The Peterborough Petes are one game away from a sweep after a 5-3 road win over the Sudbury Wolves to lead 3-0 the best-of-seven series at the Sudbury Community Arena on Tuesday night.
Peterborough found themselves down early as three minutes into the game, David Goyette tacked home a juicy rebound to put the Wolves up 1-0. Peterborough’s woes appeared to continue with a roughing penalty from Konnor Smith. However, it ended up as a positive for the Petes as Avery Hayes took a slash from Quentin Musty during a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. The former Hamilton Bulldog made no mistake and beat Kevyn Brassard on the backhand for a 1-1 tie. Sudbury reclaimed the lead with a tip-in from Kocha Delic on a Musty point shot to make it 2-1 going into the second period.
Peterborough appeared that their penalty woes would continue as Hayes had an unsportsmanlike conduct minor (his second of the game). What seemed to be a curse was a blessing again for the Petes as they had an odd-man rush on the penalty kill and J.R. Avon sniped one past Brassard for a second-straight shorthanded goal for a 2-2 tie. Peterborough took advantage of Sudbury’s penalty trouble as Connor Lockhart pouned on a rebound from a Donovan McCoy slapshot for a 3-2 lead, their first of the night.
Peterborough built on their lead in the third period as Sudbury was trying to make a push. The Wolves had a point-blank one-timed shot against Michael Simpson but made the stop as the Sudbury fans thought it was a goal. Peterborough quickly counter-attacked as Chase Stillman scooped up the loose puck, fed it to Owen Beck and lasered it passed Brassard for a 4-2 lead. Hayes added an empty netter, and Sudbury scored late but the Petes earned a 5-3 win.
The Petes look to sweep the playoff series Wednesday night for game four against Sudbury as the Wolves will have to muster a massive comeback to keep their postseason alive.