Petes disappointed in SO loss
Parker-Jones shows off his skills as the first shooter in shootout
Thursday night’s game at the Memorial Centre did not look like a first-place team against a last-place team.
Kingston picked up just its third win of the season, edging the Peterborough Petes, 4-3, in a shootout. All three Frontenacs shooters, including OHL exceptional player Shane Wright with the winner, scored on Tye Austin in the shootout.
Austin made 35 saves through 65 minutes to help the Petes earn a point, but he also fanned on a pass that led to Kingston’s tying goal.
Mason McTavish and Semyon Der-Arguchintsev scored in the shootout leaving the Petes tied with the Ottawa 67’s for first place overall and in the Eastern Conference heading into Friday night action.
The Petes’ next game is at 7:05 p.m. Saturday when they host
Kitchener Rangers at the PMC.
“We didn’t play very well,” said Petes head coach Rob Wilson.
“We looked like we were tired from (Wednesday’s 4-3 school day game win in Hamilton).
“That’s not an excuse, that’s just what we looked like. I didn’t like our game at all. You’re up 3-1 — just close it down. We didn’t do that,” he said.
“I thought Kingston came to play and worked really hard. I have to give them credit. They won their battles, we didn’t.
“When you’re winning 3-1, though, even if you are not playing well or are tired or having a tough night, sometimes you have to win ugly. I must have mentioned it 20 times on the bench, ‘We’re going to have to win ugly,’ but we didn’t do that.”
Wilson might have raised a few eyebrows by making John Parker-Jones his first shooter in the shootout. He was the only player not to score during the shootout, although he netted his third goal of the season earlier in the game.
“He’s probably our best in practice and he got one in preseason,” Wilson said.
“He’s very good at it. He had him beat, he just missed the net. He’s got a great move for it and has the long reach. Nobody on our bench was surprised. Yeah, maybe others were, because they think of him as a different type of player.”
Parker-Jones said “I was hoping I’d get to go. I didn’t think I’d get the shot to go first.
“I think it tricks people a bit if I do get called up. People will be looking over thinking what is this guy doing here? I’m a little disappointed I wasn’t able to prove it to everyone there.”
It was a disappointing night, he said.
“We’re on top right now and to stay up there these are points we need.
“We still pulled out one point, but we want to be the best, and if we’re going to be that we have to come out with the points day-in and day-out. We have to find a way to string games together rather than being one or two on and then take a game off. I don’t think our effort was there tonight but, rest assured, we’ll be ready to go Saturday.”
After an early goal, Austin settled down and may be the main reason the Petes earned a point.
“Playing (Wednesday) at 10:30 in the morning we weren’t really rested for this game,” said Austin.
“I made a mistake. The whole team made mistakes. That’s what is going to happen. Tonight just wasn’t our night.
“Letting in an early goal is not what you want. But I’ve learned to just put it behind me. If it’s in the past, it’s in the past. I can’t go back and fix it, so I just keep pushing forward making saves.”