Matthew Soto's Five-Point Night Gives Peterborough the Win Over Rival Oshawa Generals

Matthew Soto helped the Petes prevail during OHL Rivalry Week with five points en route to a 7-3 win over the Oshawa Generals at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 4-4-0-1 record. Photo courtesy of Kenenth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes coughed up the opening goal as they turned over the puck in their own zone and Brooks Rogowski wristed one home for a 1-0 lead just 2:47 into the period.

It took almost 13 minutes but Peterborough got the equalizer after Brennan Falkner had a turnaround bid from the high slot and scored for a tie game. Soto had the primary assist from a rebound shot. It took 67 seconds for the Petes to strike again as Soto had a breakaway shorthanded and got it above the pad for a 2-1 lead after the first period.

Peterborough kept rolling as Kaden McGregor got a juicy rebound from a Gerry DiCunzolo shot and the former buried it home for his second goal of the season. Adam Novotný got on the scoreboard just under six minutes later after pouncing on a rebound from a Thanasi Marentette point shot. He scored to make it 4-1 and Soto got the secondary assist on the play. Vadim Smirnov got one back for the Generals late in the period and it was a 4-2 game after two frames.

Soto found the back of the net just 17 seconds into the final period with a tip-in from a James Petrovski cross-crease pass. He struck again after a loose puck rebound found the back of his stick. He got it past the goaltender with a backhand shot from one knee for the hat trick and fifth point of the night. Peterborough kepts pouring it on as Novotný wristed one home from inside the faceoff circle for his second of the game. The Generals tacked one on late but the Petes easily left the Memorial Centre with a 7-3 win.

The Petes continue the OHL’s Rivalry Week on Saturday when they host the Ottawa 67’s. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Soccer Ends Their Season With a 3-1 Playoff Loss to the Carleton Ravens

The Trent Excalibur men’s soccer team’s 2025-26 season came to an end after being downed by the Carleton Ravens, 3-1 at TAGG Park in Ottawa on Wednesday night.

Excalibur goalkeeper Owen Schultz was Trent’s player of the match, making 13 saves on 16 Ravens shots. The team finished with five shots on goal. Photo courtesy of Trent Excalibur.

The Ravens squad took control early with goals in the 15th and 20th minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Trent could have been in a bigger hole but was saved by a few posts.

The gExcalibur cut the lead in half in the 35th minute with their first playoff marker since 2016 as Oliver Parratt capitalized on a Ravens turnover and put a low strike into the back of the net. The half ended with Carleton holding a 2-1 advantage. 

Trent was more offensive in the second half with several narrow misses but Carleton was able to hold off the attack. Eventually, the Ravens found a hole in the 78th minute to extend their lead to 3-1 and hold on for the victory.

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Peterborough Petes Sign Defenceman to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement From 2023 Priority Selection

The Peterborough Petes have signed defenceman Calum Hartnell to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, announced on Wednesday evening.

Photo courtesy of Kenenth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“We’re excited to announce that we’ve signed Calum Hartnell to a Scholarship and Development Agreement,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Calum had a strong season last year with Carleton Place, making his debut with the Petes later in the year. He has shown throughout his time in Peterborough that he has the qualities that we’re looking for, both on and off the ice.”

The 2007-born defenceman was originally selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, he played in 52 games for the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL, scoring three goals and adding 17 assists for 20 points.

Over the past two seasons, Hartnell has played in five games for the Petes, making his OHL debut in Brantford on March 1 of this year.

The Petes are back in action for the OHL’s  Rivalry Week on Thursday when they host the Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Kaden McGregor Announced to Canada White Roster For U17 World Challenge

Peterborough Petes forward Kaden McGregor has been named to the roster for Canada White at the upcoming 2025 U17 World Challenge in Truro, N.S. from Nov. 2-8, announced by Hockey Canada on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Kenenth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“We’re very excited for Kaden to be able to represent Canada at the upcoming U17 World Challenge,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for him to compete with some of the top talent in the 2009 age group from around the world. We know that this experience will be very beneficial for him moving forward.”

The Braeside native was selected first overall by the Petes in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, winning the Jack Ferguson Award as the draft’s first selection. McGregor played in four games for the Petes, making his debut on Oct. 2. He scored his first goal in a 5-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Oct. 9.

In July, Kaden was invited to Hockey Canada’s U17 National Development Camp in Oakville, along with Petes 2025 second-round pick Kieran Raynor.

McGregor will be joined on Canada White by Alex Darling, Petes video coach and assistant to the General Manager. Darling was named Video Coach for Canada White on July 15.

Canada White kicks off the 2025 U17 World Challenge on Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. AST when they take on Sweden.

The Petes are back in action for the OHL’s  Rivalry Week on Thursday when they host the Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Soccer Start Playoffs Against Ottawa This Wednesday

As the Trent Excalibur men’s soccer team completed their record-breaking regular season on Sunday, they begin their playoff run on the road to Ottawa to face the Carleton Ravens on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and Trent Excalibur.

This marks Trent’s first playoff appearance in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs in 14 years.

Trent finished the regular season 6-5-1 for 19 points, setting a new program record for both wins and points in a season (the previous record of five wins and 17 points was set in 2010-11). The Excalibur set both records in their 3-2 victory over Nipissing in North Bay on Saturday

Trent finished the regular season in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OUA East Division but dropped to sixth place due to the tie-breakers. Carleton finished the season in third place in the OUA East Division and are ranked eighth nationally. 

The two teams played once this season, at Carleton on Sept. 26 in a 3-3 draw.

The game will be livestreamed on OUA.tv. 

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A Pair of First-Career Goals For Peterborough Petes Leads Team to 5-2 Win Over Kingston Frontenacs

Adam Novotný and Kaden McGregor scored their first-career OHL goals to propel the Petes to a 5-2 win over the East-leading Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 3-3-0-1 record. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

It took 44 seconds for the Petes to get on the board as Leon Kolarik won the draw and Colin Fitzgerald took a shot from just outside the faceoff circle. Kolarik pounced on the rebound and scored for a 1-0 lead. Peterborough struck again when Blake Gowan forced a turnover in Kingston’s defensive zone. He took a shot but the puck ended up on Adam Levac’s stick and he buried it for a 2-0 lead.

While Kingston’s Kieren Dervin got one back for Peterborough, Novotný restored the two-goal lead, receiving a slot pass and outwaiting the goaltender to score. His first career OHL goal.

Dervin struck again for the Frontenacs and brought it to within one just over two minutes later to end the period 3-2 in favour of Peterborough.

McGregor, Peterborough’s first-ever number-one overall pick of this year’s Priority Selection, registered his first-career OHL goal by intercepting a defensive zone pass. He sniped it past Kingston goaltender Gavin Betts and scored to make it 4-2, unassisted.

Brennan Faulkner added an empty-net goal late in the third period and the Petes walked away with a 5-2 victory.

The Petes play again Friday as part of a home-and-home series in a rematch with Kingston at the Slush Puppie Place for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Struggle Early Against Brantford Bulldogs On the Road

The Peterborough Petes allowed the first five goals of the game and could not recover, losing to the Brantford Bulldogs 6-3 at the TD Civic Centre on Friday night.

The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 2-3-0-1 record. Photo courtesy of Logan Taylor and the Brantford Bulldogs.

Only one goal came in the first and it came late in the frame. Adam Jiricek scored on the power play and it was 1-0.

The Bulldogs ramped up the offense, scoring three times thanks to Luca Testa, Ryder Boulton and Marek Vanacker. Despite 14 shots on goal through two periods, Peterborough was getting shut out.

Just as Peterborough had an opportunity to get on the board with the man advantage, Jake O'Brien netted a shorthanded goal for the Bulldogs to make it 5-0. Petes forward Adam Novotný took a point shot but David Egorov made the save. It was a fortunate bounce for Gens Ula and he scored on the rebound to break the shutout. It only took 68 seconds for the Bulldogs to respond as Edison Engle responded to restore the five-goal lead.

Late in the period, Peterbrough had a few power play opportunities and saw both Leon Kolarik and Yanis Lutz score to ake it 6-3 but it too late and the Bulldogs easily held on for the 6-3 win.

The Petes play next at home on Thursday to host the Kingston Frontenacs for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Comeback Bid Falls Short In Shootout Loss to Erie Otters

The Peterborough Petes erased a two-goal deficit but could not complete the comeback in the shootout as they fell to the Erie Otters, 3-2, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 2-2-0-1 record. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough PEtes.

The game was also the debut of Kaden McGregor, the Petes' first-overall pick in this year’s OHL Priority Selection. He was playing centre on the team’s third line.

The Otters struck first late in the opening period as the Petes' goaltender, Easton Rye, tried to clear the zone but could not. Callum Hughes scooped it for the Otters and got it to Dylan Edwards for an easy one-timer and a 1-0 lead.

Erie struck again as Tristen Trevino held the zone and passed it to Alex Misiak, alone in the slot. He beat Rye and the Otters had a 2-0 lead. Peterborough had an opportunity to get on the board with the man advantage. Yanis Lutz carried it into the zone and feinted a shot but got it to Matthew Soto who had an easy one-timed tip-in goal for a 2-1 game.

The third period had only one goal and it belonged to the Petes who struck again on the power play. James Petrovski took a slapshot at the point and was padded aside. Caden Taylor got the rebound, shot it and it was saved again. Leon Kolarik got on that rebound and hit the top shelf for a goal and tied the game, 2-2. Petrovski recorded his 100th-career OHL point with the secondary assist.

Regulation ended with overtime and with nothing settled, the game had to be decided in a shootout:

Shootout results:

  • PBO - Caden Taylor (No Goal)

  • ER - Gabriel Frasca (Goal)

  • PBO - Colin Fitzgerald (No Goal)

  • ER - McLean Agrette (Goal)

The Petes are back on the road for a Sept. 20 rematch when they face the Brantford Bulldogs for the OHL’s Friday Night Faceoff. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the TD Civic Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Trade Defenceman to Sudbury Wolves to Reacquire Draft Pick

The Peterborough Petes have made their first trade since the regular season’s start, reacquiring their fifth-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for defenceman Liam Ladds, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough PEtes.

The 2007-born defenceman from Ilderton, was originally selected by the Petes in the fifth round, 88th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. He has played in 115 games over two-plus seasons for Peterborough, scoring two goals and adding 15 assists for 17 points.

“With the depth that we have on the back end right now, we’ve had to make a move to free up some space,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “I want to thank Liam for his two years with the Peterborough Petes and wish him all the best as he continues his OHL career in Sudbury.”

The Petes return home for Pride Night on Thursday to take on the Erie Otters. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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54th Head of the Trent Weekend Rowing Its Way For Oct. 3 to 5

A major university tradition is back as the 54th annual Head of the Trent (HOTT) Weekend takes place from Oct. 3 to 5, featuring world-class rowing, spirited varsity competition, alumni gatherings and family-friendly activities.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Head of the Trent is a time-honoured tradition where generations of Trent pride and spirit converge,” said Julie Davis, vice-president, External Relations & Development. “It brings together our alumni, students, and community along the river and across campus to celebrate what makes Trent University so special. It’s an experience unlike any other, and we invite everyone to be part of it.”

The Head of the Trent Regatta, hosted by the Peterborough Rowing Club, remains the centrepiece of the weekend. Since its inception in 1971 with just 13 boats, the regatta has grown into one of the largest head races in North America, with over 800 boats and 1,400 athletes competing along the five-km course on the historic Trent-Severn Waterway.

This year, regatta spectators can enjoy premium riverside viewing from the revitalized Founders Walk along the Otonabee River and a licensed area inside and outside of the Ceilie Pub in Trent’s Champlain College. The Peterborough Rowing Club is also providing livestream coverage and commentary available throughout the weekend.

The event pays tribute to the late Chris Leach ’70, who is considered a ‘founding father’ of the rowing community in Peterborough. He led the charge to establish the inaugural Head of the Trent Regatta in 1971 and was a founder of the Trent Rowing Club and Peterborough Rowing Club. The Trent University Rowing Club will sell a commemorative mug featuring one of Leach’s quintessential quotes as part of their annual merchandise sales at Head of the Trent in support of Trent’s renowned rowing program.

With premium rowing, varsity games, alumni gatherings, and family-friendly activities, the Symons Campus has activities for everyone all weekend. Featured activities include:

  • Rowing Recognition: Join the Trent Alumni Rowing Social on Friday, Oct. 3, featuring the christening of a new single rowing shell and a tribute to the late Chris Leach ’70.

  • Alumni Gatherings: Visit the Alumni Welcome Tent (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on the upper Bata Podium to activate your Trent Alumni Perks and enjoy giveaways, family games, and exclusive perks.

  • Family Fun: Bring the kids to the expanded Kid’s Zone Children’s Area (Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Lady Eaton College lawn for play zones, giant games, Bluey & Bingo appearance with The Play Spot Peterborough and animal encounters with Zoo to You. This event is free to attend and brought to you by the Trent University Alumni Association.

  • Food and Refreshment: Enjoy a range of cuisine in the food truck area in the parking lot near Bata Library, or enjoy eats with prime riverfront views at the Ceilie, the only licensed location on campus (no cover, and all ages are welcome).

  • Varsity Competition: Cheer on the Trent Excalibur with a full schedule of varsity games throughout the weekend, including men’s and women’s rugby, volleyball and soccer. Don’t miss Saturday’s pep rally at 11 a.m., led by the Trent Pom Team, designed especially to get Trent fans fired up.

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