The Junior A Port Hope Predators outshot the tired Hercs 41-31 Friday night in Trenton, but the 15 penalties they took were the clincher, as the Hercs scored four power-play goals in a 6-4 win.

In a huge game for both Ontario Junior Hockey League teams, with the Hercs coming off a dizzying week, the Predators’ discipline problems got the best of them.

Blueliner Ryan Scheafer got Port Hope off to a good start at 3:49 of the first period, as rookie Jake Taylor and Peter Baldwin lent a hand.

Trenton countered with two power-play goals at 10:56 and 17:58. The Preds took four penalties that period, including one at 58 seconds in, and one at 19:59.

The only goal of the second period was courtesy of Port Hope’s Danny Greiner, who picked up a pass from Chad McQuaid at 5:30.

While the first half of the period was relatively quiet, the penalty box parade began a little over halfway through and didn't stop until the final buzzer sounded. Many of the calls were messy stick infractions that would come back to haunt the Predators.

Port Hope’s power play found its legs midway through the third as Trenton was down a man. Peter Baldwin notched a marker, with Tyler Miller and Dave Williams helping out. The Hercs replied with a power-play goal at 13:46, and back to even strength, another shortly after at 14:02, and a third at 14:13.

Greiner scored his second of the night at 14:34 from Miller and Capt. Jeremy McCarty, but the deal was done. Trenton capped things off with another power-play marker at 17:38.

The Preds lost 8-5 to the Ajax Attack last night at the Jack Burger Sports Complex.

Port Hope’s game next Sunday will not be a regular 7 p.m. start, as the puck drops at 1 p.m.