Petes Head Coach Rob Wilson still waiting to hear his fate after weekend altercation

Photo is screen grab from X @danfromcanada

Peterborough Petes Head Coach Rob Wilson is downplaying his heated exchange with Erie Otters head coach Kris Mallette over the weekend, calling it a moment of frustration between two passionate coaches.

The altercation, which took place during the second period of Peterborough’s 7-2 loss in Erie on Sunday, saw both benches engaged in a verbal confrontation that quickly caught the attention of national media.

While acknowledging the incident, Wilson admitted he was angry but emphasized that no physical contact took place and both coaches were in control of their emotions.

Wilson says the exchange was sparked by an incident during a TV timeout, when Erie goaltender Charlie Burns skated close to the Petes’ bench and was bumped by Francis Parish as he passed by, prompting a strong reaction from Erie’s Alex Messier. On the next face-off, Messier jumped Parish and began throwing punches before Petes defenseman Graydon Strohack stepped in. That led to tensions boiling over between the two head coaches.

The Ontario Hockey League has talked to both coaches and is reviewing the incident, but Wilson said he has yet to hear back from league officials on what will be happening next.

Despite the sideline drama, Wilson says the team has shifted focus to the games ahead. The Petes host the Ottawa 67’s tonight as they continue their push to finish the season strong.

Mathematically, the Petes are still in the postseason picture, but they have to win seven of their last eight games and hope that Ottawa and North Bay both lose seven of their last nine games. Those two teams face each other on Sunday, and the two points that one of them will gain from winning that game are already factored into the Petes’ mathematical playoff equation.

(Written by: Scott Arnold)