The Lindsay
Muskies Atom White team, along with the Woodville Hurricanes, received full
star treatment when they faced off in an OHL style exhibition game at the
Peterborough Memorial Centre this past Saturday January 20th.
Upon arrival to the Memorial Centre arena, both teams were received a rare glimpse of the Peterborough Petes team dressing room! Cameras flashed as players and parents alike were in awe of the Hall of Fame wall which so far boasts the largest list of NHL players who’ve played for the Peterborough OHL team! Everyone was wowed by the experience and excited for their chance to play the game that they love on the same rink as some of their heroes once have. As both teams lined the hallway before heading out to the ice, special appearances were made by Peterborough Petes team captain (former Lindsay Muskie) Logan DeNoble #28 and his head coach Andrew Verner to welcome the players and wish them well in their game.
Before they knew it, the doors swung open and the announcer’s voice echoed throughout the arena as he called each player onto the ice. The Muskies and the Hurricanes gathered on the blue line, faced the queen for our national anthem, and the 1st period commenced. The whistle had barely blown and right out of the gate Dexter Eeuwes #4 scored the first goal of the game (and his 1st goal of the season with his Atom teammates!). It truly was a special moment as his accomplishment was recognized through the loud speakers. Standing in at center ice next was Sean Hayman #17 who swiftly scored 2 fast ones assisted by Drake Robinson-West #9 and Jaxson Leith #5. The play remained in the Woodville zone and Nathan Wooldridge #15, who had been practicing his wrist shot, stepped forward and took aim at the Hurricane’s net, but their goaltender Austin Alder #29 solidly blocked it.
In the 2nd period, Nathan Sanderson #29 picked up the puck from the Lindsay blue line and followed through with a fast and unassisted goal. Shortly after, Woodville found their groove and broke through with multiple scoring chances on the Lindsay net. Hurricanes Dylan Wardlaw #5 craftily maneuvered around Muskies defender Madison Raymond #16 and scored the first one for his team. A battle for the puck in front of the Muskies net by Ross Kostashuk #2 and Hurricanes’ Brayden Hilts #16 wasn’t enough to stop Woodville’s “Owen line” from setting things up as Owen Poulton #10 and Owen Glover #7 aided in their team’s 2nd goal of the game. As the clock ran down, Owen Clark #8 chased after Lindsay’s Tristan Shiers #10 who took the shot and broadened the score, ending the 2nd period.
While the coaches cycled their benches during 2nd intermission, fans listened in as Muskie Devon Moynes #8 and Hurricane Nolan Archer #11 gave answered media questions, as well as give their predictions for the Peterborough Petes vs Oshawa Generals game to take place later that evening. But then it was quickly back to business as the puck dropped and the game resumed. At the top of the period, centreman Ethan Peterson #14 received a long pass from Ethan Thompson #6 and buried it in the back of Woodville’s net. The Muskies felt like they were regaining control, but Hurricanes’ Will Clark #3 battled the puck into the corners early in the 3rd period. Woodville’s Hoss DeVoss #17 consistently cut the lanes and the Lindsay team all of a sudden had difficulty getting past the neutral zone. When they did, Austin Archer #19 stopped them short of his goaltender and cleared the puck out of the Woodville zone. With only a few minutes left in the period, Destany Vierson #23 picked up a pass and went all the way with it, scoring her first goal! The game finally ended with 2 more goals and another win for the Muskies Atom White team.
Post-game, the excitement had only begun to build as everyone prepared for their flag bearing debut at the opening of a highly anticipated matchup between long time rivals Peterborough Petes and the Oshawa Generals at 7pm. Both teams stood proudly together as league mates and held the giant Canadian flag as Muskies captain Keira Watson #11 and her goaltender Alexis Kostashuk #1 circled the rink and took their positions alongside Petes captain Logan DeNoble #28 and star goalie Dylan Wells #30 for the playing of the national anthem. It was a star struck moment for everyone, having the opportunity to be so close to some of their favourite OHL hockey stars! When the ceremony was over, the kids quickly pulled their skates off and headed straight to their seats to take in one of the most thrilling games of the season that was full of up close action, rivalrous confrontations, and ended in a fan favourite shoot out!
Congratulations goes to Nathan Sanderson #29 on scoring his 50th goal of the season, January 20th 2018!
A huge thank you to Matt D’Agostini for all of your planning and hard word in making this night the absolute best experience for our teams! Also thank you to Ryan Bird for organizing the flag bearing opportunity; what seemed like an impossible task to sort out behind the scenes was pulled off perfectly on the ice and the kids will cherish these memories for a lifetime!
Interested in this experience for YOUR team? There are still opportunities available during this season!
Contact: Matt D’Agostini, Peterborough Petes Sr Coordinator, Group Ticket Sales & Service at [email protected] for more information!
And don’t forget! LMHA Family Day with the Peterborough Petes is Monday Feb.19th! Tickets are $10ea! Please let your team manager know how many tickets that your family requires for this fun and exciting event! Let's fill the seats of the Memorial Centre with Muskies!