Peterborough Lakers Open Season On the Road With 11-8 Win Over the Brampton Excelsiors.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers got their ‘Drive For Five’ quest off to a good start by winning their opening game 11-8 on the road against the Brampton Excelsiors on Thursday night.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JERAMIE BAILEY AND THE PETERBOROUGH CENTURY 21 LAKERS.

Adam Churchill who was called from the Sr. B Ennismore James Gang struck first for the Lakers, giving them a 1-0 lead. Thomas Hoggarth extended the lead with a goal, 2:20 later. Brooklin responded with a James Whiteford goal but the Lakers tacked on two more with Hoggarth’s second and from Matt Gilray for a 4-1 lead after the first stanza.

Rory Graham inched Brampton closer, scoring the period’s first goal 63 seconds in but Peterborough kept responding in bunches with goals from Joel Tayler and Holden Cattoni to make it 6-2. Tayler returned to the lineupfor the first time since the Lakers’ 2017 Mann Cup win. Just as Henry Fallows scores for the Excelsiors, Turner and Shawn Evans score — with the former on the power play — for a an 8-3 lead. Tyler Ferreira got one back fro Brampton to make it 8-4 going into the third period.

The final stanza saw Brampton score the most goals of any period with four but two power play goals from Hoggarth — which gave him the hat trick — and Cattoni prior to their flurry help put the game out of reach. Gilray also scored late in the game and the Lakers won 11-8.

Drew Hutchison got the win in goal for the Lakers in the season debut.

The Lakers hit the road on Wednesday to take on the e Brooklin Lacrosse Club at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby. Their home opener is set for Thursday at 8 p.m. vs. Brampton, with a parking lot tailgate party prior to the game.

Lakers game leaders:

• Thomas Hoggarth (3-0)

• Holden Cattoni (2-2)

• Matt Gilray (2-0)

• Shawn Evans (1-5)

• Adam Churchill (1-2)

• Turner Evans (1-0)

• Joel Tayler (1-0)

• Caleb Creasor (0-1)

• Austin Hasen (0-1)

• Jordan Stouros (0-1)

• Eric Shewell (0-1)

• Josh Currier (0-1)

• Taite Cattoni (0-1)

• Mitch Ogilvie (0-1)

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Peterborough Petes Overcome Three-Goal Deficit, J.R. Avon Becomes Hometown Hero With Overtime Goal

The Peterborough Petes come back from a three-goal deficit with hometown hero J.R. Avon scoring in overtime to eliminate the host Kamloops Blazers, 5-4 at the Sandman Centre on Thursday night.

This game was the first one that required ovetime to settle a winner for this year’s Memorial Cup. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes drew first blood as Jax Dubois from behind the net, fed Connor Lockhart out in front for a one-timed goal, beating Blazers goalie Dylan Ernst for a 1-0 lead.

The host Kamloops took over the rest of the period as they run off three straight goals from Logan Stankoven, Olen Zellweger (power play) and Harrison Brunicke for a 3-1 lead over Peterborough after the first.

Things did not get better as Logan Bairos extended Kamloops’s lead 4-1 with a point shot to help extinguish Peterborough’s hope to advance.

The Petes would not go down quietly and Brennan Othmann pickpocketed Bairos with a stick lift and quickly snapped it over Ernst’s glove to cut the lead to two.

Peterborough got some puck luck as Kamloops accidentally lifted the puck over the glass for a delay of game penalty and gave the Petes a power play. Samuel Mayer made it count as he one-timed a slapshot from the point and blasted it through heavy traffic to make it a one-goal game.

It only took 73 seconds for Peterborough to tie the game as the Petes won a board battle that saw Brian Zanetti tip in a Tucker Robertson pass for a 4-4 tie to finish off the second period.

The third period saw both teams play very cautiously but both goaltenders were up to the task, as Petes goaltender Michael Simpson stopped all 12 shots in the period as Ernst saved all seven shots. The game would require overtime to settle things, the first of the tournament.

The overtime period made hearts race as both teams had high-scoring chances in the first half of overtime. Simpson made a crucial save as Kamloops had a shot at ending the game. Owen Beck led the counterattack and attracted the attention of two Blazers. He passed it back to Selwyn’s J.R. Avon who shot against the grain and scored for a 5-4 walk-off goal.

J.R. AVON SENDS THE PETES TO THE #MemorialCup SEMIS! pic.twitter.com/jSz4WKpE7s

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 2, 2023

Simpson was named player of the game making 43 saves on 47 shots for the overtime win. He shut the Blazers out in the last 46:37 of the game.

The Petes will get little opportunity to rest as they face the Seattle Thunderbirds in the semi-final matchup on Friday night. The puck drop is at 10 p.m. The winner moves on to the finals to play the Quebec Remparts for the Memorial Cup.

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Peterborough Petes Avoid Memorial Cup Elimination With 4-2 Win Over the Quebec Remparts

The Peterborough Petes keep their Memorial Cup hopes alive by defeating the undefeated Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Quebec Remparts, 4-2 at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C. on Tuesday night.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Van Staalduinen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Remparts had already punched their ticket into the finals prior to the game but were playing for pride. Peterborough was in a do-or-die situation. The Petes played patiently in the first period, limiting Quebec’s chances. The period was relatively quiet and defensive as no scoring occurred in the opening frame. The Petes outshot the Remparts 9-5, the first time they had more shots in a period than the opponent in the tournament.

The second period was a fireworks show as the game was broken wide open with scoring. The Petes kicked it off as a Remparts defender slipped in his own zone and coughed up the puck to Brennan Othmann. He fed Tucker Robertson out in front and scored on a one-timer for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, The Petes caught the Remparts on an ill-timed line change that let Chase Stillman hit J.R. Avon on a 2-on-0 situation to extend the Petes’ lead to 2-0. Two minutes later, Quebec got on the board with some excellent passing in the offensive zone to allow James Malatesta to cash one home for a 2-1 lead. Avery Hayes responded 89 seconds later as he sniped one past William Rousseau to make it 3-1 Petes. The Remparts answered right back 27 seconds later as Nathan Gaucher tipped a point shot for a 3-2 game going into the third.

The Petes sustained pressure early in the period, firing shots from every direction/ Connor Lockhart got some puck luck as he fired it from the boards and ricocheted off a Remparts’ skate and into the net for a 4-2 lead. The Petes held on for a 4-2 lead and kept their Memorial Cup season alive with the win.

Tucker Robertson was named the Player of the Game with a goal and an assist.

The Petes force a tiebreaker game on Thursday with the win. They will face the loser of Wednesday’s game between the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Kamloops Blazers, the final round-robin matchup of the Memorial Cup.

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U16 Peterborough Petes and Cavan's Joshua Avery Signs With the Brantford Bulldogs

Former Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes centreman Joshua Avery has committed to a standard player agreement with the Brantford Bulldogs announced on Monday afternoon.

Avery was the second U16 Pete behind Wil McFadden to be drafted in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Photo courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League.

Avery was a member of the U16 Petes that won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s (OMHA) playoff championship, made the finals of the Steve Richey tournament and the OHL Cup semi-finals this year.

He was selected in the third round, 54th overall in the 2023 Ontario Priority Selection.

Avery posted 31 goals and 32 assists for 63 points in 35 regular season games with the Petes. He had four goals and 11 assists for 15 points through eight playoff games and another four goals and two assists for six points in six games at the OHL Cup.

“The Brantford Bulldogs are very happy to receive a commitment from Joshua Avery,” said Matt Turek, Bulldogs interim general manager. “Joshua is one of the most offensively gifted players in this past draft and brings a style of game that will get our fans out of their seats. Off the ice, Joshua is a young man we are looking forward to having in our community and representing what it means to be a Bulldog.”

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Peterborough Lakers Going Full Steam Ahead For 'Drive for Five'

As the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers prepare for an unprecedented fifth-consecutive Mann Cup title with the ‘Drive for Five,’ the team has made several announcements concerning coaching, roster, a new jersey, opening day and mascot affairs.

Paul Day, lakers General Manager (left) and Jake Withers, defenceman (right) with the new jersey designs for the team. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The announcement was made at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame in the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Saturday.

The coaching staff is being brought back with no changes as head coach Mike Hasen and assistant coaches Tracey Kelusky and Bobby Keast return to the bench.

The championship roster from last year is returning with the exception of goaltender and 2019 Mann Cup MVP Mike Poulin who has retired. Jake Withers and Josh Currier are welcomed back to the lineup as the former was playing in the Premier Lacrosse League and had a no-compete clause enforced on him, prohibiting him from playing in other leagues. The latter was injured.

“It starts with a core group of Peterborough guys and we're able to get Jake Withers back and Josh Currie that didn't play last year,” explained Paul Day, Lakers general manager. “These guys have been important for three of those Mann Cups.”

The Lakers’ home opener is scheduled for June 8 against the Brampton Excelsiors. This is the third game on their schedule as they have two road games prior to their home opener with their first game against the Excelsiors on June 1 and Brooklin L.C. on June 7.

A tailgate party is being scheduled in the PMC parking lot from 5:30 to 7:30. Food and drinks (alcoholic and soft) are available for purchase on-site while The Ilk will be performing live music at the event. All fans are asked to bring non-perishable goods as the Lakers are collecting in support of Kawartha Food Share.

Before faceoff, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble is performing the national anthem and the team will celebrate the banner-raising of Peterborough’s fourth-straight Mann Cup title.

“It's really hard to win one,” said Day. “When they go up there, it's pretty special. I was at home watching the Petes on TSN, you could see all our banners on there so it's pretty special for everybody in this city.”

A new jersey has been unveiled for this season. Most notably, the top right corner on the front will have the initials, ‘S.H.’ in memory of equipment manager Steve Hynes. He passed away peacefully at 72 at Hospice Peterborough last month and had served the team for over a decade.

The Lakers mascot Leo the Lion is being retired this year. The decision was to honour Riddick MacHart who wore the costume. He and his family passed away suddenly in a Hwy 7 car accident on Nov. 22. Leo’s last game is on June 22 against the Six Nations Chiefs and a new mascot will be unveiled for that night. Leo served as the face of the Lakers since 2000.

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U16 Peterborough Petes Andrew MacNiel Commits to Kitchener Rangers

Former Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes defenceman Andrew MacNiel has committed to a standard player agreement and education package with the Kitchener Rangers announced on Monday afternoon.

MacNiel is the fourth captain that has committed to Kitchener this off-season alongside Cameron Reid, Luca Romano and Matheas Stark. Photo courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League.

“We are excited to welcome Andrew and his family to our organization,” said Mike McKenzie, Rangers general manager. “Andrew had a very strong development camp. His size, hockey sense, mobility and puck-moving ability will give him a chance to be a very good defenseman as he matures. We are excited to add him to our already strong group of 2007-born prospects that will be the building blocks of the hockey club’s future.”

The Cobourg product captained the Petes to an Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s (OMHA) playoff championship, the finals of the Steve Richey tournament and the OHL Cup semi-finals this year.

“It’s a dream come true,” said MacNiel. “I imagined playing in the OHL my whole life so to be able to get drafted and eventually sign with the Rangers means everything to me. I never would have believed this would happen so quickly but it’s an amazing feeling and I cannot wait to get started.”

MacNiel had six goals and four assists for 10 points in 24 regular season games with the Petes and had six points in eight playoff games.

The former U16 Petes captain will wear number 43 for the Rangers.

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Peterborough Petes Avoid Memorial Cup Elimination With 4-2 Win Over the Quebec Remparts

The Peterborough Petes keep their Memorial Cup hopes alive by defeating the undefeated Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Quebec Remparts, 4-2 at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C. on Tuesday night.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Van Staalduinen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Remparts had already punched their ticket into the finals prior to the game but were playing for pride. Peterborough was in a do-or-die situation. The Petes played patiently in the first period, limiting Quebec’s chances. The period was relatively quiet and defensive as no scoring occurred in the opening frame. The Petes outshot the Remparts 9-5, the first time they had more shots in a period than the opponent in the tournament.

The second period was a fireworks show as the game was broken wide open with scoring. The Petes kicked it off as a Remparts defender slipped in his own zone and coughed up the puck to Brennan Othmann. He fed Tucker Robertson out in front and scored on a one-timer for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, The Petes caught the Remparts on an ill-timed line change that let Chase Stillman hit J.R. Avon on a 2-on-0 situation to extend the Petes’ lead to 2-0. Two minutes later, Quebec got on the board with some excellent passing in the offensive zone to allow James Malatesta to cash one home for a 2-1 lead. Avery Hayes responded 89 seconds later as he sniped one past William Rousseau to make it 3-1 Petes. The Remparts answered right back 27 seconds later as Nathan Gaucher tipped a point shot for a 3-2 game going into the third.

The Petes sustained pressure early in the period, firing shots from every direction/ Connor Lockhart got some puck luck as he fired it from the boards and ricocheted off a Remparts’ skate and into the net for a 4-2 lead. The Petes held on for a 4-2 lead and kept their Memorial Cup season alive with the win.

Tucker Robertson was named the Player of the Game with a goal and an assist.

The Petes force a tiebreaker game on Thursday with the win. They will face the loser of Wednesday’s game between the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Kamloops Blazers, the final round-robin matchup of the Memorial Cup.

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Leafs Alumni VS Canadiens Alumni to Face Off for Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre

On Monday, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, in partnership with Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC), announced the Montreal Canadiens Alumni team and the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team are coming to Peterborough to participate in a charity hockey game November 17.

photo courtesy of the peterborough memorial centre.

The game will take place at the PMC and tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 2. Tickets start at $25 each and children’s tickets are $20.

There are also a limited number of $75 VIP upgrade tickets, available which include a pre-game reception and meet and greet with either the Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs team.

“We are really excited to be hosting Rivalry Night with the Peterborough Memorial Centre” said Vince Bierworth, executive director for the GPHSF. “There is no greater rivalry in professional hockey and, arguably, all of professional sports, than the Habs versus Leafs. It’s going to be a lot of fun having these passionate fans in the Memorial Centre cheering on the alumni of their favourite teams. Proceeds from the event will support the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. Vital funding for initiatives that broaden equity and access to healthcare.”

The full roster for each team will be announced closer to the event and the Alumni say they are promising an exciting and competitive game.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the PMC Box Office.

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Photos: Peterborough DBIA Petes Weekend Watch Party at Quaker Foods City Square

The Petes lost in their opening game against the Seattle Thunderbirds, 6-3. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area hosted the Petes Watch Party for two weekend Memorial Cup games at the Quaker Foods City Square.

A 16-foot mega screen live-streamed the game. The event includes had a interactive kids zone, small vendors market with food and snacks and a beer garden.

The Petes Memorial Cup schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, May 30 @ 9 p.m. EDT - Peterborough Petes @ Quebec Remparts (QMJHL Champion)

• Thursday, June 1 @ 9 p.m. EDT - Tie-breaker*

• Friday, June 2 @ 10 p.m. EDT - Semi-Final

• Sunday, June 4 @ 10 p.m. EDT - Final

*If necessary

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Peterborough Petes 50/50 Tickets On Sale During the Memorial Cup

The Peterborough Petes are hosting an online 50/50 raffle during the 2023 Memorial Cup with all proceeds supporting the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council, announced on Saturday.

Through the regular season, the Petes 50/50 draws raised $121,000. A record-breaking prize jackpot of $31,605 in game six of the OHL Championship Series. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

A minimum jackpot of $5,000 is guaranteed for the draw. Tickets are now available exclusively online with the draw after the championship game on June 4.

All raffle results from the season can be found by clicking going online.

The Petes begin their Memorial Cup quest against the Western Hockey League Champion Seattle Thunderbirds with puck drop scheduled at 6:00 p.m.

A Watch Party is being hosted by Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area for both weekend games at the Quaker Foods City Square from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The game is being live-streamed on a 16-foot mega screen. The event includes an interactive kids zone, small vendors market with food and snacks and a beer garden.

The Petes Memorial Cup schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, May 27 @ 6 p.m. EDT - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL Champion) @ Peterborough Petes

• Sunday, May 28 @ 6 p.m. EDT - Kamloops Blazers (Host) @ Peterborough Petes

• Tuesday, May 30 @ 9 p.m. EDT - Peterborough Petes @ Quebec Remparts (QMJHL Champion)

• Thursday, June 1 @ 9 p.m. EDT - Tie-breaker*

• Friday, June 2 @ 10 p.m. EDT - Semi-Final

• Sunday, June 4 @ 10 p.m. EDT - Final

*If necessary

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