On Saturday, March 25, the Peterborough Petes traveled to Mississauga to take on the Steelheads for their final regular season game. The Petes were playing their third game in three days, after dropping two tight games in a home and home with the league leading Ottawa 67’s. The Maroon and White were looking to sweep the season series with the Steelheads, outscoring them 17-6 on route to three wins earlier this year. Liam Sztuska got the start for the Petes, on the hunt for his fourth straight win.
It was a massive start for the Petes as they took the lead just eight seconds into the game. Right off of the opening faceoff, the puck would end up with Owen Beck, who would feed Connor Lockhart for a one-timer to make it 1-0 Petes. Mississauga would answer at the 4:47 mark, with Kai Schwindt beating Sztuska to tie the game. The Petes kept pushing and halfway through the frame they would take the lead back. Eleven minutes into the period, Chase Stillman hit Connor Lockhart for his second one-timer goal of the period. The goal was Lockhart’s 29th of the season and was almost an exact replica of his goal in the opening minute. The Petes would take the 2-1 lead into the break, leading 11-8 in shots.
The second period started out just like the first, with the Petes getting on the board early. Just three minutes into the frame, Quinton Pagé scored his second goal in two games on a tip from Shawn Spearing. The goal extended Peterborough’s lead to 3-1. Unfortunately, Mississauga would eliminate the two goal deficit 34 seconds later on a goal from James Hardie. Just seconds after that, Owen Beck ripped a shot past Alessio Beglieri for what looked to be Peterborough’s fourth goal. After a review, the lead up was ruled to be offside and the game would stay 3-2. Despite multiple scoring chances, neither team would get on the board for the rest of the period and the Petes would take their 3-2 lead into the third.
The Petes would add to their lead with a Brennan Othmann goal in the third period to make it 4-2. Tucker Robertson picked up the primary assist on the goal, registering his 90th point of the season. Robertson is the first Pete since 2002-03 to pick up 90 points in a season. Liam Sztuska would shut down Mississauga in the period, securing a 4-2 Petes win.
Connor Lockhart led the way for the Petes with two goals. Shawn Spearing, Owen Beck, and Chase Stillman each picked up two assists. Quinton Pagé and Brennan Othmann scored, while Konnor Smith and Tucker Robertson added an assist. Liam Sztuska stopped 33/35 for his 11th win of the season.
The game was the final regular season game for Petes OAs Gavin White, Avery Hayes, and Shawn Spearing. All three players will be honoured by the Petes next week on social media and at the annual Awards Banquet next Tuesday. The Petes would like to thank all three players and congratulate them on their amazing careers.
The Petes will be back in action at the PMC for their first playoff game on Thursday, March 30 (opponent TBD). Tickets are on sale starting on Monday, March 27 at 12 PM. All ticket details can be found by clicking here.