Robertson powers Petes past the Soo
Leafs pick continues scoring streak with decider on penalty shot
SAULT STE. MARIE — At this rate Nick Robertson might not want to play a home game this season.
Robertson’s penalty shot goal proved to be the winner in the Peterborough Petes 4-3 triumph over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at GFL Memorial Gardens on Sunday afternoon.
Robertson has scored in all six Petes games, all on the road, to start the season and is tied for the league lead with eight goals. He is fourth in OHL scoring with 13 points, one point behind linemate Semyon Der-Arguchintsev who was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season.
“Nick wants to score every game,” said Petes head coach Rob Wilson. “He won’t score every game, but he’s going to score a lot. He’s maturing and getting older. They don’t always understand it when they are 16 or 17, but guys have breakthrough years and Robby is just maturing. He wants to do the right things and asks a lot of questions. He’s very focused.”
Robertson said his chemistry with Der-Arguchintsev from Toronto Maple Leafs camp through to the Petes is a big factor in his hot start.
“I told myself to shoot the puck a little more this year and, fortunately, it’s going in,” said Robertson. “I wanted to be more of a goal scorer than last year.”
The Petes are 4-0 this season with Hunter Jones, who made 25 saves, in goal.
They’re now 2-1 on a sixgames-in-10-days road trip. They’re also 4-2 overall while starting the season with nine consecutive road games as Memorial Centre floor renovations conclude. The Petes home opener is Oct. 17 against the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Both teams were coming off losses to the Sudbury Wolves. On Friday night, the Petes lost 9-6 in Sudbury. On Saturday, the Wolves handed the host Hounds their first loss of the season 4-3 to snap a four-game winning streak.
“When we play the way we’re supposed to we’re not a bad hockey team,” said Wilson, happy with the rebound from Friday. “In playoffs you’re going to have bad nights and it’s how you rebound. We rebounded well.”
The Petes opened the scoring when Declan Chisholm worked his way clear of a check to find Dustin Hutton going to the net with his stick on the ice at 9:23. Hutton hadn’t played since he scored in the Petes opening game.
The Greyhounds replied 18 seconds later as Jones lost sight of a rebound and Joe Carroll poked it in.
Cameron Butler restored the Petes lead at 16:57 one-timing Robertson’s pass for his second goal of the season. It was Robertson’s 100th OHL point.
Again Soo answered quickly as Carroll set up Jaden Peca 24 seconds later.
Persistence paid off for Max Grondin who gave the Petes their third lead 8:41 into the second period. Ethan Taylor stopped two shots until Grondin’s third whack at the puck found the back of the net. David Maier assisted giving him six
points in six games.
Robertson extended the lead, snapping a penalty shot fivehole at 13:47. The penalty shot was awarded after he was hooked down on a breakaway.
Rory Kerins banged a rebound past Jones with 1:06 remaining and Taylor pulled for an extra attacker. The Soo didn’t get another shot on goal.
The Petes visit the Saginaw Spirit Wednesday night. NOTES: The Petes made two lineup changes Sunday with Brady Hinz, who is battling a lower body strain, and Artem Guryev out and Dustin Hutton and Tucker Robertson in … Soo rookie and Minor Petes grad Kalvyn Watson had one shot on goal in his first game against his hometown Petes … Three stars were 1. Nick Robertson (P); 2. Max Grondin (P); 3. Jaden Peca (S).