETES.

The tickets went on sale as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

An official watch party for Game One is being held at the PMC Pub and Grill at 6 p.m. Thursday. Food and drink are available with prizes to be won according to the Petes.

The full schedule for the OHL Final against the London Knights is as follows:

• Game One – Thursday, May 11 at London, 7 p.m.

• Game Two – Saturday, May 13 at London, 7 p.m.

• Game Three – Monday, May 15 at Peterborough, 7 p.m.

• Game Four – Wednesday, May 17 at Peterborough, 7:30 p.m.

• Game Five – Friday, May 19 at London, 7:30 p.m.

• Game Six – Sunday, May 21 at Peterborough, 7 p.m.

• Game Seven – Monday, May 22 at London, 7 p.m.

*If necessary

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Peterborough Primed To Win OHL Championship Against London Knights In 2006 Rematch

Shortly after winning the Bobby Orr Trophy as OHL Eastern Conference Champions, the Peterborough Petes begin their quest to win the OHL Championship with Game One against the London Knights in a deja vu situation beginning Thursday.

Both teams split the series with teh home team winning their respective games in their regular-season matchups. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

This is a rematch of 2006 where both teams faced each other in the OHL Championship with Peterborough sweeping London for the title.

The Peterborough Petes defeated the Sudbury Wolves in four games, Ottawa 67’s in six games and North Bay Battalion in seven games to advance to the OHL Championship.

Peterborough and London faced each other twice during the regular season, splitting the series with both victories at home. London won 5-2 on Dec. 10 while the Petes shutout the Knights 3-0 on Jan. 26 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

“We haven’t played them much in the last couple of years due just with all the Covid and stuff going on,” said Chase Stillman, Petes forward. “I felt like we match up pretty well against them in the regular season, in the two games we played them and it’s going to be sticking to the same structure in the playoffs so far.”

“We’ve got work to do,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach.”We know they’re a good team. The whole organization is a tough opponent but we have to start with the coaches and then the players have to bring what they can bring. It's one game at a time.”

The Petes brought in several players at the trade deadline with Brennan Othmann, Gavin White, Avery Hayes, Owen Beck and more. Several of the acquisitions have made major impacts for the Petes during the playoffs, something Petes general manager intended to do for a playoff push.

“We knew that we owed it to the players and to the organization and fans that because of the play that we demonstrated in the first half, we were going to do whatever could do to strengthen and solidify the roster,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager.

The Petes depth has been tested during the series. Johnathan Melee sustained a lower-body injury in Game Five (and was out for the series), captain Shawn Spearing sustained a head injury after blocking a shot in the first period in Game Seven and Avery Hayes had a lower-body injury from blocking a shot in Game One. Hayes returned to the lineup in Game Three. Spearing has yet to be cleared to play and Wilson said he has yet to receive a prognosis on Spearing’s condition.

Cam Gauvreau and Chase Stillman also served two-game suspensions in that were doled out in Games Six and Three respectively.

“Anytime you go into the playoffs, depth is key,” said Oke. “It's going to be challenged, there's going to be adversity. We've got a resilient group, it seems that if one guy goes down, someone else picks it up.”

Wilson credits the players for coming together at the right time when it matters most.

“It's a credit to players that were here and it's a credit to the players that were brought in,” he explained. “These guys have really come together and they've really wanted to play for each other and I think they've proved that.”

Rob Wilson ahs been head coach of the Petes since 2018. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The full schedule for the OHL Final against the London Knights is as follows:

• Game One – Thursday, May 11 at London, 7 p.m.

• Game Two – Saturday, May 13 at London, 7 p.m.

• Game Three – Monday, May 15 at Peterborough, 7 p.m

• Game Four – Wednesday, May 17 at Peterborough, TBD

• Game Five – Friday, May 19 at London, TBD*

• Game Six – Sunday, May 21 at Peterborough, Time TBD*

• Game Seven – Monday, May 22 at London, TBD*

*If necessary

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Peterborough Petes Win Bobby Orr Trophy As Eastern Conference Champions, Defeating North Bay 3-2 in Game Seven; Will Face London Knights in OHL Championship

The Peterborough Petes are returning home with the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions after a 3-2 victory over the Battalion in Game Seven at the North Bay Memorial Gardens on Monday night.

The Peterborough Petes won back-to-back games on consecutive nights to win the series against the North Bay Battalion. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

Both teams finished Game Six in Peterborough on Sunday and are on the second leg of back-to-back games.

North Bay opened the scoring 10:56 into the period as the Battalion recovered the puck in their own zone and started their rush. Josh Bloom made a cross-ice pass to Justin Ertel who took a shot. It was blocked by Gavin White and went back to the stick of Bloom who had a wide open net and scored for a 1-0 lead. That remained the score after the first with Peterborough leading in shots, 14-8.

Peterborough got in rhythm early in the second as Montréal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck started the attack from his own end. He took advantage of a Battalion player who slipped, gained the offensive zone and rifled it past North Bay goaltender Dom DiVincentiis top shelf for a 1-1 tie. Brennan Othmann continued to stay hot during the playoffs as he sniped a shot from a sharp angle to give the Petes a 2-1 lead. That was Othmann’s seventh goal of the playoffs and the eighth point of the series. He has failed to register a point in two of 17 playoff games this postseason for Peterborough. North Bay would tie the game with 7:11 left in the period as Ty Nelson made a point shot and got tipped by Battalion captain Liam Arnsby as both teams headed into the third.

The Petes made their stamp early in the third period as just under six minutes in, Selwyn’s J.R. Avon had a partial breakaway and chipped it over DiVincentiis to give Peterborough a 3-2 lead. The Petes clamped down defensively despite coughing up a penalty as the limited North Bay to five shots in the period. The Battalion pulled their goalie with under two minutes to go in desperation to tie the game. Several Petes blocked many shots to prevent a score and Peterborough held on for a 3-2 win.

Captain Shawn Spearing had taken two blocked shots to the face during the contest and was taken to a local hospital to treat his injuries. During the presentation of the Bobby Orr Trophy for the Eastern Conference Champions, the team held up Spearing’s jersey, honouring their captain’s sacrifice and effort for the win.

Avon, Brian Zanetti and Arnsby were awarded the three stars of the game.

The win gives Peterborough a spot for the franchise’s 14th OHL Championship series and will face the Wayne Gretzky Trophy-champion London Knights for the J. Ross Robertson Cup in a 2006 rematch.

This is Peterborough’s second Bobby Orr trophy since it was introduced in 1999. The Petes made 12 appearances in the OHL Final before the trophy was introduced. The team is looking to capture its 10th J. Ross Robertson Cup.

The full schedule for the OHL Final against the London Knights is as follows:

• Game One – Thursday, May 11 at London, 7 p.m.

• Game Two – Saturday, May 13 at London, 7 p.m.

• Game Three – Monday, May 15 at Peterborough, 7 p.m

• Game Four – Wednesday, May 17 at Peterborough, TBD

• Game Five – Friday, May 19 at London, TBD*

• Game Six – Sunday, May 21 at Peterborough, Time TBD*

• Game Seven – Monday, May 22 at London, TBD*

*If necessary

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Adam Scott Captures Canadian High School Ultimate Frisbee Championships In Ajax

The Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute Lions are returning to Peterborough with gold from the Canadian High School Ultimate (Frisbee) Championships as they defeated Bowmanville High School 13-4 at the Ajax Community Centre Soccer Fields on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Hickey and Ultimate Canada.

Adam Scott was the only Peterborough representative for the two-day tournament as one of 16 teams across the country. Schools from Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick were in attendance.

The Lions were in Pool A with Collége Sturgeon Heights Collegiate from Winnipeg, Mitchell-Montcalm from Quebec and Merivale High School in Ottawa.

They captured the number one seed after three round-robin games on Saturday and one inter-divisional game on Sunday before qualifying for the playoffs.

The last championship was held by Kelvin High School who are two-time defending champions for 2018 and 2019. Following their finals loss, Bowmanville has been runner-up for three consecutive years.

The Canadian High School Ultimate (Frisbee) Championships have not run since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Peterborough Petes Force Game Seven With 4-3 Comeback Win in Overtime Over North Bay

The Peterborough Petes staved off elimination and forced a game seven after coming back in overtime to get a walk-off goal for a 4-3 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday.

The Peterborough Petes are 7-1 at home during the playoffs. Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

New Jersey Devils first-round pick Chase Stillman returned to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension that he got in game three for slew-footing.

The Petes got the start that they wanted six minutes into the game, when Shawn Spearing made a long stretch pass to J.R. Avon despite being deflected off a North Bay stick. He ripped it past Battalion goalie Dom DiVincentiis for a 1-0 lead. One minute later, Stillman made his presence felt after being reinserted into the lineup as he tipped home a Connor Lockhart shot to make it 2-0 going into the second.

Peterborough had 14 shots to North Bay’s six in the second period but the score did not reflect the story. Spearing on a powerplay lost control of the puck and turned it over in the neutral zone. Josh Bloom picked up the loose puck and scored shorthanded to get North Bay on the board. In the final minute of the period, North Bay kept on the attack as Liam Arnsby took a shot that deflected wide, bounced off the half-wall and squirted out in front for Anthony Romani to pick up the loose change to make it a 2-2 tie into the third.

Momentum carried in North Bay’s favour into the third as Matvey Petrov on the rush was able to beat Michael Simpson through the five-hole for a 3-2 lead. Sam Mayer’s poise showed up again this series similar to when he scored the game-winning goal in game three. He took a cross-ice pass from Brennan Othmann and wristed it home as DiVincentiis was screened for a 3-3 tie. No goals were recorded for the rest of the period as the game required overtime to settle it.

In overtime, Avery Hayes blocked a shot and created an odd-man rush with him and Othmann leading the charge. The latter passed it to Hayes who one-timed it past DiVincentiis and gave the Petes a 4-3 win in game six.

Hayes, Mayer and DiVincentiis were named three stars of the game.

The Petes and Battalion finish their series in North Bay for Game Seven on Monday night.

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