The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers met a giant on Thursday evening at the Memorial Centre, falling 14-7 to the defending Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs.
It was the first time the two teams had faced each other since the Chiefs swept the Lakers in the MSL Finals last summer en route to beating New Westminster for the national title.
The Lakers fell behind early, trailing 5-2 after the first period, and their offence could not keep up with the Chiefs, who got multiple goal goals from Lyle Thompson, Eli McLaughlin, Austin Staats, Dhane Smith and Travis Longboat. Joe Resetarits and Thomas Hoggarth each had a hat trick for the Lakers, and Holden Cattoni also scored.
Resetarits realized that in addition to the prowess of the Chiefs, the Lakers had battled all week in two prior games against Owen Sound, and fatigue could have been an issue for the Lakers, who came out flat in the first period. He’s looking forward to the rematch July 9 in Six Nations when the Lakers might have fresher legs.
“That’s the joy of having another chance to play them. We learned what to expect,” Resetarits said after the game. “Obviously, they’re a phenomenal team. We can’t just sit back and accept that. We have to go out there and play and take it to them as much as we can, dictate the pace as much as we can. Try to help the defence out: offensively, we have to start putting the ball in the net.”
Carter Page and Tommy Collins debuted for the Lakers on offence. Page played as a call-up last season a few times but he was happy to get back into the lineup.
"It was a great atmosphere tonight," he said. "A hometown boy playing in Peterborough is something you look forward to your whole life so getting in the lineup and getting to play with these guys I've grown up watching is huge."
A win would have been better but Page thanked the crowd for staying behind the team. "Peterborough is always here, we’re a lacrosse town. They're all going to rally behind us and support us any way possible."
Missing were Jake Withers (celebrating the birth of his son Wesley on Wednesday night), Robert Hope and Turner Evans (coaching the Jr. A Lakers), Koleton Marquis, Austin Hasen, Cam Milligan and Doug Buchan. Scratched were Holden Lowes and Andrew Vradenburg.
Drew Hutchison backed up Landon Kells, and took over the goal in the third period when it was 13-4.
The Lakers’ record falls to 4-4-0 yet they stay in third place in the MSL standings with four games remaining in the regular season. It was the third loss for the Lakers in their four home games so far.
They’re off until next Wednesday, July 3 when they visit the Brooklin Lacrosse Club at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby. They’ll return home the next evening to host the Cobourg Kodiaks. Tickets are on sale at the box office.
SCORING FOR THE LAKERS:
Joe Resetarits (3-2)
Thomas Hoggarth (3-1)
Holden Cattoni (1-0)
Rob Hellyer (0-4)
Taite Cattoni (0-2)
Taylor Jensen (0-1)
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
Photo by David Pickering
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