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

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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.

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

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

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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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Peterborough DBIA Are Hosting Memorial Cup Petes Watch Parties At Quaker Food Park Square This Weekend

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (PTBO DBIA) is hosting free outdoor Peterborough Petes Memorial Cup Watch Party events at Quaker Food Park Square for this weekend, announced on Thursday.

Both games are being streamed on a 16-foot mega screen from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with puck drop at 6 p.m. on their respective days.

The Peterborough Petes open their Memorial Cup against the Western Hockey League champion Seattle Thunderbirds this Saturday. They’ll continue their schedule with the Western Hockey League host team Kamloops Blazers.

The free Community Watch Party’s live-streaming event includes an interactive kids zone, small vendors market with food and snacks and a beer garden.

“Our team at the DBIA is so excited to be organizing Memorial Cup games this weekend,” said Hillary Flood, Peterborough DBIA vibrancy manager. “Peterborough is brimming with hometown pride for our OHL Champions and we want to keep the momentum going.”

Fans are asked to bring their own chairs or can purchase from any of the vendors. Those attending are encouraged to wear to dress for the weather and proudly wear their Petes apparel.

“As the Petes go on to compete for the Memorial Cup, we are beyond excited to see the Quaker Foods City Square light up again this weekend as the crowd of hometown fans gather together to cheer on the Petes in Kamloops,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “Our organization is delighted to see the outpour of community support for the Petes this season, and can’t wait to see the continuation of that amazing energy at the downtown community watch parties.”

The Peterborough DBIA had previously hosted a watch party for Game Five of the OHL Championship that eh Quaker Square. It was also the site for the Petes Championship Celebration Event on Monday.

The City of Peterborough is providing financial support to the DBIA to host the community watch parties. 

"The Peterborough Petes’ magical run continues as they compete for the Memorial Cup,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I’m looking forward to seeing Quaker Foods City Square filled with fans, watching the games together, cheering on their Petes. The community spirit has been brilliant.”

“When we think about what makes a community vibrant it really boils down to people-power,” said Flood. “Vibrancy implies a place that is alive and active—a place where people naturally are drawn. Quaker Foods City Square has proven to be one of the most valuable spaces we have to gather as a community in times of celebration.”

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Peterborough Petes Headed to Kamloops Memorial Cup in B.C.; First Game Scheduled For Saturday

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After winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions on Sunday, May 21, the Peterborough Petes have officially qualified for the 2023 Memorial Cup. 

The Peterborough Petes had their Championship Celebration Event at the Quaker Food Park Square on Monday, a day after winning the OHL Championship. photo by Samantha Bianco.

The 2023 Memorial Cup takes place in Kamloops, B.C. starting on May 25, with the Championship game scheduled for Sunday, June 4. The Petes’ first game is on Saturday against the Western Hockey League champion Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT.

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

All games will take place at the Sandman Centre and are broadcasted on TSN and RDS, and over the radio on Freq 90.5, Oldies 96.7 and Classic Rock 107.9.

Fans who are interested in travelling to Kamloops to cheer on the Petes at the Memorial Cup should note that the team does not have any game ticket, travel or accommodation packages available to extend to fans. Those that are interested are strongly encouraged to arrange tickets through the Sandman Centre or other official sources before making travel arrangements as capacity is limited in Kamloops. 

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Marv Edwards, Former Peterborough Petes Coach and NHL Goaltender Passes Away at 87

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Former Peterborough Petes assistant coach and NHL goaltender Marv Edwards has passed away at 87 years old.

Photo courtesy of the NHL.

Edwards had died in his sleep on Sunday at a long-term care facility announced by his son.

He was a Petes assistant coach (goaltender) for four seasons from 1994-1998 and 1999-2000.

Edwards was a goaltender for 22 teams spanning 11 leagues. He began his NHL career in the 1968-1969 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also had stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the California Golden Seals. He was in the league from the 60s to the early 70s, playing 61 games. He began his hockey career with the Ontario Hockey Association’s St. Catharines Teepees for four seasons beginning in 1951.

Edwards earned a gold medal at the 1959 IIHF World Championship in Prague for Team Canada. He’s won two consecutive Memorial Cups for the Barrie Flyers and St. Catharines Teepees in 1953 and 1954 respectively. He is also a part of the 1959 World Cup champion Belleville McFarlands who have been indicted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame.

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Public Invited to Attend Peterborough Petes Championship Celebration Event At Quaker Food Park Square Monday Afternoon

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A Peterborough Petes Championship Celebration Event to commemorate the team’s 10th J. Ross Robertson Cup and OHL Championship is occurring from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Quaker Food Park Square on Monday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The event features highlight videos, and remarks from dignitaries, players, staff and executives.

Activities, face painting, food and refreshments from local vendors are available during the free event. An official championship team photo will be taken of the team during the festivities.

The celebration’s announcement was made shortly after the Petes won the title in a 2-1 victory over the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

The championship qualifies the Petes for the Memorial Cup from May 26 to Jun 4 to determine the Canadian Hockey League champion in Kamloops, B.C. They are joined by the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

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Peterborough Petes Win OHL Championship With a 2-1 Game Six Win Over the London Knights

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A record-breaking 4,101 fans saw the Peterborough Petes’ 17-year drought end as the team claimed the J. Ross Robertson Cup and the OHL Championship, defeating the London Knights in six games with a 2-1 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

Owen Beck was out of Peterborough’s lineup on a two-game suspension after slew-footing on Friday night in Game Five. The Petes dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the game.

Both teams were cautious to start the first period, waiting for each other to make a mistake. The Petes drew a penalty after a whistle to go on the power play just under eight minutes into the game. J.R. Avon had a chance to make a one-time shot in front of London goalie Owen Willmore but could not get his stick on the puck to keep the game scoreless. London had their own chance on a one-timed shot on the power play but the puck went too high. The score remained 0-0 after the first period. Shots were in favour of Peterborough, 20-10.

London tried to score one early in the second, getting the first five shots on net. On their first power play of the period, the Knights almost scored again with a wide-open net but a Petes defender was able to block the shot.

Peterborough had excellent forechecking 13 minutes in as they turned over the puck in the offensive zone. A pass went to Avery Hayes and with patience, he backhanded it past Willmore for a 1-0 lead to break the deadlock.

Peterborough threatened again on the power play as Brennan Othmann seemingly had a breakaway from a long stretch pass. He wired it past Willmore but the goal did not count as the play was deemed offside. The score remained 1-0 going into the second. Donovon McCoy was hit with a roughing penalty so the Petes had to start the third period shorthanded. London had 13 shots to Peterborough’s 11.  

The Knights started with a power play but were unable to capitalize. Both teams struggled with an extra man during the game. Peterborough was 0/3 while London was 0/4.

London on a dump-in was able to generate numbers. A few bounces got the puck to Max McCue’s stick and he buried it past Petes’ goaltender Michael Simpson for a 1-1 tie, eight minutes into the period. Peterborough responded just over three minutes later as Donovan McCoy fired a point shot and found Tucker Robertson’s stick on a deflection for a much-needed Peterborough goal and a 2-1 lead (the goal was originally Robertson’s, changed to McCoy’s then back to Robertson’s after further review).

“We never had a doubt in our mind that we were going to win,” said Robertson.

London had to push to tie the game with a few minutes left. They sustained pressure in the offensive zone but Simpson and the Petes stood tall and hung on for the 2-1 win and the OHL Championship.

“I tried to keep that one-goal lead but credit to our team, there were some huge blocks to keep that lead,” said Simpson.

Robertson, Simpson and Willmore were awarded the three stars of the game. Simpson won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award for Most Valuable Player in the playoffs.

“He just played so well for us,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach. “He's such a good kid too. He's so well-liked by his teammates. I think the players probably would have all voted for him., I think the plays all wanted him to win.”

“I'm super thankful to get it but I think it could have went to four or five guys,” said Simpson. “I think anyone on this team could have deserved it.”

The Petes win the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the 10th time in franchise history. They will participate in the Memorial Cup from May 26 to Jun 4 to determine the Canadian Hockey League champion. They are joined by the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

A Championship Celebration Event is occurring from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Quaker Food Park Square on Monday.

It features highlight videos, and remarks from dignitaries, players, staff and executives.

Activities, face painting, food and refreshments from local vendors are available during the event. An official championship team photo will be taken of the team at the free event.

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London Knights Pull Away In Second Period to Defeat Peterborough 4-1, Petes Lead Series 3-2 With Game Six On Sunday At Home

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The Peterborough Petes will have to wait another day for the OHL Championship as they fell to the London Knights 4-1 at the Budweiser Gardens on Friday night.

The Petes were one for six on the Power Play in Game Five. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes almost let up a goal early in the period as Easton Cowan had a breakaway but Petes goaltender flashed the leather and kept London off the board. The Petes struck first on the powerplay as J.R. Avon had a shot blocked but ricocheted to Connor Lockhart who scored on the wide-open net, 1-0. With under two minutes left in the period, Cowan got redemption as he and the Knights entered the attacking zone with an outnumbered attack and beat Simpson glove-side for a 1-1 tie after the first period.

London applied heavy pressure on the forecheck less than five into the period that rewarded them with possession in the offensive zone. London’s Ryan Humphrey turned around and fried a seemingly harmless shot but a screened Simpson was too late to find the puck and it went in for a 2-1 Knights lead. London kept their foot on the gas as they cycled the puck through the zone as Logan Mailloux took a point shot. It was blocked but Denver Barkey corralled it and backhanded the puck over a sprawling Simpson for a 3-1 lead into the final frame.

The Petes tried to push hard in the third period, registering 13 shots but London’s defence and goaltender was able to keep Peterborough at bay. The visiting team had three third-period power plays but could not find the back of the net even while pulling their goalie. London found the back of the empty net with 2:13 left in the game to ice it. Owen Beck was penalized for slew-footing with 39.9 seconds left in the game, incurred a five-minute major and a match penalty. London survives and pushes the series for Game Six at 3-2 for Peterborough.

The Petes return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) to try and capture the OHL Championship at home this Sunday against the London Knights with puck drop at 7 p.m.

Tickets for Game Six go on sale at 1 p.m. on Sunday through the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person, over the phone and online.

Season Ticket Members who already have pre-authorized their playoff tickets or purchased a playoff round bundle have been sent their tickets as part of a bundle.

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Peterborough Petes Have a 3-1 Series Stranglehold With 5-3 Win Over the London Knights In Game Four

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Another record-setting 4,046 fans went home happy as the Peterborough Petes have a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 5-3 win over the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Wednesday night.

The Petes are 9-1 at home this this postseason. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes ran into early troubles as 1:19 into the game, Gavin White turned over the puck from behind his net that resulted in an unassisted goal from London’s Easton Cowan for a Knights 1-0 lead. The Petes failed to score in the first period however settled things down by evening the shot count, a stat that went against Peterborough during this series. The shots were 16-14 in favour of London after the stanza.

The second period was all Peterborough Petes. They got on the board 1:19 into the middle frame, as Connor Lockhart fed J.R. Avon for a breakaway. The hometown forward went to the backhand to beat Zach Bowen for the 1-1 tie. Peterborough continued their assault as Brennan Othmann opted to instead of shooting from the slot, dished it to Owen Beck for a one-timer for a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, J.R. Avon on a turnaround shot from inside the point, wired it through traffic and find the back of the net for his second of the game and a 3-1 Peterborough lead going into the third.

The Petes continued where they left off as Donovan McCoy got on the score sheet and went bar-down for his second of the playoffs. The Knights put their resilience on display in the final six minutes of the game. London got a powerplay and pulled their goalie for a six-on-four situation. Sam Dickenson blasted a one-timer shot that beat Petes goaltender Michael Simpson to cut the deficit to two. Just under three minutes later, London got another powerplay and created another six-on-four situation. Denver Barkey initially could not handle the one-timed pass but was able to chip in a floater that sailed over a split-legged Simpson to make it 4-3 with 3:09 remaining. Avery Hayes put a dagger in the Knights’ hopes as he won a puck battle against Dickenson who could not corral the pass. The former Hamilton Bulldog sealed it with an empty-net goal for a 5-3 Petes win and a 3-1 series lead and are one win away from the OHL Championship.

Wilson (left) and Avon (right) during the post-game press conference. Avon has registered nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 10 games this postseason. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

“One game away doesn’t mean anything,” said Avon. “They can come back and get to do something crazy so we haven’t won anything yet, we have to keep going.”

Avon, Simpson and Beck earned three stars of the game.

“You to be able to sacrifice and when you sacrifice, good things happen,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach. “You do the right things and then the next minute, the puck’s back on your stick.”

The Petes look to capture the OHL Championship in London as they take the Knights on Friday for Game Five with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. An official watch party is being held at Quaker Foods City Square running from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., rain or shine.

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