The matchup has been in the making since 2019 as the last time the Petes and Guelph Storm would play at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) but the visiting team mustered a 5-3 win Sunday afternoon.
Guelph opened the scoring as Ben McFarlane forced a turnover on Petes’ goaltender Michael Simpson behind the net and made the assist for Valentin Zhugin’s goal. Brian Zanetti got one back to Peterborough, tipping in a Connor Lockhart point shot for a 1-1 tie. McFarlane caused Peterborough trouble again with a slapshot from outside the faceoff circle for a 2-1 lead. Avery Hayes ripped home a powerplay goal (his 36th of the season) later in the period to tie it 2-2 going into the second.
The Petes capitalized on another powerplay in the second when J.R. Avon fed a cross-ice pass to Brennan Othmann for a wide-open goal to make it 3-2 for the Petes. Guelph began to take over as Charlie Paquette scored a one-timed shot as the puck was passed through traffic for a 3-3 tie. Max Namestnikov helped Guelph with a powerplay goal to give the Storm the 4-3 lead heading into the third period.
The Petes applied pressure on the Storm and their goalie Patrick Leaver with 13 shots in the period but could not solve him late in the game. Chandler Romeo tacked an empty netter to seal a Guelph win, 5-3.
The Petes play next at home on Thursday night against the Ottawa 67’s at the PMC.