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LAKERS NATION: THE FINALS ARE COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN! You asked for it! The Peterborough DBIA, in partnership with the City of Peterborough, is bringing the arena energy and road-game excitement to the heart of downtown. Let's gather together at the Quaker Foods City Square to cheer on the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers live on the big screen as they take on the Chiefs in the MSL Finals. Grab takeout from your favourite downtown spot, wear your blue and red, and let’s bring the noise! Quaker Foods City Square Sunday, Aug 23 @ 7:00 PM (Game 3) Thursday, Aug 27 @ 8:00 PM (Game 5) Tuesday, Sep 1 @ 8:00 PM (Game 7 - if necessary) Please note: Watch parties are outdoor events and weather-permitting. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for real-time game-day updates. Visit TheBoro.ca to find downtown dining and shopping options before faceoff!
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers tied the MSL Finals 1-1 on Thursday night with a 9-8 win over the Six Nations Chiefs. Dustyn Birkhof scored the game winning goal with 4:20 remaining, scooping up a missed Chiefs’ pass and blasting in a shot on transition, causing the fans at the Memorial Centre to erupt into their loudest cheer of the season. “It makes the game so much different,” Birkhof said. “To hear the fans going gives us that extra energy that we need and we love it. It really gets us going.” It was both a thrilling and somber moment for Birkhof. He pointed up as he celebrated, dedicating the goal to his late brother Steve, who passed away four years ago Thursday. Much of the Birkhof family, including Dustyn’s older brother and former Laker Broedie, were in attendance. “I said a prayer the shift before that one,” Birkhof said. “He was definitely with me for that final shot. I owe it all to him. Today was a very special day and to get that goal means a lot, not just to me but to the team as well.” Birkhof didn’t play in Game 1, but both his toughness and transition were welcomed in Game 2. It was a busy first period. Six Nations led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before the Lakers scored two in a row for their first lead of the series. Rob Hellyer opened the scoring with a shot from his wrong side; Taite Cattoni, in his return from injury, scored two twisters in a row before Colton Armitage before popped in a quick stick á la Cory Vitarelli on the power play. “The worst part is just watching,” Cattoni said of the nearly two months he missed. “It’s nerve-wracking and stressful so props to our fans for enduring that every time. It’s nice to be out there contributing and to get a big win here at home.” Shayne Jackson tied it 4-4 with 1:42 left, and as tensions flared multiple players from both teams ended up in the box. Right after Lyle Thompson made it 5-4, he cross checked Robert Hope in the back at the same time Brendan Bomberry cross checked him in the front. That drew a crowd and three Chiefs and two Lakers were penalized. The Lakers took another penalty shortly after and Chris Cloutier scored four-on-four for a 6-4 Six Nations lead. The Lakers came out hot in the second period and had tied the game by the 4:43 mark on a pair of goals from Braedon Saris, also returned to the lineup after missing nearly a month to injury.
It was a disappointing start to the 2026 MSL Finals for the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, who fell 11-5 to the Six Nations Chiefs at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in the best-of-seven series. It was 2-0 before the game was two minutes old. “We didn’t start the game the way we wanted, but they also came out flying,” said goaltender Nick Rose, who replaced Drew Hutchison late in the first period. “And they’re a team that is three-time back-to-back champs. We just have to find a way to match that from the opening faceoff on Thursday and get back to it. We can’t be too focused on the result tonight.” Thomas Hoggarth got the Lakers on the board, but goals from Ian MacKay and Randy Staats made it 4-1 midway through the first. Rob Hellyer got one back, but the Chiefs scored twice late in the period, prompting the goaltender switch. “It’s not a good feeling to get pulled as a goalie and we just let him know that one was on us, and it was,” said rookie defender Brenden Boyle. “Be there for him with a pat on the back. And at the end of the day just show up for the next one.” Peterborough was held scoreless in the second period while the physicality ramped up. Brad McCulley was ejected for a high stick on Nonkon Thompson about four minutes in, kicking off a string of 43 penalty minutes (14 minors, one major, one game misconduct) called in the period. The Chiefs scored three times for a 9-2 lead. Peterborough’s offence found a second gear early in the third period with a three-goal run. Ryan Lanchbury kicked it off with a shorthanded marker far side, followed by Hellyer’s second of the game right up the middle. Hoggarth’s second capped the run as he tossed in a one-handed, underhand marker off of Colton Armstrong’s rebound. Ryan Smith led the Chiefs with three goals and three assists. Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith each scored twice and assisted on three others. The series switches to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game 2 on Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets for both Game 2 and Game 4 (Tuesday, Aug. 25) are on sale now via Ticketmaster or in person/by phone at the arena box office. Of Note - Shots are not kept at the ILA - Jake Withers won 11/19 faceoffs, with Matt Gilray going 0/2. Tim Edwards won 10/21 for Six Nations. - Peterborough was 0-7 on the power play and the Chiefs were 2/5. Full Lakers Scoring Rob Hellyer 2-0 Thomas Hoggarth 2-0 Ryan Lanchbury 1-1 Brenden Boyle 0-1 Matt Gilray 0-1 Colton Armitage 0-1 Photos by Anna Taylor
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