Lakers Win Over Brampton in Playoff Tune-Up
"We love Lakers yes we do, we love Lakers how 'bout you?" - Camp Moshava
It’s earlier than usual, but it’s playoff time in Peterborough. The Century 21 Lakers played their final regular season game on Thursday night, beating the Brampton Excelsiors 11-6 at the Memorial Centre.
The Lakers now have a few days off while the Major Series Lacrosse season concludes. The Lakers will finish in third place, and while a playoff opponent is yet to be confirmed, the team expects to open the playoffs at home next Thursday, July 18.
The Lakers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with goals from Dylan Hutchison, Jake Withers and Austin Hasen. Brampton’s Lucas Ferreira traded goals with Holden Cattoni before the Excelsiors added two more. Peterborough easily responded, with Owen Hiltz kicking off a three-goal run with the highlight of the night: a sweet behind-the-back marker. Hiltz caught the pass from Joe Resetarits as he cruised in front of the net, and casually tossed the ball over his left shoulder without looking. Matt Gilray and Joe Resetarits rounded out the period with the Lakers up 7-3.
"We took them for granted, they came out firing," said Colton Armstrong. "It was a close game at points but our offence did really well and our transition got some goals and that's what we're trying to key on, its the transition goals. I didn't get any, but Wiz and a couple of the other guys did. This was a stepping stone for playoffs."
Jake Withers finished with a perfect night at the face-off dot, going 21 for 21.
In the second, Hasen and Hiltz sandwiched a Seth VanSchepen goal with their second goals of the game.
In the third, Adam Thistlethwaite, playing up on offence, scored his first goal of the season to go along with an earlier assist, though his fight attempt later was deemed a roughing double minor so he didn’t quite get the Gordie Howe hat trick.
"It wasn't much of a fight, just a little scuffle but I guess I pulled them all together there for the Gordie almost. It was fun," smiled Thistlethwaite, whose goal celebration was a nod to Shawn Evans, as he did the point and pump at the 500 kids from Camp Moshava up in the Family Zone.
"We saw all the camp kids up there going crazy and someone said we gotta get 'em going! They went crazy for it," Thistlethwaite said.
Brampton scored a pair before Cattoni’s second found its way into an empty net.
Camp Moshava amped up the crowd all game long, even starting the wave in the second period.
"It was almost like NLL vibes in here tonight," Armstrong said. "We had goosebumps in warmup. They were singing songs over the DJ here. It was a really cool atmosphere to have all those people up there cheering us on. I'm not sure if it was their first lacrosse game or they've been here before, but I hope they come back for more in the playoffs."
It was Little Lakers’ Night at the arena and over $4000 was raised for Five Counties Children’s Centre through a bucket pass in the first period. Funds will also come from the proceeds of a silent auction which concluded after the game. The Lakers wore special warm up shirts (designed by kindergarten students Raelynn and Bailey) which will be auctioned off online, the proceeds of which will also go towards Five Counties - stay tuned for bidding information!
Playoff information will be released as soon as it’s confirmed.
SCORING FOR THE LAKERS:
Holden Cattoni (2-2)
Austin Hasen (2-1)
Owen Hiltz (2-0)
Joe Resetarits (1-4)
Jake Withers (1-2)
Adam Thistlethwaite (1-1)
Matt Gilray (1-1)
Dylan Hutchison (1-0)
Turner Evans (0-4)
Colton Armstrong (0-1)
Robert Hope (0-1)
Koleton Marquis (0-1)
Landon Kells (0-1)
