Peterborough –The Peterborough Lakers were defeated 11-8 by the Six Nations Chiefs. (Perhaps the Lakers forgot the game started at 8pm as they came out flat and fell behind early) The game was set up to be an epic battle, pitting two of the world’s best indoor lacrosse teams against one another. There was a capacity crowd on hand. At times the game was hard to watch. There were cheap shots, dives, missed calls, bad calls and just blatant whining. The officiating was mediocre at best. The Lakers and Coach Batley didn't help their cause by yelling at the officials for most of the game. The Lakers didn't look like the team they could be.
Tom Montour got the Chiefs on the board early, scoring back to back short handed goals. The Lakers fell behind 3-1 after the first period. The period took 45 minutes to play out as a result of the referee's Grenier and Fergusson calling 13 penalties to start the game. It was shameful on the officials part, for their part, the officials looked anxious, they tried to put their stamp on the game early, this was unfortunate.
The 2nd period was much better to watch. The Lakers came out with some momentum and they looked ready to play, but 5 minutes in their defence got caught ball watching, they looked shaky and a couple of breakdowns and mis-cues led to the Lakers pulling goaltender Kevin Crosswell in favour of Angus Goodleaf. Goodleaf is a longtime teammate with many of the Iroqouis National players who also play for the Chiefs. (Goodleaf should of started the game). Goodleaf made some strong saves and helped get the Lakers back into it but it wasn't enough.
The Lakers, Scott Evans, had a hat trick in the final period and Peterborough looked to close the gap and make a comeback but with the score 10-8 the Lakers forced a turnover high in the offensive zone and the Chiefs scored on a breakaway to seal the deal and make it an 11-8 final.
Tom Montour scored 3 short-handed goals and could of scored again on a break-away, but already with the score 11-8 and the Lakers net empty, Montour held onto the ball and chewed up more time.
Despite their loss, The Lakers outshot Six Nations 65-39. Chiefs goaltender Matt Vinc made some stellar saves but the Lakers played into his strengths by repeatedly firing high shots from the outside. The Lakers failed to get inside and bounce the ball. They got away from shooting low and around his Vinc's ankles, this is where they had success previously against Vinc when the Lakers beat the Chiefs 11-6 at home back on June 2. The Chiefs however, had a short bench that game and their line-up tonight was improved and they played a strong team game.
The Lakers took too many penalties - and yet the Chiefs Powerplay went 0-9, however the difference was still on the special teams, the Chiefs scored 4 times on the short-man. The Lakers defence was shaky tonight and too many times the defenders forced their man outside and got beat because they were watching the ball and lost sight of their man. This is the first loss at home on the season for the Lakers and their record falls to 8-3 on the season. They still remain in first place and tied with the Brooklyn Redmen, who they host this thursday night 8pm at the Memorial Centre.
The Bruins are the second winningest American Franchise taking home the Cup 6 times. The Detroit Red Wings have won the Cup 11 times.