Fleming College to Host Two Football Championships This Weekend

The 2025 Intercollegiate Flag Provincial Championship and Adult Flag Circuit Championship will take place at Fleming College this weekend and Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The event is in partnership with Football Ontario, Fleming College, the City of Peterborough and the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

“Hosting the Intercollegiate Provincial 5v5 Non-Contact Flag Football Championship, and Adult Flag Football Circuit is an exciting opportunity for Peterborough to showcase our great sports facilities and reputation for postsecondary athletics,” said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk in a joint statement. “We’re happy to work in collaboration with Fleming College, and look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, and fans to our community for an unforgettable weekend.”

Despite previous weather conditions from the past weekend’s ice storm, the City has confirmed the event will run as planned on Wednesday morning.

The event brings top collegiate teams across Ontario to compete for the provincial championship. The top teams will earn a coveted spot at the Football Canada Collegiate Championship in May.

“The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is proud to support the Intercollegiate Provincial Flag Football Championship, highlighting the growth of Women’s Flag Football as an emerging sport. The OCAA is committed to fostering opportunities for female student-athletes and recognizes the potential that Women’s Flag Football offers.” says Kyle Pelly, Executive Director of the OCAA.

As part of the event, Football Ontario and the Detroit Lions will host a Networking Breakfast with women leaders in football and sport on Sunday morning at Fleming College. This exclusive breakfast event will allow student leaders from attending schools to connect with industry professionals and gain valuable insights into the world of football.

Football Ontario will also host a Learn to Play Session on Saturday in partnership with Fleming College.

The Football Ontario ‘Learn to Play’ Session will be a free event put on by Football Ontario and Sir Sandford Fleming College to encourage high school and college students to get active and learn some of the fundamentals of flag football. The event will take place on Saturday, April 5th, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the Fleming College Sports Complex.

Click here to register for free.

“Fleming College is honoured to host this prestigious event, bringing together top student-athletes from across Ontario,” said Kate McIntosh, Vice President, Student Experience. “We are especially proud to support the growth of flag football at the collegiate level, particularly in creating more opportunities for women in the sport. We look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, and fans to our campus for an exciting weekend of competition and community.”    

The Adult Flag Circuit Championship, presented by the Detroit Lions, is scheduled for April 12. It will serve as the culmination of two months of competition. The top teams from the Milton Tournament and London Tournament will battle for the circuit championship in this highly anticipated event.

These events showcase top-tier flag football competitions and highlight the sport’s rapid growth, particularly in the women’s game. Football Ontario is excited to bring these championships to Peterborough and shine a spotlight on some of the province’s most talented athletes.

“Football Ontario is thrilled to bring the Intercollegiate Flag Provincial Championship and the Adult Flag Circuit Championship to Peterborough in partnership with Fleming College, the Detroit Lions, and the City of Peterborough,” said Tyler McNicholl, Director of Operations with Football Ontario. “These events highlight the incredible growth of flag football in Ontario, especially in the women’s game, and provide athletes with a platform to showcase their skills at the highest level. Working alongside the City of Peterborough, we are excited to create a memorable experience for athletes, coaches, and fans while continuing to foster the development of the sport across the province.”

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Undefeated U11 AA Peterborough Petes Crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association Champions

The U11 AA Peterborough Minor Petes are bringing home the hardware as they were crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) champions at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Chad Buchner.

The team opened the three-day tournament with two victories over the Glancaster Bombers and Barrie Colts, shutting them out 2-0 in both games.

The Petes only had one game on Saturday against the Upper York Admirals to a 4-4 tie. The draw clinched the top seed for Peterborough in Group A with five points and qualified for the playoffs.

In the semi-final matchup, they drew the second-seeded Centre Wellington Fusion from Group B. It was a close battle but the Petes broke the tie with 59 seconds left in regulation to win the game 3-2 and advance to the championship.

The team had their toughest matchup in the finals. They were pitted against the undefeated Clarington Toros, who won Group B with a perfect 3-0 record. Peterborough rung off two goals later in the first period to go up 2-0. With 8:34 left in the second, they added extra insurance with a power play goal for a 3-0 lead. The Petes coughed up an early goal in the third but hung on for the 3-1 win and OMHA championship.

“I’m still at a loss for words,” explained Chad Buchner, U11 AA Petes coach. “There’s nothing better than watching someone realize they can do something—that their goals aren’t just dreams, but something real, something achievable. And there’s nothing more powerful than watching a group of kids come together to shift their mindset, to turn belief into reality.”

The Petes ended with an overall record of 4-0-1 as the last remaining undefeated team in the tournament.

“It was about the culture we built—the countless hours given by coaches, team staff, grandparents, and families who poured their hearts into something bigger than hockey,” said Buchner. “It was about respect, kindness, philanthropy and a group of young athletes who didn’t just play for each other, but because of each other.”

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Photos: Lacrosse Fans Treated To "Lunch With the Lakers" Meet & Greet Event at Smitty's Family Restaurant

Lacrosse fans got to enjoy a meal at the “Lunch With the Lakers” meet-and-greet event held at Smitty’s Family Restaurant on Tuesday morning.

Lakers Taite Cattoni, Colton Armstrong, Jake Withers and mascot Teddy giving a young fan Waylon Barton, 7, a jersey. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The public could eat with Lakers staff and players, get their pictures taken, and have autographs signed by Lakers Taite Cattoni, Colton Armstrong and Jake Withers.

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22.

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Peterborough Petes End Season With a Pair of Weekend Losses

In the final two games of the regular season, the Peterborough Petes end it with losses to the Brampton Steelheads and Oshawa Generals on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Photo courtesy of Kalvin Taylor Goodall Media and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes first visited the CAA Centre to take on the Steelheads but were easily dispatched by a score of 6-1. Peterborough native Porter Martone had the game’s opening goal as his only point. Former Pete Konnor Smith had five points including a hat trick and two assists.

Martin Matejicek scored the lone goal for the Petes with Aiden Young and Brennan Faulkner each picking up an assist.

Peterborough ended their season with a rivalry tilt against the Generals but it was not meant to be for the Petes as Oshawa came out on top, 5-2.

Braydon McCallum had two assists in the game. Petes import defenceman Rio Kaiser scored his first OHL goal. Caden Taylor also scored and Quinton Pagé had an assist. Zach Bowen earned third-star honours stopping 45/49 shots.

After 68 regular-season games, the Petes ended with an 18-41-9 record and 45 points which puts them in last place in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Petes cap off their season with a Year End Awards Banquet on Tuesday.

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Peterborough Petes Fall to Kingston In Final Home Game of the Season

The Peterborough Petes end their last home game of the season with a 6-2 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenenth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Before the game, the Petes honoured overagers Brady Stonehouse, Gavin Bryant, and captain Jonathan Melee. They were presented with a gift ahead of their last game as a Pete on home ice.

After allowing a goal from Kingston in the first period, the Petes saw them score just over six minutes into the second period, thanks to Maleek McGowan, for a 2-0 game. Peterborough found the scoresheet on a four-on-three powerplay as Melee one-timed a shot from the faceoff dot for a 2-1 score. Just 50 seconds later, the Petes tied things up as Melee tried a cross-ice pass that was deflected. It ended up on the stick of Braydon McCallum who backhanded it in on tight quarters for a 2-2 game. Unfortunately for Peterborough, they allowed two goals with 68 seconds remaining in the period and found themselves down 4-2 at the end of two stanzas.

Peterborough could only muster seven shots in the third period and failed to find the back of the net on any of them as Kingston tacked on two more goals for a final score of 6-2.

The Petes have two more road games to close their regular season but have already been eliminated from playoff contention. They will take on the Brampton Steelheads at the CAA Centre on Friday night. The team travels to the nation’s capital to play their last game of the season against the Oshawa Generals on Sunday night.

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Peterborough Petes Call Up Two Players Ahead of the Team's Final Regular Season Home Game

The Peterborough Petes have called up forward Joseph Cadorin from the Pickering Panthers of the OJHL and defenceman Marcus Sulug from the Burlington Eagles U18s ahead of the team’s final home game.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Both players are expected to be in the lineup against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday night.

Cadorin, a native of Kleinburg, Ont. was initially selected by the Petes in the fourth round, 76th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. This season, he played one game for the Petes, before playing in 39 games for the Pickering Panthers of the OJHL where he scored 16 goals and added 21 assists for 37 points. He also featured in five playoff games for the Panthers, picking up four points. Last season, Cadorin played 52 games for the Petes, scoring once and adding an assist. He will wear number 24 for Peterborough.

“Joe has had a good year with Pickering in the OJHL,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “His coaches spoke very highly of him and his development throughout the season.”

Sulug, a defenceman from Stoney Creek, Ont. was drafted by the Petes in the 10th round, 185th overall, in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection out of the Niagara North Stars program. In 2023-24, he played for the North Stars U16 team, picking up five assists in 33 games and another two in eight playoff games. This season, Sulug featured in 21 games for the Burlington Eagles U18s, picking up six assists. He also made his GOJHL debut this season, playing in one game for the St. Catharines Falcons. Sulug will wear number two for the Petes.

“Marcus has made a positive impression with the Burlington U18s this season,”said Oke. “He is expected to be in the lineup tonight and will get his first opportunity to play in the OHL.”

The Petes play their final home game this Thursday as they host the Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Jr. A Lakers Hire Homegrown Talent As New Assistant Coach

The Peterborough Jr. A Lakers have hired Dustin Dunn as the team’s new assistant coach, taking over the role of Turner Evans, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers

Dunn joins returning staff such as head coach Robert Hope and assistants Jeff Ralph, Curtis Conley and Taylor Evans.

Turner stepped away from coaching to focus on his young family as his family recently welcomed their third child, alongside work and lacrosse commitments.

The Peterborough native is a product of the hometown’s minor lacrosse system, including a five-year career with the Jr. A Lakers with a Minto Cup victory in 2006 and a selection to the Jr A All-Star team in 2009. His collegiate career consisted of NCAA’s SUNY Potsdam Bears and in CUFLA with the Brock University Badgers.

His professional career saw him drafted by the National Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits and played for the Toronto Rock. He also played in the Major Series Lacrosse with the Brooklin L.C. and Nanaimo Timbermen in the Western Lacrosse League.

Dunn returned to the Peterborough lacrosse scene in 2019, coaching the U13 Peterborough minor lacrosse team to a provincial bronze medal. Most recently, he led the U17 Clarington Green Gaels to an ‘A’ gold medal at the 2024 Ontario Summer Games, with a roster of half of its players from Peterborough due to lacking a local team in that age group. Lacrosse Canada named Dunn their technical/national development teams coordinator earlier this year.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Lakers as an assistant coach,” said Dunn. “This organization and this city mean so much to me. I grew up in this system, won a Minto Cup here, and now I get to help guide the next generation of Jr A Lakers. It’s an honour to work alongside this coaching staff and contribute to the team’s success.”

“Dustin is a fantastic addition to our staff,” said Hope. “His experience as a player at the highest levels and his proven track record as a coach make him a perfect fit for this team. He understands what it takes to win in Peterborough and I’m confident he’ll bring a fresh perspective and energy to our group.”

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Peterborough Lakers Acquire Goaltender Nick Rose In Exchange For Landon Kells and First-Round Pick

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have acquired veteran goaltender Nick Rose from the Oakville Rock in exchange for goalie Landon Kells and a 2026 first-round pick, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers

The 37-year-old is the starting goaltender for the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 37-year-old brings leadership, stability and a championship pedigree as the Lakers set their sights on another Mann Cup title.

He was named the 2024 NLL Goaltender of the Year while playing for the Toronto Rock.

“We’re thrilled to bring Nick to Peterborough,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach and general manager. “His track record speaks for itself—he’s a proven winner, and his experience will be a huge asset for us. We also want to thank Landon Kells for his time in Peterborough. He has a bright future, and we wish him all the best in Oakville.”

Rose said he is eager to join the Lakers and play for the fans.

“I had a conversation with Mike Hasen, and Peterborough was a very attractive option. They are always in the hunt. I’m excited to go to one of the most historic Sr. franchises there is,” he explained. “I don’t have too many cracks left at winning a Mann Cup, so 100 per cent, I want to try and win one. The Lakers organization is in the mix every single summer for it and I’m excited to battle with my new teammates.”

Rose will have some familiar faces to greet him in the Lakers dressing room.

“I know Withers from Team Canada and I know Hoggarth really well from his time in Orangeville in junior,” he said. “I also know Hopey pretty well too, so it’s great to be joining a team with guys I already have a connection with.”

The Lakers begin thier season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21. They will have a major rivalry night in their home opener the next day against the two-time defending MSL champion Six Nations Chiefs.

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Peterborough Petes Nab One Point In Pair of Weekend Games

The Peterborough Petes took losses in both of their games on Friday and Saturday but managed to get one point in their matchups the the Kingston Frontenacs and Sudbury Wolves.

Photo courtesy of KEnneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Peterborough Petes travelled to Kingston for the final time this season to take on the Frontenacs at the Slush Puppie Place on Friday. The Frontenacs pulled away late in the second period, winning the game by a score of 8-2.

Brennan Faulkner had two assists in the game for Peterborough. Captain Jonathan Melee scored his 21st goal of the season, while Adam Levac also scored. Petes prospect Raiden Doxtator made his OHL debut in the game, wearing number 24.

The Petes hosted the Sudbury Wolves at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in front of their 20th sell-out of the season for their St. Patrick’s Day game on Saturday. The Wolves won the game in overtime by a score of 2-1.

Petes goaltender Zach Bowen stopped 39/41 in the loss. Francis Parish scored, while Gavin Bryant picked up an assist.

The Petes play their final home game this Thursday as they host the Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Call Up Forward Ahead of Friday's Game Against the Kingston Frontenacs

The Peterborough Petes has called up forward Raiden Doxtator ahead of Friday night’s game in Kingston, announced on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes drafted the 2008 London-born forward in the seventh round, 125th overall, in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He was selected from the London Jr. Knights program. He scored 10 goals and added 27 assists for 37 points in 30 games for their U16 team in 2023-24. This season, Doxtator played 56 games for BioSteel Sports Academy 16U, scoring 36 goals and adding 45 assists for 81 points. He also played in five games for BioSteel Sports Academy’s 18U team, scoring four goals and adding four assists for eight points. 

“Raiden was noticeable in training camp as a 16-year-old and has had a productive season at BioSteel Sports Academy,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “We’ve had a chance to watch his progress over the year and he has made a positive impression.”

Doxtator is expected to make his OHL debut, wearing number 25 for Friday’s game against the Frontenacs.

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