Hayes Scores Two Against Former Team as Petes Fall 7-4 to Bulldogs

It was Billet Appreciation Day at the PMC on Sunday when the Petes hosted the Hamilton Bulldogs in a rare afternoon matineé matchup. Longtime Off-Ice Official Art Hopkinson was also recognized by the Petes before the game. The Petes were looking to stay hot after one of their most impressive wins of the season on Thursday, shutting out the London Knights 3-0 at the PMC. Avery Hayes and Gavin White would suit up against their former team for the first time, after winning an OHL Championship with the Bulldogs last season. Former Petes Sahil Panwar and Nick Lardis both made their return to the PMC after being traded to the Bulldogs earlier this month. Michael Simpson was back in net for the Petes after recording his league leading third shutout of the season on Thursday against his hometown London Knights.

It was a dream start for the Petes in the first period. Just a minute into the game, J.R. Avon broke past the Hamilton defence, but wouldn’t be able to beat the post. Luckily for the Petes, the puck came back to Sam Mayer who fired a shot home from the point to give Peterborough the early 1-0 lead. The game stayed 1-0 until late in the period. On a Petes powerplay with under four minutes remaining, Tucker Robertson would find Avery Hayes for his 33rd goal of the season. The goal was special for Hayes as it would be his first against his former team. The Petes would take the 2-0 lead into the break, leading 12-7 in shots.

The second period started off on the right foot for the Petes. Just 6:44 into the period, Tucker Robertson banked home a rebound on the powerplay to extend the Petes lead to 3-0. Just a minute after the goal, former Pete, Sahil Panwar, scored on a Hamilton powerplay to get the Bulldogs on the board. Under a minute later, Cole Brown scored for Hamilton to get them within one and make it 3-2. Thirty seconds later, Avery Hayes tee’d up a one-timer from Tucker Robertson for his second of the game and 34th of the season to give Peterborough back their two goal lead. The lead was not safe for long, as Artem Grushnikov and former Pete, Nick Lardis, both scored in the last 10 minutes for Hamilton to tie the game at 4-4 heading into the second intermission.

The third period was a battle from the drop of the puck. Both teams would go back and forth early looking to take the lead. Halfway through the period, it was Sahil Panwar once again who would score his second of the game on the powerplay to give Hamilton their first lead of the game 5-4. That goal would be the decider for the Bulldogs as they would add one more and an empty netter to take the game 7-4.

Tucker Robertson led the way for the Petes with a goal and two assists, Avery Hayes also scored twice. Sam Mayer scored and J.R. Avon, Owen Beck, Brennan Othmann, Connor Lockhart, and Gavin White all picked up an assist.

The Petes are back in action on Thursday, February 2, when they host the Niagara IceDogs at the PMC. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 PM. You can purchase tickets by clicking here, or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561.