The Petes drew first blood owning a two-man advantage over the visiting Otters. Caden Taylor beat the goaltender short-side just outside the faceoff circle for a 1-0 lead just halfway through the opening period.
The lead was short-lived as less than two minutes later, Peterborough turned the puck over in their own zone from a bank pass and Erie capitalized with Martin Misiak scoring at point-blank range for a 1-1 tie.
Petes goaltender Zach Bowen was down on the ice whiel play was still going. He recovered somewhat but made a huge glove save, robbing Bruce McDonald. However, he did not get all of the puck and Wesley Royston buried the loose change for a 2-1 lead after one.
Only one goal was scored in the second and it belonged to former Pete, Sam Alfano. Brett Bressette fought through two Peterborough defenders but eventually got sandwiched on the rush. However, on a last-ditch effort, a one-handed pass was made for Alfano and he scored on the backhand while falling to make it 3-1 after two.
The Otters maintained pressure in the third. Carey Terrance sniped a one-timer from the faceoff circle for the insurance marker and a 4-1 lead just five minutes in. Ryder McIntyre scored with 5:46 left in the game off two fortunate bounces to make it 4-2 but that was all the Petes could muster and fell to the Otters.
The Petes travel to Owen Sound to face the Attack on Sunday to round out their season series. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre with the Official Road Game Watch Party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough.
